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JAPAN
Jan 17, 2006

Internet drugstores want bill to limit online trade killed

Dozens of companies that specialize in selling pharmaceuticals over the Internet will ask the health ministry to scrap a bill that would limit such sales, some of the firms said Monday.
SOCCER / J. League
Jan 17, 2006

Japan midfielder Ono rejoins Reds

Japan midfielder Shinji Ono returned to Japan from the Netherlands on Monday to rejoin J. League first-division club Urawa Reds.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jan 17, 2006

Hiroshima adds ex-Sox prospect

The Hiroshima Carp agreed Monday to a one-year deal with pitcher Felix Diaz, a Dominican right-hander who played for the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, in 2005.
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2006

Cell phone, credit card linkup to exploit 60 trillion yen market

Using cell phones with credit card functions to make purchases is expected to be a big thing this year as major credit card firms scramble to get shops and stores to accept such payments.
BUSINESS
Jan 17, 2006

Nonresidents' net buying of stocks sets new record

Net purchases of Japanese stocks by nonresident investors hit a record high 12.624 trillion yen in 2005 as net buying exceeded 1 trillion yen for the sixth consecutive month in December, the Finance Ministry said Monday.
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2006

Yen drop kicks Japan out of top 10 in per capita GDP

Japan's per capita nominal gross domestic product was $35,922 in 2004, making it drop out of the top 10 among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to a government report.
BUSINESS
Jan 17, 2006

Kao exec to head Kanebo Cosmetics

Kao Corp. said Monday that Toshio Takayama, president of Kao Hanbai Co., will become chairman of Kanebo Cosmetics Inc., which Kao is due to acquire from the Industrial Revitalization Corp. of Japan later this month.
BUSINESS
Jan 17, 2006

Kato named to take helm at Kirin

Kirin Brewery Co. said Monday that Kazuyasu Kato, current managing director in charge of sales and marketing, will replace Koichiro Aramaki as president of the country's second-largest beer brewer, pending shareholder approval in March.
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2006

Huser sold condos knowing their safety was in doubt

The president of Huser Ltd. admitted Monday that the condominium developer concluded sales contracts and handed over units even after being told in late October that the quake-resistance data for its buildings had been falsified, leaving their structural integrity in doubt.
EDITORIALS
Jan 17, 2006

Return to normal interest rates

For Japanese business people and policymakers, the biggest question of this year is whether Japan's economy will be able to rid itself of deflation. Asking the question itself is right. The problem is that many continue to overestimate the impact of deflation, real or perceived. The result is a gridlock...
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Jan 17, 2006

Finding space in gay Japan

At first glance, homosexual life in Japan can seem quite repressed. Public displays of affection are next to nil, gay Japanese men often live secret lives and it's hard to notice a gay presence at all unless by venturing into Tokyo's "gayborhood," Shinjuku Ni-Chome.
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2006

Asahara not fit for trial: psychiatrist

Lawyers for Shoko Asahara, founder of the Aum Shinrikyo religious cult, released portions of a psychiatrist's report Monday stating that Asahara is unable to stand trial because of his confused state of mind.
BUSINESS
Jan 17, 2006

Wholesale prices rose again in '05 as oil surged

Wholesale prices jumped 1.7 percent in 2005 from the previous year for the second straight yearly rise and marking the biggest increase since 1989, due mainly to higher crude oil prices, the Bank of Japan said Monday.
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jan 17, 2006

Suicide

Dear Alice:
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2006

Kato, cartoonist who drew 'Mappira-kun,' dead at 80

Cartoonist Yoshiro Kato, known mainly for the newspaper strips he drew for decades taking a satiric look at ordinary life, died of respiratory failure Jan. 6, family members said Monday. He was 80.
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2006

METI wants FTC to ease rules on corporate tieups

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will call on the Fair Trade Commission to allow companies to merge if their combined market share does not exceed 50 percent, instead of the current maximum of 35 percent, ministry sources said Monday.
BUSINESS
Jan 17, 2006

Brisk exports to U.S., China up account surplus 15.1%

The current account surplus grew 15.1 percent in November from a year earlier to 1.418 trillion yen for the third straight monthly increase, due to brisk exports to the United States and China, the Finance Ministry said Monday.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 17, 2006

Is the popularity of "Hard Gay"on tv a help or hindrance?

Shane Rice Marketer, 24 I think that it's OK. I think it's light-hearted, fun and not really too serious. People aren't too threatened by it and don't feel like they have to have much of an opinion on it, as opposed to having it shoved in their faces.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Jan 17, 2006

Puma McQueen, Garcia Marquez Gauche, Paul Smith Jeans, High Tech at Porsche Design . . .

Foot fetish
BASKETBALL
Jan 16, 2006

Lots cast for worlds as FIBA brackets decided

Whether it is returning to glory or taking steps toward relevancy, this summer's FIBA world championships mean something different to each of the teams involved.
SUMO
Jan 16, 2006

Asashoryu dominates in a flash, stays one back

Grand champion Asashoryu took apart Tochinohana to stay in hot pursuit of front-running duo Tochiazuma and Hokutoriki at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 16, 2006

Kanazawa, Yoshida win national titles

Chinese-born table tennis players Saki Kanazawa and Kaii Yoshida won the singles titles at the national championships Sunday, while teenage star Ai Fukuhara was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jan 16, 2006

Nagashima speaks to fans, students

Former Yomiuri Giants manager Shigeo Nagashima, who is on a long road to recovery from a stroke suffered almost two years ago, greeted and talked to baseball fans in his first public appearance since last summer on Sunday.

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