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COMMENTARY / World
Mar 8, 2007

Overcoming Africa's north-south divide

PRAGUE -- The late President Mobutu Sese Seko of former Zaire once declared that the north African countries, which pride themselves on their Arabic descent, should be excluded from the then Organization of African Unity.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / NEW ART SEEN
Mar 8, 2007

The Germans come to play

In most all of the world's larger cities, traditionally the grandest buildings have been religious in orientation. As places of congregation, they were necessarily characterized by large open spaces. As conduits to the spiritual, their design included surging spires, pagodas or minarets. The current...
EDITORIALS
Mar 8, 2007

Lack of transparency spells trouble

China plans to increase its defense budget by 17.8 percent to $44.94 billion in fiscal 2007 from the previous year's actual level. The boost, announced a day before the start of an annual session of the National People's Congress, is the largest since a 19.4 percent jump in fiscal 2002. China's defense...
BASKETBALL
Mar 7, 2007

Hoop dreams: Nakayama aims to inspire compatriots

Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part series on Asumi Nakayama and the Utah Valley State women's basketball team, which wrapped up its 2006-07 season on Saturday. Part II tomorrow explores the relationship assistant coach Chris Boettcher, who has lived and coached in Japan, has developed with...
BASKETBALL / NBA / NBA REPORT
Mar 7, 2007

Wizards-Warriors finish strange as it gets

NEW YORK -- Sunday's one-point Wizards' win over the Warriors was one of the most bizarre finishes in NBA history.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2007

Keep helping ex-sex slaves: Murayama

Kono's statement (in 1993). I trust it. I'm not in a position to say" anything about Abe's remarks. The government's 1993 statement, read by Kono, included an apology for forcing foreign women into sexual servitude.
Reader Mail
Mar 7, 2007

Yasukuni's spiritual integrity

Illuminate new facts and reinterpret old facts to develop a more accurate and truthful understanding of what happened in East Asia between, say, the middle of the 19th century and the end of World War II? Fine. With a focus on Japan, China and the United States during the 1930s and 1940s? Fine. This...
Reader Mail
Mar 7, 2007

Critique of war museum exhibit

I am writing to object to the minimal changes that Hisahiko Okasaki says he has had done to exhibits in the Yushukan war museum at Yasukuni Shrine. According to his Feb. 24 article, "Telling the truth at Yasukuni," he says he will take responsibility for errors, but he doesn't mention thoroughness.
Reader Mail
Mar 7, 2007

Irresponsible story selection

Regarding the front-page, Feb. 21 Kyodo News article: "Archives: Stalin, Kim and Mao plotted Japanese invasion?": No research, no additional information is provided -- just an "unnamed source" floating a rumor from more than 40 years ago, which U.S. intelligence didn't believe and for which there's no...
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 7, 2007

Bans on ethnic and racial information well-founded

PARIS -- Race has always been a provocative subject when the needs of science and statistics intersect with politics. Now that debate is once again heating up in France, as the planned introduction of "ethnic statistics" has caused a fierce dispute that touches the very heart of French republicanism....
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2007

LDP, DPJ ranks hear Nanjing denial lecture

About 30 lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan gathered Tuesday to hear a controversial historian talk about why he figures the Nanjing Massacre is a "complete fabrication."
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2007

Bankrupt Yubari embarks on plan to dig itself out of hole

The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry designated the city of Yubari, Hokkaido, officially bankrupt Tuesday, canceling its autonomy and paving the way for rehabilitation under central government control.
Reader Mail
Mar 7, 2007

Teach patriotism at school

Regarding the Feb. 18 article "Whose Japan deserves youth's patriotism now?": I believe patriotism must be taught at school. Since 2000, some 875 public school teachers have refused to pay their respect to the national flag and anthem at school ceremonies. Given the influence they wield as teachers,...
EDITORIALS
Mar 7, 2007

Thailand's troubles continue

It was expected that any instability that followed last September's coup in Thailand would be short-lived. Supporters even hoped that the military-led government would lessen uncertainty, end corruption and soothe the tensions that fuel a Muslim insurgency in the country's southern provinces. Those hopes...
MORE SPORTS
Mar 7, 2007

Prince Rabbits advance to c'ship round

Six goals are nice in any hockey game.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2007

Asano enters Tokyo race, hits Ishihara autocracy

Former Miyagi Gov. Shiro Asano officially announced his candidacy Tuesday for the Tokyo gubernatorial election in April, saying the capital's government needs to be cleaned up "before things get out of hand."

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