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BUSINESS
Mar 17, 2004

Monetary policy left unchanged

The Bank of Japan Policy Board on Tuesday left its monetary policy unchanged amid a gradual recovery in the nation's economy.
COMMENTARY
Mar 17, 2004

A wise China would offer an olive branch

KYOTO -- The outcome of the March 20 presidential election in Taiwan will have a profound impact on cross-strait relations. Much will depend, of course, on who wins. But equally important will be how Beijing responds. Will Beijing let the next Taiwan leader -- be it incumbent President Chen Shui-bian...
BUSINESS
Mar 17, 2004

Guinness to honor Toshiba hard drive

Toshiba Corp. said Tuesday that its 0.85-inch hard disk drive has been certified as the smallest in the world and will be included in the 2005 edition of the Guinness Book of Records to be published in September.
BUSINESS
Mar 17, 2004

Japanese companies unfazed by specter of a stronger yuan

Economists and industry officials say a stronger yuan will probably not pose problems for most of the Japanese companies doing business in or with China.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 17, 2004

Giants fall in preseason home opener

Masumi Kuwata gave up four runs and seven hits through the second inning for his second loss in as many games as the Yomiuri Giants were defeated by the Daiei Hawks 5-2 Tuesday in their first home game this preseason.
EDITORIALS
Mar 17, 2004

Stability under a strongman

As expected, Russian President Vladimir Putin was re-elected by a landslide in Sunday's presidential election. His leadership now seems almost unchallenged. Opposition parties are weak. Parliament is obedient. Key government posts are held by Putin loyalists. Mr. Putin's tightened grip on power may bolster...
JAPAN
Mar 17, 2004

Protesters slam Kepco MOX plan

OSAKA -- Antinuclear protesters on Tuesday called on Kansai Electric Power Co. not to restart its mixed-plutonium uranium oxide (MOX) program and demanded a public hearing before the utility signs any contracts with a French firm to manufacture the fuel.
BUSINESS
Mar 17, 2004

Nissan sets up sales affiliate ahead of South Korea foray

Nissan Motor Co. has set up a wholly owned sales company in South Korea in preparation for its bid to enter that market in mid-2005, a Nissan spokeswoman said Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Mar 17, 2004

Key nations expected to see workforce expansion

Manpower Japan Co. said Tuesday that nations such as Japan and the U.S. are expected to see a sharp increase in jobs in the April-June period from the previous quarter.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Mar 17, 2004

Three's a (talented) crowd

The Kabukiza in Ginza celebrates the arrival of spring with two excellent programs this month, including a striking dance number titled "Dattan" inspired by the fiery Buddhist rite of the same name held every March at Todaiji Temple in Nara.
JAPAN
Mar 17, 2004

Net, Kansai hotlines offer precautions

OSAKA -- Municipalities in the Kansai region have set up telephone hotlines and are providing information via the Internet on precautions against the bird flu virus, which infected six crows in Kyoto and Osaka prefectures.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 17, 2004

Okubo spares Japan's blushes

Striker Yoshito Okubo scored a second-half winner as Japan got its Athens Olympics qualifying campaign back on track by beating minnow Lebanon 2-1 in Asian zone Group B on Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Mar 17, 2004

LDP against insurance sales by banks

The Liberal Democratic Party said Tuesday it will urge the government to change its plan to allow banks to sell all types of insurance.
CULTURE / Film
Mar 17, 2004

Oshii talks softly, but carries a big script

Before I interviewed Mamoru Oshii, his publicist asked if I would need an interpreter. "He tends to mumble," she explained. No, I didn't need an interpreter, but I did turn the volume of my tape recorder on high, fortunately. Looking a decade younger than his 52 years, with a mane of unruly black hair,...
JAPAN
Mar 16, 2004

Fukuda gets testy over Yasukuni Shrine questions

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda got annoyed Monday with a reporter who asked him about China's latest protest over Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's repeated visits to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine.
JAPAN
Mar 16, 2004

Japan welcomes Putin's re-election

Japan on Monday welcomed the re-election of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying his consolidated power base will help bilateral efforts to conclude a peace treaty by resolving the long-standing territorial dispute.
JAPAN
Mar 16, 2004

Emperor's duties to be scaled down

Emperor Akihito will attend six fewer official functions in which he and Empress Michiko grant an audience at the Imperial Palace to people who have served with distinction in various fields, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday.
EDITORIALS
Mar 16, 2004

A sad day for Korean democracy

Even by the rough and tumble standards of South Korean politics, the events of last week were tumultuous. On Friday, the South Korean Parliament impeached President Roh Moo Hyun. President Roh is likely to prevail in this squabble with the opposition, but the unprecedented move has introduced new uncertainties...
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2004

IHI expects net loss for fiscal 2003

Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. said Monday it has revised its group earnings projections downward for fiscal 2003.

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