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Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 14, 2008

Traditional delights

In a summertime exhibition to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Kokka, the authoritative Japanese journal on pre-modern Asian art, and the 130th anniversary of the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, the (TNM) has taken an interesting change of direction in its curation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 13, 2008

Firm plugs consumers into funny USB goods

Working in an office during the summer can be an uncomfortably sweaty experience, and Hiroyasu Yamamitsu, president of humorous PC accessories maker Thanko Inc., spotted a business chance there.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / ANIMAL TRACKER
Aug 13, 2008

Collared Scops Owl

Japanese name: Ookonohazuku
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Aug 12, 2008

It's ghost season in Japan — who you gonna call?

If there are eerie goings-on in the neighborhood — and Halloween is still two months off — it could be because Japan's traditional "ghost season" maxes out at this time of the year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Aug 12, 2008

It's ghost season in Japan — who you gonna call?

If there are eerie goings-on in the neighborhood — and Halloween is still two months off — it could be because Japan's traditional "ghost season" maxes out at this time of the year.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Aug 10, 2008

Celebrity rules as the Olympics strays far from its ideal

The big story this year in competitive swimming is the LZR Racer swimsuit, which was developed by the British sportswear manufacturer Speedo. At least six world records have been set by swimmers wearing the suit. Studies have shown that its drag-diminishing properties lower racing times by 1.9 to 2.2...
Japan Times
Features
Aug 10, 2008

War and reconciliation: a tale of two countries

On July 7, 2008, officers of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force visited Nanjing, the ancient capital of China, for an artillery demonstration — a visit barely mentioned in the Chinese media, even though it was the first time Japanese soldiers returned to the scene of the crime — the Nanjing massacre...
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Aug 10, 2008

Engineering a historical oblivion for soldiers of the wrong wars

My dad was a lucky man. Born in 1903, he was just too young for service in World War I and a bit too old for the same in World War II. Not that he couldn't have volunteered for the latter. He certainly could have, but decided not to.
JAPAN
Aug 9, 2008

U.S. won't interfere with Japan's antiterrorism policy, Boucher says

The ball is in Japan's court when it comes to deciding the contribution it can make to antiterrorism efforts in Afghanistan, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher said Friday in Tokyo.
OLYMPICS / 2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS
Aug 9, 2008

Beijing joyfully steps forward

BEIJING — There are numerous slogans plastered on walls and Web sites with equal frequency in Beijing. The "One World, One Dream" Olympic motto and "Light the passion, share the dream" theme for the torch relay are prominently featured.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Aug 8, 2008

Machimura steels himself for another Diet session

The key to getting bills and personnel appointments through the divided Diet is "patience," says Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura.
EDITORIALS
Aug 8, 2008

Let the dream-come-true begin

The Beijing Olympics which are being held from Friday through Aug. 24 under the slogan "One world, one dream" are a dream-come-true for China and its people. Chinese leaders in Beijing hope that the Games will showcase the country's economic development and modernization, and serve as a springboard for...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 8, 2008

'The Dark Knight'

Like a plague of locusts, the superhero movies descend on us this summer. August brings us "Hancock," with Will Smith as an alcoholic, irresponsible and quite unfunny superhero; "The Incredible Hulk," which is practically a remake of 2003's "Hulk (presumably Ang Lee's version wasn't stupid enough); and...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Aug 8, 2008

Bon odori and fine Aussie cuisine

Aussie eatery opens at Hotel Nikko As part of ongoing renovations, the Hotel Nikko Tokyo on the Odaiba waterfront has just opened the Grill & Wine Taronga restaurant on the hotel's second floor.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Aug 8, 2008

Hiroshima anime gathering highlights Finnish creations

The biannual Hiroshima International Animation Festival, which started Thursday and ends Monday, caters to animation enthusiasts who do not necessarily rush after the latest Evangelion film or crave after round-eyed Sailor Moon girls.
SPORTS / ODDS AND EVENS
Aug 7, 2008

Beijing putting best foot forward as opening ceremony draws near

BEIJING — The Olympic hosts want to make a good first impression. That's no big surprise. The world is watching, and it's why you are greeted by one set of smiling volunteers when you walk off the airplane at Beijing Capital International Airport.
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 Times
ENVIRONMENT / OLD NIC'S NOTEBOOK
Aug 6, 2008

City gone wild

In June this year I took a group of Japanese friends and members of our Afan Woodland Trust up here in the Nagano hills on a trip to Britain. We went on an All Nippon Airways tour designed for people with an interest in ecology and nature restoration, and we visited our "twin" forest, the Afan Argoed...
BUSINESS
Aug 6, 2008

Nissan cars to push back against speeders

Nissan Motor Co. will soon sell cars with accelerators that push back when drivers try to put the pedal to the metal. It has also developed a test model packed with added sensor technology to avoid collisions.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / CABINET INTERVIEW
Aug 5, 2008

Detail goals before raising taxes: Ibuki

Before initiating any hike in the 5 percent consumption tax, the ruling bloc must clearly articulate to voters what policies it will pursue and its priorities in line with a higher levy, new Finance Minister Bunmei Ibuki said Monday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Aug 5, 2008

Yasukuni in spotlight as Aug. 15 nears

Aug. 15 marks the 63rd anniversary of the end of World War II. For the people of Japan, including relatives of the war dead, it is a day of remembrance and of peace.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Aug 5, 2008

Schools aim to cultivate returnee students' 'second culture'

Yuki, 7, zooms around the school lounge in her neon T-shirt, hugging teachers, gesturing wildly, making jokes and chattering away in perfect English. Yuki is Japanese and learned English when her family lived in Los Angeles for two years. She is affectionate and expressive, or at least she is on Saturdays...

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji