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JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jan 26, 2003

It's time Japan woke up to refugee problem

The Foreign Ministry's lack of a coherent policy with regard to North Korea was obvious back in autumn, when public opinion forced the government to renege on its promise to Pyongyang that the five Japanese abductees would return to the communist nation after a two-week visit to Japan. The five are now...
JAPAN
Jan 25, 2003

Japan, U.S. together on Pyongyang

Japan and the U.S. agreed Friday that they and South Korea should consult closely with each other in dealing with the standoff over North Korea's development of nuclear weapons if and when the United Nations Security Council takes it up.
JAPAN
Jan 25, 2003

Japan 'can seek pre-emptive strike'

Japan's war-renouncing Constitution does not prohibit it from requesting a pre-emptive attack against North Korea's ballistic missile bases if weapons are targeted at Japan and there is no other way for the country to defend itself, government ministers told a key Diet panel session on Friday.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2003

Ministry mulls fate of Japanese in South Korea

The Foreign Ministry is studying ways of evacuating Japanese nationals in South Korea amid a tense standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons development program, a ministry spokesman said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2003

New privacy bill unshackles media

A new version of a privacy-protection bill features an exemption clause for news media and professional writers and may thus ease concerns about restrictions on press freedom, according to a draft obtained Wednesday by Kyodo News.
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2003

Bill lets revitalization body forgive debt

The government's planned industrial revitalization body would be able to get national financial institutions to forgive debts when salvaging heavily indebted companies, according to a bill unveiled Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2003

Landmark ruling in day-care case

The former president of a nationwide chain of day-care centers was sentenced Wednesday to a suspended one-year prison term for professional negligence resulting in the death of a 4-month-old boy.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 22, 2003

On a personal journey with the koto

While visiting Tokyo recently, saxophonist and composer John Zorn praised Michiyo Yagi, saying, "She's an example of a new kind of musician that can play all different styles of music in her own personal way."
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2003

Economy, foreign attack bills lead new Diet session

The Diet convened its 156th session Monday, with the economy and a set of bills to give the government more powers in the event of an attack topping the agenda.
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2003

State seeks control of nuclear plants in crisis

The government will propose new legislation giving it the authority to shut down nuclear power plants and other facilities handling dangerous substances in the event of a military attack, it was learned Sunday.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jan 19, 2003

Amateurish TV? Well let it be, just let it be

The Jan. 16 issue of Shukan Bunshun carries an article that lists and describes the 10 worst TV specials broadcast during the New Year's holidays. Coming up with a Worst 10 is not difficult, since practically any special broadcast during the New Year's break could qualify for a list of the 10 Worst Programs...
JAPAN
Jan 19, 2003

DPJ attacks Koizumi on deflation, jobless rate

The Democratic Party of Japan, holding its annual convention Saturday in Tokyo, adopted a 2003 policy platform stepping up criticism of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for failing to stop deflation or curb rising unemployment.
COMMUNITY
Jan 19, 2003

A new year in Japanese books

In a time of change and uncertainty, Japanese readers continue to seek comfort and practical advice in their reading. In particular, best sellers last year reflected the concerns of middle-aged and older individuals, with the top 10 sellers including two books on how to age gracefully, two on the Japanese...
CULTURE / Books
Jan 19, 2003

A new year in Japanese books

In a time of change and uncertainty, Japanese readers continue to seek comfort and practical advice in their reading. In particular, best sellers last year reflected the concerns of middle-aged and older individuals, with the top 10 sellers including two books on how to age gracefully, two on the Japanese...
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2003

Widen scope of disaster law: Ishiba

Legislation to protect Japanese nationals in case of military emergencies should be debated within the framework of the existing Disaster Measures Basic Law and will require further discussions with the heads of municipal governments, Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba said Friday.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2003

New Diet session opens up new questions

The Diet opens a 150-day session Monday amid widespread speculation in Nagata-cho that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi may dissolve the House of Representatives and call a snap election sometime this year -- possibly even during the session.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 16, 2003

100,000 yen alternative to anonymous burial offered by temple

If someone dies whose name is not known, or who leaves behind no money or known kin, the person's ashes may end up in an anonymous grave with other "muen botoke" remains.
JAPAN
Jan 16, 2003

Imperial Couple attend New Year's 'waka' poetry event

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attended the annual New Year's poetry reading at the Imperial Palace on Wednesday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 14, 2003

Pointless posturing in South Asia

The posturing and muscle-flexing continues in South Asia. The governments in India and Pakistan appear committed to matching each other's every military move and utterance, no matter how inflammatory. This behavior is immature at the best of times, but missile tests and reckless talk of nuclear war are...
COMMENTARY
Jan 14, 2003

Afghanistan's fate holds lessons for Iraq

ISLAMABAD -- As prospects for a U.S.-led war on Iraq loom larger, Afghanistan faces an increasingly uncertain future -- more than a year after the United States intervened in that country. Many analysts believe the fate of Afghanistan may determine whether and when the major powers should intervene in...
COMMENTARY
Jan 13, 2003

Contain the nuclear genie

HONOLULU -- Some people are scratching their heads over the standoff over North Korea's clandestine nuclear-weapons development program. They point out that by the early 1990s, it was thought that Pyongyang already had one or two nuclear warheads. They note that the fundamental strategic calculus has...
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 13, 2003

How long will U.S. ignore Pakistan threat?

MADRAS, India -- The world entered the New Year with a greater fear of a nuclear catastrophe. Adding to the alarm over North Korea's disclosure that it possesses atomic weapons was Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's assertion that he was ready to use them during heightened tension with India early...
LIFE / Lifestyle / MATTER OF COURSE
Jan 13, 2003

Learning from living things, often the hard way

Since I write this column at home, school holidays are always a problem. It's impossible to get any work done with my kids hanging around. One day during the recent winter holidays, I complained about feeling pressured. The deadline for today's column was looming, but I didn't even have a topic.
JAPAN
Jan 12, 2003

Hospital preparing for Emperor's stay for cancer surgery

Police and officials at the University of Tokyo Hospital are on alert ahead of the arrival of Emperor Akihito to undergo surgery for prostate cancer on Jan. 18.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Jan 12, 2003

Drinking in the delights of men

It was after 2 a.m. and I was on a mission in Kabukicho. The assignment involved two things: alcohol and men. As dangerous a combination as that is, what woman could resist such temptation? Certainly not this one.

Longform

Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.
Is living in central Tokyo still affordable?