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JAPAN / POSTAL REFORM ROLLBACK
Apr 15, 2010

Reversal on deposit limit a major gamble for DPJ

The Cabinet's recent decision to accept a plan to double the ceiling on postal savings accounts to ¥20 million, as proposed by postal reform minister Shizuka Kamei, marks a drastic policy shift for the Democratic Party of Japan, which in the past argued the maximum should be halved from the current...
LIFE / Digital
Apr 14, 2010

Tech pushes Japan's music scene; industry won't budge

The music business reinvents itself every 20 years or so — basically every time a new format comes down the pike. But the industry has never faced the kind of fundamental challenge presented by the digital file-sharing revolution.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Japan Pulse
Apr 12, 2010

Japan by the numbers (04.12.10)

Japan says yes to pink shirts, but not so positive about smart phones and iPads.
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2010

LDP defectors launch new political party

Former trade minister Takeo Hiranuma and four other ex-Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers launched a new party Saturday in a bid to create a viable alternative to the dominant players ahead of this summer's Upper House election.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Apr 11, 2010

New party a boon to DPJ, thorn in divided LDP's side

Saturday's launch of marginal political party Tachiagare Nippon (The Sunrise Party of Japan) by former members of the Liberal Democratic Party has only accelerated the main opposition's downward spiral as lawmakers gear up for an Upper House election in July.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Apr 11, 2010

Death of Giants coach Kimura shocks NPB

He seemed fine two weeks ago, but, on Wednesday Yomiuri Giants infield and running coach Takuya Kimura died at a hospital in Hiroshima of a brain hemorrhage at the age of 37. He was pronounced dead five days after collapsing on the field at Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium as he was about to fulfill his pre-game...
CULTURE / Books
Apr 11, 2010

Culture suffocated by consumerism: eyewitness tales of Tibetan women

The basic facts about Tibet are well documented. Once the Chinese were firmly in control, land seizures, interrogations, struggle sessions, torture and the pulverizing of Buddhist images were conducted with a degree of fury only possible at the hands of religious or political zealots. Over 95 percent...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Apr 11, 2010

Under the volcano, Iwate's capital keeps its rich history alive

The signs of boredom on this first morning in Morioka are manifest. Arriving ill-equipped for the pouring rain, there is a limit to how much interest can be squeezed from the otherwise admirable station facilities. After two hours of window- shopping and an over-surfeit of canned coffees, I'm ready for...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 11, 2010

Public works project has DPJ in a dam mess

Japan has 30,000 rivers, of which 113 are considered major. Japan also has half a million dams of various shapes, sizes and functions, and close to 3,000 of them were built for greater public purposes such as power generation, flood control and water supply.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Apr 10, 2010

Brex embrace challenge of showdown with SeaHorses in JBL Finals

Link Tochigi Brex head coach Thomas Wisman described the challenge of facing the two-time reigning champion Aisin SeaHorses as "David vs. Goliath."
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 10, 2010

The promise of Euro-Atlantic missile defense

PRAGUE — On April 8 in Prague, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama signed a new strategic arms reduction treaty (START). That agreement is an historic achievement and an inspiration for further progress in global arms control. But at the same time, here and now, we must...
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Apr 10, 2010

English clubs fail to inspire in CL this season

LONDON — And then there were none.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Japan Pulse
Apr 9, 2010

Office ladies shedding the uniform look

Fashion for office ladies used to be limited to monotonous uniforms as more companies lighten up, new ensembles are coming out of the closet.
JAPAN
Apr 9, 2010

Importance of diversity explored at trans-Pacific forum

LOS ANGELES — About 200 people representing a wide range of fields in the United States and Japan got together recently in Los Angeles to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion programs in today's difficult economic times.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Apr 9, 2010

Kings face uphill fight to retain title

The Ryukyu Golden Kings have faced plenty of adversity this season. Losing shooting guard Shigeyuki Kinjo and big man Jeff Newton, the league's regular-season and playoff MVP last season, for significant chunks of time, has tested the team's resilience and competitive spirit.
EDITORIALS
Apr 9, 2010

Promising U.S. economic signs

The United States economy may have turned the corner. An impressive jobs report has kindled hope that the long-sought rebound may finally be taking place. While the White House is welcoming signs of recovery, it rightfully worries about over-inflated expectations. The employment news is good, not great,...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Japan Pulse
Apr 8, 2010

New hobbies for swinging into spring

With the start of the financial/academic year, April is a time for a fresh start and taking up a new hobby.
JAPAN
Apr 8, 2010

Hog story ties Iowa, Yamanashi

Tokyo and Washington are now locking horns over Japan's import restrictions on American beef, but when it comes to pork the story is a little bit different.
BUSINESS
Apr 8, 2010

BOJ stays put on interest rates

The Bank of Japan kept its key interest rate unchanged and held off on new easing steps Wednesday, saying the economy is improving.
JAPAN
Apr 7, 2010

U.N. rights rep has bone to pick

Jorge Bustamante, U.N. special rapporteur on the rights of immigrants, has concluded his Japan visit and takes with him a sense that the government lacks a system to curb discrimination and better protect the human rights of foreigners.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / ICE TIME
Apr 7, 2010

Japan's sweep of world singles titles sends message

Mao Asada's triumph at the world championships in Turin, Italy, last month capped off what was nothing short of an amazing season for Japanese skaters.

Longform

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.
Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat