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BUSINESS
Nov 14, 2002

Aso lobbies for funds for public works

The ruling bloc's top policymaker urged the government Wednesday to complete unfinished public works projects by drafting and using an extra budget for fiscal 2002.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TANGLED WEBS
Nov 14, 2002

A false sense of air security

I travel a lot, too much, really.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Nov 14, 2002

Thinking outside the box on fuel

First of two parts Part professor, part engineer and part philosopher, Amory Lovins is perfectly suited for the role of alternative-energy guru. A Lovins presentation is a seamless tapestry of economics, physics and mechanical engineering, sprinkled with corny one-liners, startling insights and revealing...
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Nov 14, 2002

Oooh no! There goes Tokyo!

Who can resist a game with a campy, self-effacing sense of humor? People like it in movies, and they like it in video games.
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2002

Government eyes dispatch of MSDF amphibious vessel

The government plans to dispatch a Maritime Self-Defense Force amphibious ship to transport Thai military units en route to Afghanistan under Japan's special antiterrorism law, sources said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2002

Regional plans sought for global water conference

The government said Tuesday it will call on countries and international organizations taking part in a conference in March on global water issues to adopt region-specific action plans, including those promoting aid for water improvement and facilities, officials said.
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2002

Economic ministers put extra budget on agenda

Key economic ministers put the compilation of an extra budget for fiscal 2002 on the political agenda Tuesday but maintained an official decision has yet to be made.
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2002

Yamato net profit jumps 16.7%

Yamato Transport Co. said Tuesday its group net profit in the first half rose 16.7 percent to 13.92 billion yen.
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2002

Cost-cuts, yen put MMC back in black

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. surged back into the black with a consolidated net profit of 6.64 billion yen during the April-September period thanks to reduced costs, a weaker yen and brisk overseas sales, company officials said Tuesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2002

Analysts skeptical over 'industrial revival body'

It might work. But probably not.
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2002

Lawyers unveil refugee policies plan

The Japan Federation of Bar Associations on Tuesday unveiled several proposals aimed at improving the procedures under which refugees are certified.
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2002

Assessment of economy downgraded

The government on Tuesday downgraded its overall assessment of the economy for the first time in a year, acknowledging that the pace of improvement has slowed and downside risks have increased.
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2002

FTC orders four road firms to stop fixing contract bids

The Fair Trade Commission ordered four firms closely linked to Japan Highway Public Corp. on Tuesday to stop rigging bids for road maintenance work ordered by the corporation.
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2002

UFJ Tsubasa in data leak claim

Personal data on clients of UFJ Tsubasa Securities Co. have been leaked to a broker in Tokyo that deals with information on individuals, the company said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2002

Taiwan's Lee drops visa application after Keio University cancels speech

Former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui withdrew his visa application Tuesday after it was revealed that Keio University has canceled a plan to let him give a speech there.
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2002

McCartney meets underachieving English students

A group of 16 Tokyo high school students and two teachers who use Beatles songs to study English received an invitation from British rock legend Paul McCartney to attend his concert Monday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2002

Prison abuses in spotlight following guard arrests

The ongoing allegations of abuse of inmates at Nagoya Prison have highlighted human rights concerns that have been raised by domestic and international watchdogs over Japan's prison system.
COMMENTARY
Nov 13, 2002

Midterms heap accountability on Bush

HONOLULU -- U.S. President George W. Bush is basking in the results of last week's midterm elections. Bush's Republican Party increased its presence in Congress, an outcome that the president claims validates his policies and provides him with a mandate for the remaining two years of his term. Fears...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2002

Corporate whistle-blowers still left out in the cold

Prompted by a recent spate of corporate misdeeds, moves are afoot, albeit slowly, to provide legal protection for whistle-blowers.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2002

'Ringu' remake raises hopes in Japan

The U.S. remake of "Ringu," a Japanese horror film released in January 1998, has been scaring audiences across North America.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2002

Bones not abductee's: Japan

In a finding that raises serious doubts over the credibility of Pyongyang's accounts of the kidnapping of Japanese nationals, authorities in Tokyo have concluded that bones North Korea claims are the remains of Kaoru Matsuki are probably not his.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Nov 13, 2002

Dishonor avenged, love avowed

This month, following the lead of the Kabukiza, the National Theater in Tokyo also presents "Kanadehon Chushingura (The 47 Loyal Retainers)" to mark the upcoming 300th anniversary of the famous act of revenge carried out by the 47 ronin (masterless samurai) on the night of Dec. 14, 1702 (on the old calendar)....
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Nov 13, 2002

Little Creatures

Little Creatures' 12-year career is a catalog of restless musical curiosity. Though their first moody releases were vaguely trip hop, their subsequent work defies categorization. Recent releases have touched on drum 'n' bass and jazzy Tortoise-like turns. ,fusing traditional instruments and electronics...
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2002

Katayama seeks more capital for new posts body

The government must bolster the capital base of the planned public corporation set to take over postal savings and mail services from the Postal Services Agency in fiscal 2003, posts minister Toranosuke Katayama said Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Nov 13, 2002

Look again at potting traditions

In the world of Japanese ceramics, certain styles have clearly defined identities that have been appreciated down the centuries. Mere mention of Bizen pottery will likely bring to mind a rustic, brown, natural ash-glazed style.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Nov 13, 2002

"Tokyo: the Sex, the City, the Music"

Just what we need: another Japanese club-music compilation. I still get a lot of enjoyment out of the old "Dance 2 Noise" series, and the "Sushi 3003" collection is what I usually recommend to the uninitiated. However, "Sushi" came out in '96, and while even a cursory listen to "Tokyo: the Sex, the City,...
EDITORIALS
Nov 13, 2002

The media and a jury system

A government panel on judicial reform is working on a bill that would create a Japanese version of the jury system. The idea is to allow selected citizens to work together with professional judges in deciding major criminal cases. The worry is that the bill might impose undue restrictions on media contact...

Longform

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell