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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,...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Apr 15, 2006

Maureen Tan

When Mutsuko Miki, widow of former Prime Minister Takeo Miki, set up the Asian Ladies Friendship Society in 1968, she could not have projected how the society would rate in 2006. To her gratification, ALFS today, expanded to the Asia-Pacific Ladies Friendship Society, has 24 member countries and a general...
BUSINESS
Apr 15, 2006

SMBC to use electronic signatures

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. said Thursday it will introduce an electronic signature system on May 22 that will be used on all of the 3 million e-mail messages it sends each month in a bid to protect customers from cyberfraud.
BUSINESS
Apr 15, 2006

Nikai lauds Japan-Brazil TV accord

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai on Friday welcomed a memorandum of understanding between Japan and Brazil in which the South American nation expressed a "strong wish" to introduce Japanese digital television standards.
BUSINESS
Apr 15, 2006

Copyright revision helps one-coin DVDs become hit with movie collectors

It happens all the time: You run down to the video store to rent your favorite movie classic, only to find someone else has beaten you to it. But what if you could buy your very own DVD of the film for the same price as renting it?
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Apr 15, 2006

When rankings go rank

One symptom of a society addicted to quick information is the popularity of lists.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2006

Environment chief out of hospital

Environment Minister Yuriko Koike, who was hospitalized late last month for treatment of acute pneumonia, was discharged from the hospital Friday morning.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Apr 14, 2006

Kudo deactivated with finger injury

Yomiuri Giants veteran lefty Kimiyasu Kudo will miss his next scheduled start after having a blister burst on his pitching hand, team officials said Thursday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Apr 14, 2006

Kuwata snaps winless streak as Giants down Carp

Exhale, Kuwata-san.
EDITORIALS
Apr 14, 2006

A new approach for prisons

The 1908 Prison Law was revised last year to improve protection of prisoners' human rights and enhance their social rehabilitation, ushering in a new era of reforms in the nation's prison system. A new type of prison is now under construction in Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The Mine Social Rehabilitation...
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Apr 14, 2006

Ozeki to tryout with Giants

Former Seibu Lions Tatsuya Ozeki will have a tryout with the Yomiuri Giants in Kawasaki on Friday and Saturday this week, baseball sources said Thursday.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’