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JAPAN
Jan 10, 2006

Japan to demand kidnappers

Japan will demand that North Korea hand over two agents suspected of being responsible for the abductions of four out of the five repatriated abductees, government sources said Monday.
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2006

Death toll from snow climbs to 71

The death toll from snow-related incidents since the start of the snow season in early December rose to 71 in 16 prefectures on Monday after three people were pronounced dead in Niigata, Fukui and Akita prefectures.
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2006

Better ties sought through radio

A Japanese woman deeply worried about the growing antagonism between Japan and China wants young Chinese to tune into her radio program, tap into Japanese youth culture and eventually help expand the horizons for bilateral ties.
EDITORIALS
Jan 10, 2006

A vacuum in Israel

A massive stroke has felled Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Recovery is uncertain, and most observers believe his political career is over regardless. The loss will be felt not only by Israel but also by Palestinians and the world. For all his shortcomings, Mr. Sharon has been a leader with a vision,...
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2006

Coming-of-Age Day sees record low total

Some 1.43 million people across the country celebrated their coming of age on Monday, a figure equivalent to about 1.12 percent of the total population and tying a record low set in 1987, according to government statistics.
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2006

Japan hopes to launch two more satellites to aid spying on North Korea

Japan plans to send two more spy satellites into orbit by March 31, 2007, to strengthen the monitoring of movements in North Korea, notably its missile and nuclear development facilities, according to government sources.
COMMENTARY
Jan 10, 2006

Legions of bloggers, not so many readers

MANILA -- Hardly any other industry has developed as dynamically in recent years as the media sector. The impact of the so-called digital revolution is particularly evident in the way we communicate. Sending and receiving digitized data has become faster and faster; at the same time the costs have fallen...
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Jan 10, 2006

Mind the gap

While the exoticism of cultural otherness certainly adds something to the experience of meeting a lover from another country, differences can also be the source of annoyance and complications.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 10, 2006

What are the best and worst things about Japan?

Constantine Von Frogstein Intern, 29 I hate that the people don't lift their feet when they walk. The sound! I hate the sound! The vending machines are the best things about Japan. I don't care much about beer or cigarettes, but the corn soup is cool.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 10, 2006

Yasukuni, rail passes and records

That shrine again Jane says Tokyo's famed (or should that be infamous) Yasukuni Shrine has a flea market on the second and third Sunday every month.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jan 10, 2006

Men retreat from 'hassle' of loving relationships

We're told that the nation's economy is in its best shape in a decade. While this is "roho (good news)," other things are happening in this country that are not so hot. Literally.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WORDS TO LIVE BY
Jan 10, 2006

Kazuhiko Hachiya

Artist Kazuhiko Hachiya, 39, is president of PetWORKs, a small company with nine employees. According to him, they "do big things in a funny and cute way." His company is behind the popular mail software PostPet, in which animated characters deliver the mail; the hit doll Momoko; and it is now venturing...
SUMO
Jan 9, 2006

Asashoryu stays in control at New Year

Yokozuna Asashoryu kicked off 2006 with a routine win, but Bulgarian bulldozer Kotooshu made a nightmare start on his ozeki debut after a shock loss to Roho on the opening day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
BASKETBALL
Jan 9, 2006

Red Wave captures first title

Fujitsu Red Wave came from behind to beat Chanson V-Magic 51-49 in the women's final to claim its first title at the basketball national championships on Sunday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jan 9, 2006

Ishii meets with Fighters

Left-handed pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii, who was released by the New York Mets last month, held talks with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters on Sunday, a day after he met with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
JAPAN
Jan 9, 2006

Prince raps panel over female monarchs

Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, has criticized a government panel on Imperial succession for rushing to propose that females be allowed to ascend the throne, according to a magazine that goes on sale Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jan 9, 2006

Media blackout set after kidnapping

Media organizations agreed Saturday not to report on the kidnapping of a newborn baby from a Sendai hospital, a day after the incident was widely covered.
EDITORIALS
Jan 9, 2006

Obstinacy vs. national interest

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's statement at his New Year news conference has added stress to Japan's already strained relations with China and South Korea. He defiantly criticized the two neighboring countries for refusing summit talks with Japan because of his repeated visits to Yasukuni Shrine....

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