search

 
 
Japan Times
JAPAN / POLITICS IN FOCUS
Mar 16, 2004

LDP policy panel calls the shots, not Diet

The Diet shall be the highest organ of state power, and shall be the sole lawmaking organ of the State. Thus reads Article 41 of the Constitution.
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2004

Ito-Yokado to open China supermarket

Ito-Yokado Co. will reportedly open a supermarket in Beijing by spring 2005 together with a local retailer and might open several more in China.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2004

Baucus, ministers agree beef ban should be short

Visiting U.S. Senator Max Baucus and high-ranking Japanese officials agreed Monday that the ban on beef imports from the United States should not be in place for a long period, government officials said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2004

Japanese airlines grapple for slice of China pie

China became the focus of grave concern among international airlines a year ago, when the SARS epidemic led to a dramatic decline in travelers to the country.
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2004

Personal financial assets up 1.6%

The outstanding balance of Japan's personal financial assets rose in 2003, marking its first gain in three years, the Bank of Japan said Monday.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / A GAIJIN'S TALE
Mar 16, 2004

Murdering the language

It was shortly after we moved to Japan and I was making a serious effort to learn and communicate in Japanese.
MORE SPORTS
Mar 16, 2004

Q-chan fails to make Olympic team

Naoko Takahashi's bid for a second straight Olympic gold in women's marathon was crushed when she failed to qualify for the Athens Olympics, the Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) said on Monday.
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2004

Koizumi aims to maintain 1 trillion yen subsidy cut in 2005

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will retain 1 trillion yen in cuts in national subsidies for fiscal 2005, government sources said.
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2004

March economic assessment upbeat on exports, spending

The government gave the economy an upbeat assessment in a monthly report issued Monday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2004

High school girls get Takenaka earful on reforms

Economic and fiscal policy minister Heizo Takenaka spent Sunday afternoon lecturing at a private girls' high school in Tokyo on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's structural reform plan.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Mar 16, 2004

Shifting the burden

With the latest Japan Foundation survey showing over 8,000 organizations here at least nominally involved in "international exchange," the government is hoping to spare its own coffers by shifting the burden of assisting Japan's foreign population onto NPO groups.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Mar 16, 2004

Citizenship and health insurance

Citizenship I am a holder of a valid Philippines passport and have permanent residence status here in Japan, where I have lived for at least 18 years. I would like to apply for citizenship.
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2004

Department store sales up 0.3%

Department store sales in Tokyo edged up 0.3 percent in February from a year earlier to 139.19 billion yen for the first rise in 27 months, the Japan Department Stores Association said Monday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 16, 2004

Nagashima to be registered as skipper

Former Yomiuri Giants manager Shigeo Nagashima, who has been hospitalized since suffering a stroke two weeks ago, will be registered as the skipper of Japan's Olympic baseball team as scheduled, baseball officials said after a staff meeting on Monday.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 16, 2004

Interference may cost Chen

I still do not understand why the Japanese and U.S. governments are intervening in Taiwanese affairs -- especiall since I believe the administrations of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and President George W. Bush are the best alternatives available at this time for both countries. Japanese and U.S....
JAPAN
Mar 14, 2004

NHK's cancellation of 'Sesame Street' leaves fans in dismay

When word spread late last month that public broadcaster NHK would pull the plug on "Sesame Street" after more than 30 years, loyal fans were shocked.
MORE SPORTS
Mar 14, 2004

Hagimoto set to take over Japan team

Kobe Steel head coach Mitsutake Hagimoto is to take over as coach of the Japan national team, rugby sources said Friday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Mar 14, 2004

Dance magic in the air

Famed at home in Taiwan, and increasingly hailed in Western and other Asian countries, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre wafted ethereally through Tokyo at the end of last month for just four breathtakingly beautiful stagings at Shinjuku Culture Center.
Japan Times
Features
Mar 14, 2004

Key clues pointing back through time

Experts say it is possible for a Japanese person to trace his or her ancestors back about 300 years. Of course, it does require a long paper chase, but the government, which likes to keep tabs on its citizens, has done much of the work.

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