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BUSINESS
Feb 25, 2003

Takenaka seeks smooth lending to smaller firms

Financial Services Minister Heizo Takenaka asked private-sector and government-affiliated lenders Monday to lend money to small and midsize firms to meet growing demand for funds as the yearend book-closing approaches.
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Japan set to back new resolution to deal with Iraq

Japan will probably back a new resolution on Iraq that the United States and Britain are planning to submit to the U.N. Security Council, a senior Foreign Ministry official said Monday.
BUSINESS
Feb 25, 2003

Trade surplus falls 43% on higher oil imports

Japan's trade surplus in January dropped 42.8 percent from a year earlier, the first decline in 11 months, as an increase in oil imports exceeded export growth, the Finance Ministry said Monday in a preliminary report.
COMMUNITY / LIFELINES
Feb 25, 2003

Shipping news, foreign movies and medical bills

Shipping On the subject of shipping goods from the U.S.A. to Japan as unaccompanied baggage, reader Carol says that if you fly on United Airlines, they can provide you with the unaccompanied baggage forms.
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

'Shogi' icon claims landmark victory

Yoshiharu Habu, one of Japan's top-ranked exponents of the ancient chesslike game of "shogi," has captured his 800th win, becoming the youngest ever person to reach this milestone.
COMMENTARY
Feb 25, 2003

Build stronger ties with Seoul

The North Korean crisis has entered a new stage now that the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, has referred the issue of Pyongyang's nuclear-weapons development to the U.N. Security Council. The isolated Stalinist state, which created a similar crisis a decade ago, has resumed its program...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Ministry cuts off funds for fraudulent NGO

The Foreign Ministry will demand that a nongovernmental organization that falsified documents to get government subsidies in 2001 refrain from accepting the subsidies for fiscal 2002, and if it doesn't cooperate, the funds will be withheld anyway, ministry officials said Monday.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Feb 25, 2003

Bidding a farewell to arms in Japan

When a bullet strikes the car in which one is riding, the sound -- a sharp, metallic "WHAP!" -- is unmistakable. This writer has heard it twice in his life, and I hope the second time will be the last.
BUSINESS / ON MANAGEMENT
Feb 25, 2003

The perils of package deals: When the client comes with a loved one, buckle your seatbelt

If there is one area of expertise that is perhaps underestimated in business, it is the need and ability to negotiate with the package deals that come with certain clients, customers, buyers or suppliers. I'm talking about those people whose talents or patronage you desire, but who come with strings...
BUSINESS
Feb 25, 2003

Toyota, Fuji Heavy tie up on G-Book network service

Toyota Motor Corp. and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. said Monday they have reached a basic agreement under which Fuji Heavy will install Toyota's G-Book wireless information terminals in its Subaru vehicles in Japan beginning in 2004.
COMMUNITY
Feb 25, 2003

Showcasing Tokyo talent for International Women's Day

Make a note of Sunday, March 9, for WomenFest 2003, an annual event designed to showcase female talent in celebration of International Women's Day.
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Sanitary infant environment suspected for high allergy incidence

Some 86 percent of people born in the 1970s have allergies against things such as mites and cedar pollen, researchers at the National Center for Child Health and Development in Tokyo estimated Monday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 25, 2003

Businesses gear up to launch IP phone services

Roused into action by Softbank Corp.'s foray into Internet Protocol telephony last April, major telecommunications carriers and Internet service providers soon plan to launch their own commercial end-to-end IP phone services via broadband lines.
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Koizumi leaves for South Korea

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi left for South Korea on Monday evening on a two-day visit that will include the presidential inauguration of Roh Moo Hyun.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Koizumi names moderate Fukui as central bank chief

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Monday nominated former Bank of Japan Deputy Gov. Toshihiko Fukui, who is not considered an aggressive deflation fighter, as the new BOJ chief, according to government sources.
EDITORIALS
Feb 25, 2003

Less than reassuring words

Finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of Seven industrialized countries held one of their regular meetings last weekend in Paris. Two days of discussions produced a statement promising efforts to stabilize and stimulate their economies and a pledge to convene again in the event of an emergency....
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Feb 25, 2003

The Art of Dining 2003

Refugees International Japan is staging its thirteenth annual Art of Dining Exhibition on March 12 2003 at the Westin Tokyo, Ebisu Garden Place.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Mountain queen not done yet

Imagine all the possibilities. Open up a world map. Decide where, when, how and with whom. Then pack your knapsack and go. It's that simple for Junko Tabei when it comes to climbing mountains, no matter how high.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Sumo head stung for elder rights

The Tokyo District Court on Monday ordered the current head of the Tatsunami sumo stable to pay 175 million yen to his predecessor in return for receiving his rights to operate the stable.
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

METI to authorize biomass fuel

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans to revise a law so vehicles can use an environmentally friendly biomass fuel that would help Japan meet its obligations in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
MORE SPORTS
Feb 24, 2003

NEC downs Suntory to capture C'ship

The T-shirts worn by the NEC players at the end of the 40th All-Japan Championship summed it up - "NEC Miracle 7." Having finished seventh in the Kanto League and being forced into a playoff to reach the national stages of the Company Championship, NEC finished the season as champion of Japan following...
MORE SPORTS
Feb 24, 2003

Kitajima rewrites national record

Japan's Kosuke Kitajima set a short-course national record of 2 minutes, 6.00 seconds in the men's 200 meters breaststroke at a time trial race at the Tatsumi International Swimming Center on Saturday.
MORE SPORTS
Feb 24, 2003

Gold Allure shines in year's first jewel

FUNABASHI, Chiba Pref. -- Dirt specialist Gold Allure outshone the competition Sunday to capture the year's first big race, the February Stakes, by a neck over Biwa Shinseiki at Nakayama. Eagle Cafe finished in third place 3 lengths off the runnerup with Kanetsu Fleuve in fourth place 2 lengths later....

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