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JAPAN
Jan 5, 2006

BTMU debut as world's top bank wasn't without a hitch

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, the world's largest bank, formed through the merger of two major Japanese financial groups, opened for business Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the company's Tokyo headquarters.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 5, 2006

Masuoka drops out of Dakar

Two-time champion Hiroshi Masuoka of Japan severely damaged his Pajero and was forced to retire after the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally on Tuesday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 5, 2006

Barriers to U.S. force relocation

An interim report for U.S. base relocation in Japan, prepared by the Japanese and U.S. governments last October, has met stiff opposition in various parts of the country affected by the relocation plans. As things stand now, prospects for a final agreement look uncertain at best.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2006

Ishihara's Hinomaru order called legit

Prosecutors will not indict Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara and two others for ordering Tokyo public school teachers to stand before the Hinomaru flag and sing the national anthem at school ceremonies, sources said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2006

December coldest to date

Last month was the coldest December on record in most parts of Japan as a series of powerful cold air masses moved over the country, according to a Meteorological Agency survey released Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2006

Koizumi kicks off new year defiant toward Beijing, Seoul

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi criticized China and South Korea during his New Year's news conference Wednesday, claiming it is Beijing and Seoul, not Tokyo, that should work to resolve their long-standing gripes over his repeated visits to Yasukuni Shrine.
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2006

Ito-Yokado to keep more stores open

Supermarket chain Ito-Yokado Co. is scaling back its plans to close over 30 stores by February 2009, an official with parent firm Seven & I Holdings Co. said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2006

DoCoMo in talks for 5% stake in Philippine telecom firm

NTT DoCoMo Inc. is negotiating to buy into Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the largest telecommunications firm in the Philippines, company officials said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2006

Antimonopoly revision takes hold

A revised antimonopoly law featuring lenient punishment for those who come clean about their illegal business activities, including collusive bidding and cartels, took effect Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2006

Department store sales start strong

Department stores enjoyed brisk sales in the new year as customers rushed to buy "fukubukuro," or lucky bags, filled with a mixture of sale items and luxury goods, retailers said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2006

TSE vows to fix systems as stocks resume climb

Tokyo stocks opened 2006 on a festive note Wednesday, the year's first day of trading, as Tokyo Stock Exchange officials vowed to restore public confidence in the world's second-largest bourse, which was shaken by computer problems last year.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 5, 2006

U.S.-China ideological rivalry heats up

WASHINGTON -- Two recent events in Asia have again directly underscored the "ideological" tussle between Washington and Beijing, which is increasingly seen as a benevolent power and even as offering a model for socioeconomic development. As Asian leaders gathered last month in Kuala Lumpur for the East...
COMMENTARY
Jan 5, 2006

Deal harms Indian interests

NEW DELHI -- A real problem of an ever-shifting goal post has cast a cloud over America's current negotiations with India to implement a much-heralded nuclear deal that is supposed to showcase the emerging global partnership between the world's most powerful and most populous democracies. Seeking to...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jan 5, 2006

Meissen porcelain: Europa's bulls in the China shop

Fragility can sometimes add to beauty -- one of the reasons for the affection for the short-lived cherry blossom. The more fleeting, unstable, or breakable something is, the less likely its beauty will be taken for granted.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 4, 2006

Obic Seagulls rumble by Hosei

The X League champion Obic Seagulls scored four touchdowns in the first half en route to a 47-17 romp over Hosei University to win their first Rice Bowl in seven years on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jan 4, 2006

Income disparities rising in Japan

During the period of high postwar economic growth, most people in Japan came to consider themselves part of a middle class.

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