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JAPAN
Oct 23, 2003

Database eyed to counter rising tide of drug mixups

In an effort to curb the growing number of hazardous drug mixups, the health ministry plans to compile an online database in which medicines will be classified according to their names and packaging, ministry sources said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Oct 23, 2003

Nepalese man's lawyers preparing bid for retrial

Lawyers for a 37-year-old Nepalese man whose life sentence for murder was upheld this week by the Supreme Court are preparing to file for a retrial, it was learned Wednesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Oct 23, 2003

Hoping rain stays away

Rain played a factor in Game 3 of both the Japan Series and the World Series on Tuesday in Osaka and Miami, respectively. The Fukuoka Daiei Hawks-Hanshin Tigers matchup was postponed until Wednesday, while the New York Yankees and Florida Marlins were delayed 38 minutes by a squall.
BASKETBALL / NBA / NBA REPORT
Oct 23, 2003

Mavs got best of Walker-LaFrentz swap

NEW YORK -- At first aghast, I figured Danny Ainge must be using Rick Pitino as his consigliere.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 23, 2003

Expert lays bare environmental carnage of war

While environmental destruction is often the last thing considered when war breaks out, this form of devastation can take decades -- if not centuries -- to correct.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2003

37th Tokyo Motor Show revs up for the media

MAKUHARI, Chiba Pref. -- The 37th Tokyo Motor Show opened to the media Wednesday at the Makuhari Messe convention center, showcasing futuristic, environmentally friendly and concept vehicles, motorcycles and the latest technology.
Japan Times
JAPAN / PARTY LINE
Oct 23, 2003

JCP to stick with criticism of Koizumi, U.S. security ties

The Japanese Communist Party has no plans to change tack ahead of the upcoming general election, training its guns on the policies of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whom it accuses of pandering to big business and the United States.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Oct 23, 2003

Forget Starbucks, we're doing the ocha thing

Do you have a little time? If so, then "ocha shimasho (Let's do tea, or take a break over something to drink)." This is one of Japan's most favored phrases and oldest customs. A breaking of the ice and shortening of the distance between people, the little ritual of ocha is to the Japanese what mealtimes...
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2003

Nintendo buys 2.6% stake in Bandai

Major video game maker Nintendo Co. has purchased a 2.6 percent stake in toy maker Bandai Co., or 1.28 million shares, becoming one of its top 10 shareholders, Bandai said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2003

Firms unveil home stereos that can download digital music

Imagine if your stereo system were linked directly to an online music store.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / GARDEN PATHS
Oct 23, 2003

A garden of poetry in the city's heart

Long ago, Japanese aristocrats used to debate about which was the finest season, spring or autumn. Generally, poetic souls favored autumn, which -- with its crying insects, fragile flowers and falling leaves -- epitomized the fleeting nature of life.
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Oct 23, 2003

No rush to judgment

In a meeting in Heidelberg earlier this month, science historians concluded that German science between 1933 and 1945 was exploitative and unethical. The organizer of the meeting, Wolfgang Eckhart, head of history of medicine at the University of Heidelberg, said in Nature last week: "We have proven...
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2003

Matsui Securities sees its first-half profit surge 327%

Matsui Securities Co. said Wednesday it chalked up a consolidated net profit of 2.51 billion yen in the first half of fiscal 2003, up 326.6 percent from the 588 million yen earned in the first half of fiscal 2002.
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2003

Sony-DoCoMo phones set to replace wallets?

Sony Corp. and NTT DoCoMo Inc. will codevelop mobile phones that subscribers can use to pay for goods and services simply by holding their handsets near a card reader at shop counters.
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2003

Takeda Chemical sues three firms

Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd. said Wednesday it has filed lawsuits targeting three companies over alleged patent infringements concerning a diabetes drug in the United States.
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2003

Direction error spurs drug recall

Major drugmaker Eisai Co. said Wednesday it will recall a cough medicine and expectorant in view of an erroneous description in the directions inside the package.
COMMENTARY / WASHINGTON UPDATE
Oct 23, 2003

Bush backers open their purses

WASHINGTON -- It has stopped! U.S. President George W. Bush's men have determined that his slide has ended. The latest round of polling has him in the mid to low 50s.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2003

Ford sees Mazda as key to energizing worldwide operations

MAKUHARI, Chiba Pref. -- Ford Motor Co., which has suffered losses the past two years, said Wednesday it will take advantage of its Japanese partner, Mazda Motor Corp., to bolster its global presence.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 23, 2003

Crime wave fears prompt citizen patrols

Driven by concerns about rising crime, citizens are standing up to protect themselves by forming neighborhood watch groups.
JAPAN
Oct 23, 2003

Hidden income off for self-employed

Self-employed business operators, especially moneylenders and sex-industry establishments, failed to declare 856.5 billion yen in the 12 months to June 30, the lowest figure on record, National Tax Agency data show.
EDITORIALS
Oct 23, 2003

Pride vs. responsibility

For the past few weeks, the embattled president of Japan Highway Public Corp., Mr. Haruho Fujii, has been fiercely resisting the government's move to oust him. A first showdown of sorts came at a hearing last week. The two sides went through the motions of blaming each other, leaving the impression that...
JAPAN
Oct 23, 2003

A chance to obtain free legal info in Yokohama

Administrative lawyers in Kanagawa Prefecture will provide free consultation on immigration and other legal matters in Yokohama on Saturday. The advice will be available in Japanese, English, Spanish and Portuguese.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 23, 2003

'Israelization' of U.S. Middle East policy proceeds apace

BEIRUT -- Few disputed at the time that Israel was a factor that pushed U.S. President George W. Bush to go to war on Iraq. Just how much weight it had among all the other factors was the only controversial question. But what is clear, six months on, is that Israel is now a very important one indeed...
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2003

JR Tokai wants maglev to shoot for new speed record

Central Japan Railways Co. (JR Tokai) said Wednesday it will try to get its magnetically levitated train to break its own world speed record in late November or early December.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / ANIMAL TRACKER
Oct 23, 2003

Freshwater pearl mussel

* Japanese name: Kawashinjukai * Scientific name:Margaritifera laevis * Description: Mussels are bivalves: mollusks that have their body contained between two shells. Young freshwater pearl mussels often have yellowish-brown shells, which become green-tinged and darker as they mature. This animal grows...
JAPAN
Oct 22, 2003

Two placed in protection at Japan consul

A Japanese man who has fled North Korea and a woman claiming to be his sister were put under protection of the Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang, northeastern China, on Tuesday.

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