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BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2005

12.5% cut urged to take 'zaito' to 27-year low

The Finance Ministry on Tuesday proposed a 12.5 percent cut in the government's fiscal investment and loan program in fiscal 2006 to a 27-year low.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2005

Stalker-killer's life term upheld

The Tokyo High Court on Tuesday upheld a life sentence for a man who stalked and played a part in the slaying of a 21-year-old woman who had broken off a relationship with his brother.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / WILD WATCH
Dec 21, 2005

Soaking up surprises while out birding in the buff

Was it really just the other morning that I opened my eyes to behold a thick frost on the ground around me beside Lake Kussharo in the Akan National Park of eastern Hokkaido? It already seems an age ago.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2005

79.69 trillion yen budget submitted to Cabinet

The Finance Ministry gave the Cabinet a 79.69 trillion yen fiscal 2006 draft budget Tuesday that will allow it to keep new government bond issuance below 30 trillion yen for the first time in five years.
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2005

Fujitsu General to set up in China

Fujitsu General Ltd. said Tuesday it has sealed a deal with Orient International (Holding) Co. of China to jointly set up a new company there to sell home air conditioners.
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2005

Self-healing elevators up and running

Mitsubishi Electric Corp. group said Tuesday it has developed technology that will allow elevators to stop automatically in an earthquake, check for damage and quickly restore operations if no problems are detected.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2005

Suit over taxi smoke rejected

The Tokyo District Court on Tuesday rejected a 13.6 million yen lawsuit filed by taxi drivers and customers who accused the government of damaging their health by failing to curb passive smoking in cabs.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2005

War memorial fails to make 2006 budget cut

The Finance Ministry's draft budget for fiscal 2006 does not include outlays for the proposed building of a new national war memorial.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 21, 2005

Muslims condemn terror

HONOLULU -- A conference in Mecca of Islamic leaders representing Muslims in a wide swath from Morocco through the Middle East and South Asia to the southern Philippines has issued a rare but resounding denunciation of terror, saying that violence must be condemned "in all its forms and manifestations."...
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 21, 2005

Gallo to take reigns at FC Tokyo

FC Tokyo on Tuesday named Brazilian Gallo as the new manager of the J. League first-division club.
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2005

Fitch raises ratings on steelmakers

Fitch Ratings said Tuesday it has upgraded its ratings on Nippon Steel Corp. and JFE Holdings Inc., the country's top two steel manufacturers, because of their improved financial standing and strong business performance.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2005

ODA outlay marks 3.4% fall

The Finance Ministry on Tuesday allocated 759 billion yen for official development assistance for fiscal 2006, down 3.4 percent from the previous year.
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2005

2006 budget draft reflects changing priorities

The Finance Ministry's fiscal 2006 draft budget reveals changing priorities. Here's a sample of items slated to get more funding compared with the current fiscal year, and items that would get less:
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2005

Bank of India chief sees chances for Japan tieups

Bank of India, one of the largest public-sector banks on the subcontinent, is eyeing opportunities to support small and midsize Japanese firms in technical partnerships with Indian firms, according to Muthusamy Balachandran, chairman and managing director of the bank.
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2005

Inter Planet to buy Kanebo realtors

Kanebo Ltd. said Tuesday it will sell its two realty business subsidiaries Kanebo Real Estate Ltd. and Kanebo Holiday to Osaka-based realty developer Inter Planet Co.
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2005

UFJ, BTM look to delay full computer integration

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and UFJ Bank, due to merge Jan. 1, are negotiating to postpone full integration of their computer systems for six months until around June 2008, sources said Tuesday.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 20, 2005

Terao, Kamino earn tickets to Turin

Short-track speedskaters Satoru Terao and Yuka Kamino comfortably booked their places in the upcoming Winter Olympics after winning the national championships on Monday.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2005

Airport OK'd after 30 years

Putting an end to twists and turns in government policy over the last 30 years, the land ministry on Monday approved a new airport construction plan on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, which is known for its beautiful coral reefs.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2005

Abused girl a captive almost in plain sight

Amid the string of child murders across Japan in recent weeks, the bizarre story of an 18-year-old girl in Fukuoka Prefecture, allegedly confined almost all her life and beaten by her mother, has all but gone unnoticed.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 20, 2005

Ho, ho, homesick

Santa's checkin' his list twice to see who's been naughty or nice and foreigners from all corners of the world are wishing their stockings will be filled with things they can't find in Japan.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2005

Koizumi sees no '07 hike in sales tax

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Monday the government will not raise the consumption tax, which currently stands at 5 percent, in fiscal 2007.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Dec 20, 2005

Undercover's Zamiang, Billionaire Boys Club vs. The Ice Cream Store, Youth Dew . . .

Undercover art adventure

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