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JAPAN
Jan 24, 2007

Upper House's No. 2 denies fund allegations

House of Councilors Vice President Giichi Tsunoda on Tuesday fended off allegations his campaign headquarters received 25.2 million yen in political donations in 2001 that went unreported.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2007

Some BOJ policymakers wanted hike in January

Several members of the Bank of Japan Policy Board said in their December meeting the benchmark short-term interest rate should be raised when they met in January, according to minutes of last month's gathering unveiled Tuesday.
SUMO
Jan 23, 2007

Numbers break records, character creates legends

At exactly 5:43 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 21, 2007, yokozuna Asashoryu Akinori was presented with the Emperor's Cup for the 20th time in his sumo career; a feat achieved only four times prior, by former yokozuna Taiho (32 total yusho), Chiyonofuji (31), Kitanoumi (24) and Takanohana (22). These...
EDITORIALS
Jan 23, 2007

Halting drunk drivers

The National Police Agency's proposal to stiffen penalties for drunk driving reflects recent public demand for severer punishment of drunk drivers. At the same time, the proposal prods the public to drastically change its own attitude toward drinking and driving.
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2007

New tax panel chief keeps cards close to his vest

At his debut news conference Monday as chairman of the government's Tax Commission, Yutaka Kosai was tight-lipped on the politically sensitive corporate and consumption tax rates, despite his reputation as an outspoken economist.
COMMENTARY
Jan 23, 2007

U.S. presence vs. the public will

A tense atmosphere prevails in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, during its centennial this year due to the planned deployment of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base.
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jan 23, 2007

Cycling on sidewalks

Dear Alice,
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2007

North Korea talks should also discuss escapees, forum told

OSAKA -- The plight of Japanese citizens and Japanese-born Koreans who voluntarily went to North Korea in the 1960s but escaped to return to Japan is a human rights issue that needs to be included in the six-party talks on denuclearizing North Korea, a symposium in Osaka concluded Sunday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jan 23, 2007

The nuts and bolts of the legislature

The Diet is the center of Japanese politics. It's where ruling and opposition lawmakers play power games and employ tactics in both open and backroom negotiations. With this year's ordinary legislative session set to start Thursday, following are some basic facts about the parliamentary system:
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2007

Economic outlook still rosy: Cabinet

Despite weak indicators for private consumption, the economy continues to recover thanks to brisk business activity and capital investment, the Cabinet Office said Monday in its monthly economic report for January.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Jan 23, 2007

Gender identity transformed from 'freak' into rights issue

'When I was a child, I had a feeling I wasn't satisfied with being a human being. To be a human being didn't seem like a beautiful existence to me," says Otojiro Toriyama.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2007

Nissan adds new outsourced minicar

Nissan Motor Co. launched the Pino minivehicle Monday, hoping the new model helps halt the automaker's slide in domestic car sales.
LIFE / Language
Jan 23, 2007

Translations blunted by discarded 'somethings'

One of the great pleasures of life in a country not your own is savoring its literature in the original language.

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