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JAPAN
Jan 9, 2004

New Komeito backs dispatch of advance GSDF unit to Iraq

The ruling coalition reached agreement Thursday night on the government's plan to send an advance Ground Self-Defense Force team to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah possibly next week, paving the way for the dispatch of the main GSDF contingent to help in reconstruction efforts.
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE
Jan 9, 2004

Morioka vs. Major League Baseball: Not a pretty picture

In the beginning it seemed like a dream, the opportunity of a lifetime, but it ended up being more like a nightmare.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Jan 9, 2004

The great treasure hunt

A few months ago there was a news story about a painting bought at a flea market in France for around 200,000 yen that turned out to be by Vincent van Gogh and worth upward of 300 million yen.
BUSINESS
Jan 9, 2004

S&P assigns credit ratings to Japanese universities

Standard & Poor's said Thursday it has assigned a long-term credit rating of AA to Keio University and a long-term credit rating of AA minus to Tokyo University of Science Educational Foundation.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Jan 9, 2004

Scrutiny will increase if Eriksson becomes Chelsea manager

LONDON -- Will he stay or will he go?
BUSINESS
Jan 9, 2004

Takeda in diabetes tieup with U.S. firm

Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd. said Thursday it has agreed with Andrx Corp. of the United States to jointly develop a drug for diabetes on the basis of their existing products for treating the disorder.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 9, 2004

Firms fear Seoul's easier rules on Japan's culture

South Korea's gradual lifting of its decades-old ban on the import of Japanese popular culture entered its fourth phase this month, paving the way for the legal circulation of Japanese CDs, game software and all nonanimated films.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 9, 2004

Farm products tracked with use of IC tags

An experiment to track the distribution of farm products by attaching small integrated circuit tags to them was launched Thursday in Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND
Jan 9, 2004

Don't settle for just any old port in a storm

In this cold and quiet time of year, we often find ourselves in the mood for something warming and contemplative. A good port fits the bill perfectly. Unfortunately, there are more than eight completely different types of port currently being made, most of which, to paraphrase Thomas Hobbes, are nasty,...
JAPAN
Jan 9, 2004

Cops err but then get their woman

Police arrested the wrong person before taking a woman into custody Wednesday who they said stole a bankbook and a seal from a man's apartment last month, officials said Thursday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 9, 2004

Sony MD to record 45 hours of music

Sony Corp. announced Thursday it will release portable mini disc products that can record up to 45 hours of music on a single disc.
EDITORIALS
Jan 8, 2004

High economic hopes for 2004

The economic outlook is looking up. Most economists think the world's economy has bottomed out and is now poised for strong growth. The U.S. recovery and Chinese stability will be key factors in the near future, but longer-term growth depends on consumer confidence and a renewed commitment to trade liberalization....
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 8, 2004

Travel agencies on guard for SARS but see no heavy cancellations yet

Japanese tour agencies are on the lookout for the spread of SARS in China and other destinations but have not detected any large-scale cancellations following the confirmation of the first case of the season in China this week, agencies said Wednesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Jan 8, 2004

Iriki inks 2-year deal with Fighters

Right-hander Yusaku Iriki, who was traded from the Yomiuri Giants at the end of the season, agreed on Wednesday to a two-year deal with a base salary of 70 million yen plus performance-based incentives in the first year, the Pacific League club said.
JAPAN
Jan 8, 2004

Pyongyang sought talks with trade chiefs

North Korea sought a secret meeting in Beijing with Shoichi Nakagawa, minister of economy, trade and industry, as well as his predecessor, Takeo Hiranuma, late last year, sources close to bilateral affairs said Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 8, 2004

Koreans bring Christ to people

A rooftop chapel in Tokyo is on an evangelical mission, spreading the word with fire, brimstone, levity -- and food -- to a flock of 200 homeless people every Sunday morning.
JAPAN
Jan 8, 2004

Japan, Panama laud 100-year link

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso exchanged friendly messages Wednesday, marking the centennial anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
BASKETBALL / NBA / NBA REPORT
Jan 8, 2004

Move for Marbury was a winner for New York Knicks

NEW YORK -- The answer: Burberry, Blackberry and now seats to see Marbury.
JAPAN
Jan 8, 2004

Fukuda wary of motive behind North Korea thaw

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda remained wary Wednesday over a string of events indicating a possible softening of North Korea's stance toward Japan.
BUSINESS
Jan 8, 2004

International luxury hotel chains set sights on central Tokyo market

Top foreign hotel chains have set their sights on Tokyo, betting their respective brands of high-class luxury and innovative services will shake the local hotel market out of its doldrums.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Jan 8, 2004

Shedding light on dark matter

These days, you never hear people complaining that science destroys the wonder of the world. They wouldn't dare. For a beautiful example, look at what was discovered last year. A satellite -- the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) -- confirmed one of the strangest, most wondrous proposals about...
BUSINESS
Jan 8, 2004

Linux sales increase 37.5% to 2.6 billion yen

Sales chalked up by Linux under licensing agreements totaled some 2.6 billion yen in Japan in 2003, up a sharp 37.5 percent from the previous year, a high-tech research firm said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Jan 8, 2004

Yamaha set to hit targets a year early

Yamaha Motor Co. said Wednesday it will probably achieve the sales and profit targets stipulated under its three-year business plan one year ahead of schedule in March.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’