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LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Dec 23, 2008

Tight budgets or not, the year's hit products roll on

As the year rushes toward its finale, Japan's media devotes a lot of coverage to identifying hitto shōhin (ヒット商品, hit products) that have succeeded in capturing consumers' hearts and minds over the previous 12 months.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 23, 2008

Children say the darndest things

Another holiday season is upon us. There is a nip in the air, lights of all colors twinkle throughout neighborhoods and cityscapes across the country, and holiday cheer radiates throughout our schools, workplaces and communities. During this festive time, friends and families often come together in true...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WORDS TO LIVE BY
Dec 23, 2008

Handwriting expert Koshu Morioka

Koshu Morioka, 75, is the founder of the Japan Graphologist Association and the nation's foremost authority on the study and analysis of handwriting. Morioka started out as a psychologist, until his love of calligraphy eventually drew him to graphology. In his illustrious 30-year career, he has examined...
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Dec 23, 2008

PMZ pedals, the Memodesk, horned sockets, Issey Miyake watches and the perfect gift box

JEAN SNOW A pedal with pedigree
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 23, 2008

Gay scene: Tolerance, legal limbo

Some countries see homosexuality as a crime punishable by death, while others are open to diversity and make no judgment on the basis of one's sexual orientation.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Dec 23, 2008

What's the best Christmas present you've ever given?

Midori Tsunekawa HousewifeI made a scarf for my husband 35 years ago. It took a while to knit, but it turned out really well. It's now my daughter's favorite winter item. She loves it.
BUSINESS
Dec 23, 2008

Priority budget details announced

The government said Monday that ¥77.5 billion of the ¥333 billion earmarked for high-priority issues in the fiscal 2009 budget will be used to fund social security programs including emergency medical services and childbirth and child-rearing assistance.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 23, 2008

School bridges China-Japan gap

At first glance it seems to be a typical lunch break at a local Japanese school: Boys rambunctiously chasing one another and yanking at each other's white polo shirts, little girls twirling so hard in their pleated gray skirts that they fall down with squeals of glee.
BUSINESS
Dec 23, 2008

BOJ to focus on making funds available to firms

Bank of Japan Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa said Monday the central bank needs to focus on making funds available to companies since the benchmark interest rate is close to zero.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 23, 2008

Shinsei cleanup to cost: CEO

Shinsei Bank Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Masamoto Yashiro said Monday the lender may report a full-year loss as he writes down assets to "clean up" after predecessor Thierry Porte.
COMMENTARY
Dec 22, 2008

Deal with the reparations

This month marks the 67th anniversary of Japan's declaration of war against the United States and Britain. This long span of time is one reason the Japanese people have grown oblivious to the lessons learned from defeat in war.
EDITORIALS
Dec 22, 2008

What did the ASDF do there?

A unit of the Air-Self Defense Force has withdrawn from Iraq after completing its five-year-long transportation mission. Fortunately the ASDF unit suffered no casualties despite constant danger. Still, the Diet should examine whether the ASDF's activities in Iraq were proper from the viewpoint of the...
EDITORIALS
Dec 22, 2008

BOJ matches U.S. rate cut

The Bank of Japan's move and a government report last week point to the rapid deterioration of Japan's economy. The central bank cut the target rate for unsecured overnight call money from 0.3 percent to 0.1 percent. This followed a cut on Oct. 31 — which was the first in roughly 7 1/2 years — from...
Japan Times
SOCCER / CLUB WORLD CUP
Dec 22, 2008

Yamazaki leads Gamba to third-place finish

Gamba Osaka beat Mexico's Pachuca 1-0 on Sunday to claim a second consecutive third-place finish for a Japanese team at the Club World Cup.
COMMENTARY
Dec 22, 2008

Japan's global invisibility

Friends of Japan abroad understand why Japanese politicians often assume a low profile in international relations. When they don't — as when paying much-publicized official visits to Yasukuni Shrine or taking a recalcitrant position on whaling — they attract criticism.
SOCCER / CLUB WORLD CUP
Dec 22, 2008

Rooney lifts United to first CWC title

YOKOHAMA — Manchester United overcame a second-half red card for Nemanja Vidic to win the Club World Cup with a 1-0 victory over LDU Quito on Sunday.

Longform

An illustration features the Japanese signs for "ganbare" (good luck) and the Deaflympics, which will be held between Nov. 15 and 26.
A century of Deaf sport finds its moment in Tokyo