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COMMENTARY
Aug 7, 2008

Terrorism and the Games

"Safety is our top concern," said China's Vice President Xi Jinping in late July, pointing to the deployment of 100,000 troops around Beijing and the surface-to-air missile batteries that protect the main stadiums as proof of the regime's determination to ensure that no terrorist attack would disrupt...
EDITORIALS
Aug 7, 2008

Bumpy road to devolution

A government panel on devolution submitted its first set of recommendations to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in May, the main pillar of which was the call to transfer in principle the power to manage national highways and large river systems from the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry to prefectural...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 7, 2008

Tokyo's Lolita scene all about escapism

The look is weird, and very Tokyo.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / CABINET INTERVIEW
Aug 7, 2008

Clarify rules to attract foreign investment, Motegi says

Japan must make clear its criteria for restricting foreign direct investment if it hopes to attract capital from abroad, financial services minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Wednesday.
Reader Mail
Aug 7, 2008

No advantage in a media circus

Regarding David Chester's July 31 letter, "Mind boggles at police reports": What business is it of his how police conduct their investigations? Often in the United States, once a suspect's name is in the media, there's a circus on the airwaves and the gossip magazines do a hatchet job on the suspect....
Reader Mail
Aug 7, 2008

Suspiciously unsafe at any level

Regarding the Aug. 3 article "Sub developed radioactive leak in Sasebo": Who are the U.S. Navy officials to say (the "trace amounts" of radioactivity that leaked into the water during a port call in March) will have "no effects on the environment and human bodies"? How about the fish that the Japanese...
COMMENTARY
Aug 7, 2008

Say no to 'NPT' of climate change

Climate change has been correctly identified as a threat multiplier. Yet it has already become a divisive issue internationally before a plan for a low-carbon future has emerged.
BUSINESS
Aug 7, 2008

ANA set to suspend or reduce 11 routes

All Nippon Airways Co. said Wednesday it will suspend or reduce 11 international and domestic routes beginning this fall as it struggles with surging jet fuel costs.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 7, 2008

Making art out of Article 9

Perhaps there are two types of Japanese people: those who stay in Japan, and those who leave for foreign shores. Distance means the two rarely interact, and it's just as well, because the results can be fiery.
Reader Mail
Aug 7, 2008

Human side of Japan's 'burden'

After reading Yoshio Shimoji's July 31 letter, I can't help but get the impression that he may be among those Japanese in general who are frustrated with the U.S. military presence on their island. If so, may I offer a few points to ponder whenever the "unfairness" of the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 7, 2008

Nissan shows off prototypes of electric, hybrid vehicles

YOKOSUKA, Kanagawa Pref. — Nissan Motor Co. unveiled prototypes Wednesday of electric and gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles it plans to launch in Japan and the United States in business 2010.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 7, 2008

Mad about deke-deke-deke

The Ventures' 1962 trip to Japan sparked the "eleki boom." Thousands of young men bought electric guitars and taught themselves how to play. As a movement it worried their elders, who believed such distractions were an obstacle to schoolwork, or worse.
Reader Mail
Aug 7, 2008

Tighten the leash on spammers

Recently, since I started venturing out into Web sites, my address has somehow been intercepted and I'm starting to receive seven to eight junk e-mails per day. A businessman I know counts about 100 spams every morning awaiting deletion. I don't pay my e-mail provider for the privilege of serving as...
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.
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.

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