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BASKETBALL
Dec 3, 2007

Balanced Five Arrows take over first place in West

The host Takamatsu Five Arrows took over sole possession of first place in the bj-league's Western Conference, earning a 78-56 victory over the Toyama Grouses on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 3, 2007

Takahashi wins second straight NHK Trophy

SENDAI — Using eight triple jumps and superior footwork, Daisuke Takahashi won his second straight NHK Trophy title and clinched a trip to the Grand Prix Final on Sunday afternoon.
COMMENTARY
Dec 3, 2007

When we let machines down

LONDON — Dinosaurs, so we are told, died out because they were too big. Or some say they were wiped out by an asteroid. No matter — all agree that their basic problem was size. They were just too large, their brains were too remote from their bodies, and their control systems could not cope.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 3, 2007

Setting the record straight on Indonesia

BALI, Indonesia — Japan and India stand as beacons for democracy that surely inspire many of their Asian neighbors. For its part, Indonesia has been struggling with its own experiment with democracy that has enormous implications for the region and the rest of the world.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 3, 2007

Main challenge is how to price carbon

NEW YORK — Imagine that a huge asteroid is hurtling toward Earth. Scientists tell us that there is a 10 percent chance of a collision in 10 years and the consequences of its impact will be catastrophic. Your government advises you not to panic and reminds you that there is a 90 percent chance that...
SOCCER
Dec 3, 2007

Becks superb in exhibition tour finale

WELLINGTON (AP) Even David Beckham was impressed with this virtuoso display.
JAPAN
Dec 3, 2007

Opposition presses Ishiba over defense scandal

Opposition lawmakers grilled Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Sunday over a widening defense funding scandal and said Japan should not resume aid to U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan before the allegations are cleared up.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 3, 2007

The return of Aussie Labor

SYDNEY — A clean sweep across Australia ensures that old-style conservative government is out for at least the next three years, possibly the next decade. The Australian Labor Party now rules, not only in Canberra but in every state and territory.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Dec 3, 2007

Wrathful gods bear down on sinful global economy

'W rath of Gods" is the title of an award-winning documentary directed by Jon Gustafsson, the Iceland-born filmmaker. It could equally be the title of a documentary about the state of the global economy as it stands in November 2008.
EDITORIALS
Dec 3, 2007

Expansion of medical benefits

The health ministry in principle bans the "mixed" use of medical treatment covered by public health insurance and medical treatment not covered by such insurance. If a patient mixes the two types of care in the course of treating a single illness he or she must pay all the costs of medical treatment...
MORE SPORTS
Dec 2, 2007

Frontiers hold off Skylarks

Runnings backs Yusuke Shinshi and Motoki Yoshida rushed for 100 and 117 yards, respectively, to guide the Fujitsu Frontiers to a 31-21 victory over the defending X League champion Onward Skylarks in the second round of the Final 6 at Yokohama Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Fujitsu overwhelmed the Skylarks...
BASKETBALL / ONE-ON-ONE WITH ...
Dec 2, 2007

Niigata's Webb enjoys beef bowls, team camaraderie on, off court

The Japan Times will be featuring periodic interviews with players in the bj-league — Japan's first professional basketball circuit — which recently began its third season. Rodney Webb of the Niigata Albirex BB is the subject of this week's profile.
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 2, 2007

Inspired Antlers squad captures J. League title

KASHIMA — Kashima Antlers pulled off an unbelievable J. League title triumph on Saturday with a 3-0 demolition of Shimizu S-Pulse, as championship rival Urawa Reds blew the defense of their crown with a stunning 1-0 defeat to Yokohama FC.
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 2, 2007

Reds complete epic collapse on final day

YOKOHAMA — Capitulation complete. Urawa Reds' wretched run of form at the tail end of the season reached its nadir on Saturday as the Saitama giants lost 1-0 to already-relegated Yokohama FC on the final day of the season to hand the J. League title to Kashima Antlers.
Reader Mail
Dec 2, 2007

Driving force of Chinese smog

Regarding the Nov. 28 article "Rising smog levels threaten health, crops; China link seen": I believe at least 75 to 80 percent of the blame lies with the international manufacturing companies that have relocated their factory production to China to take advantage of cheap labor costs.
Reader Mail
Dec 2, 2007

Christmas wish from a sumo fan

All I want for Christmas is the return of Asashoryu. Sumo without Asashoryu is just not as interesting. The champion of champions, Asashoryu brings a magic spark to the tournament that keeps our attention.
Reader Mail
Dec 2, 2007

Beautiful fruit that disappoints

Regarding Michael Hoffman's Nov. 25 article, "Taste buds of children destroyed by junk food" (a translation of a Sapio article): It's not just food additives that are destroying taste buds; Japan has a depressing lack of good produce available in stores.
Reader Mail
Dec 2, 2007

Tradition continues amid apathy

Janet Kenny's Nov. 22 letter, "The sadness in knowing their fate," made it clear why the whaling issue hasn't seen much progress in recent years. There is a fundamental difference in perception. The Japanese don't revere whales as "beautiful giants"; whales are viewed traditionally as another seafood....
Reader Mail
Dec 2, 2007

Homegrown emissions say a lot

Regarding the Nov. 22 article "Fukuda, Singh eye FTA deal by mid-'08": I believe that global warming and recent natural calamities worldwide have sensitized people to natural-gas emissions and pollution. Japan has been preaching to the rest of the world about natural-gas emissions, but it forgets itself:...
Reader Mail
Dec 2, 2007

Dialects have their place

Regarding the Nov. 13 article "Dialect-rife Japan can be tongue-twisting": Let me make a few comments as a man who is keen on local dialects. From ancient times Japan has been a country of centralization. When Kyoto was the capital, the Kyoto dialect was standard and the rest were considered inferior....
Reader Mail
Dec 2, 2007

Taboo subject takes lower priority

Should I assume that since no letters were published in response to the Nov. 14 Los Angeles Times article "Sumo killing casts spotlight on lack of autopsies" that The Japan Times didn't receive any reactions? It's easier to believe that the subject is taboo. If so, manslaughter may be observed as not...

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’