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BUSINESS
Dec 22, 2004

Government adopts FTA policy focusing on partners in Asia

The government on Tuesday approved a basic plan to promote free-trade agreements, prioritizing accords with Asian trading partners to help build an East Asian community.
COMMENTARY
Dec 22, 2004

Will Chen change tack?

KUNMING, China -- While all signs pointed to a victory by Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's "pan-green" coalition (Democratic Progressive Party plus former President Lee Teng-hui's independence-oriented Taiwan Solidarity Union) in parliamentary elections Dec. 11, the Kuomintang/People First Party (KMT/PFP...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 22, 2004

Toyota sets sales target of 8 million cars in 2005

Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it is aiming to sell 8.03 million vehicles worldwide in calendar 2005, the first time the nation's top automaker has released a sales target of more than 8 million units.
EDITORIALS
Dec 21, 2004

EU opens the door to Turkey

For more than four decades, European leaders have held out to Turkey the prospect of membership in their club. The odds that Turkey would join Europe shortened considerably last week, when officials from the European Union and Ankara agreed to commence discussions on Turkish membership next October....
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2004

Finance Ministry requests 3.8% cut in foreign aid

Amid the nation's continued tight finances, the Finance Ministry proposed Monday a 3.8 percent cut in foreign aid in fiscal 2005 for the sixth straight year of decrease in the initial budget.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2004

Asahara's appellate trial to proceed

The Tokyo High Court told Shoko Asahara's lawyers Monday that it will not suspend his trial despite their claim he is suffering from a mental disorder, the lawyers said.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2004

Cabinet OKs 4.767 trillion yen for disaster relief

The Cabinet approved a 4.767 trillion yen supplementary budget Monday for the current fiscal year through March, including 1.36 trillion yen to help rebuild areas hit by torrential rain, typhoons and earthquakes.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2004

82.18 trillion yen budget drafted

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki on Monday proposed a draft budget for fiscal 2005 worth 82.18 trillion yen, up 0.1 percent from the initial 2004 budget, as higher debt-servicing costs outpaced cuts in discretionary spending.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2004

Thai orphan again denied residency; ministry might renew one-year visa

The Justice Ministry may renew for another year the temporary resident status of a 13-year-old Thai orphan living in Japan with her adoptive relatives, sources said Monday.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2004

Four youth-exchange figures plead guilty to subsidy fraud

A former vice chairman and three other staff members of a now-defunct association for youth exchanges pleaded guilty Monday to defrauding the government and a public organization out of 26.8 million yen in subsidies in 2001.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Dec 21, 2004

Does North Korea pose a strong threat to Japan?

Stephen Edwards Teacher, 35 I think Japan has to continue giving aid because Japan's got an excellent record around the world for the giving of aid. Japan has the moral high ground and that's important.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 21, 2004

Workplace worries

Bullying and dismissal I've been working for a private university for almost eight years. During that time, I have put up with constant "ijime" from two other teachers, who finally got their way and are having me fired. No reason was given for my firing.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 21, 2004

Grey to play in Japan

Wallaby center Nathan Grey, a member of the Australian national squad at the 2003 rugby World Cup, is set to join the Kyushu Electric Power team, team officials said Monday.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2004

Salsa fanatics defy rigid Japan

A pulsating mambo fills the air at a cavernous club near Tokyo Bay. "Ayyy-esssooo!" the song calls in exhortation as a sea of dancers -- sweaty, skin bared, clothes clinging -- roll their hips and hurtle into turns with increasing abandon.
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2004

Honda hopes to boost worldwide sales by 8%

Honda Motor Co. said Monday it hopes to boost its worldwide sales by 8 percent to 3.4 million vehicles in 2005 by fully remodeling the popular Civic series and introducing new models.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2004

Detainees seeking asylum claim abuse by guards

Lawyers working on behalf of people seeking asylum in Japan filed a criminal accusation Monday against the head of the Higashi-Nihon Immigration Center and its guards, alleging they assaulted and injured detainees.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2004

Cancer patient slays two in hospital room

A distraught cancer patient at a Tokyo hospital stabbed two fellow patients to death Monday morning and seriously wounded an assistant nurse before being subdued, police said.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / A GAIJIN'S TALE
Dec 21, 2004

Today's lesson

I'd cut my trip home to Australia short to resume a recently started position teaching "difficult kids" in Kumagaya.
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2004

Cabinet Office downgrades its assessment of economy

The government on Monday lowered its assessment of the economy for the second consecutive month, citing weakening production and exports.
Dec 21, 2004

Finance Ministry requests 3.8% cut in foreign aid

Amid the nation's continued tight finances, the Finance Ministry proposed Monday a 3.8 percent cut in foreign aid in fiscal 2005 for the sixth straight year of decrease in the initial budget.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2004

Finance Ministry proposes 16% cut in FILP spending for fiscal 2005

The Finance Ministry on Monday proposed cutting spending under the government's fiscal investment and loan program by 16.3 percent in fiscal 2005 from the previous year.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2004

1 billion yen to increase staff at U.N.

The Finance Ministry earmarked 1.23 billion yen in the draft budget for fiscal 2005 Monday to increase the number of Japanese in the United Nations and related organizations as it doggedly pursues a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2004

Government targets 1.6% growth in '05

The economy is projected to grow 1.6 percent in real terms in fiscal 2005 on the back of steady personal spending and growth in overseas economies, the government said Monday.
Dec 21, 2004

Pyongyang to get DNA test results by end of week

The government later this week will provide North Korea with the results of DNA tests showing that cremated remains provided by Pyongyang were not those of abductee Megumi Yokota, contrary to what the North had claimed, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said Monday.
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2004

Computer virus infections reached record level in 2004

The number of computers in Japan infected by viruses hit a record 63,657 in 2004, according to a preliminary report Monday from Trend Micro Inc.

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