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COMMENTARY
Dec 4, 2007

Unwanted kids of Russian HIV moms

NEW YORK — One of the most disturbing aspects of Russia's HIV/AIDS epidemic is not only how rapidly it is spreading but also how many children from HIV-infected mothers have been abandoned and left to the care of the state. Efforts by authorities to place them in kindergartens or schools are in most...
EDITORIALS
Dec 4, 2007

Transparency for political funds

The ruling and opposition camps have reached a long-overdue compromise over a revision of the Political Funds Control Law. It represents improvement on the lukewarm revision, which was made into law earlier this year by the Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito ruling coalition. In fleshing out the compromise,...
EDITORIALS
Dec 4, 2007

Pointless nationwide testing

In April 2007, the education ministry conducted a nationwide achievement test for school children — the first such test in 43 years — spending ¥7.7 billion. The results were partially made public in late October. There are plans to hold a similar test in 2008 and 2009. There are many reasons, however,...
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Dec 4, 2007

Skin-deep success

It started with an e-mail from my editor: "Get yr (sic) camera ready. Online Dating Minus Ugly People is coming to Japan. Thinking Lifestyle page trend piece. Ready for the money shot?"
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 4, 2007

Rudd and Asia's security

SYDNEY — Kevin Rudd has been swept into power after 6 percent of the voters swung to the Australian Labor Party. With domestic issues dominating the contest, the Howard government's unpopular industrial relations policies became the focus of discontent and a central argument for political change.
Reader Mail
Dec 4, 2007

Bush knew what he was doing

U.S. President George W. Bush is no dummy. Over the objections of several savvy military advisers, he sent just enough troops into Iraq in 2003 so that a draft wouldn't have to be revived, as a draft surely would have sparked debilitating antiwar protests throughout the United States. Now it appears...
BUSINESS
Dec 4, 2007

Corporate capital spending off

Capital investment by companies excluding the financial and insurance sectors fell 1.2 percent in the July-September period from a year ago, the Finance Ministry said Monday, adding to concerns over the impact of the U.S. housing loan mess.
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2007

Osaka governor, hit by scandal, lack of backers, won't seek a third term

OSAKA — Abandoned by her major backers, Osaka Gov. Fusae Ohta announced Monday she will not run for a third term in next month's election. The decision ends her career as Japan's first female governor and throws open an election likely to have national repercussions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 4, 2007

Digital terrestrial TV coming but work remains

More than half a century has passed since commercial television debuted in Japan, and now TVs are a main component of the mass culture.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Dec 4, 2007

A cute and kind of sexy guide to Japan

Manga has conquered America. Or so declares the November issue of the U.S. tech magazine Wired, which carries a 10-page manga story describing how manga is reshaping American pop culture. Booming manga sales — which, according to the magazine, account for almost two-thirds of the $330-million graphic...
BUSINESS
Dec 4, 2007

Expired meat used in Lawson stew

Lawson Inc. said Monday it used meat products past their expiration date in "oden," a type of stew popular in winter, at an outlet in Osaka.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Dec 4, 2007

What is the most important issue facing foreigners in Japan right now?

Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 4, 2007

Taking liberties? Readers respond

The Community Page received an unprecedented number of responses to the "Taking Liberties" series that ran in this section last month. Following are some examples.
BUSINESS
Dec 4, 2007

October wages unchanged, unlikely to spur economic growth

Wages failed to rise in October as the job market deteriorated, the government said Monday, signaling consumer spending is unlikely to drive growth in the economy.
BUSINESS
Dec 4, 2007

DoCoMo, KT eye Malaysia stake

NTT DoCoMo Inc. said Monday it has agreed with KT Freetel Co., South Korea's second-largest mobile-phone operator, to jointly invest $200 million in Malaysian wireless carrier U Mobile Sdn. to increase overseas earnings.
LIFE / Language
Dec 4, 2007

Translating full of judgment calls, compromises

Second of two parts

Longform

Once smoky, male-dominated spaces, today's net cafes, like Kaikatsu Club, are working to make their operations more attractive to women customers.
The second life of Japan's net cafes