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JAPAN
May 30, 2006

Obituary: Mari Yonehara

Writer Mari Yonehara, known for her witty essays based on her experiences as a Russian translator, died of ovarian cancer Thursday at her home in Kanagawa Prefecture, sources close to her said Monday. She was 56.
JAPAN
May 30, 2006

McDonald's gets labor union

for the first time in the 35 years since the Japanese unit of the U.S. fast-food giant started operations, the nation's largest labor union group said Monday. The union, with about 200 initial members including outlet managers, notified the management of its establishment, said the Japanese Trade Union...
COMMENTARY / World
May 30, 2006

Putin fantasizes like a czar

LONDON — In his recent State of the Nation speech, President Vladimir Putin said that "Russia's modern foreign policy is based on the principles of pragmatism, predictability and the supremacy of international law."
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
May 30, 2006

Japan ready to battle 'culinary imperialists'

Earlier this year I was commissioned by a British newspaper to research a Japanese company called Hakudai, which was reputed to be putting whale meat into dog food.
JAPAN
May 30, 2006

Base realignment cost estimate pared

The realignment of U.S. forces will cost Japan 1.1 trillion yen over the next eight to 10 years, on top of the roughly 700 billion yen the government has agreed to contribute to cost of transferring U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam, according to a new estimate revealed by official sources.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
May 30, 2006

'Gokiburi,' new law and residency

Cockroaches One of our readers has been having problems with cockroaches recently. She has been cleaning the apartment regularly, placing cockroach traps and even used a "bomb" to try and get rid of them, all to no avail.
JAPAN
May 30, 2006

Two painters in battle over plagiarism

The Cultural Affairs Agency is looking into allegations that works by noted Italian artist Alberto Sughi were plagiarized by a Japanese painter who received a government award this spring, agency officials said.
JAPAN
May 30, 2006

Defense trio admit guilt in project bid-rigging

Three former Defense Facilities Administration Agency officials pleaded guilty Monday to playing key roles in rigging bids in projects related to defense facilities.
JAPAN
May 30, 2006

Japan, South Korea kin join on abduction issue

Relatives of Japanese and South Koreans abducted by Pyongyang told a Diet special committee Monday that their two governments must cooperate to get back their kin from North Korea as quickly as possible.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
May 30, 2006

Fitness for kicks and more

The yearly ritual of storing away our winter duds and unpacking skimpy summer styles often leads to a common conclusion: It's time to get into shape, and fast.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2006

Japan antes up for World Bank research

The government will extend up to $2 million to the World Bank to help strengthen its research on key development issues, including agriculture and climate change.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
May 30, 2006

Would you pay more tax to stop whale hunting?

Masuko Hosokawa Office worker, 66 I disagree with whale hunting. Whale meat is delicious, but it's not good to catch so many whales. I would pay more taxes to help subsidize fishermen, but only a little bit. And I wouldn't pay higher taxes for anything else.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2006

SESC tells FSA to nail Painthouse

The Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission said Monday it has recommended that the Financial Services Agency order home improvement firm Painthouse Co. to correct a mandatory earnings report.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2006

NEC close to tieup with TI, Matsushita

Developing or procuring key components for mobile phone handsets are major reasons NEC Corp. will collaborate with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and Texas Instruments Inc. in the mobile phone business, NEC President Kaoru Yano said Monday.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2006

BOJ dumps cash in market to slow short-term rate

The Bank of Japan pumped a record 1.5 trillion yen into the money market Monday morning in an effort to stem the rise in the unsecured overnight call money rate.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2006

Revamped Narita terminal set to open

NARITA, Chiba Pref. -- About 1,000 guests and reporters toured the refurbished South Wing at Narita International Airport's Terminal 1 during a ceremony Monday held ahead of the grand reopening later in the week.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2006

Nissan launches restyled Presage

Nissan Motor Co. put the remodeled Presage minivan on the market Monday in hopes of stimulating its sluggish domestic sales.
JAPAN
May 30, 2006

Foes give 'Kimigayo' sarcastic spin

A citizens' group opposed to the government's adoption of the Hinomaru as the national flag and "Kimigayo" as the anthem has posted two sarcastic alternatives in awkward English of the song on its Web site, ruffling the feathers of officials and conservative lawmakers.
JAPAN
May 30, 2006

France awards Nakagawa for role in WTO farm talks

France has honored Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shoichi Nakagawa for his proactive role in farm negotiations under the World Trade Organization, making him the first Japanese to receive the highest award of Commandeur in the agricultural sector.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2006

World Bank chief Wolfowitz urges African trade, investment

World Bank Group President Paul Wolfowitz said Monday in Tokyo that Japan should play a larger role in promoting trade and investment in Africa, saying they were "more critical" to the continent than development aid.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2006

Firms plan Jakarta interactive shows

Sumitomo Corp. and Fuji Television Network Inc. said Monday they will jointly produce TV programs for Indonesian audiences in which viewers can participate by using the text messaging services of their cell phones.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2006

All major life insurers had better financial health in '05

The nation's nine major life insurers had financial improvements in fiscal 2005 due mainly to appraisal gains on stockholdings.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2006

Seafood dealer obtains eco-label

A Tokyo-based seafood wholesaler has become the first business in Japan to be certified by a London-based conservation group as a supplier of seafood produced by sustainable fishing, officials of the group said Monday.
MORE SPORTS
May 29, 2006

Meisho Samson nails Nippon Derby

Rain turned to blue skies for the more than 107,000 fans at Fuchu on Sunday, especially for those with their money behind Meisho Samson.

Longform

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell