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JAPAN
Mar 8, 2006

Minorities call for strong antidiscrimination legislation

Representatives and supporters of minority groups issued a united call Tuesday for a robust antidiscrimination law.
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Mar 8, 2006

New signals abound of our genetic evolution

Good news this week for believers in common sense, opponents of intelligent design, and, incidentally, for writers of columns about natural selection.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT
Mar 8, 2006

'Paradise found' -- but not a single panda to be seen

FOPING PANDA RESERVE, China -- "There! In that tree, a month ago, the Netherlands lady saw a baby panda. She was so excited!"
JAPAN
Mar 8, 2006

Gender discrimination targeted

The government approved a bill Tuesday to revise the law guaranteeing equal employment opportunities in a move to curb gender discrimination in the workplace, including plans for facilitating maternity leave, banning indirect discrimination and reinforcing measures against sexual harassment.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 7, 2006

Boys in Blue to face Malta

Japan will complete its preparations for this summer's World Cup finals with a friendly against Malta in Dusseldorf, the Japan Football Association said Monday.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2006

Car thefts nationwide dip under 50,000 for first time in six years

The number of car thefts reported to police during 2005 across Japan went down 20.4 percent from the previous year to 46,728, dipping below the 50,000 line for the first time since 1999, according to the National Police Agency.
EDITORIALS
Mar 7, 2006

A battle that has barely begun

One year since the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control went into effect, Japan's smoking rate still remains high compared with other developed nations. The government needs to create a strong momentum toward lowering the rate.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2006

Caviar poachers find Japan glad to look other way

The caviar industry is shrinking in Iran and Russia due to rampant poaching, smuggling and a lack of resources management.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2006

Lawyer suspended for making up ruling

The Tokyo Bar Association on Monday suspended a lawyer from practicing for two years for fabricating a court document to show a client that he had won a judgment on her behalf when in fact he never filed her original lawsuit.
BUSINESS
Mar 7, 2006

S&P move blow for Vodafone

Standard & Poor's said Monday it has put the A-plus long-term debt rating of Vodafone K.K., the Japanese unit of the British mobile phone company, on its CreditWatch with negative implications because its financial standing might weaken if Vodafone Group PLC decide to sell it to Softbank Corp.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2006

DPJ eyes apology ads in papers to atone for slandering Takebe's son

The Democratic Party of Japan said Monday it may take out newspaper ads apologizing over allegations that a fabricated e-mail proved a shady financial link between arrested Livedoor Co. founder Takafumi Horie and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe's son.
BUSINESS
Mar 7, 2006

Bill would stiffen penalties against IP rights violators

The government plans to submit a bill to the Diet that would strengthen penalties against violators of intellectual property rights such as patents, trademarks and design rights by imposing a maximum 10-year prison term and 10 million yen fine on violators, officials said Monday.
COMMENTARY
Mar 7, 2006

Party to a lack of maturity

In a statement issued last week, the Democratic Party of Japan acknowledged that a fellow lawmaker used a fake e-mail to cook up a scandal implicating a senior official of the governing Liberal Democratic Party with the disgraced former president of Internet startup Livedoor Co.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2006

Dialogue with S. Korea resumes

Japan and South Korea resumed on Monday a sub-Cabinet-level strategic dialogue to improve bilateral ties that have been strained due to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine and differences in historical perception.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2006

Red Army founder appeals ruling

Japanese Red Army founder Fusako Shigenobu filed an appeal Monday against the 20-year prison sentence she received for her role in the seizure of the French Embassy in The Hague in 1974 as well as two counts of violating passport laws, her lawyer said.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2006

Mob tie probed in street stabbing

A consultant for a real estate company was fatally stabbed Sunday night on a street in Minato Ward, Tokyo, and police are investigating possible underworld links.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Mar 7, 2006

"How the Hangman Lost His Heart," "Fish"

"How the Hangman Lost His Heart," K.M. GRANT, Puffin; 2006; 192 pp.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2006

Japan to be sued over bombings of Chongqing

Survivors and relatives of victims of Japan's 1938-1942 bombings of Chongqing, China, will file a damages suit against the Japanese government later this month, their lawyers said.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Mar 7, 2006

'One size fits all' -- if only it were true

Picture and pity this: A woman holds up a sweet pair of the latest jeans in a shop mirror . . . only to see the reflection of her own thighs bulging out from behind.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2006

Mortician's monk kickbacks to cost

A Tokyo funeral service is suspected of hiding 800 million yen in taxable income in the seven years to last June by falsely declaring that kickbacks from Buddhist monks were tax-free religious offerings, sources said Monday.

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