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COMMENTARY
Aug 3, 2007

Wanted: creative leadership

HONOLULU — As expected, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) were defeated in Sunday's Upper House election. And, despite concerted attempts to lower expectations, the results still embarrassed the ruling party.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Aug 3, 2007

Ortiz delivers for Marines against Eagles

CHIBA — There's nothing like a little extra motivation to get a player going. Well that and yakiniku apparently.
EDITORIALS
Aug 3, 2007

The fight against gangs

The National Police Agency's 2007 white paper addresses the "fight against gangland activities designed to get funds." The white paper warns that a continuation of covert activities by gangs to raise money will damage the health of the Japanese economy and dispossess the whole nation of its interests....
EDITORIALS
Aug 3, 2007

Managing Japan's foreign reserves

Some government officials, including Financial Services Minister Yuji Yamamoto, are calling for more effective management of Japan's foreign-exchange reserves, the world's second largest at about $910 billion. During a recent visit to Singapore, Mr. Yamamoto proposed that Japan consider investing foreign-currency...
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 3, 2007

Junction on Russia's road to nowhere

MOSCOW — Recently, a small event caused a major stir in Russian politics. An aide to President Vladimir Putin, Igor Shuvalov, said it was realistic to expect the appearance of a new person whom Putin would consider his potential successor. The statement hit like a bombshell, producing an explosion...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 3, 2007

Fuji Rock 07: We came, we saw, we survived

From rioting with Iggy to bopping with The Chemical Brothers, JT writers mixed it up among the thousands at Naeba to bring you the highs — and lows — of Fuji Rock '07
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 3, 2007

'Transformers'

A drinking bet made the other night involved me writing an entire review in verse. "Transformers" seemed a likely candidate, and while still nursing a good buzz, I plunged into it . . .
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Aug 3, 2007

Naruse bags monthly MVP for pitchers

CHIBA — Yoshihisa Naruse felt like he was just going out and doing his job for the Chiba Lotte Marines last month. While he may not have felt like he was doing anything out of the ordinary, the 22-year-old had a July that made the Pacific League powers that be stand up and take notice.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / SHORT TAKES
Aug 3, 2007

Sai Ren

Director: Ken Iizuka Language: Japanese
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / WALKING THE WARDS
Aug 3, 2007

Home to the outsider

Western Taito Ward is a paradise for nonconformists who stray off the beaten track. Throughout the incense-scented alleys of Yanaka, and across the parklands of Ueno, it's hard to miss the area's preponderance of "strays"; tourists, artists and the homeless who, with a surprising number of cats, all...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 3, 2007

Fans-eye view from Naeba

Yo Okado, 41, accountant

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’