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COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Sep 9, 2006

The Japanese Chrysanthemum Thrown

Congratulations to Princess Kiko and Prince Akishino on the birth of their baby! While the fact that it is a boy is even greater news for the royal family, it's a shame for Japan. Looking for excuses not to face modern realities, Japan may now wallow in its past of allowing only male heirs of male lineage...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND
Sep 8, 2006

Staying mellow about 'malo' wine

T hose who were drinking white wines in the late 1980s and early '90s will remember the virtual tsunami of heavily oaked "butter bomb" style Chardonnays that swept the world. Living in London at the time, I couldn't tell whether sea levels were rising or the entire country was sinking under the weight...
COMMENTARY
Sep 8, 2006

Recovery from failed policy

LONDON -- Some U.S. and British politicians argue that to tackle terrorism effectively human rights must be subject to increasing limitations. In wartime Britain (1939-45), human rights were curtailed and some innocent people were locked up. The British accepted this at the time as necessary to combat...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 7, 2006

Abe will try to set up summits with Seoul, Beijing if elected

Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, the leading candidate to succeed Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, said Wednesday he will try to hold bilateral summit meetings with China and South Korea if he becomes prime minister.
JAPAN
Sep 6, 2006

Abe expresses intent to revise Constitution to exercise collective defense

Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, all but certain to be the next prime minister, again expressed on Tuesday his strong ambition to revise the pacifist Constitution and maintain the right to exercise collective defense on specific occasions.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 6, 2006

Question of next prime minister still taxing issue

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi succeeded in shrinking the political pork barrel by privatizing the powerful post office monopoly and weaning politicians from their heavy reliance on public works to boost the economy.
JAPAN
Sep 6, 2006

'Nagai Sanpo' wins big in Montreal

The film "Nagai Sanpo" ("A Long Walk") has won the Grand Prix at the Montreal World Film Festival, the film's distributor said Tuesday.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Sep 5, 2006

Does Japan need an emperor or empress?

Taichi Kadowaki Office worker, 32 I don't think we need an emperor or empress. We Japanese adore the royal family because they are this great symbol,but they don't really do anything. They just spend our tax money, but on nothing useful or important.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Sep 5, 2006

Nuptials and moldy tatami

B&B Angelie asks what kind of business licenses are needed to open a Bed & Breakfast here in Japan. "I went to the local city office and walked away with tons of information on opening a ryokan . . . which is not what I had in mind at all."
JAPAN
Sep 4, 2006

NPA to introduce 3-D antiterrorist system for G8 summit

To defend against terrorist attacks, the National Police Agency plans to have a system in place analyzing three-dimensional data of locations and routes to be used by leaders of the Group of Eight nations when they come to Japan for a summit in 2008, NPA officials said Sunday.
JAPAN
Sep 3, 2006

Project-bidding scandal spreads in Fukushima

A supporter of Fukushima Gov. Eisaku Sato allegedly played a crucial role in rigging bids for prefectural projects, sources said Saturday.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Sep 3, 2006

Kids of former foreign players in Japan making news

Hard to believe that story about former major league outfielder Jesse Barfield being pushed down a flight of stairs by his 18-year-old son Jeremy.
LIFE / WEEK 3
Sep 3, 2006

An 'outsider' speaks out

Later this month, when Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi concludes what may have been Japan's most flamboyant premiership ever, pundits aplenty are sure to lavish his five-year term with glowing praise.
JAPAN
Sep 3, 2006

Yoshinoya to have a 'gyudon' day

Yoshinoya D&C Co. will resume sales of "gyudon" beef-on-rice dishes for the first time in 19 months -- for one day only -- around Sept. 18, company sources said Saturday.
JAPAN
Sep 2, 2006

Majority in survey favor English for elementary kids

Opinions are divided over whether English language lessons should be mandatory at elementary schools, according to a recent survey by the education ministry.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Sep 2, 2006

Tyler Foundation helps other sick kids shine on

There are many pictures of Tyler Ferris on the Web site his mother, Kimberly Forsythe, created after his death just over a year ago. In every one he is smiling, if not grinning from ear to ear.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / WALKING THE WARDS
Sep 1, 2006

Slow train coming downtown

Arakawa Ward snuggles like a puzzle piece in the bends of the Sumida River. The third smallest of Tokyo's 23 wards, it has an intimate, unpretentious atmosphere that matches the attitude of many of its residents. Asked what makes Arakawa special, locals and even city officials tilt their heads in thought,...
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2006

Kubota, other firms get asbestos bill

An expert panel of the Environment Ministry on Wednesday approved a proposal calling for machinery maker Kubota Corp. and others to contribute a total of 340 million yen a year to the private-sector's share in the new compensation law for asbestos victims.
BUSINESS
Aug 31, 2006

Pay falls for first time in six months

The average pay of corporate employees fell 0.1 percent in July from a year ago to 395,879 yen for the first decrease in six months, according to a government report released Wednesday.
BASKETBALL
Aug 30, 2006

Spanish duo keys rout of Lithuania

SAITAMA -- Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro combined for 47 points and Spain routed Lithuania 89-67 in their quarterfinal game at the FIBA World Championship on Tuesday at Saitama Super Arena.
JAPAN
Aug 30, 2006

Asahara daughter seeks new guardian

The fourth daughter of condemned Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara has filed a request with the Saitama Family Court to have journalist Shoko Egawa, who exposed the cult's crimes, appointed as her legal guardian.
BASKETBALL
Aug 29, 2006

LeBron has America's young guns shooting

Indisputably wise beyond his years, more confident than his peers, LeBron James lounged comfortably in front of cameras and microphones at a Tokyo hotel on Monday afternoon, gazed at the assembled crowd and uttered one short sentence that reveals the true essence behind his success.
BASKETBALL
Aug 28, 2006

Okuloja gives Nowitzki hand as Germany holds on for win

SAITAMA -- He grabbed the final rebound after Nigeria's Ime Udoka missed a layup at the buzzer. He held the ball as tightly as a baby clings to its mother. Then he pumped his clenched fist in celebration.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Aug 27, 2006

TBS's "Message," TV Tokyo's "Dawn of Gaia" and more

Aug. 28 marks the 53rd anniversary of the very first broadcast of a television commercial in Japan, and as a way of commemorating the event TBS has produced a special two-hour drama, "Message" (Monday, 9 p.m.), about Toshi Sugiyama, who is considered the most innovative TV commercial director in the...
Japan Times
LIFE / DISABILITY IN JAPAN
Aug 27, 2006

Teamwork trounces deafness

This story is part of a package on "Disability in Japan". The introduction is here.
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2006

New book by Ozawa advocates U.N. force, reform of farm sector

should form a special organ for the United Nations, which comes under direct control of the U.N. secretary general," Ozawa writes. As for the SDF, it "should remain dedicated to defending the nation." Ozawa has long called for the creation of such a U.N. standby force, but this time he clarifies that...
JAPAN
Aug 26, 2006

Abe wants stronger prime minister's office if he gets top job

Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe would increase the role of the prime minister's office in setting key policies in education and national security if he becomes the country's leader, sources close to him said Friday.

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