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JAPAN
Jul 3, 2007

Ex-judge denied visit to inmate

to hand down a guilty verdict on Hakamada, but I was unable to persuade the two other judges of his innocence," he told a news conference in March. Kumamoto told a gathering of Hakamada's supporters Sunday that he still regrets the conviction.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 3, 2007

How Japanese tax-payers' money is lost in bid-rigging

Every few years, politicians, bureaucrats and construction company bigwigs get embroiled in bid-rigging scandals — and the public's faith in government sinks deeper.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Jul 1, 2007

Food for thought — and a writ to go

Dear Reader: Today I bring you news of the most chilling and awful purport. Don't worry, it doesn't affect you — at least I hope it doesn't. It is yours truly who is getting the short end of the chopstick on this one. I tell you, I feel as if I've been reborn with a greasy spoon in my mouth — but...
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 1, 2007

Immigrant workers in Japan caught in a real racket

The debate over whether Japan should allow foreign workers in to make up for current and future labor shortages is dominated by the so-called foreign trainee program, which is overseen by the Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO). The program is itself the subject of a debate,...
JAPAN
Jun 30, 2007

Miss Universe director turns Japanese into women of world

and "sekushii" (sexy) woman. "The kawaii concept is for 12-year-old girls," she said. "Real beauty for women comes from the inside. It's a mental thing. It's about sensuality and intelligence."
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 29, 2007

Doutor investors OK tieup with restaurant operator

Doutor Coffee Co. shareholders voted in favor of the company's proposed integration with Nippon Restaurant System Inc. on Thursday, undeterred by opposition from investment fund Harbinger Capital Partners, the largest outside shareholder in Doutor.
EDITORIALS
Jun 29, 2007

Jockeying for a favorable impression

The successful push by the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito to extend the Diet session by 12 days to July 5 appears to represent a partisan move to change the political situation in the coalition's favor. This is the ninth extension of a regular Diet session held before a scheduled...
BUSINESS
Jun 29, 2007

TBS wins proxy fight to get takeover-defense measures

Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc. scored a victory in a proxy fight Thursday with Rakuten Inc. as its shareholders approved the broadcaster's plan to introduce takeover-defense measures that could foil the Internet mall operator's attempt to increase its stake in TBS to more than 20 percent.
EDITORIALS
Jun 28, 2007

A bid to shake up U.S. politics

There is still a year and a half before the next U.S. presidential election, but campaigning is already intense. Even though there is no shortage of candidates from the two main parties, attention is now focusing on an as-yet undeclared candidate who may run as an independent. His denials notwithstanding,...
COMMENTARY
Jun 27, 2007

Battle for the European Union's identity

LONDON -- The latest battle of Brussels is over and news of the outcome is circulating through the capitals of the European Union. But unlike the ferocious battles of past centuries on European soil, this appears to be an engagement that everyone has won.
EDITORIALS
Jun 27, 2007

Reality check for Mr. Sarkozy

Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy's coattails are shorter than anticipated. As expected, his Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) won a parliamentary majority in national elections this month, but not the landslide that the new French president had hoped for to push through his aggressive program for change. Mr. Sarkozy...
BUSINESS
Jun 27, 2007

Pressure building for transparency in mobile fees

A government panel Tuesday urged mobile phone operators to introduce a new fee system by 2010 that clearly separates communications charges from the cost of handsets so consumers know what they're paying for.
JAPAN
Jun 25, 2007

Bull-Dog bites back at advance by U.S. fund

Bull-Dog Sauce Co. shareholders on Sunday approved the company's proposal to launch defensive measures to fend off an unsolicited takeover bid by New York-based hedge fund Steel Partners.
Reader Mail
Jun 24, 2007

Hyped up benefits of bioethanol

I cannot believe that a newspaper in Asia -- a continent that has more than half the world's population -- would stoop to print news about the benefits of devoting farmland to the production of bioethanol for fuel. Forget about research on making more land fertile so that it can produce food.

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