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Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / NIHONSHU
Apr 14, 2002

Where sake runs wild, unfiltered and free

Over the past few years, there has been a small surge in the popularity of muroka nama genshu sake. While it is hardly shaking the industry to its foundations, quite a few brewers -- usually smaller kura -- have begun to market this kind of sake.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Apr 13, 2002

Yasmina Karem

This year marks the 49th annual Cherry Blossom Charity Ball sponsored by the international Ladies Benevolent Society. A major fundraising event for charitable causes, the ball is also a starred occasion on Tokyo's international social calendar.
JAPAN
Apr 13, 2002

MSDF 'preparatory' power eyed

The government is considering legal revisions to allow for "preparatory" action by Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels that would enable them to deal quickly with suspicious ships spotted off Japan, Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani said Friday.
BUSINESS
Apr 13, 2002

Analysts give little credit to financial regulators

The nation's 13 largest banks are saying they expect to slide further into the red for the 2001 business year, booking 7.8 trillion yen in credit costs for risky loans -- up 21 percent from November projections.
BUSINESS
Apr 12, 2002

Zoellick proposes WTO ministerial talks

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick told Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi on Thursday that a four-way ministerial meeting should be held next month in Paris under the World Trade Organization, according to a ministry official.
BUSINESS / ON THE FRONT LINE
Apr 12, 2002

State must act before market backs banks

Special bank inspections have found that the disposal of soured loans made headway toward the close of fiscal 2001.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2002

Vested-interest policymakers irked over report that pulls few punches

Lawmakers within the ruling coalition were left aghast by a scathing report submitted last week by a panel investigating the government's handling of mad cow disease.
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

World Cup travel fares discounted for foreigners

The transport ministry on Tuesday unveiled special transportation discounts for overseas tourists during the World Cup soccer championships, which start May 31.
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Nuclear Safety Commission urges MOX fuel use

The Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan made assurances Tuesday over the safety of using plutonium-uranium mixed oxide, or MOX, fuel at nuclear plants.
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Bills covering emergencies presented

The government has moved forward on draft versions of bills to govern Japan's response to a foreign military attack, with Cabinet endorsement eyed for April 16, according to government sources.
BUSINESS
Apr 9, 2002

Mitsubishi Tokyo Group projects 145 billion yen loss

Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group, the nation's third-largest banking group, is projecting a 145 billion yen consolidated net loss for the 2001 business year, hit by larger-than-expected credit costs and share price falls.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 9, 2002

Four-stroke bikes dominate at Suzuka

Piloting a four-stroke Honda RC211V that he'd taken to 315 kph in dry practice, Valentino Rossi won Sunday's rain-soaked Japan MotoGP at the Suzuka circuit in Mie Prefecture.
EDITORIALS
Apr 8, 2002

New hard line against Pyongyang

I t has always been difficult to understand the thinking of the leadership in North Korea. The rhetorical blasts that Pyongyang unleashes against the United States, Japan and South Korea are usually balanced by sotto voce assurances that dialogue will continue. The schizophrenia has been especially pronounced...
SOCCER / World cup / EXCERPTS FROM PHILIPPE TROUSSIER'S BOOK
Apr 8, 2002

Bridging the generation gap

"Passion'' is the story of Japan soccer team coach Philippe Troussier, his struggle to make it as a player and manager and his travels around France, Africa and Japan. In the book, Troussier also details his philosophy and thinking as he prepares for the World Cup in June. In this, the fourth of 10...
JAPAN
Apr 8, 2002

Asian issues carry much weight on global stability

NAGO, Okinawa Pref. -- There were times when relations between the European Union and Japan suffered from having a narrow focus, centered on economic matters.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 8, 2002

Japan has golden chance for revival

Improved corporate governance at Japanese firms coupled with better public policy can "lead to a magnificent revival" in the country's economy, according to James K. Glassman, who delivered the 2002-'03 Mansfield American-Pacific Lecture, jointly sponsored by Keizai Koho Center.
COMMENTARY / JAPAN IN THE GLOBAL ERA
Apr 8, 2002

Absence from round table reflects prevalent pattern

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- A number of readers of this column have been writing to me directly, mostly, I have to say, to agree and to complement what I am writing with illustrations of their own. Some readers, however, have told me they are upset. That is good! If revolutionary leaders of the mid-19th...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Apr 7, 2002

Ex-foreigner on a Diet 'mission'

In February, Marutei Tsurunen made political history when he became the first Westerner to take a seat in the Diet. This was as much of a surprise to him as anyone. After being first reserve in the proportional representation list of Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) after last July's Upper House...
COMMUNITY
Apr 7, 2002

Ishihara gambles on casinos

"Building a casino will create employment for 10,000 people."
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE WAY OF WASHOKU
Apr 7, 2002

Savoring sweet memories of fallen blossoms

The magnificent cherry blossoms came and went much earlier than usual this year in many parts of Japan. Spring-term opening ceremonies at elementary schools across the country will be without their usual bloom. Here on the mountainside east of Osaka, however, many trees are still at their peak and this...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / FUZZY LOGIC
Apr 7, 2002

Straight Kabukicho, on the rocks, please

Kabukicho: the land of quick fixes, whether they be edible, audible, watchable . . . Just about any -able is doable in this hallowed den of iniquity.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Apr 7, 2002

Behold that golden glow

It's almost here . . . my favorite week.
LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND
Apr 7, 2002

Think wild and feisty, think Sauvignon Blanc

In these budget-conscious times, it pays to be a wine nerd. When you sense a hot trend, run in the other direction. Dare to be contrary. The world's greatest wine bargains come from places and grape varieties that are temporarily out of fashion or simply overlooked.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Apr 7, 2002

Harmonie: Harmonizing great food in the key of fine wine

Keen-eyed Nishi Azabu-watchers will have noted the arrival of a whole slew of new restaurants in recent months. The influx has been especially noticeable on the southwest quadrant of the crossing known to old-timers as Kasumicho Crossing and to foreign punsters as Hobson's Choice.
LIFE / Language
Apr 5, 2002

When the lights go out, who'll be waiting?

Modern monsters seem to have a big image problem. If you've seen the new movie "Monsters, Inc.," you know they're in trouble because, well -- they just aren't frightening!
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / ANIMAL TRACKER
Apr 5, 2002

Fruit fly

* Japanese name: Shojobae * Scientific name: Drosophila melanogaster * Description: This is a tiny (3-mm) fly, with red eyes and one pair of wings. It is almost too small to notice, yet the fruit fly is one of the world's most important organisms. Study of the fruit fly led directly to the science...
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI BEAT
Apr 4, 2002

Win for Tigers in 2002 pennant race may spark Kansai recovery: analyst

OSAKA -- As a rabid Hanshin Tigers fan, Daiwa Research Institute President Koichi Kunisada seems pretty sure of the destiny of this year's Central League pennant -- it is bound for Osaka.
COMMENTARY
Apr 4, 2002

Forecasts of an early exit fade

LONDON -- Those who said the war in Afghanistan was over have had to eat their words.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years