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Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 23, 2007

Late to the art party in the 1980s

"Place" and "presence" were two of the core concerns of Minimalism, the last thread of Modernism before it collapsed into Postmodernism's stylistic confusion in the 1970s.
COMMENTARY
Aug 23, 2007

China tightens grip on Tibetan Buddhism

HONG KONG — China announced last month new regulations governing Tibetan Buddhism, including a stipulation that senior monks, known as "living Buddhas," cannot be reincarnated without government permission.
COMMENTARY
Aug 23, 2007

Britain's retreat from Iraq

LONDON — "The British have given up and they know they will be leaving Iraq soon," said Muqtada Al-Sadr, head of the Mahdi army, the country's most powerful militia group, in an interview with the Independent. "They have realized this is not a war they should be fighting or one they can win."
BUSINESS
Aug 23, 2007

Toyota may draw a bead on India's small-car market

Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it may bring out a small car in India in two years as it tries to grab market share from Suzuki Motor Corp. in Asia's fourth-largest economy.
JAPAN
Aug 23, 2007

Tepco dials down juice to industries

Anticipating power shortages due to its closed quake-hit nuclear plant and a surge in air conditioner use during the current heat wave, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Wednesday that it had resorted to emergency supply-adjustment measures for the first time in 17 years.
JAPAN
Aug 23, 2007

Osaka athletics meet fades at starting gate

OSAKA — Poor ticket sales and extremely hot and humid weather are threatening to turn the upcoming International Association of Athletics Federations meet in Osaka into a public relations disaster that could affect Mayor Junichi Seki's re-election prospects later this year.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Aug 23, 2007

Hollins' homer leads Giants past Dragons

Damon Hollins said it was only a matter of time before the Yomiuri Giants broke out of their recent slump. Hollins did his part against the Chunichi Dragons on Wednesday with a 120-meter blast to left field in the seventh inning that led the Giants to a 3-1 win in front of 43,878 fans at Tokyo Dome....
BUSINESS
Aug 23, 2007

Omi, Kwon agree market turmoil needs monitoring

Market turmoil sparked by the U.S. subprime mortgage rout needs to be closely watched to ensure that risks to the global economy don't become excessive, the finance ministers of Japan and South Korea agreed Wednesday. Kwon Okyu and Koji Omi, meeting in Gwacheon, released a statement saying they "recognized...
BUSINESS
Aug 23, 2007

Sharp unveils 50% lighter, thinner more efficient LCD TV prototype

Sharp Corp. on Wednesday unveiled a prototype of what it said was the world's thinnest, lightest and most energy-efficient liquid crystal display TV as it races to take the lead in developing a next-generation lineup.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 23, 2007

A rich repository of traditional Zen art

For a subject in which words are considered an impediment to meditative insight, it is daunting just how many words are needed to explain Zen. It uncannily dodges any attempt at definition, and at least some exposure to the practice seems necessary before embarking on any worthwhile discussion of the...
BUSINESS
Aug 23, 2007

Nissan's latest release: revamped X-Trail SUV

Nissan Motor Co. introduced a revamped X-Trail sport utility vehicle Wednesday in a bid to slow a domestic sales slump.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Aug 23, 2007

Behind the mask

Noh is Japan's most inscrutable performing art. A tremendous influence on kabuki and bunraku puppet theater, it is a household name across the nation, yet relatively few Japanese have ever been to a show. Culture vultures marvel at the elaborate costumes and the esoteric, chantlike music; the plays are...
Reader Mail
Aug 22, 2007

Building opinions against war

I read Eric Prideaux's Aug. 15 article, "Surrender spared a young, doubting kamikaze," with deep sorrow. It touched my heart while giving insight on the thoughts of a Japanese warrior during and after the war. People who have witnessed or participated in war learn from the destruction it causes. It...
Reader Mail
Aug 22, 2007

Suggestion without enforcement

Regarding Mark Smith's Aug. 7 article, "U.S. takes tougher line on parental abductions": It is very good that this issue has received some attention from The Japan Times. Being denied access to a parent or child is nothing less than a violation of human rights. I am in a similar situation.
Reader Mail
Aug 22, 2007

Germany remains apt comparison

In response to Florian Coulmas' July 8 article, "Act of missionary hypocrisy: Is U.S. the one to censure Japan about the past?," I would like to say that Germany is an apt comparison to Japan when it comes to a nation's memory of its war crimes.

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