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COMMENTARY
Feb 23, 2004

U.S. harsh line won't help

The official U.S. negotiating position for the upcoming North Korean peace talks in Beijing was recently laid out by the top U.S. negotiator, a respected man of peace. But details of the position may actually be a prescription for war. This is alarming.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Feb 22, 2004

The Great White Yonder: Japan's 'Siberia'

Once upon a time, there was a chilly little town by the sea. It had ice and snow to spare, but not a single winter resort facility. Its fading downtown managed to be both antiquated and charmless. Fishing, once the lifeblood of the town, had seen its best days, and for every new inhabitant, more than...
JAPAN
Feb 21, 2004

Researchers' technologies increasingly being used by ventures

University researchers are gradually leaving their ivory towers to cooperate with businesspeople and utilize the technology they have developed.
JAPAN
Feb 21, 2004

Graying population turns to music for color

Musical instrument companies that offer music classes are turning their attention to Japan's growing elderly market.
JAPAN
Feb 21, 2004

Tokyo used-panty trade faces ban

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has prepared a bill to ban trade in schoolgirls' used underwear.
COMMUNITY
Feb 21, 2004

Breathe under water with Aqua Adventure Divers

If Kevin Winchester is not covering ground on skis, or by motorbike (a mighty Honda CB1300cc, as befits a member of Tokyo Riders), he is flying high or diving deep. But don't call him sporty, or the outdoor type. "They are just things I like to do!"
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Feb 21, 2004

Tara French

Irish people appreciate the value of laughter and gaiety. They know that music, songs and dance can benefit serious causes, carrying them along further than they might otherwise go. The Ireland Fund of Japan is a serious venture that aims to promote cultural and communication links with Japan. It supports...
EDITORIALS
Feb 20, 2004

GDP growth belies strong recovery

Japan's economy expanded at an annualized rate of 7 percent in the last quarter of 2003, with export-oriented large manufacturers providing the main thrust of growth. Whether this will lead to a broad and enduring recovery remains to be seen, however. The export boom will fizzle out if overseas demand...
JAPAN
Feb 20, 2004

Embassy employee claims immunity

A Japanese employee of the Sri Lankan Embassy who caused a traffic accident in 2002 should be protected by diplomatic immunity, her lawyer said Thursday at the Tokyo District Court.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 20, 2004

Music at the heart of Kichijoji's spirit

Most of Tokyo's main business districts are inside or around the JR Yamanote Line, but Kichijoji is a notable exception, being a part of Tokyo that's beyond the city's 23 wards.
JAPAN
Feb 20, 2004

Bolton downplays disagreement over Japan-Iran oil deal

U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton on Thursday tried to play down any disagreements between the U.S. and Japan over Tokyo's oil development deal with Tehran.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 20, 2004

Education reform requires balancing act

Japan is on the way to radical deregulation of the compulsory education system in hopes of bringing more diversification and competition to schools, but it will take a delicate balancing act.
EDITORIALS
Feb 19, 2004

Upper House in need of reform

Should Japan keep its bicameral parliamentary system? Put another way, is the House of Councilors, or Upper House, really necessary? The question is not new. Many Japanese have long regarded it as the "rubber stamp" of the more influential House of Representatives. Now the issue is coming under scrutiny...
JAPAN
Feb 19, 2004

GDP logs 1.7% quarterly rise

Japan's economy expanded a real 1.7 percent in the October-December period, the best showing in 13 1/2 years, backed by strong corporate capital investment, exports and consumer spending, the Cabinet Office said Wednesday.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 19, 2004

No sugar, but FTA still sweet

SYDNEY -- The cheering has died. Hardheaded businessmen are taking a second look. Suddenly the newly agreed Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement is looking distinctly one-sided -- and not in Australia's favor.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 19, 2004

Head of DaimlerChrysler Smart unit reportedly to be named MMC chief

Andreas Renschler, president of DaimlerChrysler AG subsidiary Smart GmbH, will take the helm of struggling automaker Mitsubishi Motors Corp. as early as April, industry sources said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Feb 19, 2004

Only two auto-worker unions demand pay-scale raise

Labor unions at major automakers presented their demands to management Wednesday for this year's wage negotiations, with only two of them calling for pay-scale increases.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 18, 2004

Unpeeling Melt-Banana

Melt-Banana are one of the most popular Japanese bands in Europe and the United States, and there's two reasons for this: 1) They play more shows abroad than any other Japan-based band; and 2) They are one of Japan's most original-sounding bands, who, although highly experimental, make quality music...
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 18, 2004

Currency depreciation won't spur growth

UBUD, Bali -- In a fruitless and pointless exercise, economic policymakers and businesses fret endlessly over the international value of currencies. This is because interventions to guide foreign-exchange valuations tend to be costly and may have only a temporary effect at best.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Feb 17, 2004

Posting food to the U.S. and big clothes

U.S. posting rules Dear Lifelines; Is there some new prohibition against sending Japanese foods to the U.S.?
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2004

Japan CDs made abroad face five-year import ban: agency

The Cultural Affairs Agency is considering a ban on importing Japanese music CDs manufactured overseas until about five years after their release, government sources said Monday.
BUSINESS
Feb 17, 2004

Toyota approach lifts NEC's PC production

NEC Corp. has boosted per-worker output of personal computers almost sixfold in the three years since it introduced Toyota Motor Corp.'s production style, company officials have said.
JAPAN
Feb 15, 2004

2002 World Cup target for al-Qaeda, leader says

A senior member of al-Qaeda has told U.S. security authorities that the terrorist network planned to carry out attacks against 2002 World Cup soccer matches in Japan, informed sources in Tokyo said Saturday.
Japan Times
Features
Feb 15, 2004

Soaking up Sakura

Pass by the noisy pachinko parlor near BicCamera in Yokohama, turn the corner at the red paper lantern outside the yakitori shop and, tucked away down an alleyway, you'll find a villa-like little storefront labeled "Snack Sakura."
Japan Times
Features
Feb 15, 2004

Shades of sunakku

Ask 10 Japanese to tell you exactly what a sunakku (snack) is and you'll likely get 10 different answers.
COMMENTARY
Feb 14, 2004

The fallibility of intelligence

LONDON -- The Jan. 28 report of Lord Justice Brian Hutton's inquiry into the death last July of British government defense scientist David Kelly was highly critical of the behavior of the British Broadcasting Corp. and a BBC reporter who had accused the government of "sexing up" intelligence for the...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Feb 14, 2004

Hi-yo, 'silver'! Home helpers to the rescue!

Most men have but one woman in their lives, yet I am an exception. For I have oodles of women. Right here at my house.

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