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LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 5, 2002

Oh, to die under a cherry-blossom tree in spring

It's over for Tokyo, that brief period in spring known as hanami no kisetsu (the season to sit under a cherry-blossom tree and eat and drink oneself into oblivion).
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2002

GSDF wows potential recruits with games

The Ground Self-Defense Force has established its first public relations center, aiming to offer potential young recruits a positive image of the nation's de facto army.
BUSINESS
Apr 5, 2002

Hayami tells government to sort out deflation menace

Bank of Japan Gov. Masaru Hayami urged the government Thursday to initiate concrete structural reforms to stamp out deflation, reflecting the central bank's concern about the slow pace of reforms as Diet proceedings stall amid political scandals.
BUSINESS
Apr 5, 2002

Official hoping for U.S. compensation over steel curbs

A senior trade official voiced hope Thursday that the United States will shortly offer to compensate Japan for damage inflicted upon its steel industry in the wake of Washington's recent decision to impose import tariffs on a range of steel products.
BUSINESS
Apr 5, 2002

Sales of imported autos slumped 1.6% last year

Sales of imported motor vehicles fell 1.6 percent in fiscal 2001 from the previous year to 272,560 units after rising in fiscal 2000 for the first time in four years, the Japan Automobile Importers Association said Thursday.
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...
BUSINESS
Apr 5, 2002

Builder Nissan to repay small claims

Failed Nissan Construction Co. unveiled a plan Thursday committing itself to the repayment of small liabilities of up to 2 million yen.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / MATTER OF COURSE
Apr 5, 2002

No more Saturdays, no more cappuccino

When the new school year begins on April 8, all Japanese public schools will be on a five-day school week for the first time ever. For my kids, that means no more school on Saturdays. For me, it means no more cappuccino.
COMMENTARY
Apr 4, 2002

U.S. provocations leave China guessing

HONG KONG -- Little more than a month after U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to Beijing seemed to have laid the groundwork for a more stable and cooperative relationship between the United States and China, ties between the two countries are again in danger of unraveling as Washington openly moves...
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 4, 2002

Tony Blair struggles to fill Margaret Thatcher's giant shoes

LONDON -- She has been out of power for a dozen years, but former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has remained a formidable political force while her contemporaries on the world scene have faded from view.
EDITORIALS
Apr 4, 2002

Hope fades in the Middle East

If there is a difference between the situation in the Middle East and all-out war, it is difficult to imagine. Palestinians' suicide bombings have introduced an element of savagery and fear that Israelis have never known before. In response, the Israeli government has attacked the Palestinian Authority...
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.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 4, 2002

Yamada swims to another record

Japanese distance swimmer Sachiko Yamada set a short-course national record in the women's 400-meter freestyle final at the national short-course championships Wednesday.
JAPAN
Apr 4, 2002

White powder sent to Tsujimoto

OSAKA -- A letter containing a white powdery substance was delivered Tuesday to the office of scandal-tainted former lawmaker Kiyomi Tsujimoto in Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture, police said.
JAPAN
Apr 4, 2002

Court wants ex-minors to talk

The Tokyo High Court decided Wednesday to question two of three defendants in a civil damages suit who were accused of murdering a 15-year-old girl in Saitama Prefecture in 1985, when they were minors.
BUSINESS
Apr 4, 2002

S&P slashes Marubeni, Mitsubishi

Standard & Poor's Corp. said Wednesday it has cut the credit ratings of major trading houses Marubeni Corp. and Mitsubishi Corp. but affirmed those of three other traders.
BUSINESS
Apr 4, 2002

Nippon Steel in talks over unit merger

Nippon Steel Corp. is engaged in final negotiations with its two group firms on the proposed merger of the units this business year, informed sources said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Apr 4, 2002

China rife with opportunities: Li

The growing Chinese market presents huge investment opportunities for Japanese companies, Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, said Wednesday in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Apr 4, 2002

Pilots face directive to trust computers over controllers

The transport ministry plans to issue a directive that will require pilots to obey their computers rather than air traffic controllers in the event of conflicting orders, ministry sources said.
JAPAN
Apr 4, 2002

Police spotters to ambush soccer hooligans at airports

Japanese police will team up with investigators from Britain and elsewhere at the nation's airports to prevent soccer hooligans from entering Japan for the World Cup finals, according to police sources.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 4, 2002

Hawks, Tigers still unbeaten

Daiei slugger Hiroki Kokubo nailed two homers while newcomer Morgan Burkhart hit a two-run homer and drove home three runs as the Hawks downed the Chiba Lotte Marines 7-3 at the Fukuoka Dome on Wednesday to claim their fifth straight since the season opened.
BUSINESS
Apr 4, 2002

TSE to delist Snow Brand earlier

The Tokyo Stock Exchange has announced it will delist scandal-ridden Snow Brand Foods Co. from its second section on April 30, instead of the initially planned May 23.

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