search

 
 
JAPAN / Q&A
Mar 1, 2007

Ministry takes charge of bankrupt city

This month, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry is expected to designate Yubari, Hokkaido, as a "municipality under rehabilitation." Following are questions and answers outlining what that means for the city:
EDITORIALS
Mar 1, 2007

Beating the Yamato drum

With health minister Hakuo Yanagisawa's gaffe remark that women are "childbearing machines" still fresh in people's memory, yet another Cabinet member has put his foot in his mouth. This time, education minister Bunmei Ibuki has voiced objectionable ideas on the general character of the Japanese state...
Japan Times
JAPAN / WHEN A CITY GOES BUST
Mar 1, 2007

Yubari tries downsizing to solve fiscal crisis

The announcement in June that Yubari, Hokkaido, has effectively gone bankrupt rolled like an earthquake across Japan, jolting numerous local governments suffering their own financial problems. This two-part series examines the situation in Yubari and in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, which also is in dire...
JAPAN
Mar 1, 2007

It's official: Whale hunt over for year

The government Wednesday confirmed earlier reports by saying this year's whale hunt has ended early and the fleet off the coast of Antarctica was heading home, after weeks of struggling to recover from a deadly fire on board the mother ship.
EDITORIALS
Mar 1, 2007

Warning to the power industry

Two and a half years after an accident in a nuclear power plant killed five workers and injured six others, police have sent up papers to public prosecutors on five employees of Kansai Electric Power Co. and an employee of the utility's subsidiary. It is rare for police to pursue criminal responsibility...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Mar 1, 2007

THIS and THAT

Kodama Gallery, Tokyo Closes in 10 days
COMMENTARY
Mar 1, 2007

Musharraf moves to stay

NEW DELHI -- The fight against international terrorism is very much tied to the future of Pakistan and the central challenge that country faces: to move away from militarism, extremism and fundamentalism, and toward a stable, moderate state. That's what makes Pakistani military ruler President Pervez...
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 1, 2007

Rise and fall of France's Segolene Royal

WARSAW -- Two months ago, Paris' political insiders were unanimous: The presidential race was still open, but Segolene Royal was clearly the favorite. Today, the reverse seems true. While the race is not over, Nicolas Sarkozy has emerged as the consistent favorite in the polls, as well as of those who...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 1, 2007

A doctor comes to Yubari with the courage to dream

YUBARI, Hokkaido -- Since Yubari's financial collapse came to light last June, many residents have decided to jump from the sinking ship and seek more prosperous environs elsewhere.
BUSINESS
Mar 1, 2007

BOJ's rate hike insane, economy expert says

The Bank of Japan was "insane" to raise its key interest rate to 0.5 percent last week because the economy is still fragile, Bill Emmott, author of several books on the Japanese economy, said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Mar 1, 2007

Japan, Russia agree to discuss nuke pact

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Fradkov, agreed Wednesday to negotiations on a nuclear cooperation pact and inked accords to boost bilateral economic ties, a Japanese government official said.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Mar 1, 2007

An Exhibition of 'Introductory' Business Cards

Printing MuseumCloses in 39 days
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Mar 1, 2007

Storm clouds over an artist's life cut short

In the summer of 1924, fresh out of art school in Japan and settling into the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris, Yuzo Saeki (1898-1928) was taken by his classmate Katsuzo Satomi to have his work critiqued by the Fauvist painter, anarchist and journalist Maurice de Vlaminck. Just when he was getting...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 1, 2007

Scriptwriter talks about Japan hit 'Letters'

Scriptwriting is something seemingly everyone in Hollywood does, from cab drivers to this year's Oscar host Ellen DeGeneres, who jokingly presented director Martin Scorsese with a script during the telecast. But the percentage of first-time scriptwriters who succeed in getting a feature film made is...
BASKETBALL
Feb 28, 2007

Apache duo injured last weekend

The Tokyo Apache, who were swept by the host Toyama Grouses over the weekend, sustained losses to two key players over the weekend. Jumpei Nakama sustained a torn left ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and will miss the rest of the season, the team announced.
BASKETBALL
Feb 28, 2007

Goya, Marshall earn awards

Toyama Grouses guard Takanori Goya is the Circle K Sunkus Player of the Week, the bj-league announced Tuesday.

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