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JAPAN
Apr 6, 2006

Death-row pollees lament plight

Death-row inmates in the nation's prison system are confined to tiny cells with little access to sunlight or exercise, a gross violation of basic human rights, according to a lawyer group citing a recent study carried out with cooperation from prison authorities.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Apr 6, 2006

An art born of Saicho's syncretism

This year marks the 1,200th anniversary of the founding of the Buddhist Tendai sect in Japan, when Priest Saicho (767-822), posthumously known as Dengyo Daishi, received court permission to establish a school of religious study and training at Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hie to the northeast of Kyoto....
JAPAN
Apr 6, 2006

Fingerprint bill unfair, activists say

A bill under deliberation in the Upper House to fingerprint foreigners entering Japan, which backers say is a necessary counterterrorism measure, must be defeated at all costs because it is discriminatory and vague, human rights groups said Wednesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Apr 6, 2006

Soylent green is now money

Written in 2003 by German playwright Rene Pollesch, "Soylent Green ist Menschenfleisch, sagt es allen weiter! (Soylent Green is people, tell everybody!)" is like a great sand dune full of hidden diamonds. Four actors -- three anonymous women and a man -- speak in monologues to each other and the audience...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Apr 6, 2006

"Przemek Sobocki: the STORY of HER"

Gallery SPEAK FORCloses Saturday
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Apr 6, 2006

"minimalbaroque"

Shugoarts Closes in 14 days
BUSINESS
Apr 6, 2006

Privatization of JR Tokai complete after 20 years

The Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency said Wednesday it has sold all of its 12.77 percent stake in Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai), completing the privatization of the firm 20 years after the breakup of the Japanese National Railways.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 6, 2006

Your greatest fears become reality

Awee figure of a man, dressed in a cuddly gray Dangermouse jumpsuit, enters a wrestling ring screeching, "Dangermouse saves the day!" Three menacing-looking Japanese pro-wrestlers proceed to chase him around the ring, smashing fluorescent light bulbs on his head as he tries to fend them off with his...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 6, 2006

Tokyo Shock Boys have no fear, but they do have limits

Part of Dirty Sanchez's six days in Japan was spent with their spiritual forefathers, The Tokyo Shock Boys, known in Japan as Dengeki Network. The boys, who are now in the their late 30s, have been on the comedy circuit since 1990, entertaining audiences with don't-try-this-at-home-kids stunts, things...
BUSINESS
Apr 6, 2006

Aeon unveils steps to block takeover bids

Aeon Co. announced a package of defensive measures Wednesday that it will take if a hostile bidder tries to acquire at 20 percent or more of the voting rights in the retailer.
SPORTS / E-LIST
Apr 5, 2006

No ducking WBC's highs and lows

Welcome to the E-List, home of integrity and baseball, although the two are one in the E-List's mind. And the List does have a mind of its own, which brings me to the next point.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 5, 2006

Asada to skate in team competition

Figure skating sensation Mao Asada is scheduled to take part in a tournament pitting professional and amateurs in a team competition between Japan, North America and Europe in May, organizers said Tuesday.
SOCCER / World cup
Apr 5, 2006

Zico to announce roster on May 15

Japan coach Zico said Tuesday he will submit the 23-man World Cup finals roster to the Japan Football Association on May 15.
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2006

Livedoor exec Kumagai free on bail

The Tokyo District Court decided Tuesday to grant bail to former Livedoor Co. Representative Director Fumito Kumagai, who has been indicted for corporate accounting fraud and has been in detention since his arrest Feb. 22, court officials said.
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2006

Nagata walks away from Diet over 'disruption'

The House of Representatives approved Tuesday the resignation of opposition lawmaker Hisayasu Nagata for disrupting Diet business by using a fake e-mail message to attack a top Liberal Democratic Party official.
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2006

Law changes aim to get dads into child-rearing

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party will propose revisions to the Maternal and Child Health Law in an effort to encourage fathers to take a more active role in raising their children, it was announced Tuesday.
EDITORIALS
Apr 5, 2006

Africa's despots put on notice

The arrest of Mr. Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, and his arraignment before a United Nations-sponsored war-crimes court, could herald the beginning of a new era in Africa. Mr. Taylor is the first African head of state to be held responsible for the atrocities he set in motion during...
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2006

Ozawa, Kan look set to seek DPJ helm

, former Democratic Party of Japan vice president, has reportedly decided to seek his party's presidency, while two-time President Naoto Kan indicated he was almost ready to throw his hat into the ring.
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2006

Aso says he can't understand why Hu won't talk

Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Tuesday characterized as "beyond comprehension" Chinese President Hu Jintao's ruling out a summit with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi unless he stops visiting Yasukuni Shrine.
BUSINESS
Apr 5, 2006

E-cash floated as causing March drop in coin usage

The outstanding balance of coins in circulation fell slightly in March from a year earlier for the first year-on-year decline since the Bank of Japan started its survey in 1971, according to a report released Tuesday that prompted speculation the spread of electronic money has eaten into the use of hard...
BUSINESS
Apr 5, 2006

Tanigaki worried about rate hike

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki voiced concern Tuesday over recent rises in long-term interest rates, saying sharp increases are detrimental to growth, especially when the economy is still suffering mild deflation.
BUSINESS
Apr 5, 2006

Half the members of beef safety panel step down

Half of the 12-member group of experts tasked with assessing the safety of U.S. beef have apparently resigned, because the government announced their replacements Monday.
BUSINESS
Apr 5, 2006

Softbank to borrow 1.28 trillion yen

Softbank Corp. plans to take out 1.28 trillion yen in loans to buy British mobile phone operator Vodafone Group PLC's Japan business, company sources said Tuesday.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OLD NIC'S NOTEBOOK
Apr 5, 2006

Patrolling the seas from on high

On February 28 this year, I was invited by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force base at Hachinohe to give a lecture on naval history to the officers of Fleet Air Wing Two. So for me it was to be a sudden switch from the coral seas and pleasant climate of Okinawa (with which I regaled you in this...

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’