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EDITORIALS
Jan 24, 2006

Mr. Kim walks a fine line

North Korea's supreme leader, Mr. Kim Jong Il, is a savvy politician. He knows how to get attention: His "secret" trip to China dominated international news even though there was no official confirmation he was visiting the country. The reclusive leader will need all his skills as he tries to maximize...
COMMENTARY
Jan 24, 2006

Homestretch for Koizumi

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's structural reform initiative for a "small and efficient government" enters a crucial stage this year, since his term as president of the Liberal Democratic Party (and hence as prime minister) will expire in September.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 24, 2006

Ending a barbarity against black bears

BRUSSELS -- Last month the cruel practice of farming Asiatic black bears for their bile was put firmly on the global agenda as 377 members of the European Parliament -- more than half the EP membership -- signed a written declaration calling on China to ban this barbarity. With bear bile already illegal...
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Jan 24, 2006

DoCoMo's D902i phone, Signeo's MP3 player, Rooshopper tote bags, TEPCO's cooking heater, Stand Kamimakiki

It's the start of a new year and that often means making changes in your life. Want to be an eco-friendly shopper? Looking to make some much needed improvements in the household? Or maybe you just want to make the people around you exhibit signs of envy by sporting some new 2006 gear. Here are a few...
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2006

Ads boost profits at Yahoo Japan

Yahoo Japan Corp. said Monday its net profit for the three months ending in December jumped 37 percent to a record 12.65 billion yen, driven by strong growth in its advertising revenue.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WORDS TO LIVE BY
Jan 24, 2006

Hisayo Takano

Hisayo Takano is the owner of Club Akasaka, a hostess bar in Tokyo that many of her customers call the best "clinic" they've ever known. It's where they come to regain their strength. Others compare it to the Shoukasonjuku, because, just like at that famous 19th-century school for young leaders, clients...
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 24, 2006

Cross-eyed over abuses by North Korea

HONOLULU -- Among the policy differences dividing the United States and South Korea, one that stands out is divergence over the issue of North Korea's abuses of the human rights of its own citizens.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2006

Japan Post stock firm starts business

A new joint stock company set up by Japan Post began operations Monday in the leadup to privatization, which is scheduled to begin in October 2007.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2006

Yoshinoya shares take a dive in wake of beef ban

The renewed ban on U.S. beef imports hit Yoshinoya D&C Co. on Monday, with Yoshinoya shares going limit down to 173,000 yen before ending at 189,000 yen, a 2,400 yen drop from Friday.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Jan 24, 2006

Can Japan absorb foreign influx?

When discussing the recent ethnic riots in France, The Economist newsmagazine ("Minority Reports," Nov. 10, 2005) posed an important question: How come some countries assimilate immigrants more peacefully than others?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 24, 2006

What steps should we take to assist the integration of Japan's foreign population?

Yukiko TakahashiTeacher, 31 Ward offices do organize language lessons, but they need to advertise it more. If foreigners can speak the language better, it will be better for communication. Foreigners need to learn the culture more to be accepted.
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2006

LDP to study boosting defense role in space quest, spy satellite abilities

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party will study whether to relax restrictions on using spinoffs from space development efforts for purposes of defense.
SUMO
Jan 23, 2006

Tochiazuma captures third Emperor's Cup title

Ozeki Tochiazuma captured his third career title after overpowering yokozuna Asashoryu on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
OLYMPICS
Jan 23, 2006

Japanese Olympic team launched

The Japanese delegation of 240 athletes and officials for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Turin was officially launched with a ceremony in Tokyo on Sunday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 23, 2006

Killer's motives remain in the dark

The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence handed down by lower courts to Tsutomu Miyazaki, 43, who was charged with kidnapping and murdering four young girls in Saitama Prefecture and Tokyo 17 years ago. The highest court concluded that the original judgment recognizing Miyazaki's legal competence...
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2006

Base moderate elected Nago mayor

NAGO, Okinawa Pref. -- Voters here chose continuity Sunday over change and placed promises of economic prosperity over concerns about a new U.S. military base as Yoshikazu Shimabukuro, a ruling coalition-backed candidate and the handpicked successor of former Mayor Tateo Kishimoto, headed for victory...
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2006

TSE raises limit on trade executions to 5 million

The Tokyo Stock Exchange said Sunday it has raised the number of stock trades its computer system can execute each day to 5 million, up from the current 4.5 million, as part of its emergency measures to deal with surges in transactions like those stemming from the scandals involving Livedoor Co.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2006

Glitches force hundreds to retake test

Problems Saturday with the integrated circuit players used for the English listening component of unified college entrance exams forced 453 examinees to retake that part of the tests, organizers said.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2006

Funeral for Livedoor-linked suicide

The funeral was held Sunday for a former brokerage executive linked with takeover deals by Livedoor Co. who committed suicide last week in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2006

Livedoor's Horie uses blog to deny wrongdoing

Livedoor Co. President Takafumi Horie, at the center of a high-profile probe over alleged securities law violations and financial statement falsifications, denied on his Internet blog Sunday involvement in any wrongdoing.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2006

Big quake in northeast could kill 2,700

A major earthquake hitting northeastern Japan could result in the deaths of 2,700 people and the destruction of 9,400 houses and buildings, according to a government study.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2006

Nago election about more than base issue

NAGO, Okinawa Pref. -- Voters went to the polls Sunday to choose a new mayor in an election with implications not only for the city of Nago but also the realignment of U.S. military bases in Japan.

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’