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BUSINESS
Apr 11, 2008

Toyota to raise Fuji Heavy stake to 16.5%

Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's top carmaker, said Thursday it will raise its stake in Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. to 16.5 percent from 8.7 percent to improve joint product development amid fierce global competition.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Apr 11, 2008

Vietnamese Impressionist solo exhibition to aid charities

A benefit exhibition featuring Le Thanh Son, a well-known Impressionist-style painter from Vietnam putting on his first solo show in Japan, will be held in Tokyo from April 13 to 18. The 45-year-old artist is renowned for his use of bright colors in re-creating the intimate atmospheres of villages around...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 11, 2008

'Michael Clayton'/'Lions for Lambs'

America's rightwing bloviators like to go on about "liberal Hollywood." They have half a point, but they neglect to notice that for every "Erin Brockovich" or "JFK," there's a "300" or "Top Gun." It's just that the rightwing viewpoint tends to be subsumed as flag-waving patriotism or military superiority...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 11, 2008

The Tenori-on World Launch Tour

Words from the lexicon of visual arts have often been applied to the world of music, from the way 1960s British Mod band The Creation described their music as "red, with purple flashes" to the way modern electronic and ambient music is often described as "sound collages" and "aural landscapes."
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / FREEWHEELIN' ACROSS JAPAN
Apr 11, 2008

Dreams of the 'One-Eyed Dragon'

As usual, I check into the Sendai City Hotel on Bansui Dori, one of the best deals in town: It sits on the edge of the Kokubuncho entertainment district, has a Christian church opposite for easy penance if things get out of hand, and newly-refurbished single rooms start from a comfortable ¥3,500. The...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2008

Russia's boom times stretch to Niigata

NIIGATA — Ripples from Russia's booming economy have crossed the Sea of Japan, lapping at the shores of Niigata Prefecture and leading to strengthened ties.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Apr 11, 2008

Mega-chef Gordon Ramsay cooks Tokyo a gala dinner

Gordon Ramsay comes to Tokyo Gordon Ramsay, the world-famous chef based in London, will be in Tokyo on April 19, and the French restaurant Gordon Ramsay at the Conrad Tokyo, for which Ramsay is a consultant, will hold special events to mark the occasion.
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2008

Hatoyama 'solemnly' reveals four more convicts hanged

Four death-row inmates were hanged Thursday, bringing to 10 the number of executions Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama has approved since he took office last August.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Apr 11, 2008

YIWC: classical music and tea for a good cause

A charity concert with afternoon tea will be held by Yokohama International Women's Club on April 17 at the Yokohama Grand InterContinental Hotel in the Minatomirai waterfront area.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 11, 2008

'Atonement'

The hype on "Atonement" is that it's a story about guilt, passion and sex: a crowd-pleasing triumvirate. Though the story does bank on these factors, it's really an emotional experiment and a literary conceit designed to intrigue the intellect rather than titillate the senses. You shouldn't really expect...
CULTURE / Music
Apr 11, 2008

Bahashishi "Kaleidoscope"

"Putting the heart of the world into music" is the theme of Osaka-based quintet Bahashishi, who graduate to a major label with this, their second album. Taking their name from the Swahili for "heart," the band, led by effervescent vocalist Yurari, have a clear J-pop-with-a-conscience mission, which...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 11, 2008

'Chesuto'

Japanese live-action films about teenagers are many, but about children, few. This is largely a box-office calculation — teenagers pay higher ticket prices than children. Also, children usually go to the theater for a feature-length version of a cartoon they know from television, though there are hugely...
EDITORIALS
Apr 11, 2008

What lies behind murderous intent?

It is always difficult to determine why anyone would develop an urge to kill. However, the behavior and the background of the suspects in two murders in late March indicates that along with other cautionary measures, better social and familial help might have prevented the tragedies.
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2008

Mihashi case throws light on domestic violence

Her nose broken, her face bruised and bleeding internally, Kaori Mihashi sought protection at a shelter in Tokyo in June 2005. She told officials there her injuries were the result of repeated assaults by her husband in their upscale Tokyo condo.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2008

'Yasukuni' director suspects political meddling

Li Ying, the Chinese director of an award-winning documentary on Yasukuni Shrine, said Thursday he was perplexed to hear that a key figure in the film, sword smith Naoji Kariya, has reportedly asked that his appearance be entirely deleted.
COMMENTARY
Apr 11, 2008

The U.S. election: grounds for optimism

LOS ANGELES — One early sign that a run of optimism may be on the way is the point at which the utility of continued pessimism is seen as utterly dysfunctional by all concerned.
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2008

Dalai Lama reiterates support for games, urges nonviolence

NARITA, Chiba Pref. — The Dalai Lama on Thursday again voiced support for China's hosting of the Olympic Games and called on protesters to stick to nonviolent activities during the chaotic round-the-world torch relay.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Apr 11, 2008

DJ Tiësto to entrance ageHa

For those still in the mood for dancing after the Nagisa Music Festival closes its gates Saturday in Odaiba, the massive nightclub ageHa in Shinkiba, Koto Ward, will sport the biggest ticket in Tokyo clubland just a short train ride away.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 11, 2008

A manga drunk on French wine

Hearing a 2001 Mont-Perat described as "just like a rock concert by Queen" is enough to make any self-respecting Frenchman expel a snort of derision from his finely-tuned nostrils.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 11, 2008

Jazz icon Akiko Yano finds her electronic muse

She released her acclaimed debut album 32 years ago at the age of 21, but Akiko Yano still refuses to rest on her laurels. Even with a 27th solo album on the way, the pianist, vocalist, lyricist and composer is still searching for new musical experiences.
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2008

20 years sought for wife who chopped up 'abusive' husband

Prosecutors demanded a 20-year prison term for Kaori Mihashi on Thursday for murdering and dismembering her husband in December 2006 and disposing of the body parts around Tokyo.

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear