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JAPAN
Jul 17, 2006

Kids weak at writing essays, explaining math

Japanese elementary and junior high school students are not very good at writing logical essays or explaining how they have solved mathematical problems, a study by the National Institute for Educational Policy Research has found.
EDITORIALS
Jul 17, 2006

A guy, a paper clip and the Internet

It's tempting to forget about finding a larger meaning in the story of Kyle MacDonald and to just sit back and enjoy it. Mr. MacDonald is the 26-year-old Canadian blogger who has rocketed from Internet cult figure to mainstream news item since he pulled off a remarkable bartering feat recently, trading...
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 17, 2006

Time for a new approach to Pyongyang?

HONOLULU -- Ever since the North Korean fireworks display of missile launches on July 4, the world has watched the spectacle of political leaders and diplomats of America, China, Japan and South Korea scurrying for a response to Pyongyang's leader, Kim Jong Il.
BUSINESS
Jul 17, 2006

Can JAL beat the low-cost carriers?

Industry watchers have been skeptical of Japan Airlines lately. On June 30, JAL announced it would issue stocks to raise much-needed cash, a move that has many wondering about the long-term prospects of the embattled carrier. A revealing point about the issuance is JAL neglected to inform shareholders...
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 17, 2006

The beginning of the end of Guantanamo

NEW YORK -- The "war on terror" has forced democracies to grapple with the extent to which they can afford to protect the civil rights and liberties of both their citizens and foreigners. The debate has been most intense in the United States, where the refrain that the U.S. Constitution is not a "suicide...
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 17, 2006

Better schools trump caste preferences

BOMBAY -- The United States has long been divided over what it calls "affirmative action," a system of racial preferences intended to overcome the lingering consequences of slavery and discrimination against black Americans. India is now becoming divided in much the same way, and for much the same reason...
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jul 16, 2006

Toyoda deactivated with injury

Yomiuri Giants closer Kiyoshi Toyoda was removed from the active roster Saturday, citing slight soreness in his right shoulder, officials of the Central League club said.
JAPAN
Jul 16, 2006

16 FCCJ members to visit islets

Sixteen members of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan have signed up to visit later this month a pair of South Korean-controlled islets claimed by Tokyo, according to sources.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jul 16, 2006

AFN changes may augur trends for other sports media

Recent news items indicate big changes are coming for the traditional form of broadcasting baseball games in Japan and the end of the line for baseball -- and other sports -- on Armed Forces Network radio in our world of high-tech, satellite and cable communications.
EDITORIALS
Jul 16, 2006

Escalation need not be inevitable

The sickening downward spiral of violence in the Middle East continues. Last week, Hezbollah, the militant Shiite Muslim group, opened a second front against Israel by launching a border attack from southern Lebanon. The action appeared to copy an earlier raid by Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
JAPAN
Jul 16, 2006

Pro-N. Korean schools, students harassed over missiles

Students and teachers attending pro-North Korean schools in Japan have received dozens of threatening phone calls and letters -- and in some cases have been physically assaulted -- since Pyongyang test-fired a barrage of missiles, a teachers federation said.

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