search

 
 
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Cultural figures oppose defense bills

Some 250 cultural figures, including prizewinning novelist Hisashi Inoue, issued a statement Tuesday expressing their opposition to legislation planned by the government to cover defense emergencies, saying it threatens to turn Japan again into a militaristic nation.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Africa aid forum searches for solutions

In an attempt to find solutions to Africa's persistent poverty and low economic growth, regional leaders and experts recently met in Tokyo to discuss ways to remedy the continent of its problematic governments.
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.
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2002

Premium income drops at most casualty insurers

Only four of the nation's top 11 casualty insurers saw their premium revenues rise in the 2001 business year, according to their preliminary financial results released as of Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2002

Matsushita plots Chinese alliance

OSAKA -- Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. will form an alliance with Chinese home appliance maker TCL Holdings Co. to engage in sales and product development in China, a company official said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Lawmaker-donor enters hospital

House of Representatives member Taro Kono entered a hospital Tuesday for tests to determine if he can give part of his liver to his father, former Foreign Minister Yohei Kono, who has hepatitis C, his office said.
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2002

Hiranuma to urge U.S. to give up steel tariffs

Trade minister Takeo Hiranuma said Tuesday he will urge the United States to drop its emergency tariffs on a range of steel imports in a meeting Thursday with visiting U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick.
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

Isahaya gates to open for research

The farm ministry intends to open the gates in the dike at Isahaya Bay for about two months to study the cause of poor seaweed harvests in the area, according to the ministry's top bureaucrat.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 10, 2002

Yabu hurls Tigers past Carp

Keiichi Yabu pitched his second straight complete game and Makoto Imaoka hit a three-run homer as the Hanshin Tigers crushed the Hiroshima Carp 8-1 Tuesday at Koshien Stadium.
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Envoy rapped for romantic e-mail on computer system

An ambassador based in Europe was admonished last week for using the Foreign Ministry's computer system to send romantic e-mail to a female employee, Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2002

Koizumi gives up on lifting legal ban on post privatization

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has given up on eliminating a legal clause banning the privatization of the new public corporation slated to take over the government-run postal services in 2003, posts minister Toranosuke Katayama said Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2002

Yamaha to boost presence in China, Asian markets

Yamaha Motor Co. said Tuesday it has launched a three-year business plan that focuses on sales growth in China and other Asian markets.
BUSINESS / ON THE FRONT LINE
Apr 10, 2002

Investor focus shifts to corporate prospects

The Tokyo stock market is shifting attention to corporate earnings projections to be made public shortly.
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2002

Daiwa Bank, Asahi Bank in talks to merge by autumn 2003

OSAKA -- Daiwa Bank and Asahi Bank are in talks to merge by fall 2003, following their business integration in March under Daiwa Bank Holdings Inc., bank sources said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Japan, South Korea, United States welcome thaw with Pyongyang

Japan, South Korea and the United States on Tuesday welcomed the results of a recent visit to North Korea by a South Korean envoy, in which Pyongyang agreed to resume dialogue with the three countries.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Apr 10, 2002

The Music

Critical acclaim can be a fickle creature, with up-and-coming bands often drowning in their own hype. Whether because of fate, arrogance or the nature of the music industry itself, countless artists have been swatted off their pedestals by the very same writers and fans that helped place them there....
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Apr 10, 2002

Weezer

Though it's probably not their fault, Weezer are generally credited with creating rock's now passe nerd-slacker ethic: The band's catchy Ric Ocasek-produced 1993 debut album could have been titled "Songs About Beer and Masturbation." Led by rock's most reluctant star, Rivers Cuomo ("Anything real is...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Apr 10, 2002

Remaking form, recapturing spirit

Hand grenades, gas burners and patio furniture are not items usually associated with ancient potting centers, yet in Shigaraki, southern Shiga Prefecture, even these odd items have been fired.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 10, 2002

Japanese pro boxer dead at 22

Yoshihiro Irei
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2002

Yoshinoya beats mad cow with record sales

Despite the outbreak of mad cow disease in September, Yoshinoya D&C Co., Japan's largest operator of "gyudon" beef bowl restaurants, scored record sales and profits on both a consolidated and unconsolidated basis for the business year through February, company officials said Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Apr 10, 2002

Nanta on the cutting edge of comedy

From the back of the theater sounds a regular beat, quiet at first, then mounting in volume. In dances a slender woman wearing a tight chef's jacket and hat. She is holding aloft a frying pan and, well, playing it. Three men follow her, also in white chef's uniforms, bearing -- and beating -- a plastic...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Nakata promotes Cup with Internet cafe

An Internet cafe set up by Japanese soccer player Hidetoshi Nakata will open in Tokyo from April 19 to July 14 in concert with the 2002 World Cup soccer finals, which are being cohosted by Japan and South Korea.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Apr 10, 2002

Helicoid 0222MB

Helicoid 0222MB is a robot created and operated by three chicks from Osaka. Their ultimate goal is not to make this fantasy robot rid Japan of evil bands like Snail Ramp and Bump of Chicken, but simply to make it dance. Ho-hum.
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Lower House approves Kato's resignation

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved the resignation of scandal-tainted Koichi Kato.

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