Search - 2004

 
 
BUSINESS
Jun 17, 2003

Toyota network to assess cars' environmental impact

In response to mounting pressure on industries to cope with environmental problems, Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday it will introduce an environment-assessment system in 2004 to produce cleaner vehicles.
BUSINESS
Jun 13, 2003

Nissan to raise auto output in China fourfold

Nissan Motor Co. said Thursday it will increase its annual production capacity of cars in China to as much as 270,000 units in 2004, up from 60,000 at present.
BUSINESS
Jun 10, 2003

Cut benefits to current, future pensioners: report

The government should consider cutting back on pension benefits not only for future pensioners but also for seniors now drawing a pension, according to a proposal released Monday by an advisory committee to Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 5, 2003

Breakwalls against U.S. tide

SINGAPORE — Big-power rapprochement was high on the agenda in both St. Petersburg, Russia, and Evian, France, this past week a month after U.S. President George W. Bush declared victory in Iraq aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. But how does this rapprochement mesh with perceived American unilateralism?...
BUSINESS
May 31, 2003

Shiokawa seeking 3% cut in public works spending

Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa said Friday he hopes to cut public works spending by about 3 percent in the fiscal 2004 budget as part of efforts to reduce the size of the overall budget.
JAPAN
Apr 26, 2003

Missile defense system debate heats up

As concerns mount over the threat posed by North Korea, the debate over Japan introducing missile defense systems is heating up.
BUSINESS
Apr 24, 2003

Nissan reports record operating profit

Nissan Motor Co. announced Wednesday a record group operating profit of 737 billion yen for the year through March, up 50.7 percent from the previous year, thanks mainly to increased car sales at home and reduced purchasing costs.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Apr 20, 2003

Football Association hypocritical and arrogant over racism issue

LONDON -- "We are very disappointed that UEFA have felt it necessary to bring the charges against us." -- Paul Barber, director of marketing and communications, the Football Association.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Apr 16, 2003

Hardcore Moore a tough customer on the mound and at bat

One of the goals of Hanshin Tigers left-handed pitcher Trey Moore is to keep his batting average higher than his earned run average. You have to take out the decimal points, of course, and so far, he's done a great job both on the mound and in the batter's box in getting off to a brilliant start in the...
JAPAN
Apr 16, 2003

Divisions over Iraq offensive dominate Japan-Europe forum

ATHENS -- The rift between the United States and "Old Europe" over the Iraq war was the biggest cause for concern among Japanese participants at a Japan-Europe symposium held here recently.
BUSINESS
Apr 11, 2003

Sanyo, Samsung join forces to develop air conditioners

Sanyo Electric Co. and Samsung Electronic Co. said Thursday they will jointly develop household air conditioners.
BUSINESS
Feb 28, 2003

JAS to postpone launch of cargo handling unit

Japan Airlines System Corp. plans to postpone its cargo operation spinoff eyed for April 2004 as the move would make it difficult for the carrier to effectively allocate crews for the firm's overall operations, company sources said Thursday.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 23, 2003

As U.N. dithers, Australian divide grows

SYDNEY -- A United Nations resolution of the Iraq crisis cannot come too soon for Australia. Each day of delay gnaws at the easygoing tolerance that marks the Australian lifestyle.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 19, 2003

It's no longer just the economy, stupid

WASHINGTON -- In recent weeks, as often in the past, many key Democrats have contributed importantly to American national-security debates. They have been trying to increase funding for homeland security efforts, prodding President George W. Bush to remain multilateral in his approach to Iraq even as...
SOCCER / J. League
Feb 18, 2003

Japan to face Portugal

Japan to face Portugal Japan will likely play EURO 2004 host Portugal at home in June and away in October as a part of its build-up program under national team coach Zico, the Japan Football Association announced Monday in Tokyo.
EDITORIALS
Feb 17, 2003

Revival of the 'twin deficit' threat

A budget crisis is returning to the United States. Along with worsening trade deficits, record budget shortfalls projected for the fiscal year 2003 and beyond are reviving a nightmare threat of "twin deficits." It is worrisome for global growth and security that the world's only military and economic...
JAPAN
Feb 5, 2003

Japan seeks international talks on management of KEDO

Japan wants international talks on an energy project for North Korea because the U.S. has set no money aside for it for fiscal 2004 due to the nuclear standoff with Pyongyang, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Tuesday.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Jan 31, 2003

Perryman says Toda has the pedigree for the Premiership

LONDON -- It has been a mixed week for Japan in the Premiership. One player has arrived, one is on his way back from injury while the former national coach was beaten to the Republic of Ireland job by someone few people outside Ireland had ever heard of.
BUSINESS
Jan 28, 2003

Tepco plans to enter gas wholesaling via Tokyo Gas pipelines

The Tokyo Electric Power Co. plans to enter natural gas wholesaling in fiscal 2004 by leasing pipelines owned by Tokyo Gas Co., Tepco sources said Monday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 23, 2003

Forge national consensus on taxes

One year ago the government published a five-year budget projection showing how it expected to make ends meet in fiscal 2002-06. Now, the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, chaired by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, has revised the plan -- downward. The basic picture is that the budget deficit...
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 13, 2003

Britain's far right poses a rising threat

BRUSSELS -- The press in England has had a field day over the past 20 years chronicling the rise of the Continent's far right. The first chance came in the early 1980s with the emergence of France's National Front led by Jean-Marie Le Pen, a man who believes the Americans built the gas chambers in the...
BUSINESS
Jan 11, 2003

Asahi Mutual cans Millea tieup plans

Struggling Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Co. announced Friday it has scrapped plans to team up with the Millea Insurance Group, saying it may look for another partner.
COMMENTARY / WASHINGTON UPDATE
Jan 9, 2003

Democratic candidates burst out of the blocks

WASHINGTON -- Democratic presidential candidates got the best Christmas present possible from former Vice President Al Gore when he opted to stay out of the 2004 presidential elections. The decision made him a winner as well. It could not have been an easy choice, but it was sound and courageous.
EDITORIALS
Jan 1, 2003

Tumultuous politics await

A big question hangs over Japanese politics in 2003: Will a snap general election be held? The key to the question is held by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who has the prerogative of dissolving the Lower House. Mr. Koizumi, who is also president of the Liberal Democratic Party, faces a party presidential...
COMMENTARY
Dec 31, 2002

Koizumi losing ability to lead

The most striking impression about 2002 is that the world has become increasingly insecure. When two jetliners hijacked by suicide terrorists crashed into New York's World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, old-fashioned big-power games ended and a new struggle between civilized society and international...

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