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JAPAN
May 18, 2006

Three held over allegedly rigged Ken-o road bids

A former land ministry employee and two corporate executives were arrested Wednesday for allegedly fixing a bid for a land survey project for the Ken-o Expressway, the 300-km route circling Tokyo and traversing four prefectures.
JAPAN
May 18, 2006

Japan holds onto sixth place in mathematics theses

Japan ranks sixth in the number of internationally published math theses, the same position it has held since being surpassed by China in 2000, the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy said Wednesday.
JAPAN
May 18, 2006

Diet passes bill to take foreigners' prints, pics

A bill requiring fingerprinting and photographing of foreigners upon entry to Japan was passed Wednesday as a way to prevent terrorism.
COMMENTARY / World
May 18, 2006

What's next, militarization of the Andes?

BUENOS AIRES -- While the world's attention is riveted on Iraq, the Colombia Plan, developed by the United States to fight drugs and leftwing guerrillas in Colombia, may soon be applied as a general strategy across the nations of the Andes, if not all of Latin America. Colombia, it seems, is only mentioned...
JAPAN
May 18, 2006

Chongryun, Mindan hold historic talks

The leaders of the pro-Seoul and pro-Pyongyang groups in Japan ended 60 years of hostilities Wednesday with a reconciliation meeting in Tokyo.
JAPAN
May 18, 2006

Jailed duo served for smuggling

Two men already in custody for alleged possession of Ecstasy were served new arrest warrants Wednesday on suspicion of involvement in smuggling several hundred kilograms of stimulants into Japan from North Korea, bringing the total number nabbed in the smuggling case to seven, police said.
COMMENTARY / World
May 18, 2006

Sub-Saharan Africa's failing leadership

Why are the countries of sub-Saharan Africa the poorest in the world? One reason is the set of ill-designed development strategies that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have implemented in the region for nearly half a century. But the centuries-old culture of leadership that is...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
May 18, 2006

"Wide Eyed Theatre: Shita No Shita"

La Deco, Shibuya Fridays (8 p.m.), Saturdays (3 and 8 p.m.) and Sundays (3 p.m.) till May 28
JAPAN
May 18, 2006

Annan asks Koizumi to give air support to U.N. in Iraq

Visiting U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan asked Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Wednesday to provide air support for U.N. activities in Iraq, opening the possibility that the Air Self-Defense Force will get a new mission there.
BUSINESS
May 18, 2006

Bankruptcies surged 14.9% in April

The number of corporate bankruptcies in Japan jumped 14.9 percent in April from the previous year to 1,087, with debts totaling 426.78 billion yen, and among them are contractors stung by a state crackdown on bid-rigging, Tokyo Shoko Research said Wednesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
May 18, 2006

"Yankee Doodle Flea Market & Art Show"

Hillside Terrace Daikanyama Friday to Sunday
BUSINESS
May 18, 2006

Philip Morris, BAT seek OK to increase prices

Philip Morris Japan KK and British American Tobacco Japan Ltd. both said Wednesday they have asked the Finance Ministry to approve price increases for their cigarettes in line with a planned tobacco tax hike in July.
COMMENTARY / World
May 18, 2006

Redefining the Middle East

SARAWAK, Malaysia -- It may be convenient to perceive the Middle East as a politically charged, fractious region, rife with conflicts and disputes, void of many prospects, save those leading to even further uncertainty and turmoil.
JAPAN
May 18, 2006

Racism rapporteur repeats criticism

OSAKA -- The U.N. rapporteur on racism repeated Wednesday his strong criticism of the Japanese government's attitude toward combating the problem, saying the country needs an antidiscrimination law.
JAPAN
May 18, 2006

Opposition lawmakers lash out at conspiracy bill

Lawmakers, lawyers and citizen groups voiced opposition Wednesday to a proposed bill that would make conspiracy to commit a crime punishable for more than 600 offenses even if no crime is actually carried out.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
May 18, 2006

"Rosslynd Piggott in collaboration with Roberto Giostra and Edison -- Yamazakura"

Shinsei Bank, Omotesando Hills Closes in 89 days
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
May 18, 2006

Tamasaburo Bando and Kodo reach for primitive emotions

Kabuki and taiko drumming seem worlds apart: kabuki is a quintessentially urban art form based on nuance and restraint; taiko drumming, from the festival world of matsuri and shrine dances, thrives on athleticism and exuberance. But recently they have been brought together by an unusual collaboration...
COMMENTARY
May 18, 2006

Avert failure in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD -- A team of Afghan military officers who have just completed their first ever military exercises with Pakistani and U.S. troops in Pakistan represent Washington's hope for a new future for Afghanistan's beleaguered security apparatus. But the effort also promises to stir controversy because...
BUSINESS
May 18, 2006

March industrial output up 0.2%

Industrial output grew a seasonally adjusted 0.2 percent in March and rose an unadjusted 1.6 percent in fiscal 2005, the government said Wednesday in leaving the data unchanged from a preliminary report.
BUSINESS
May 18, 2006

Bilateral beef talks resume

Japan and the United States started two days of talks Wednesday in Tokyo to discuss terms for resuming imports of U.S. beef.
BUSINESS
May 18, 2006

U.S. refuses to buy back beef

The Japan Meat Traders Association said Wednesday the U.S. government has refused to buy back 1.4 billion yen worth of American beef that was imported but got stuck in customs because banned material was found in one shipment.
BUSINESS
May 18, 2006

Cell firms push portable numbers

Three leading mobile phone carriers said Wednesday that subscribers will be able to keep their phone numbers by visiting their shops when they switch to another carrier.
BUSINESS
May 18, 2006

Honda to build three new plants

Honda Motor Co. announced business expansion plans Wednesday that include construction of a new factory in Japan and two more in North America by 2010 to meet increasing demand for its vehicles.
SUMO
May 17, 2006

Three tied for Summer Basho lead

Mongolian ozeki Hakuho overpowered Kotomitsuki Tuesday to remain in a share of the lead with ozeki Chiyotaikai and sekiwake Miyabiyama at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
May 17, 2006

Lee lifts Giants past Hawks

Lee Seung Yeop hit a tiebreaking two-run homer to save the day in the seventh inning Tuesday, helping lift the Yomiuri Giants to a 7-3 rout over the Softbank Hawks to snap a three-game losing skid in interleague play.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
May 17, 2006

Barcelona-Arsenal final puts two great stars on a grand stage

PARIS -- There are signs around the Nou Camp reminding everyone that Barcelona is "more than a club." There should also be signs in Catalonia to say that Ronaldinho is "more than a player."

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