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Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2007

Ishihara, Asano are in capital duel

Organizers of the 40th Annual Ome City Marathon were furious when Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara scheduled the first Tokyo Marathon for Feb. 18, the same day as their race.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 23, 2007

Two-edged sword of values

WASHINGTON -- Japan's recent decision to develop a foreign policy based on support for universal values is a step forward in the development of a more coherent, strategic vision to pursue its national interests. The new policy is likely to make coordination with the United States easier and allow Tokyo...
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2007

February trade surplus up 7.7% on auto, steel exports

Japan's merchandise trade surplus in February expanded 7.7 percent to 979.6 billion yen from the same month a year ago, thanks to increased exports of automobiles and steel and a decline in crude oil prices, the Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report Thursday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 23, 2007

Ms. Lauryn Hill and Lupe Fiasco

The second Springroove, promoter Creativeman's hip-hop and R&B festival, boasts homegrown talent such as AI along with international superstars Kayne West, Ms. Lauryn Hill, and up-and-comers Lupe Fiasco and Lady Sovereign.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 23, 2007

'Black Book'

When Stephen Spielberg resurrected the World War II war movie back in 1998 with "Saving Private Ryan," he did so by upping the level of battlefield intensity and perceived realism. One thing he didn't lose though, was the moral certainty that has long been a staple of the genre -- it's hard not feel...
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Mar 23, 2007

Roots of rhythm

The eighth staging of "African Music Now" takes place May 8-9 (7 p.m.) at Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo, and organizers Tokyu Group are giving fans of world music the opportunity to attend for free.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2007

Race for Tokyo kicks off

Confident speeches and bold accusations flew Thursday as the campaign to elect the next Tokyo governor got under way, with national attention focused on whether the powerful incumbent, Shintaro Ishihara, can overcome scandal to win a third four-year term.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 23, 2007

B-girl boppers

'Maybe they can smell something on us!" says Halca, 18, one half of hip-hop- meets-J-pop duo HalCali.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2007

International 'anime' fair opens in Tokyo

Giant balloons depicting Pokemon characters and boy detective Conan filled the air at the Thursday kickoff of the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2007 in Tokyo, as 270 companies, including 55 from overseas, came together for the world's biggest animation festival.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 23, 2007

Home sweet Hollandafter Hollywood hell

Director Paul Verhoeven is living, breathing proof of that old Hollywood adage, "You're only as good as your last film."
CULTURE / Music
Mar 23, 2007

The Rakes "Ten New Messages"

One of the dozen or so neo-postpunk British guitar bands signed in the wake of Franz Ferdinand's success, East London's The Rakes flaunted their middle class background (in concert they wear matching polo shirts) and dynamic debt to Wire on their 2005 debut "Capture/Release." Their second album retains...
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2007

Mazda aims for 27% profit rise to 200 billion yen by '10

Mazda Motor Corp. announced its new midterm business plan Thursday, aiming to raise its operating profit to 200 billion yen in its 2010 business year, up 26.5 percent from its projection for fiscal 2006.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 23, 2007

'Mushishi'

Katsuhiro Otomo once had a reputation as a genius anime auteur -- a younger, hipper version of Hayao Miyazaki. His 1988 SF hit "Akira" was unlike anything coming out of the Hollywood animation industry in its dark vision of an atomic-blasted Neo-Tokyo, with its multilayered story of lawless young bikers...
EDITORIALS
Mar 23, 2007

Try learning from a critical mistake

It was revealed last week that Hokuriku Electric Power Co. failed to report a "criticality accident" at a nuclear-power plant in Shiga, Ishikawa Prefecture, eight years ago. The accident involved a 15-minute uncontrollable fission chain reaction.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Mar 23, 2007

World Toy Museum brings out the otaku in you

The World Toy Museum, situated in the resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, is currently holding an exhibition on model trains, "Amazing Model Train Exhibition 2007," that will appeal to iron-horse enthusiasts young and old. The exhibition runs through June 18 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 23, 2007

'Step Up'

If nothing else, "Step Up" is a great inducement to hit the gym. Or the barre. And the yoga mat. Anything in fact, to tighten those upper body muscles and get those abs to pop out.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Mar 23, 2007

Atelier Bow-Wow have fun with urban spaces

Tokyo-based architectural practice Atelier Bow-Wow is currently holding an exhibition of its works at Tokyo's Gallery MA through May 12, titled "Practice of Lively Space -- detached house and micro public space."
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Mar 23, 2007

A treasure chest of tradition

The capital of Ishikawa Prefecture greeted me like it does most travelers: with a downpour. The train's rain-streaked windows blurred my first views of a city in a storybook setting. Kanazawa averages 178 soggy days a year, so it's fitting that the station's glass dome fans out like an umbrella.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Mar 23, 2007

Sniff incense, reduce stress

And you thought tea ceremony, at around 10 years, took a long time to master?

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