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JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

Government drafts plans for reactor to succeed Monju

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency proposed a blueprint Thursday for nuclear technology development that envisions a 1,500-megawatt fast-breeder reactor to succeed the prototype fast-breeder reactor Monju in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture.
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

Bill to fingerprint, photograph arrivals clears Lower House

The House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday to require fingerprinting and photographing of foreigners entering Japan as a measure to prevent terrorism.
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

Machine makers searched in tunnel-venting bids

Investigators from the Fair Trade Commission searched the offices of six machinery makers Thursday on suspicion of rigging bids for ventilation facilities for road tunnel projects funded by the government and the now-defunct state-run Metropolitan Expressway Public Corp.
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

CPAs for Kanebo plead guilty

Three accountants who worked at auditing giant ChuoAoyama Pricewaterhouse Coopers pleaded guilty Thursday before the Tokyo District Court to charges of falsifying Kanebo Ltd.'s earnings in fiscal 2001 and 2002 and hiding over 160 billion yen in liabilities.
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

Accountants helped fake Livedoor figures: SESC

The Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission filed a criminal accusation with prosecutors Thursday against two accountants it alleges knowingly certified a falsified financial report by Internet firm Livedoor Co.
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

Another Aneha building found to be defective, pushing total to 98

Another condominium complex in Tokyo has been found to be defective because its quake-resistance data were fabricated by Hidetsugu Aneha, the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry said Thursday.
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

Money-laundering acquittal appealed

Prosecutors on Thursday appealed a district court ruling that acquitted a Japanese man formerly employed by Credit Suisse in Hong Kong of money-laundering on behalf of a gangster who operated a loan-sharking network for the mob.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

Chongqing bombing victims sue

A group of 40 Chinese who were wounded or lost family members in Japan's bombings of Chongqing, China, during the war sued the government for damages Thursday, seeking a 10 million yen each.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 31, 2006

Let free trade offset guest-worker limits

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Negative public opinion in the United States was the key factor behind the defeat of the proposed deal to turn over management of six U.S. ports to an Arab company. But the rejection of Dubai Ports World has disturbed America's trading partners and globalization advocates, who see...
BUSINESS
Mar 31, 2006

Rakuten chief vows to guard rights in TBS

Rakuten Inc. President Hiroshi Mikitani told Rakuten shareholders Thursday that the company intends to closely guard its rights as a Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc. shareholder, referring to its decision to put the bulk of its TBS shareholdings in trust.
BUSINESS
Mar 31, 2006

Moody's bullish on gadget makers

Japanese consumer electronics makers enjoy relatively high credit ratings in keeping with their edge in the global marketplace, according to a report released Thursday by Moody's Investors Service.
BUSINESS
Mar 31, 2006

GM offers Isuzu stake to Mitsubishi, Itochu

Struggling General Motors Corp. is discussing the sale of its 7.9 percent stake in truck maker Isuzu Motors Ltd. to Mitsubishi Corp. and Itochu Corp., the two trading houses said Thursday.
EDITORIALS
Mar 31, 2006

Hope for human rights at the U.N.

With broad reform of the world body stalled, the U.N. General Assembly voted earlier this month to approve a new Human Rights Council. While this is only a first step, it does provide hope for U.N. reform after all. The old Human Rights Commission was an egregious sore, more notable for its human-rights...
BUSINESS
Mar 31, 2006

Japan, U.S. strengthen ties to fight piracy

Japan and the United States agreed Thursday to enhance bilateral cooperation on the protection of intellectual property rights by exchanging information so they can address piracy problems in third countries, most notably China.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 31, 2006

Emotional clash of cultures

WARSAW -- Throughout the so-called war on terror, the notion of a "clash of civilizations" between Islam and the West has usually been dismissed as politically incorrect and intellectually wrongheaded. Instead, the most common interpretation has been that the world has entered a new era characterized...
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Mar 31, 2006

Concert harpist plays by invitation

Award-winning 26-year-old harpist Keziah Thomas has been invited by the family-run harp manufacturers, Aoyama Harps, to give three recitals in Tokyo, Fukui and Osaka, after impressing at the Ninth World Harp Congress in Dublin last year.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Mar 31, 2006

Here's one castle to crow about

They may be unloved and unwanted, but even their detractors would have to admit that Japan's crows are tough, resilient critters. It is, then, entirely appropriate that the oldest castle in Japan should be named after these intimidating birds. The Japanese of yore had quite a fondness for naming their...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 31, 2006

Spring in their steps

As a crash course in the current state of African-American pop music, this weekend's Springroove festival being held on consecutive days in Osaka and Chiba Prefecture showcases an impressive range of artists. The headliners all represent major labels, and thus the mainstream: Since hip-hop and R&B are...
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

Muraoka acquitted of hiding JDA check

The Tokyo District Court found former Liberal Democratic Party heavyweight Kanezo Muraoka not guilty Thursday of concealing a 100 million yen donation from the nation's dental lobby in July 2001 to the then top LDP faction.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Mar 31, 2006

Marriageproblems

It had a successful off-Broadway run and was turned into a television movie for American cable television network HBO starring Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell.
CULTURE / Music
Mar 31, 2006

Cheikh Lo "Lamp Fall"

"Lamp Fall," the new CD from Senegalese singer, drummer, guitarist and composer Cheikh Lo, leads off more laid back than his last release "Bambay Gueej." Starting with calm intimacy, the album ultimately bursts into passionate vocals and soaring rhythms. Lo's spirituality -- he's a member of a mysterious...
CULTURE / Music
Mar 31, 2006

Kanye West

Well-known for his production work with Jay-Z, Ludacris and Alicia Keys, Kanye West became a household name with the release of his debut album, 2004's "The College Dropout." The multi-platinum recording exploded out of the gates and the massive cross-over appeal of West's rap anthems netted him 10 Grammy...
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

23,800 rights abuses tallied in Japan

The number of human rights violations reported to the Justice Ministry's regional legal affairs bureaus across Japan reached a record-high 23,800 in 2005, up 4 percent from the previous year, a ministry tally showed Thursday.
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

Koike hospitalized with pneumonia

Environment Minister Yuriko Koike was hospitalized Wednesday for treatment of acute pneumonia, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said Thursday.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Mar 31, 2006

Metamorphosis through butoh

Like most butoh troupes, Sankai Juku shave their heads and paint themselves a ghostly white. But unlike their contemporaries, this second-generation butoh unit, founded by Artistic Director Ushio Amagatsu in 1975, has spent almost as much time abroad (especially with their many coproductions at the Thea^tre...

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