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JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Aid to upgrade Afghan TV facilities

Japan will provide Afghanistan with up to 794 million yen in grants to improve its television broadcasting facilities in Kabul, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2003

Mizuho raps retiring execs

Mizuho Financial Group Inc. will withhold the retirement allowances of a host of executives after the banking group incurred a group net loss of more than 2 trillion yen and skipped dividend payments in fiscal 2002, a spokesman said Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Jun 11, 2003

Why perfection isn't enough

Light, cool, sleek and refined describe the large celadon bowl that won 1 million yen and the Grand Prix Katsura-no-Miya Prize at the 17th Biennial Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. This juried exhibition showcases some of the finest works in this "pottery oasis" of Japan and offers a tasty smorgasbord for...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2003

Amami Islands reversion to be marked with coin

Japan will mint a colored silver coin to mark the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami Islands from the United States, Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa said Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Jun 11, 2003

Mamai Keita and Marc Minelli: "Electro Bamako"

According to the liner notes of "Electro Bamako," a collaboration between Mamai Keita, a former singer in Salif Keita's band (no relation), and French producer Marc Minelli, this album presents "Malian songs mixed with electro jazz on pop structures but with a rock sound." Translation: slick, hip music...
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2003

McDonald's plots burger price hike

Ltd. has said it will raise the price of hamburgers back to 80 yen, effective July 1. Hamburgers have cost 59 yen since last August, a maneuver that has symbolized McDonald's discount strategy.
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2003

Sony to release high-price, high-tech digital product line

Sony Corp. unveiled a range of high-end digital electronics products Tuesday in a bid to empower its brand and differentiate itself from its cheaper Asian rivals.
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2003

Japan eyes Mexico FTA by October

Japan and Mexico are expected to sign a free trade pact in October when President Vicente Fox visits Japan, a senior government official said Tuesday.
MORE SPORTS
Jun 11, 2003

Frontiers' Nakazawa sinks Seagulls

Quarterback Daisuke Nakazawa rushed 1 yard for the score-tying touchdown with 0:03 left in the game and Tatsuru Hase succeeded in kicking the conversion, giving the Fujitsu Frontiers a 14-13 victory over the Obic Seagulls in the Pearl Bowl final Monday.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Bill to send SDF to Iraq wins Armitage's praise

Visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage expressed pleasure Tuesday with a bill that would pave the way for the Self-Defense Forces to be sent to Iraq to assist in reconstruction work.
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2003

April machinery orders fell 1.8%

Core private-sector machinery orders fell a seasonally adjusted 1.8 percent in April from the previous month to 874.9 billion yen, the government said Tuesday, indicating capital spending may slow later in the year.
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2003

Finance panel approves bill allowing yield cuts

A House of Representatives panel approved a controversial bill Tuesday that would allow life insurers to lower yields guaranteed to their policyholders on the grounds this will avoid bankruptcies.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Jun 11, 2003

Junkie XL: "RADIO JXL: A Broadcast From the Computer Hell Cabin"

Given Junkie XL's successful dance remix of Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation," his appearances on MTV and recent high-profile shows at the Liquid Room in Tokyo, it's difficult to ignore the arrival of his new album, "RADIO JXL: A Broadcast From the Computer Hell Cabin." Not that he's a new...
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2003

Reforms to set targets for transfer of tax funds

Four ministers decided Tuesday to set numerical targets as part of efforts to improve the flow of funds between the central government and local governments, with Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa proposing a 4 trillion yen cut in subsidies as part of the plan.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Case of teen hacking suspect sent to Tokyo prosecutors

Tokyo police on Tuesday turned over to prosecutors their case against a 15-year-old high school student suspected of hacking into some 140 Web sites in 23 countries and regions and defacing them with slogans opposing the war in Iraq.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Jun 11, 2003

Ott: "Blumenkraft"

'Blumenkraft" is the debut album from mysterious mix maestro Ott, but to call it a "debut" is kind of like calling slugger Hideki Matsui a "rookie." Ott has spent the last 20 years behind the mixing desk as a producer and recording engineer with artists such as Sinead O'Connor, Brian Eno and The Orb....
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2003

Tesco buys into Japan market

Major British retailer Tesco PLC announced Tuesday it will acquire Tokyo-based supermarket chain C Two-Network Co. for 32.8 billion yen, joining the growing list of foreign retail giants gaining a foothold in the world's second-largest economy.
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2003

Accounting board hits at firms hiding losses

The organization that sets the nation's accounting standards said Tuesday it will officially declare later this week that it is against a proposal to allow companies to hide latent losses on their shareholdings.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Nations pledge $4.5 billion to advance Sri Lanka peace talks

Donor nations pledged Tuesday to provide some $4.5 billion in aid to Sri Lanka over the next four years to help facilitate peace talks with rebel forces, which have been suspended for two months.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Obituary: Tetsuji Kubo

House of Representatives member Tetsuji Kubo died Tuesday of liver failure at a Tokyo hospital, his family and the New Komeito party said. He was 56.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Tax case costly for Sumitomo Trust

Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co. has paid 6.3 billion yen to tax authorities over allegations it paid no withholding taxes in connection with overseas bond trading between 1999 and 2001, sources said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Case of teen hacking suspect sent to Tokyo prosecutors

Tokyo police on Tuesday turned over to prosecutors their case against a 15-year-old high school student suspected of hacking into some 140 Web sites in 23 countries and regions and defacing them with slogans opposing the war in Iraq.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Number of people over 75 topped 10 million in 2002

The number of people aged 75 and older topped 10 million for the first time last year in another sign Japanese society is steadily aging, the government said Tuesday in an annual report.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Tax case costly for Sumitomo Trust

Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co. has paid 6.3 billion yen to tax authorities over allegations it paid no withholding taxes in connection with overseas bond trading between 1999 and 2001, sources said Tuesday.
CULTURE / Stage
Jun 11, 2003

Kumakawa spreads his wings with 'Swan Lake'

When Tetsuya Kumakawa left The Royal Ballet five years ago at the age of 26, most people said it was too early for the Ferrari-driving superstar to leave his position as a principal dancer with the legendary company he joined in 1989. That was probably because most people didn't know what Kumakawa himself...
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2003

Assets of three public road firms top debts

The assets of the nation's four major highway-related public corporations were greater than their debts by a combined 5.95 trillion yen, with only one of them suffering a negative net worth, according to their balance sheets released Monday.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Nations pledge $4.5 billion to advance Sri Lanka peace talks

Donor nations pledged Tuesday to provide some $4.5 billion in aid to Sri Lanka over the next four years to help facilitate peace talks with rebel forces, which have been suspended for two months.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Law to regulate GMO usage passed by Diet

The Diet passed a bill into law Tuesday for regulating the use of genetically modified organisms.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2003

Tax case costly for Sumitomo Trust

Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co. has paid 6.3 billion yen to tax authorities over allegations it paid no withholding taxes in connection with overseas bond trading between 1999 and 2001, sources said 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