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COMMENTARY / World
Jun 4, 2000

Korean summit expectations vs. reality

SEOUL -- When the two leaders of the two Koreas meet for the first time in Pyongyang in less than two weeks, the possibility of creating conditions for genuine reconciliation will also come into play for the first time.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 4, 2000

Pakistani Islamists put a lid on reform

ISLAMABAD -- There are still no signs of religious activists taking to the streets across Pakistan, but the country is once again in the grips of a new controversy over religious tenets and their application in daily life.
EDITORIALS
Jun 3, 2000

Pointless war in Africa

Most wars are senseless. Some, however, are especially pointless. That is certainly the best way to describe the tragedy that has befallen the African nations of Ethiopia and Eritrea. A poorly demarcated border provided the excuse for a war that two of the world's poorest countries can ill afford. This...
BUSINESS
Jun 3, 2000

Alternatives to nuclear energy limited: OECD head

Japan must pursue a realistic approach toward nuclear power for the sake of energy security while simultaneously enhancing regulatory mechanisms to prevent accidents, according to a senior official of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
BUSINESS
Jun 3, 2000

Large-scale mergers rose in 1999

The number of large-scale mergers of business companies as defined by the Antimonopoly Law increased in fiscal 1999 over the previous 12 months, the Fair Trade Commission said Friday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Jun 3, 2000

Lions outslug 'Wave, take over PL lead

Tetsuya Kakiuchi and Tony Fernandez both connected for two-run homers Thursday as the Seibu Lions downed the Orix BlueWave 11-7 to move into first place in the Pacific League standings.
BUSINESS
Jun 3, 2000

Share price drop halts merger talks

Japan Energy Corp., the nation's fifth-largest oil refiner and wholesaler, said Friday that it has suspended talks with Nippon Mining & Metals Co. on creating a joint holding company at the request of the copper smelting subsidiary.
BUSINESS
Jun 3, 2000

Life insurers log dismal results

The nation's seven biggest life insurers reported dismal business results Friday with all of them logging a fall in outstanding contracts for individuals in fiscal 1999.
JAPAN / ELECTION 2000
Jun 3, 2000

Ruling coalition awaits voters' judgment at polls

The coming Lower House election will give voters their first chance to express their support, or lack thereof, for the tripartite coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party.
BUSINESS
Jun 3, 2000

Two firms plan car service Net site

Fujitsu Ltd. and Idemitsu Kosan Co. announced Friday that the two firms will set up a joint electronic commerce venture in July to offer auto-related services via the Internet.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2000

Hospital staff error leaves patient in coma

A surgery patient fell into a coma in mid-May at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital due to suspected malpractice, informed sources said Friday.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2000

Usu victims to get cheap loans

The government will grant zero- and low-interest loans to aid small business owners in Hokkaido who have been adversely affected by the eruption of Mount Usu, Ministry of International Trade and Industry chief Takashi Fukaya said Friday.
JAPAN / ELECTION 2000
Jun 3, 2000

Opposition plans to shake up ruling bloc

Following Friday's dissolution of the Lower House, opposition leaders began talking up their plans for a takeover of the Cabinet in the June 25 general election.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2000

Sakurauchi to retire from politics

Former House of Representatives speaker and Liberal Democratic Party member Yoshio Sakurauchi has decided to retire from politics after complying with a request that he not be listed on the ballot for the upcoming Lower House election.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2000

Japan to resume India loans despite nuclear treaty delay

The government is considering resuming large-scale economic aid to India as early as this summer, nearly two years after New Delhi's nuclear tests prompted Japan to suspend assistance, government sources said Thursday.
SOCCER / J. League
Jun 3, 2000

Okano to make call on Troussier

Japan Football Association president Shunichiro Okano said Thursday that members of the JFA board and the council have agreed to allow him to decide whether Japan manager Philippe Troussier should be kept on after June.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2000

Murayama bows out with relief, memories

Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama spent Friday — his last day in politics — reminiscing about the past.
OLYMPICS
Jun 3, 2000

Mizuno plans to dump ads featuring Chiba

Sporting goods manufacturer Mizuno said Thursday that it will not use swimmer Suzu Chiba in commercials it plans to air before the Olympics since the freestyle swimmer was left off the Japanese national team for the Sydney Games in September.
CULTURE / Music / HOGAKU TODAY
Jun 3, 2000

Drumming to a Japanese beat

The drum is easily Japan's most popular instrument.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2000

State has 'power and duty' to carry out death sentence

The government on Friday defended the December execution of a death-row inmate who had been requesting a retrial, saying the justice minister has "the power and duty" to carry out the death sentence.
ENVIRONMENT / FLOWER WALK
Jun 3, 2000

Just a-flowerwalkin' in the rain

No one would regret getting wet in the rain while admiring irises. Any complaints would melt away before the array of dainty flowers saluting you above crisp green leaves.
CULTURE / Art
Jun 3, 2000

Japanese ceramics on auction block

Contemporary Japanese ceramics took center stage in New York recently, when Phillips, the world's number three auction house, lifted the hammer on a sale titled "20th Century Japanese Ceramics and Design."
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2000

Lower House dissolved for June 25 poll

Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori dissolved the Lower House on Friday and called a general election for June 25, placing the fate of his leadership in the hands of voters.
CULTURE / Art
Jun 3, 2000

Paintings that invite you to linger longer

The first thing you notice are the fingers. These are big, long fingers, four of them radiating outward from each half of a stretching oil on canvas diptych the artist calls "Double Fist."
JAPAN / ELECTION 2000
Jun 3, 2000

Public spending unproductive, economist says

Masaru Kaneko, an economics professor at Hosei University, is harshly critical of the way the Liberal Democratic Party has been spending taxpayers' money on public works projects and to bail out big banks.

Longform

The students at Mitaka Municipal No. 7 Junior High School have access to various cooling devices for when they play sports.
Japan's extreme heat is causing a rethink of school sports