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BUSINESS
Oct 2, 2008

First-half car sales sink to 34-year low

Domestic auto sales in the first half of this business year slumped to their lowest level in 34 years as rising unemployment and decade-high inflation sapped demand for new vehicles, an industry association said Wednesday.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 1, 2008

U.S. Treasury Secretary Paulson is wrong

CHICAGO — When a profitable company is hit by a very large liability, the solution is not to have the government buy its assets at inflated prices. The solution, instead, is protection under bankruptcy law, which in the United States means Chapter 11.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 1, 2008

Sarah Palin doesn't deserve women's votes

NEW YORK — The selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate hit the United States like an electric storm. To her legions of lipstick-waving fans on the right, Palin is a down-to-earth, God-fearing "hockey mom" whose moose hunting, evangelical faith and even chaotic family life are all evidence...
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 1, 2008

The Dragon and the Bear

SOUTH BEND, Indiana — Second honeymoons rarely, if ever, recapture the zest of lost love. Yet ever since the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, Russia and China have sought to rekindle the close relations that once supposedly existed between the Soviet Union and Mao's China before Nikita Khrushchev's...
Rugby
Oct 1, 2008

Japan applies to host 2015 RWC

Japan has formally applied to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
TENNIS
Oct 1, 2008

Nishikori prevails in tough opening match

Japanese teenager Kei Nishikori beat American Robert Kendrick in three sets Tuesday to advance to the second round of the Japan Open.
COMMENTARY
Oct 1, 2008

The Middle East quartet's failing mission

The creation in 2002 of the Quartet on the Middle East, comprising the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations, raised hopes for its critical contribution to the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A report released on Sept. 25, "The Middle East Quartet: A Progress...
BUSINESS
Oct 1, 2008

Matsushita gives way to Panasonic

A famous corporate brand name will disappear Wednesday when Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. abandons the name of its founder in an attempt to evolve into a truly global corporation.
EDITORIALS
Oct 1, 2008

Mr. Aso throws down the gauntlet

Prime Minister Taro Aso's first policy speech to the Diet on Monday was unusual. Aiming to win in the next Lower House election, Mr. Aso turned a considerable part of his speech into a challenge to the Democratic Party of Japan, the No. 1 opposition party. Mr. Aso's target was DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa....
COMMENTARY
Oct 1, 2008

Time for geoengineering?

Scientists have their own way of putting things. This is how Dr. Oerjan Gustafsson of Stockholm University announced the approach of a climate apocalypse in an e-mail sent recently from the Russian research ship "Jakob Smirnitskyi" in the Arctic Ocean.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 1, 2008

Ishikawa tosses seven-hitter, puts dent in Carp's postseason plans

Tokyo Yakult Swallows pitcher Masanori Ishikawa probably won't be playing in the postseason this year.
EDITORIALS
Oct 1, 2008

Unprepared for the post

The verbal gaffes by transport minister Nariaki Nakayama, which led to his resignation after only five days in the post, show that he lacked qualifications both as a politician and Cabinet minister. Prime Minister Taro Aso admitted that he was responsible for Mr. Nakayama's appointment. His responsibility...
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Oct 1, 2008

North policy unchanged: Nakasone

Japan's policy on North Korea under Prime Minister Taro Aso will remain focused on resolving the abduction issue, new Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said Tuesday.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OLD NIC'S NOTEBOOK
Oct 1, 2008

Helping a healthy river flow

My eldest daughter, Miwako, gave birth to twin girls in March of this year, raising the number of my grandchildren to five. So, when my busy schedule finally permitted, I recently nipped over to Vancouver to see them all and to help out Miwako and her partner, Don McCubbing, by being houseboy and chief...
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / IN BLOOM
Oct 1, 2008

Balloon vine

Whither does he make his way?Only where the autumn winds blow The little pilgrim!
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Oct 1, 2008

Shionoya embraces teachers union, 'morals'

Education minister Ryu Shionoya said Tuesday that the Japan Teachers Union (Nikkyoso) should cooperate with the ministry on improving education, dismissing critical remarks by short-lived transport minister Nariaki Nakayama, who resigned Sunday after attacking the union and calling it "a cancer."
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2008

Bug cuisine not for the squeamish

Putting your prejudices aside can lead to different, and possibly better, experiences — such as eating insects.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / IGADGET
Oct 1, 2008

These babies offer a different perspective

Right angles: Photographic creativity lies in the choice of focus. Being able to isolate the subject while the rest of the picture is reduced to a blur is an eye-catching technique.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2008

New tourism agency to act as policy 'control tower'

The Japan Tourism Agency will be established Wednesday with the aim of attracting more foreign tourists to the country.
BUSINESS
Oct 1, 2008

Japan sweats as U.S. rescue stalls

The uncertainty swirling around the financial crisis in the United States has sparked concerns in Japan that more bad news is on the way for exporters, consumption and the economy, analysts said Tuesday.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years