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SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Dec 12, 2007

Asashoryu Akinori — the people's champion?

The 2007 sumo season has drawn to a close, and no sumo fan in his or her right right mind would want to see a repeat of it.
Japan Times
JAPAN / READERS' FUND
Dec 12, 2007

Kyoto NGO works to boost Afghan women's lot, literacy

This is the first in a series on how contributions to The Japan Times Readers' Fund last year — the 52nd since the campaign started — are being put to use. Readers donated ¥1,191,888 in 2006, which has gone to six groups helping needy people across Asia.
BUSINESS
Dec 12, 2007

Toshiba boasts battery that recharges 90% in five minutes

Toshiba will begin shipping in March a quick-charging new battery for forklifts, construction machinery and other industrial use, the electronics maker said Tuesday.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 12, 2007

Legislating history obscures the truth

NEW YORK — In October, the Spanish Parliament passed a Law on Historical Memory, which bans rallies and memorials celebrating the late dictator Francisco Franco. His Falangist regime will be officially denounced and its victims honored.
EDITORIALS
Dec 12, 2007

Open debate on death penalty

In executing three death-row inmates last week, the Justice Ministry made public their names, the crimes they were convicted of and the locations of the executions. This break with its secrecy policy has slightly improved transparency in the nation's capital punishment system. This trend should not be...
BUSINESS
Dec 12, 2007

Household pessimism rises as gas, food prices surge, wages stall

Households became the most pessimistic they've been in almost four years as gasoline and food prices surged and wage growth stalled, leaving consumers less willing and able to spend.
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2007

Parties reach deal on expenses disclosure

The ruling bloc and three opposition parties reached a final deal Tuesday on legislation that would require all political organizations linked to Diet members to keep receipts for every spending item of any amount — except salaries.
BUSINESS
Dec 12, 2007

Biggest milk producers to raise prices next year

Meiji Dairies Corp. and Morinaga Milk Industry Co. will raise milk prices next year for the first time in 30 years as increases in grains, petroleum and other raw materials add to production costs, the companies said Tuesday.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / ANIMAL TRACKER
Dec 12, 2007

Wasp spider

* Japanese name: Naka-koganegumo * Scientific name: Argiope bruennichii * Description: You wouldn't really mistake this spider for a wasp, but its egg-shaped abdomen is dramatically striped in yellow, black and white, and the legs too are striped, though the overall pattern is perhaps more tigerish...
EDITORIALS
Dec 12, 2007

Redistribution of tax revenue

The government and the ruling coalition are thinking of redistributing revenues from the local corporate tax to equalize financial gaps among different prefectures. About ¥400 billion will be redistributed to financially weak prefectures by taking about ¥300 billion from Tokyo, about ¥80 billion from...
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2007

Canvassing monk found guilty of trespassing

speaks to reporters Tuesday after the Tokyo High Court found him guilty of trespassing in a trial he says was based on the right to free speech. KYODO PHOTO
LIFE / Digital / IGADGET
Dec 12, 2007

Gadgetry supports the lazy, and Polaroid launches an iPod-friendly DVD player

Beam me everywhere, Scotty: Laziness is an industry in itself, and, judging by the gadgets that we crave, we are working rather hard to not work hard. Or maybe it is just the pursuit of versatility; why have just one way of doing something when we can create dozens of ways of fulfilling our wishes? Whatever...
BUSINESS
Dec 12, 2007

Homes, firms hit by oil spike to get relief

The government announced a relief package Tuesday for small firms and low-income households to help them cope with high oil prices.
BUSINESS
Dec 12, 2007

Access to develop software for NTT

Access Co., a maker of mobile phone software, will develop Linux-based applications with NEC Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. for NTT DoCoMo Inc. handsets.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Dec 12, 2007

Keeping control of your digital media

Media distribution methods are changing, and what it brings is not all bad for creators.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / JAPAN TIMES BLOGROLL
Dec 12, 2007

Konbini Life

Konbini Life is a blog that describes limited-edition Kit-Kats as potential after-dinner treats for French restaurants and speculates that Mousse Pocky might be "as good as a garnish on a fancy dessert." Blogger Brent Warner has been writing witty, detailed posts on the never-ending parade of snack food...
BASKETBALL
Dec 11, 2007

Sendai 89ers sweep Albirex in bj-league, improve to 8-2

The Sendai 89ers improved to 8-2, completing a two-game sweep of the Niigata Albirex BB on Sunday with a 96-76 victory. Sendai put its stamp on this game from the get-go, outscoring the visitors 31-14 in the opening quarter. Center Patrick Whearty produced a team-high 23 points for the 89ers and Bobby...
Reader Mail
Dec 11, 2007

Myopic policies ignore sustainability

Regarding the Nov. 29 article "Workforce may shrink by millions by 2030 (study says)" and similar sentiments: It would seem that both the government and media are intent on feeding us a steady diet of hysteria concerning Japan's graying population and contracting workforce, with nary a voice to the...

Longform

After pandemic-era border regulations eased, Indian migrants began returning to Japan. Their population now stands at more than 50,000 across the country.
How remote work is rewriting the migrant experience in Japan