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Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 27, 2007

A last hurrah at some of the year's political howlers

Inasmuch as newspapers routinely wrap up their year with top-10 news, sports and other stories, perhaps it would also be a good time to hark back on, say, roughly 10 memorable moments in blunder-speak, when political figures funded by the taxpayer blurt out nuggets guaranteed to show how not to earn...
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / ANIMAL TRACKER
Dec 26, 2007

Giant water bug

*Japanese name: Taikouchi *Scientific name: Laccotrephes japonensis *Description: Also known as water scorpions and "toe-biters," these are ferocious, tough insects with strong, sharp front legs for catching prey (and biting toes or fingers) and a beaked hypodermic-type mouth with which they stab...
EDITORIALS
Dec 25, 2007

U.S. lightens Japan's burden

The United States has agreed to Japan slightly reducing its burden-sharing costs for maintaining U.S. military facilities in the country over three years starting in April — after the current two-year accord expires in March. In the talks, Japan sought a substantial cut due to its massive national...
EDITORIALS
Dec 25, 2007

Rewarding hospital doctors

The government and the ruling parties have decided to raise the medical fees paid to medical institutions for doctors' services by 0.38 percent from fiscal 2008. The upward fee revision is the first since fiscal 2000, but the margin of the raise is too small to stem the collapse of medical services,...
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 24, 2007

War without end on Congo's women

NEW YORK — The violence in Congo is unspeakable. But, if the horror of Congo's recent wars — which have killed more people than any war since World War II — is to end, the unspeakable must be spoken.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 23, 2007

When World Series ball becomes chew toy, there's lesson to be learned

Leave it to a pooch to put things in perspective.
JAPAN
Dec 22, 2007

Diet unites to tighten politicians' funding rules

With money scandals marring the image of lawmakers, the Diet passed a bill Friday to increase the transparency of political funding by obliging them to disclose all expenses other than salaries.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Dec 22, 2007

Preparing for . . . the Christmas that never comes

You think Christmas celebrations start too early in your country? So that when Christmas finally comes, you've already had enough of it? Where do you think "Season's Greetings" comes from?
JAPAN
Dec 22, 2007

MSDF exit elated al-Qaida, Taliban: Afghan ambassador

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Afghanistan has been the battleground for the global war on terrorism.
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2007

Budget rise eyed for '08 seen as reform retreat

The Finance Ministry proposed Thursday raising the fiscal 2008 budget to ¥83.06 trillion in what may signal a retreat from the government's pursuit of fiscal reform.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 21, 2007

The art of youth

An Aladdin's Cave of small, distinctive retail spaces, the Laforet building at a main crossroads in trendy Harajuku has been a shopping magnet for young people since it opened in 1978. This year, for instance, more than 3,000 lined up outside awaiting the start of its New Year sale. And whereas its Shibuya...
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Dec 18, 2007

Mistletoe

Dear Alice,
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Dec 18, 2007

Taking time for younger children

Every morning I trundle my daughter onto my bicycle and up the hill to her public day-care center in central Tokyo before heading off to work.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 17, 2007

The voter rebellion in Japan

NEW YORK — On Nov. 25, Australian voters replaced Prime Minister John Howard of the Liberal Party with Kevin Rudd of the Labor Party, who promised to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq. The new prime minister is preparing Australia for post-Bush America.
BASKETBALL / ONE-ON-ONE WITH ...
Dec 16, 2007

Confidence helps Yonamine elevate game for HeatDevils

The Japan Times will be featuring periodic interviews with players in the bj-league — Japan's first professional basketball circuit — which has entered its third season. Tsubasa Yonamine of the Oita HeatDevils is the subject of this week's profile.
EDITORIALS
Dec 16, 2007

Stars in their guides

Last month, Tokyo's restaurants received their stars. For the first time, the famed Michelin Guide, the most respected and feared guidebook in Europe, published a volume outside the Western world. Noted for its make-or-break effects on European hotels and restaurants, the publication was greeted in Tokyo...
Reader Mail
Dec 16, 2007

Turn 'culture' group inside out

The Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office Special Investigation team is investigating the office of the Japan-U.S. Peace and Culture Exchange Association in connection with the bribery case involving former Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya. A U.S. subsidiary of Yamada Corporation, a defense...
JAPAN
Dec 15, 2007

Diet session extended a second time

The ruling bloc extended the extraordinary Diet session Friday by another month to Jan. 15, making it certain the contentious bill to resume the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Indian Ocean support mission will clear the divided legislature.
Japan Times
JAPAN / READERS' FUND
Dec 14, 2007

Readers' contributions aiding struggling refugees in Japan

Third in a series
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Dec 14, 2007

A sleighload of ways to savor the taste of Christmas

Only 1 percent of Japan is Christian. Luckily the rest of the country is happy to pilfer the fun parts of a jolly old festival season. So whether you're celebrating the prophet or the presents, and whether Christmas means eggnog, panettone or foie gras, Japan's chefs have cooked up some delectable holiday...
Reader Mail
Dec 13, 2007

Teachers should watch their visas

In response to Gavin Moore's Dec. 9 letter, "Picking up after the collapse": It is truly appreciated that Moore spends his time helping former Nova students and teachers get in contact with each other. But he should be careful not to do the former Nova teachers a disservice.

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