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JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 16, 2006

Unlike with the French, a lack of fight spells future gloom for Japan's workers

While traveling through Europe recently I tried to get a handle on the controversy surrounding France's now abandoned First Job Contract (CPE) law, which was meant to make it easier for companies to hire young people. However, those same young people thought the law would make it easier for companies...
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Apr 16, 2006

'15th Anniversary Drama of Chibi Maruko-chan' on Fuji TV and more

Two years ago, Fuji TV wanted to adapt its popular Sunday evening animated TV show about a precocious third-grader, "Chibi Maruko-chan," as a live-action drama feature, but couldn't find a little girl actress who looked enough like the cartoon character with her distinctive pageboy hairstyle.
SOCCER / World cup
Apr 15, 2006

Japan's World Cup squad to leave for Germany on May 26

Japan's World Cup squad will hold a weeklong training camp in the J. Village training facilities next month and leave for tournament host Germany on May 26, Japan Football Association President Saburo Kawabuchi said Friday.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Apr 15, 2006

Timing of Rooney-Owen row not a good omen for England

Hell hath no fury like a bookmaker scorned.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 15, 2006

Fukuoka hoping to host compact Olympics

Fukuoka is seeking to host a compact Olympics to counter the bid of favorite Tokyo as the government of the southwestern city on Friday disclosed its plans to stage the 2016 Games.
SOCCER / World cup
Apr 15, 2006

Zico looking to coach European club after World Cup

Japan national soccer coach Zico is hoping to coach a European club after this summer's World Cup finals, Japan Football Association President Saburo Kawabuchi said Friday.
EDITORIALS
Apr 15, 2006

Abduction issue not resolved

The Japanese government has announced DNA analysis results that indicate that the daughter of Ms. Megumi Yokota, a Japanese abducted by North Korean agents in 1977, was very likely fathered by a South Korean man also abducted by the Pyongyang regime in the 1970s, a Mr. Kim Young Nam. There is now a strong...
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2006

Hospitals want terminal care guidelines: survey

More than 85 percent of public hospitals think legislation or guidelines are needed for the treatment of terminal patients, according to a recent Kyodo News survey.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2006

Aneha to be arrested over quake-resistance data fabrication

Police investigators plan to arrest former architect Hidetsugu Aneha by the end of this month on suspicion of fabricating quake-resistance data for condominiums and budget hotels, sources said Friday.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2006

Panel OKs bill to reform police detention system

A Lower House panel approved a bill on Friday to improve the treatment of criminal suspects in police custody awaiting trial or sentencing.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2006

Cabinet touts 2nd-longest expansion in postwar era

The Japanese economy is recovering, the Cabinet Office said in a monthly economic report for April issued Friday, leaving its assessment unchanged for the second straight month, while upgrading its assessment for exports.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2006

Cops want to quiz Chinese envoy for info on visa scam

Police want to question a Chinese Embassy official about a Chinese businessman who is suspected of helping Chinese nationals obtain Japanese work visas illegally, sources said Friday.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2006

U.S. realignment talks drag on

Japan and the United States failed to produce a final agreement on the U.S. military realignment in their latest round of talks that ended Friday in Tokyo.
BUSINESS
Apr 15, 2006

Son to head up Vodafone unit

Softbank Corp. President Masayoshi Son announced Friday he will assume the presidency of the recently acquired Japanese unit of Vodafone Group PLC.
BUSINESS
Apr 15, 2006

Bankruptcies declined to 14-year low in 2005

The number of companies that went bankrupt with debts of 10 million yen or more in fiscal 2005 fell for the fourth straight year to a 14-year low, thanks to a pickup in economic activity and government aid for struggling firms, a private credit research agency said Friday.
BUSINESS
Apr 15, 2006

Dell to supply Defense Agency PCs

The Japanese unit of U.S. computer maker Dell Inc. said Thursday it will supply some 56,000 personal computers to the Defense Agency in the largest deal ever for business-use PCs by the subsidiary.
COMMENTARY
Apr 15, 2006

2006 is all about democracy

HONOLULU -- The 2006 National Security Strategy (NSS) document has just been released. News coverage has focused on one word: preemption. Largely overlooked has been the much greater emphasis on the promotion of democracy as the primary objective of American foreign policy in the second administration...
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2006

Japan marks third-deadliest winter

The number of deaths caused by snow-related accidents recorded since December totaled 150, making it the third-worst winter in the postwar era in terms of people who died or disappeared because of heavy snowfall, the government said Friday.
BUSINESS
Apr 15, 2006

FSA orders suspension at Aiful

The Financial Services Agency said Friday it has ordered consumer finance firm Aiful Corp. to suspend most operations at its 1,700 outlets for three to 25 days over the use of strong-arm collection tactics.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Apr 15, 2006

More than just a fair-weather friend

I've finally figured out why there are over 2.6 million beverage vending machines in Japan -- companionship.
BUSINESS
Apr 15, 2006

Skymark again hit for lax repairs

Skymark Airlines Co., already found to have flown an airplane past its maintenance deadline, flew another plane in February without fixing a lightning-damaged part in time, transport ministry officials said Friday.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Apr 15, 2006

Scouring the bush for flowers with power to heal

Upon mailing Australian Bush Flower Essences last year for help with a nauseous pregnant daughter, the speed of reply, kindness and concern was impressive. It was so impressive that it seemed a good idea to seek out the company's founder, Ian White, who said he would be coming to Japan in the spring,...

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