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JAPAN
Jul 9, 2008

Tokyo concert leaves crowd snoring for more

Feeling sleepy . . . slowly dozing off . . . zzz . . .
JAPAN / G8 SUMMIT 2008
Jul 9, 2008

Leaders call for more fuel to cool global inflation

TOYAKO, Hokkaido — The leaders of the Group of Eight nations addressed "strong concern" Tuesday about multiple transborder problems, including soaring energy and food prices, and urged the world's major energy producing states to increase output and refining to tame further price hikes.
BUSINESS
Jul 9, 2008

Kuidaore mascot generates ¥900 million before shutdown

The popularity of the mannequin minstrel Kuidaore Taro, mascot of an eatery in Osaka's Minami district, has generated ¥900 million in economic stimulus in the area since the circa-1950 restaurant's closure was announced in April, according to a university study.
BUSINESS
Jul 9, 2008

IHI builds plant for jet engine parts

IHI Corp., Asia's largest jet engine maker, built a fourth production facility for engine parts at its plant in northern Japan to meet demand from commercial airlines, it said Tuesday.
JAPAN / G8 SUMMIT 2008
Jul 9, 2008

Staid events said losing relevancy

TOYAKO, Hokkaido — The three-day Toyako G8 summit will become history when it wraps up Wednesday. But with its conclusion, a growing number of critics are demanding that the whole concept of the summits becomes a thing of the past.
JAPAN / G8 SUMMIT 2008
Jul 9, 2008

G8 nations reaffirm Africa aid pledges

TOYAKO, Hokkaido — Faced with criticism for long delays in delivering promised aid to Africa, member nations of the Group of Eight pledged Tuesday to follow through on commitments made at the 2005 Gleneagles, Scotland, summit.
BUSINESS
Jul 9, 2008

Bank lending increased in June at fastest pace in two years

Bank lending rose at its fastest pace in two years in June, Bank of Japan data showed Tuesday, as higher raw material costs increased short-term funding needs and energy-related firms took out more loans.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / IGADGET
Jul 9, 2008

Canon's new photo printer boasts a bucketload of style

Photos on the go: Canon appears to be taking the concept of thinking outside the box seriously in its approach to the competitive market of photo printers.
JAPAN / G8 SUMMIT 2008
Jul 9, 2008

More nuclear power OK'd

TOYAKO, Hokkaido — The Group of Eight leaders gave the green light Tuesday to expanded development of nuclear power, saying it is a vital energy source in the fight against global warming.
BUSINESS
Jul 9, 2008

Merchant sentiment falls as inflation weighs on consumers

Sentiment among Japanese merchants fell to a six-year low in June as higher food and oil prices discouraged consumers from spending, the Cabinet Office said Tuesday.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jul 8, 2008

Pounds equal prizes

There are several topics of note coming out of the upcoming Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 8, 2008

Mugabe averts collapse with Chinese help

WATERLOO, Canada — Disillusioned Zimbabweans are facing a new wave of price increases that will put the most basic of food essentials even further out of their reach.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / G8 SUMMIT 2008
Jul 8, 2008

Boom time for Hokkaido ski resort area

NISEKO, Hokkaido — Playing golf on a clear summer day in the shadow of Mount Yotei, otherwise known as Ezofuji, or Hokkaido Fuji, may be an ideal way to spend a vacation. But simply walking around the premises of Hilton Niseko Village, which opened July 1 in Hokkaido's resort area of Niseko, seems...
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jul 8, 2008

Japanophiles wind up in jam

An interior designer in California is wondering how she can get some fabric — "preferably the Kyoto brocade known as Nishijin-ori" — woven to order in Japan. "I'm working on a house owned by a couple of Japanophiles, and they have very specific ideas for what they want."
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 8, 2008

Japan's last frontier took time to tame, cultivate image

Hokkaido, where the Group of Eight summit is taking place in Toyako, is known for its hot springs, ski resorts, seafood and magnificent scenery.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 8, 2008

Cardboard coffins boast eco-merit

As more consumers pursue environmentally friendly lives, businesses are introducing products and services catering to those quests.
EDITORIALS
Jul 8, 2008

Nursing care in trouble

Nursing care establishments are suffering from a severe labor shortage as many workers quit each year because of low wages and harsh working conditions. The government should realize that if this trend continues, the nation's nursing care system could collapse. Improving the wages and working conditions...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jul 8, 2008

How do you feel about the Narita incident and "guinea pig" foreigners?

Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WORDS TO LIVE BY
Jul 8, 2008

Cherry farmers Mitsuyo and Shunji Ono

Shunji Ono, 71, and his wife Mitsuyo, 70, are farmers in Yamagata Prefecture's Sagae City. Besides taking care of the rice paddies their ancestors have tended for hundreds of years, the Onos are famous for growing Sato Nishiki, the sweetest and most expensive Japanese cherries. Developed about 90 years...
JAPAN / G8 SUMMIT 2008
Jul 8, 2008

New EU fund takes aim at food crisis

TOYAKO, Hokkaido — To address the ongoing international food crisis, which has sparked violent, deadly riots in several parts of the world, the European Commission hopes to make euro 1 billion available to support agriculture in developing countries, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso...
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 8, 2008

Thickheadedness on African debt

ACCRA, Ghana — In the runup to the Group of Eight meeting in Japan last week, activists of all stripes were working hard to ensure that their issue would be on the agenda. While the agenda changes from year to year, one item has become a mainstay: debt relief. The fact that this issue repeatedly resurfaces...

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