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JAPAN
Dec 26, 2005

Consumption tax rise said necessary

Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Heizo Takenaka said Sunday it will be necessary to secure new revenue sources to deal with an expected increase in the ratio of public funding to the basic pension scheme in fiscal 2009, such as through raising the consumption tax.
COMMENTARY
Dec 26, 2005

End of exploitation past due

Okinawans are embittered over an interim report on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, issued by a Japan-U.S. ministerial conference on security in October. There is a widespread public feeling that the plan will not reduce Okinawa's burden of hosting U.S. military installations -- the keystone...
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Dec 26, 2005

Tax system overhaul must ensure economic vigor for a dwindling population

The ruling coalition released its tax reform proposals for fiscal 2006 on Dec. 15. Despite the tight fiscal conditions, it is laudable the ruling parties recommended measures aimed at boosting economic activity -- such as those that encourage corporate investment in research and development, expenditures...
COMMENTARY
Dec 26, 2005

Amazing grace toward torture

LONDON -- It beggars belief that U.S. President George W. Bush took so long to endorse Sen. John McCain's resolution against the use of torture by the CIA or any other U.S. organization. The resolution has been passed by an overwhelming majority in the U.S. Senate and by Congress but was, it seems, fiercely...
MORE SPORTS
Dec 26, 2005

Suguri bound for Olympics

Fumie Suguri clinched a spot for the Winter Olympic Games in Turin after coming from behind to win her fifth title and first in three years at the figure skating national championships Sunday, edging teenage sensation Mao Asada with a solid free skate.
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM NEW YORK
Dec 26, 2005

A Japanese take on 'intelligent design'

NEW YORK -- Why do my compatriots, the Japanese, try to copy Americans -- often on the basis of a most tenuous understanding? The wonderment occurred when I checked the Internet to see if the notion of "intelligent design" (I.D.) was known in Japan and at once found that it was, and more.
COMMENTARY
Dec 26, 2005

Sino-Japanese strains bode ill for EAS

HONG KONG -- The inaugural meeting of the East Asia Summit (EAS) -- including all 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus six other countries in the region -- went off without a hitch, except for the rather serious fact that China and Japan were not talking to each other.
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2005

Crown Princess may attend water confab in Mexico

Crown Princess Masako may visit Mexico together with Crown Prince Naruhito in March to attend the Fourth World Water Forum, according to sources.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 26, 2005

EU must act in a unified manner to catch U.S., keep lead over China and India

The European Union needs to take a regionwide approach -- in addition to independent efforts by member countries -- as it tries to catch the United States in labor productivity and remain competitive vis-a-vis emerging powers like China and India, a top economic adviser to the French government told...
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2005

Public deserves role in picking LDP leader, Takebe says

Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe on Sunday reiterated his desire to have the public participate in the party's presidential election next September.
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 25, 2005

Urawa Reds breeze into Cup semifinals

SAITAMA -- Urawa Reds eased through to the semifinals of the Emperor's Cup with a convincing 2-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Dec 25, 2005

Snapshot: All I want for Christmas is a new (digital) camera

This week I would like to tell you about the camera that has been my constant companion to ballgames all around Japan for almost 30 years.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 25, 2005

Technology keeping Mizuno key player in sports market

It's funny how fate plays a role in life.
Rugby
Dec 25, 2005

Toshiba Fuchu nabs second title

Toshiba Fuchu won its second straight title in the rugby Top League on Saturday when its closest rival, Sanyo Electric, lost 56-18 to Yamaha Motor.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 25, 2005

Arakawa's Turin bid gaining steam

Former world champion Shizuka Arakawa took the lead at the Japanese national figure skating championships on Saturday, improving her chances of securing one of three spots for Japan at the Turin Winter Olympics.
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2005

Agreement on new S. Korea flights

Japan and South Korea agreed Saturday to allow their airlines to open four new routes between the two countries, including a service linking Hakodate in Hokkaido and Seoul, Japanese officials said.
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2005

Man held for threatening Starbucks

A 28-year-old man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of sending an e-mail message to the Web site of Starbucks Coffee Japan, threatening to set fire to its stores on Sunday, Tokyo police said.

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