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EDITORIALS
Jun 14, 2007

Is tax diversion a good idea?

Liberal Democratic Party politicians are touting a proposal to allow citizens to divert a portion of their residential tax payment to local governments of their preference. The idea is called "furusato nozei" (tax payment diversion to one's native place, or hometown) and the Abe administration is pushing...
JAPAN
Jun 14, 2007

Ruling bloc gets office expense bill past panel

Amid strong protests, the ruling coalition rammed through a House of Representatives panel Wednesday a bill requiring that lawmakers' fund management bodies report all office expenses exceeding 50,000 yen, hoping to quell the furor over last month's suicide of corruption scandal-tainted farm minister...
BUSINESS
Jun 14, 2007

Pepsi Cucumber hits store shelves

Consumers can stay cool as a cucumber this summer with Pepsi Ice Cucumber, a new soda based on the crisp green gourd.
JAPAN
Jun 14, 2007

Chinese defense minister, warship arranging to make landmark visit

Japan and China plan to step up military exchanges with a visit to Japan by the Chinese defense minister and the first-ever port call by a Chinese naval vessel, an official said Wednesday, amid signs of warming ties between the neighbors.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jun 14, 2007

More international by the year

The title of the 52nd Venice Biennale, "Think with the senses, feel with the mind," has an almost paradoxical twist. But in the context of the international art scene it is a strong statement — some would even call it controversial.
JAPAN
Jun 14, 2007

Ishihara eyes writer for deputy spot

Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara has asked nonfiction writer Naoki Inose, a prominent advocate of privatization and decentralization, to serve as one of his four vice governors, sources said Wednesday.
EDITORIALS
Jun 14, 2007

Another black mark for the U.N.

The conviction of a former United Nations purchasing official has focused attention once again on the growing need for reform at that institution. Fraud and corruption not only deprive the U.N. of resources it needs to do its work but they also contribute to the erosion of the U.N.'s legitimacy. The...
COMMENTARY
Jun 14, 2007

Wanted: A 'new deal' for globalization

LOS ANGELES — There is no such thing as "free" trade. In truth, the phrase "free trade" is an oxymoron.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jun 14, 2007

In focus: 150 years of Japanese photography

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the oldest-known photograph taken by a Japanese person. Yet it is only in recent years that Japanese have started to take a serious interest in the history of early photography in this country, according to Terry Bennett, a London-based photo-historian.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 14, 2007

Escaping from the Kremlin

TALLINN — Communism's fall gave the nations of the former Soviet bloc a chance to turn toward democracy, a market economy, and the rule of law. Some countries cut ties decisively with the communist past; others were less successful, a few failed catastrophically.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jun 14, 2007

In step with nature, if not with celebrity

Renowned butoh dancer, award-winning actor, choreographer and agriculturist Min Tanaka has tried hard to escape international stardom.
BASKETBALL / NBA / NBA REPORT
Jun 13, 2007

Low-key Spurs earn plenty of admirers

SAN ANTONIO — If I'm running the neighborhood Hilton, I immediately begin advertising early checkouts.
Reader Mail
Jun 13, 2007

What about cigarette smoke?

Regarding the May 31 article "Government proposes programs for asthma prevention in Tokyo wards": It is interesting that Japan's government is focused on automobile pollution in its asthma prevention programs while apparently ignoring cigarette smoking as a major known cause of breathing problems, including...
Reader Mail
Jun 13, 2007

Warped sense of heroic action

I was disturbed to read the May 27 Associated Press article under the headline "Alabama boy kills monstrous wild hog after 3-hour chase." An 11-year-old boy is presented as a young hero for his achievement in finally shooting a wild boar point-blank in the head with a high-powered pistol.
EDITORIALS
Jun 13, 2007

Crime and punishment

The Upper House is discussing bills that will allow crime victims and their family members to sit with prosecutors and question defendants and witnesses in trials for serious crimes such as murder, manslaughter, rape, kidnapping and confinement. If the accused are found guilty, crime victims and their...

Longform

Figure skater Akiko Suzuki was once told her ideal weight should be 47 kilograms, a number she now admits she “naively believed.” This led to her have a relationship with food that resulted in her suffering from anorexia.
The silent battle Japanese athletes fight with weight