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Reader Mail
Aug 7, 2008

The usual level of xenophobia

Regarding Debito Arudou's Aug. 5 article, "Once a 'gaijin,' always a 'gaijin' ": I am truly sick of reading Arudou's rants. When will he get over himself? If Japanese society is so inhospitable/racist, why has he chosen it as home? It is no more xenophobic than any other society. But this realization...
Reader Mail
Aug 7, 2008

Prosecution hurdles are needed

Regarding Yoshio Shimoji's July 31 letter, "Hurdles to prosecuting (U.S.) soldiers": The writer doesn't seem to realize why those "hurdles" are in place. It's simple; the Japanese police have a horrible track record of maintaining the rights of those under arrest, especially foreigners.
EDITORIALS
Aug 7, 2008

Shot in the arm for nursing care

Under an economic partnership agreement between Japan and Indonesia, nurses and nursing care workers from Indonesia are arriving this week. As the number of aged people needing medical treatment and nursing care is increasing in this country, the Indonesians will be welcomed by hospitals and nursing...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Aug 7, 2008

Nihon buyo dancers pass on their culture

As far back as elementary school, Yukari Hatori, now age 34, dreamed of becoming a nihon buyo (Japanese dance) performer.
CULTURE / Music
Aug 7, 2008

The Ventures: Still rocking after 50 years

The Ventures have just finished playing 33 songs in the space of two hours in front of some enthusiastic, though seated, middle-aged fans at the Hokutopia concert hall in Tokyo. Kazushi Kojima, who calls himself a "philosopher," is there with his son. He's been attending Ventures shows for 30 years....
BUSINESS / CABINET INTERVIEW
Aug 7, 2008

Tanigaki touts foreign tourism to boost economy

Attracting more foreign tourists can help offset the loss of economic vitality foreseen as the nation ages and the population declines, tourism minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said Monday.
Reader Mail
Aug 7, 2008

Common sense with pets, please

Recent years have seen a boom in pet clothing. No matter how silly it looks, a dog might enjoy the added warmth of a layer of clothing in winter; and on rainy days, a little doggy raincoat and galoshes at least serve some purpose. But the other day, with the temperature at 33 C, I was dismayed to see...
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Aug 7, 2008

Environment chief's first target his home

Newly appointed Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito's top mission is to fight global warming by persuading the public to consume less energy.
JAPAN
Aug 7, 2008

FCCJ presses China to free up reporting

OSAKA — Japan-based journalists have joined growing international calls for China to stop restricting Internet access to journalists covering the Beijing Olympics.
BUSINESS
Aug 7, 2008

Siemens to end venture with Fujitsu

Siemens AG plans to pull out of its computer-making venture with Fujitsu Ltd., a move that may result in the sale or dismantling of Fujitsu Siemens Computers Holding BV, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing unidentified sources.
JAPAN
Aug 7, 2008

Climate change seen in recent flooding

Two recent accidents have many people worried that something's gone wrong this year, that this summer is somehow different from the summers of their childhoods.
BUSINESS
Aug 7, 2008

Nomura may ship water to Australia via empty coal-carriers

A Nomura Holdings Inc. unit plans to study exporting water from Japan to Australia for agricultural and industrial use as that nation recovers from its worst drought on record, two people familiar with the proposal said.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 6, 2008

The challenge of Hiroshima

MEDFORD, Oregon — When the penetrating heat of summer rises to a scorching point, I am brought back to one sunny day in 1945, faraway from my Oregon home today. I was a sixth grader waiting for my mother. On that day, Aug. 6, in Hiroshima, the sun and the Earth melted together. Many of my relatives...
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 6, 2008

Triumph of the totalitarian will in Beijing

MOSCOW — When the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games begins this week, viewers will be presented with a minutely choreographed spectacle swathed in nationalist kitsch. Of course, images that recall German leader Adolf Hitler's goose-stepping storm troopers are the last thing that China's...
JAPAN
Aug 6, 2008

Osaka governor rests but rough air on radar

OSAKA — After six months on the job, Osaka Pref. Gov. Toru Hashimoto will take his first extended vacation during the Bon holiday in mid-August.
JAPAN
Aug 6, 2008

Aso demands DPJ come to table

With an extraordinary Diet session expected to start later this month or in September, Taro Aso, newly appointed secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, challenged the Democratic Party of Japan Tuesday not to duck talks with the ruling bloc on its own policy proposals.
Japan Times
SPORTS / ODDS AND EVENS
Aug 6, 2008

Compelling stories plentiful as Beijing Games near

BEIJING — I learned this when I was a wee lad: One of life's great diversions is learning about other people's eccentricities. My maternal grandparents taught me this, using sports as the backdrop for this timeless principle.
JAPAN
Aug 6, 2008

LDP election chief cool to near-term campaign

The Liberal Democratic Party needs more time to promote its policies before entertaining any idea of a Lower House election, the chairman of the LDP Election Strategy Council indicated Tuesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Aug 6, 2008

A's Chavez sidelined for season

TORONTO — Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez will have surgery to repair fraying of the labrum in his right shoulder next week, ending his season after he played in just 23 games.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / CABINET INTERVIEW
Aug 6, 2008

Ailing regions at top of agenda: METI chief

The government needs to take measures this summer to stimulate the weakening economy amid surging fuel prices, Toshihiro Nikai, the new minister of economy, trade and industry, said.

Longform

Koichi Tagawa’s diary entry from Aug. 9, 1945, describes the day of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.
The horrors of Nagasaki, in first person