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Philip Brasor
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Oct 4, 2009
The blacklist — excuse me — the database is back
A group of rental guarantee companies move ahead with its plans to create a database of 'good' and 'bad' renters.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Oct 4, 2009
Cheers to women drinking on their own terms
On July 31, an organization called Shufu Rengo, along with a conference of groups that address alcohol-related issues, sent a letter to liquor-industry associations containing a "request" to enforce "self-regulation" of television commercials targeting women.
CULTURE / Film
Oct 2, 2009
Yamagata's doc feast
Launched in 1989 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Yamagata, a city of 250,000 situated in the agricultural heart of Japan's northern Tohoku region, the biannual Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival was established by the late Shinsuke Ogawa, a resident of the city...
CULTURE / Film
Oct 2, 2009
Tokyo offers tasty platter of film
The Sept. 16 press conference for the 22nd Tokyo International Film Festival, which runs Oct. 17-25, was more stimulating than usual.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Oct 1, 2009
Motherhouse: beyond Fair Trade
By cutting out the middlemen, Tokyo-based Motherhouse has found a way to make the Fair Trade system work like it's supposed to.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 27, 2009
Still a plus for Seven-Eleven
Seven-Eleven has followed the lead of the postal office by opening its ATMs up to foreign bank cards. So why haven't convenience stores followed suit?
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Sep 27, 2009
Denied bear necessities of life
About a week ago, while browsing the Internet, I came across a headline at the BBC Web site that made me pause: "Bear injures 9 at bus terminal." The first thought that crossed my mind was, "Why was a bear waiting for a bus?"
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 25, 2009
The Giants give you an excuse to go shopping
Big hurray for the Giants big pennant win! Bigger hurray for the department-store sales!
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 23, 2009
Annals of cheap: QB House
It's very chop-chop at QB House, a chain of successful barber shops where you get a cut, no chit-chat, no shampoo, all in 10 minutes.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 21, 2009
Use it or lose it: Is expired food OK to sell?
Japanese consumers may have become suspicious of food companies, but the bargain prices of food slightly past its sell-by date is hard to resist.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Sep 20, 2009
The forgotten DPJ promise on women's rights
In the weeks since the Democratic Party of Japan secured a majority in the Lower House, the new DPJ members of that institution have apparently been told to keep their mouths shut when they're around the media.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 18, 2009
Silver Week to make up for less than lustrous summer?
The government estimates that the average Japanese household will spend u00a537,000 during Silver Week. Question is, how? On beer alone?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 17, 2009
Dealing with the disposable
Awn in Higashi Nippori is a 'recycle shop' whose purpose had less to do with recycling or making money than with creating jobs.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 14, 2009
Who pays for parking?
Why people who don't own cars have to subsidize the expensive parking lots used by weekend drivers?
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Sep 13, 2009
ANA looks to sky as JAL hangs head
In a TV commercial aired all last summer, airline passengers are shown relaxing when the pilot comes on the PA to make the usual announcement about travel times and weather. Nobody seems alarmed when they learn that the skipper is teen golf sensation Ryo Ishikawa, who isn't old enough to drive a car...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 12, 2009
Many happy repairs
When it comes to warranties, pride in one's products often trumps any short-term financial consideration.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 10, 2009
Annals of cheap: Gyoza no Osho
While others struggle to make ends meet amid the economic downturn, there's no stopping Gyoza no Osho, a late-night favorite for cheap Chinese eats.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 6, 2009
Japanese public housing: It's not just for poor people any more
Public housing in Japan might be associated with the boxy kodan apartments, but they've have come a long way. Question is, have they come far enough?
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Sep 6, 2009
Media plays down landmark rent ruling
On July 23, the Kyoto District Court reached a verdict in a landlord-tenant dispute that found contract renewal fees common in rental agreements to be illegal. Kyodo News called it "a landmark ruling" with far-reaching implications.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Sep 4, 2009
Wonder Stuff give fans an encore
Anyone who knows anything about the U.K. pop scene understands how important the music weeklies are to the success of young artists, and while the Internet has undermined that influence they can still make or break a band. Miles Hunt should know. He and his group, The Wonder Stuff, were darlings of the...

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Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?