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COMMENTARY / World
Dec 18, 2006

Pigs, calves and democracy in America

PRINCETON, New Jersey -- Amid all the headlines about the Democrats gaining control of the U.S. Congress in the November elections, one big election result was largely ignored. Although it illuminated the flaws of America's political system, it also restored my belief in the compassion of ordinary Americans....
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Dec 18, 2006

Triangular mergers and the argument for stringent controls

With the ban on so-called triangular mergers scheduled to be lifted in May, debate in Japan -- which has occasionally involved interested parties in the United States and Europe -- has focused on determining the conditions under which such cross-border takeovers should be allowed.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 17, 2006

Skylarks edge Deers at X Bowl

Quarterback/placement kick holder Masanori Ishikawa scored a 10-yard rushing touchdown on a trick play at 1 minute, 59 seconds entering the final quarter as the Onward Skylarks edged the Kajima Deers 24-21 in the Japan X Bowl at Kyocera Dome on Saturday afternoon.
BASKETBALL
Dec 17, 2006

89ers keep it simple in Broncos victory

KASUKABE, Saitama Pref. -- The Sendai 89ers started strong and closed out Saturday's 86-74 victory over the Saitama Broncos with a stick-to-the-fundamentals approach.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Dec 17, 2006

Japan's top stars keep going, but they keep coming too

So, Daisuke Matsuzaka has signed with the Boston Red Sox, Akinori Iwamura has left the Tokyo Yakult Swallows for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Kei Igawa will be wearing the pinstripes of the New York Yankees rather than those of the Hanshin Tigers.
EDITORIALS
Dec 17, 2006

'Defense Ministry' will bear watching

The legislation just enacted to upgrade the Defense Agency to ministry status and revise the Self-Defense Forces Law will significantly change the character of the Self-Defense Forces, which has assumed a low-profile posture under the nation's strictly defensive security policy, reflecting the nation's...
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2006

Sasae, Hill confer ahead of six-party talks Monday

The chief Japanese and U.S. negotiators on North Korea's nuclear weapons met Saturday in Tokyo and confirmed their solidarity -- including Washington's support for Tokyo's hard line on the abduction issue -- during the six-party talks resuming Monday.
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2006

Sasae, Hill confer ahead of six-party talks Monday

The chief Japanese and U.S. negotiators on North Korea's nuclear weapons met Saturday in Tokyo and confirmed their solidarity -- including Washington's support for Tokyo's hard line on the abduction issue -- during the six-party talks resuming Monday.
EDITORIALS
Dec 17, 2006

Political theater in town

In June 2001, the first government-sponsored town meeting under the initiative of then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was held to promote direct dialogue between the people and Cabinet ministers. So far, there have been 174 such meetings. But a report by a Cabinet Office investigation panel shows that...
Japan Times
LIFE / WEEK 3
Dec 17, 2006

Classified information

Every week in Japan, English-language magazines carry upward of 200 classified ads placed by both Japanese and non-Japanese people seeking to meet strangers whom they hope to strike up a relationship with.

Longform

Once smoky, male-dominated spaces, today's net cafes, like Kaikatsu Club, are working to make their operations more attractive to women customers.
The second life of Japan's net cafes