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BUSINESS
Mar 13, 2004

Corporate bankruptcies slipped 23.8% in February

The number of corporate bankruptcies in Japan fell 23.8 percent in February from a year earlier to 1,208, marking a 14th straight month of decrease, Teikoku Databank Ltd. said Friday.
BUSINESS
Mar 13, 2004

Industrial output data revised down

The government on Friday revised its industrial production figures for January downward to show seasonally adjusted growth of 3.3 percent on a month-on-month basis.
JAPAN
Mar 13, 2004

Plans for U.S. military still source of friction

Japan and the United States remain divided over plans to realign the U.S. military forces in Japan, according to Japanese government sources.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Mar 13, 2004

The color of funny? Gotta be red

Here's the story . . .
JAPAN
Mar 13, 2004

Cabinet Office to revoke NPO licenses for first time

The Cabinet Office said Friday it will revoke the licenses of five nonprofit organizations that have corporate status because the groups either failed to submit activity reports or because their representatives were arrested in criminal cases.
JAPAN
Mar 13, 2004

Be considerate, Japan Tobacco ads tell smokers

Japan Tobacco Inc., threatened by increasing public animosity against smoking, said Friday it will launch a campaign on television and in newspapers to encourage smokers to be more considerate.
JAPAN
Mar 13, 2004

Hapless hikers earn Iraq police shakedown, Tokyo's wrath

Two young Japanese travelers wandering in southern Iraq earned the wrath of top government officials Friday, after they were temporarily detained and interrogated by local police.
BUSINESS
Mar 13, 2004

Mitsui Chemicals plans new factory

Mitsui Chemicals Inc. said Friday it will ask Chinese authorities for permission to build a plant in Jiangsu Province to produce raw materials for polyester and plastic bottles.
COMMENTARY
Mar 13, 2004

Poll severely tests Indonesia

HONG KONG -- As the campaign for the triple-tiered Indonesian general election gets under way, the world's fourth-largest nation is displaying its democratic aspirations. It is also giving its weak administrative structure a severe test.
JAPAN
Mar 13, 2004

Crows, pigeons face random testing

The Environment Ministry said Friday it will ask prefectural governments to carry out random bird-flu tests on live crows and pigeons, to help it gain a better understanding of how the virus is spreading.
EDITORIALS
Mar 13, 2004

Unrealistic claim of espionage

In 2001, a Japanese researcher was indicted in the United States on charges of industrial spying. Since he had already returned to Japan, the U.S. requested his extradition under a bilateral treaty. However, legal opinion here remains divided over whether he should be tried in a U.S court -- in other...
BUSINESS
Mar 13, 2004

University grad job outlook darkens

The employment situation for this spring's university graduates has worsened, with the outlook for males at a record low.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 13, 2004

Iraqi sovereignty remains a distant goal

SEOUL -- Let's start with the obvious but often overlooked topic of what isn't taking place in Iraq today. Commentary to the contrary, sovereignty is not being handed back to Iraqis on June 30; it isn't even on the table.
BUSINESS
Mar 13, 2004

Finance Ministry to seek expert advice

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said Friday that he will appoint seven business leaders and experts April 1 to help the ministry deal with the nation's debt-ridden finances and still-fragile economy.
BUSINESS
Mar 13, 2004

Consortium to push Linux system

A group of 14 information technology companies announced Friday the establishment of a consortium to develop an advanced information system using a Linux-based operating system.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Mar 13, 2004

Einstein's theory of ski map relativity

Inquiring 'gaijin' want to know the best ski and snowboard spots in Japan. If you're a snowboarder, you're lucky because starting in March, Shigakogen in Nagano Prefecture, Japan's largest 'sooki snow-bo' area, opens all its runs to snowboarders as well as skiers.
JAPAN
Mar 13, 2004

Madrid carnage sets off alarm bells

Japan's defense chief on Friday called for tougher antiterrorism measures following the deadly bombings in Madrid, while the top government spokesman vowed to close any loopholes in Tokyo's security apparatus.
BUSINESS
Mar 13, 2004

Matsui, Resona in brokerage account deal

Online brokerage Matsui Securities Co. and Resona Holdings Inc. will soon forge a business tieup under which individual investors will be able to open Matsui brokerage accounts at Resona group banking outlets, company sources said Friday.
BUSINESS
Mar 13, 2004

Metro bank eyes nonguarantee loans

A new bank that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to open next year might extend loans to small and midsize companies without requiring personal guarantees from their owners, Tokyo officials said Friday.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Mar 13, 2004

Roberto Wirth

"Italy has a lot to offer," Roberto Wirth said.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 13, 2004

The obstruction to Sri Lanka's evolution

CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- The continuous conflict between Sri Lanka's two main leaders has been covered from nearl every angle. What have been largely ignored, though, are the complications and contradictions arising on that beautiful island from a political system of "cohabitation." At present, public...
JAPAN
Mar 13, 2004

Disgraced Sato worth 100 million yen

The bank accounts of Kanju Sato, a former home affairs minister accused of defrauding the state, and his wife have a combined balance of more than 100 million yen, according to investigative sources.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Mar 13, 2004

Walking the talk about West Papua emergency

"I am free now," says Jacob Rumiak, having just flown from London to Tokyo under the protection of a United Nations travel document. "But if I return to West Papua, I'm a dead man."
JAPAN
Mar 12, 2004

Has spring arrived early this year?

Higher-than-average temperatures were observed nationwide Thursday, along with strong winds, the Meteorological Agency said.

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