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LIFE / Digital / JAPAN TIMES BLOGROLL
Jun 13, 2007

Watashi to Tokyo

This is the first in a series of profiles of bloggers who write about Japan.
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Jun 13, 2007

Religion's cute, but creation chemistry is complex

The ancient Chinese believed the universe began inside a cosmic egg. In Japanese mythology, two gods, Izanagi and Izanami, stirred the oceans with a giant spear, forming the islands of Japan and, eventually, its people. There are countless more creation myths. Every culture has them. But I like to think...
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 13, 2007

Who wants peace in the Middle East?

TEL AVIV — Forty years after the Six Day War, peace between Israelis and Palestinians seems as distant as ever. Israel still refuses to accept the new Palestinian national unity government as a negotiating partner because Hamas is part of that government. What is the cause of this seeming paradox?...
LIFE / Digital / IGADGET
Jun 13, 2007

Dancing penguin ups the cute factor for iPods

Teddy bears might be the tradi tional cute characters of choice but the animal shape of the moment in Japan is undoubtedly the penguin. This is in no small part due to JR's Suica card advertising campaigns. Sega Toys are not a company to miss a trend and so, perhaps in tribute to the animated movie "Happy...
EDITORIALS
Jun 13, 2007

Learning from the Comsn scandal

A scandal involving Comsn Inc., the nation's largest nursing-care services operator, shows that the government and the public must be on guard against operators that put profits before all else. It also highlights the need to improve working conditions for nursing-care employees to ensure the field attracts...
JAPAN
Jun 13, 2007

Murakami issues closing denial of NBS inside trading

The high-profile trial of Yoshiaki Murakami wrapped up Tuesday with the flamboyant fund manager maintaining he did not commit insider trading and reiterating that his purchase of Nippon Broadcasting Inc. shares was not motivated by knowledge that Livedoor Co. intended to make a move on the broadcaster....
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jun 12, 2007

Sumo at the Olympics or a dohyo too far?

Sumo in Japan is on the up and up. We now have two yokozuna with a good half decade of rivalry in the tanks, one young enough to still be around in 10 years time. Irrespective of reports in the Japanese-language media, the sport is not sinking into the abyss with the continued success of its foreign...
Rugby
Jun 12, 2007

Japan's PNC tour ends with loss

TOWNSVILLE, Australia — Townsville locals who supported the Brave Blossoms in their 2003 World Cup games cheered on Japan against Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday night, but the Blossoms lost control of the game after the first 20 minutes and lost 71-10.
JAPAN
Jun 12, 2007

SIA probes computer glitch amid rise in queries

must be enhanced. We will strengthen manpower to respond to people's worries and complaints," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a meeting involving the government and the ruling coalition. The problem hit computers Sunday at the 130 offices in 23 prefectures, including Kanagawa, Hyogo and Fukuoka, at...
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 12, 2007

Japan's green strides belie spotty record

Last month, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sought a leading role in the fight against climate change when he proposed a global initiative to halve greenhouse gas emis sions by 2050.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 12, 2007

MHI to exhibit cabin of planned jet in Paris

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. will exhibit at this month's Paris air show a cabin mockup of a passenger jet it is developing, company officials said Monday.
JAPAN
Jun 12, 2007

Nakayama joins race for House of Councilors seat

issue is largely a political issue, and there are some angles that I could work as a politician" rather than as Abe's adviser, she said. Nakayama said she plans to keep her current post after the election, regardless of whether she wins a Diet seat.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jun 12, 2007

Good will hunting; rent fees

Renewal fees revisited Peter Link in Kyoto writes on the subject of renewal fees for renting property. This is the Japanese system whereby a renter can expect to pay a charge of up to three months' rent every two years to the landowner.
COMMENTARY
Jun 12, 2007

School tinkering that hurts

The education ministry is pushing university reform based on a U.S. model. As I wrote in April, the ministry in 1990 introduced a policy of sharply expanding graduate school admission quotas. In the next year, it relaxed undergraduate restrictions in graduate-level liberal-arts programs, allowing even...
EDITORIALS
Jun 12, 2007

Mr. Zoellick to the World Bank

U.S. President George W. Bush has picked Mr. Robert Zoellick to be president of the World Bank. Mr. Zoellick, a former U.S. trade representative and a former deputy secretary of state, is almost certain to be confirmed by the World Bank board. The best thing that can be said about the nomination is that...

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