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Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Aug 31, 2006

The subversive soul of 'The Wizard of Oz'

T he combination of Irvine Welsh, author of "Trainspotting," and "The Wizard of Oz," Hollywood's quintessential family film, in the stage play "Babylon Heights" may raise some eyebrows. But "The Wizard of Oz" is not innocent entertainment. The significance of the film to gay and lesbian audiences, for...
BUSINESS
Aug 31, 2006

Sony unveils Bravia TVs for fall

Sony Corp. on Wednesday took the wraps off its new Bravia flat-panel televisions for the domestic market, hoping to consolidate a recovery in its mainstay electronics business during the yearend sales competition.
BUSINESS
Aug 31, 2006

Government seeking ways to boost global competitiveness of handsets

A government panel began considering ways Wednesday to strengthen the international competitiveness of the domestic mobile phone industry as the country's 11 handset makers together account for only 10 percent of the global market.
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.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 31, 2006

"Lyota Yagi Exhibition"

Mujinto Production Closes in 21 days
EDITORIALS
Aug 31, 2006

A planet by any other name

One dark night 20 years ago, a small boy we knew was taken outside to view Halley's Comet as it flashed fuzzily by on its once-in-a-lifetime visit to the inner solar system. He gazed skyward through his grandfather's binoculars for a long time, then lowered them solemnly and pronounced in tones of awe:...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 31, 2006

"Atsushi Kashiyama: My Specimen Box"

Galleria Grafica Bis Closes Saturday
BUSINESS
Aug 31, 2006

JT to stub out 12 cigarette brands for good

Japan Tobacco Inc. will cut 12 relatively new cigarette brands, nine of which have been marketed in target areas to gauge consumer interest, company officials said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Aug 31, 2006

Marubeni seen looking to sell part of Daiei stake

Trading house Marubeni Corp. plans to sell part of its equity stake in Daiei Inc. to Aeon Co. or Wal-Mart Stores Inc., eyeing a tieup with either of the supermarket chains, sources said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Aug 31, 2006

Retail sales register first decline in three months

Retail sales dropped 0.2 percent in July from a year earlier to 11.1 trillion yen for the first decline in three months, as bad weather hit demand for clothing and food, the government said Wednesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 31, 2006

The search for 'nihonga' clouds artistic judgements

While proponents of contemporary Japanese art do not seem quite as preoccupied with attempts to shock as their Western counterparts, for curators and creators with an eye on finding fame and fortune overseas, courting controversy can seem almost like an obligation.
BUSINESS
Aug 31, 2006

Debt-servicing to lift '07 budget to 82.73 trillion yen

Japan's fiscal 2007 general account budget is expected to total 82.73 trillion yen, based on requests from government ministries and agencies, up 3.04 trillion yen from the initial budget for the current fiscal year, Finance Ministry officials said Wednesday.
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.
BASKETBALL
Aug 30, 2006

Argentina rolls into semifinals

SAITAMA -- Turkey's offense was punchless in the final three quarters and Argentina punched its ticket to the FIBA World Championship's final four.
BASKETBALL
Aug 30, 2006

Longtime basketballer Elphinston tapped as FIBA president

SAITAMA -- Bob Elphinston, whose involvement in basketball dates to 1961, was appointed to the post of FIBA President for the 2006-10 term, the FIBA Central Board announced Tuesday.
BASKETBALL
Aug 30, 2006

Navarro another star for loaded Spanish

SAITAMA -- Pau Gasol is the star on the Spanish team, but he's not the only reason unbeaten Spain has golden aspirations at the FIBA World Championship.
MORE SPORTS
Aug 30, 2006

Niida sustains broken rib

WBA minimumweight champion Yutaka Niida said Tuesday he will be out of action for at least three months because of a broken rib that has postponed this weekend's title defense.
JAPAN
Aug 30, 2006

Rightist exits hospital, held in Kato arson

Police arrested a rightist Tuesday upon his discharge from a Yamagata Prefecture hospital in connection with the arson blaze that gutted the family home of Liberal Democratic Party heavyweight Koichi Kato hours after he criticized Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Aug. 15 visit to Yasukuni Shrine.
JAPAN
Aug 30, 2006

NPA will offer reward money for info on crimes

The National Police Agency announced a seven-point public safety plan Tuesday for fiscal 2007, highlighted by the offering of rewards for information leading to the arrest of people suspected of committing serious crimes.
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.
JAPAN
Aug 30, 2006

Some LDP freshmen decide to support Abe

would like to entrust (the post of) party president to Abe, to be the leader of a new LDP, and a new Japan." Abe, who attended the meeting, expressed his appreciation for the support and said he looks forward to the election.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 30, 2006

Amnesty International on track with call for inquiry

NEW YORK -- An Amnesty International report severely criticizes the Israeli Defense Forces's behavior during the recent war in Lebanon and calls for an independent commission of inquiry. Such a commission should investigate the actions of not only the IDF but also Hezbollah, as civilians were the main...

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