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JAPAN
Nov 18, 1997

Corporate heads praise measures, point to financial system

The nation's business leaders on Tuesday welcomed the government's package of pump-priming measures as effective, but called for measures to solve problems in the financial sector and for the government to reform the nation's taxation and administrative systems to stimulate the economy.
JAPAN
Nov 18, 1997

Ministry warns Japanese tourists

The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday warned Japanese tourists not to visit southern Egypt, following a terrorist attack in the city of Luxor on Monday. At least 67 tourists died in the attack, including 10 Japanese. The warning will remain in effect until the details of the incident are clear and the ministry...
JAPAN
Nov 18, 1997

New economic package aims at accelerating deregulation

The government unveiled a package of pump-priming measures Tuesday that focuses on accelerating deregulation to help boost confidence in the economy, if not real demand, in the short term.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Hokkaido Takushoku folds; BOJ sends emergency loans

Marking the biggest collapse in the nation's financial industry, ailing Hokkaido Takushoku Bank announced Monday its de facto failure by saying it will transfer its operations to Hokkaido-based North Pacific Bank and other financial institutions.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Make defense-related agency a bureau: reform panel

A blue-ribbon government panel on administrative reform agreed Monday to turn the Defense Facilities Administration Agency into a bureau within a relevant government body.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Japan, U.S. officials concerned about depreciating yen

Japan and the United States expressed concern Monday over the recent depreciation of the yen, with Tokyo saying it was prepared to take action against excessive movements to stabilize foreign exchange markets.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Nikkei surges 1,200 points as players speculate on Takushoku

Tokyo stock prices rallied Monday amid news of the Hokkaido Takushoku Bank failure, as investors shopped for bargains, aided by growing expectations that public funds will be used to help dispose of a huge amount of bad loans.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Ministry plays down bank's collapse

Finance Minister Hiroshi Mitsuzuka and other ministry officials Monday attempted to underplay the fact that the failure of Hokkaido Takushoku runs counter to the ministry's oft-repeated pledge that the nation's top 20 banks would not be allowed to fail.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Japanese curriculum planning takes worldly shift

In preparation for adopting a five-day school week in 2003, an advisory council to the education minister submitted a midterm report Monday urging fewer mandatory classes in the fundamental subjects to create additional room for general studies that foster humanity, creativity, originality and international...
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Teleway, Icon to join up for Internet services venture

Teleway Corp., a long-distance carrier, and Icon CMT Corp., a New Jersey-based Internet solutions provider, will set up a joint venture in January to provide a range of Internet services in Japan, the presidents of the two firms announced Monday.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Explosive rally surprises stock analysts

The strong rebound Monday in Tokyo share prices took analysts by surprise.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Think tank backs Okinawa 2005 free trade zone plan

The government should accept a proposal made earlier this month by the Okinawa Prefectural Government to turn the prefecture into a free trade zone by around 2005, a public think tank recommended Monday.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Iran investment climate deemed unattractive

Iran's investment environment is not attractive and the country should take measures to improve the situation if it wants to lure Japanese firms, Deputy Foreign Minister Minoru Tanba told his Iranian counterpart, Mohsen Aminzadeh, on Monday.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Electronics sector calls on members to ax 'sokaiya' ties

Following the spreading corporate scandal over illegal payoffs to "sokaiya" corporate extortionists, the nation's five electronics and information-related industries Monday jointly called for member companies to immediately cut all ties with such racketeers.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

British firm's chip monkeys human eye movement

A London-based technology research and development company on Monday demonstrated its new silicon chip based on human vision mechanisms that allows detection and interpretation of moving objects at a much improved speed.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Aid plan for Bulgaria unveiled

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto announced an economic aid package Monday for Bulgaria, restating his willingness to support reform in the Eastern European nation, Foreign Ministry officials said.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 1997

Industrial output revised to 2.4% for September

Industrial output in September rose 2.4 percent from the previous month, an upward revision from a preliminary increase of 1.6 percent, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry said in a report released Monday.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 1997

Patent chiefs collaborate on global certificates

KYOTO -- Officials in charge of the patent system in Japan, the United States and Europe agreed Friday to cooperate to reduce the costs and time needed to grant patents.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 1997

Automakers post higher first-half sales

Despite sluggishness in the domestic auto market, the nation's five major automakers are all enjoying higher sales for the 1997 business year, according to half-year financial results announced Friday.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 1997

North Korea returnee started preparing in February

At least one of the 15 Japanese women from North Korea who ended the first homecoming visit in four decades was told by North Korean authorities last February that she had been selected as one of the group members, it was learned Friday.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 1997

EPA says economy mired in a standstill

In a monthly report released Friday, the Economic Planning Agency said that although the economy has stalled and business sentiment is dimming, the economy has not yet entered recession. In a retreat from the government's long-held assessment of a mildly recovering recovery, the agency described the...
JAPAN
Nov 14, 1997

Iraq urged to comply with U.N. resolution

Iraq should adhere to a United Nations resolution and end the ongoing crisis over its refusal to allow international arms inspectors to continue their duties, the Foreign Ministry told a senior Iraqi diplomat Friday in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 1997

Japan shifts stance on Asia crisis fund

Finance Minister Hiroshi Mitsuzuka said Friday that a proposed fund to assist Asian economies in financial or currency crises should supplement the International Monetary Fund, indicating a shift in Japan's position regarding the mechanism.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 1997

LDP's new stimulus plan offers no quick cure for economy

The Liberal Democratic Party on Friday unveiled a second set of economic stimulus proposals to dispel current pessimism about an economy that has deflated Tokyo stock prices and the value of the yen.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 1997

Thai NGO, Okinawa woman receive human rights award

A Thai antiprostitution group and an Okinawa municipal assemblywoman were named winners Wednesday of this year's human rights awards presented by the Foundation for Human Rights in Asia, Japan.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 1997

Leading ICBL figure to give lecture on land mines

In the runup to next month's signing of a treaty to ban antipersonnel land mines, Sophia University, the Japan Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Jesuit Social Center will organize a lecture by a leading figure in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines tomorrow at Sophia University's No. 10 Auditorium....
JAPAN
Nov 12, 1997

New APEC panel to promote economic, technical alliance

Staff writer
JAPAN
Nov 12, 1997

Saison group to gain control of two U.S.-Japan insurers

In a bid to incorporate insurance products into its credit card business, Credit Saison Co. will acquire stocks in two insurance firms set up jointly by Japanese and U.S. businesses.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 1997

Bad luck strikes thrice at Tokyo financial markets

Japan suffered a triple dip Wednesday as the Tokyo stock, foreign exchange and national bond markets all fell.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 1997

LDP exec unswayed on privatization of postal services

Taku Yamasaki, policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said Wednesday that it would be difficult to keep intact the three services of the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry.

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