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JAPAN
Nov 27, 2005

Probe collects asteroid sample

The Hayabusa space probe apparently succeeded in landing Saturday on an asteroid and collecting surface samples in an unprecedented mission to bring the extraterrestrial material back to Earth, but afterward showed signs of trouble, the space agency said.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 28, 2005

Diabetes: Asia's silent killer

You could be forgiven for thinking communicable illnesses, like HIV/AIDS, and the newly feared bird flu, are the major disease threats for Asia in the next and coming decades.
JAPAN
Sep 22, 2005

Outlays for welfare set new record at 84 trillion yen

Social security spending rose to a record high 84.27 trillion yen in fiscal 2003, up 700.2 billion, yen or 0.8 percent, from the previous year due mainly to snowballing outlays for the aging population, a government research institute said Wednesday.
EDITORIALS
Aug 29, 2005

Quenching China's thirst for oil

The prospect of China buying up international petroleum supplies to quench its growing thirst for energy is the newest geopolitical nightmare. Like most bogeymen, though, the fear disappears when exposed to harsh light. China is eager to secure resources to feed its developing economy, but those efforts...
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 20, 2005

Natural gas pipeline may energize peace

MADRAS, India -- It is being called the Peace Pipe. The natural gas pipeline running from Iran to India through Pakistan may be a reality in early 2006. Indian Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Iyer made this announcement during his recent visit to Islamabad.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 6, 2005

Deciphering China's military intentions

HONOLULU -- Surely the most pressing security question confronting the United States in Asia and the nations of Asia themselves is: "Will China become a serious military threat in the western Pacific?"
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 11, 2005

Indian growth must co-opt the bypassed

MANILA -- India is a paradox. The successes of a select group of sectors -- from information technology to industr and services -- are creating an urban elite showcased as the builders of a modern and vibrant country on the cusp of joining the major economic powers of the world.
BUSINESS
May 17, 2005

30% cut in expenditures needed: panel

General expenditures need to be trimmed by 30 percent if the government is to bring Japan's finances under control by fiscal 2015 through spending cuts alone, according to a projection released Monday by the Fiscal System Council.
EDITORIALS
Apr 6, 2005

Dying in peace with dignity

The death of Terri Schiavo has focused attention on euthanasia. With her feeding tube removed, the 41-year-old American woman died in Florida last week after 15 years of living in a "vegetative state." The long and bitter dispute, in and out of court, that continued through her last days suggest the...
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2005

Tama's population fall shows how baby boom is bust

Tama New Town -- a bedroom community in Tokyo's western suburbs -- is no longer new.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Dec 20, 2004

Consumption tax, reforms, incentives key to future growth

The Keidanren in September released a simulation of the medium- to longer-term prospects for Japan's fiscal policies and social security programs. The simulation made itclear that unless the fiscal structure of the Japanese government is reformed, Japan's outstanding public debt will likely expand to...
COMMENTARY
Jul 25, 2004

Gender imbalance exacting social costs

HONG KONG -- A quarter of a century ago, China decided to focus on economic development rather than Maoist class struggle. As part of that drive, it adopted a policy of limiting population growth with couples allowed to have only one child in the cities. Chinese officials say that as a result, 300 million...
EDITORIALS
Jun 1, 2004

An 'environmental revolution'

A revolution means a radical change. That's exactly what the government's latest environment report calls for. It stresses the importance of building a new socio-economic society through environmental conservation -- a society in which "environment-friendly" technologies are broadly blended with the...
COMMUNITY
May 23, 2004

Show reflects growing 'green' economy

The words "Japanese technology" usually conjure up images of everything from cars and cameras to stereos and mobile phones.
JAPAN
May 3, 2004

Distrust in pension framework growing

The recent revelations that seven Cabinet ministers, as well as the current and former leaders of the largest opposition party, have been delinquent in paying their mandatory pension premiums have further fueled public distrust of the basic public pension framework.
JAPAN
May 3, 2004

Distrust in pension framework growing

The recent revelations that seven Cabinet ministers, as well as the current and former leaders of the largest opposition party, have been delinquent in paying their mandatory pension premiums have further fueled public distrust of the basic public pension framework.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 18, 2004

Preventive-care firms lift operations in response to graying population

Care-related firms are trying to expand operations aimed at preventing the physical and mental deterioration of people insured for nursing care, in line with the government's plan to reform the nursing-care insurance system in fiscal 2005.
BUSINESS
Nov 19, 2003

Pension system proposal meets criticism

A much-awaited proposal to reform the nation's pension system met criticism Tuesday that it would place too heavy of a burden on future generations and hurt the nation's economic power.
JAPAN
Nov 15, 2003

Future pension benefits, premiums depend on who does the calculating

Four government entities are bracing for a policy showdown that could dictate the financial state of future generations and could influence the country's economic vitality for years to come.
JAPAN
Oct 19, 2003

Ministries at odds over pension age in 2004 reforms

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is not planning to raise the age of eligibility for the public to start receiving pensions in its reform of the pension system for 2004, ministry sources said Saturday.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Jul 21, 2003

Will tax reform succeed at ensuring our social security?

The government has tackled tax reform as a means of beefing up Japan's economic vigor, cutting corporate tax rates and introducing cuts specifically aimed at promoting research and development projects.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2003

Nippon Keidanren urges gradually raising sales tax to 18%

The Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) proposed Thursday that the consumption tax be raised gradually from the current 5 percent to an upper limit of 18 percent by 2025.
COMMENTARY
May 18, 2003

A regime to quell nuclear fear

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Any real solution to the North Korean nuclear crisis will ultimately be a "grand bargain" with military, economic, political and diplomatic components. Fashioning that deal will require aggressive and creative thinking. The lack of trust in Pyongyang and Pyongyang's lack of trust...
ENVIRONMENT
May 8, 2003

Emerging specialty puts focus on the 'green' way cities could be

Cities appeared relatively late in human history, and have gradually evolved over five millennia to support complex economic, political, religious, academic and military organizations and hierarchies. However, their concentration of wealth, talent and creativity that breeds cultural and scientific innovation...
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2003

Minister eyes pension ceiling targeting high-income earners

Welfare minister Chikara Sakaguchi said Friday the government should impose a ceiling on public pension benefits for high-income earners as part of fiscal 2004 reforms of the pension system.
JAPAN
Mar 18, 2003

Delegates press severity of African water situation

Participants at a special session of the ongoing World Water Forum voiced satisfaction Monday that Africa's water crisis is firmly on the agenda of the Group of Eight industrial nations.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 22, 2003

Water issues loom large in the 21st century

The third Water Forum is expected to play a critical role in solving water issues in the 21st century. The world's population is predicted to grow from six billion today to nearly nine billion by 2050, increasing pressure on local authorities and planners to supply water to satisfy growing agricultural...
BUSINESS
Feb 21, 2003

Keidanren calls for hike in sales tax

Senior members of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) called for a hike in the consumption tax in a meeting Thursday with New Komeito executives.
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Feb 13, 2003

Ensuring age is the crown of life

The English scholar John Bailey said his wife Iris Murdoch, a prolific, perfectionist novelist and lecturer, became like "a very nice 3-year-old" as her Alzheimer's disease progressed. The disease made the proteins in her brain "misfold" and collapse, forming clots called amyloids that disrupt normal...

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