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COMMENTARY
Apr 19, 2007

Nuclear basics for the alliance

HONOLULU -- Nuclear strategy has become a core concern in the U.S.-Japan alliance. North Korea is the immediate trigger for Japanese anxiety, but similar uncertainties lie just beneath the surface when Japan contemplates China as well. U.S. assurances are needed -- both to Japan and to potential adversaries...
EDITORIALS
Apr 17, 2007

Constitution bill lacks consensus

The coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito has passed a bill through the Lower House to set procedures for a national referendum to revise the Constitution, and sent it to the Upper House. This bill, however, is flawed since it does not mandate a minimum-turnout rate for referendums to...
Japan Times
LIFE
Apr 8, 2007

Japan's way of judicial killing

Japan's application of the death penalty is cruel, secretive and out of step with much of the developed world, say its opponents. As a record 102 inmates now wait on death row for the hangman's noose, in this JT review of the capital-punishment system, the one man alive and free who knows the true horrors...
COMMENTARY
Apr 2, 2007

The risks of not acting bold

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who took office six months ago, is beginning to reveal his true self as a dyed-in-the-wool conservative.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 27, 2007

Budget victory moves Abe a step closer to real goal

Reeling from scandals and falling public approval ratings, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Cabinet cleared a key hurdle in the Diet Monday by winning passage of the fiscal 2007 budget.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Mar 25, 2007

NHK upholds freedom of the press so long as it doesn't annoy anyone with its content

It has been two months since the Tokyo High Court ruled in favor of the Violence Against Women in War Network in its lawsuit against NHK regarding coverage of a December 2000 international people's tribunal, and while the verdict did not receive much press when it was first announced, it continues to...
JAPAN
Mar 15, 2007

Foreign labor need exposes dearth of rights

OSAKA -- As the debate intensifies over allowing more foreign workers into Japan to make up for the coming labor shortage, human rights groups have recently stepped up efforts to push for a law against discrimination.
JAPAN / Q&A
Mar 1, 2007

Ministry takes charge of bankrupt city

This month, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry is expected to designate Yubari, Hokkaido, as a "municipality under rehabilitation." Following are questions and answers outlining what that means for the city:
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Feb 22, 2007

Beirut dramatist seeks new strategy

Lebanese dramatist Rabih Mroue returns to Tokyo International Arts Festival this year with the world premiere of his new play, "How Nancy Wished that Everything was an April Fool's Joke," three years after making his TIF debut. It is a work that reflects the fluid situation of Lebanese society after...
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Feb 11, 2007

Ft. Myers getting ready for 'Dice-K' and Japanese media

Sportswriter David Dorsey of the Ft. Myers News-Press in Florida is getting ready to work the Boston Red Sox spring training camp in that town. He will be joined by a bevy of reporters and photographers from the various Japanese media there to cover the Daisuke Matsuzaka circus and lefty reliever Hideki...
JAPAN
Feb 4, 2007

Japanese interest in Macau reaches new heights

MACAU, China -- Macau is definitely a hot spot these days, not just as a tourist destination but also as a focal point for international diplomacy and security.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 31, 2007

Lawmakers' posh digs on cheap criticized

Starting April 1, House of Representatives members will be able to take up residence in three-bedroom luxury apartments in a new, 28-story complex in the upscale Akasaka district in the heart of Tokyo, a 10-minute walk from the Diet.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jan 26, 2007

Evessa's Tennichi getting results by sticking to winning formula

Successful coaches are constantly looking ahead, constantly concocting new strategies on paper or in their heads as the hours tick away before their team's next contest. Sure, they learn from past games, but they don't dwell on them.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 9, 2007

Fighting fingerprinting and roaches

Fingerprinting Regarding the new law requiring the photographing and fingerprinting of foreigners, reader Nick asks about any organizations that are lobbying against the new law.
BUSINESS
Dec 29, 2006

Nikko Cordial delays revision of '04 report

Scandal-tainted Nikko Cordial Corp. said Thursday the release of its corrected group earnings report for fiscal 2004 will be delayed until Feb. 28 because it has changed auditors.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 27, 2006

Latin Americans lose fear of the formerly radical left

PRAGUE -- The death of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, Chile's former military dictator, provides perhaps an appropriate end for a year that saw the Latin American left return to glory, a revival that President Hugo Chavez's overwhelming re-election in Venezuela is but the strongest sign. For unlike in the days...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 14, 2006

Artists go global in Sendai

The 2006 Australia-Japan Year of Exchange has featured more than 800 events in the two countries.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 12, 2006

Students spread their wings

Ever since Japan opened its doors to the West, English has been zealously studied in Japan's high schools, night schools, universities and companies.
JAPAN
Nov 15, 2006

Abe tasks panel to form security body like NSC

of the prime minister's office that will give orders on diplomatic and national security policy," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said. One of Abe's priorities has been to create a body similar to the U.S. National Security Council. It would act as a central information-gathering body that...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Nov 14, 2006

Beneath the surface

A converted bean storehouse in a Kyoto back-street is the unusual venue for an innovative introduction to traditional Japanese culture. During just one busy day, participants in the Origin Arts Program can try their hand at the ancient martial art of "Waraku," tea ceremony, calligraphy and Noh theater....

Longform

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