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BUSINESS
Dec 30, 2005

Japanese banks follow manufacturers into China

With the promise of large profits overwhelming any concerns about the political tension between Tokyo and Beijing, Japanese companies continue to expand in China. And following behind them are Japanese banks.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 30, 2005

On and off the charts

Cast an eye over those charts that list the top-selling Japanese pop albums of the year and three musical trends come out on top: There were loose-limbed hip-hop party grooves aplenty (Def Tech and Ketsumeishi); American-influenced punk pop (Ellegarden, Ken Yokoyama and scores of others with Orange County-inflected...
JAPAN
Dec 29, 2005

Regions suffering under snow to get financial aid

The government and the ruling parties said Wednesday measures will be taken to help local governments suffering from heavy snowfalls, including providing financial support, participants said.
JAPAN
Dec 29, 2005

China slammed over diplomat's suicide

Tokyo has lodged protests with Beijing four times since last year over the 2004 suicide of a diplomat at the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai, claiming China violated an international treaty by trying to blackmail him for intelligence, government sources admitted Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Dec 28, 2005

Hurricane-triggered oil reserve release to end

Japan will stop releasing oil reserves by private-sector oil companies on Jan. 4, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai said Tuesday.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 28, 2005

Democratization process brings Palestinian politics to a crossroad

KUALA LUMPUR -- Palestinian political life seems to be unwittingly embracing a distinctive style, contradicting its own traditional political parameters. The last few weeks clearly attest to this political divergence.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 27, 2005

Zico taps Kubo

Japan coach Zico has brought back injury-prone Yokohama F. Marinos striker Tatsuhiko Kubo to his party while calling up Sanfrecce Hiroshima forward Hisato Sato and Urawa Reds midfielder Makoto Hasebe for the first time.
JAPAN
Dec 27, 2005

Ministry lashed over asylum seekers' info

The Justice Ministry violated the human rights of nine Turkish Kurds seeking asylum by giving their personal information to the Turkish government last summer, an action that could infringe on their security and freedom, the Japan Federation of Bar Associations warned Monday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 27, 2005

High-tech TVs putting ads on defensive

Nippon Television Network Corp. has been skillfully inserting commercials into the late-night drama "Wonder Tours" that began broadcasting in September.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 27, 2005

Dazed Meiji Yasuda seeks outside help

For scandal-hit Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co., the biggest task ahead is how to reflect outsiders' voices in management decisions, newly appointed President Kenji Matsuo said.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 26, 2005

Deep Impact suffers first setback at Arima

FUNABASHI, Chiba Pref. -- No Christmas cheer awaited this year's superstar Deep Impact on Sunday, at least not in the form of an Arima Kinen victory and its 180-million yen winner's bounty.
COMMENTARY
Dec 26, 2005

Amazing grace toward torture

LONDON -- It beggars belief that U.S. President George W. Bush took so long to endorse Sen. John McCain's resolution against the use of torture by the CIA or any other U.S. organization. The resolution has been passed by an overwhelming majority in the U.S. Senate and by Congress but was, it seems, fiercely...
MORE SPORTS
Dec 25, 2005

Technology keeping Mizuno key player in sports market

It's funny how fate plays a role in life.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 25, 2005

Arakawa's Turin bid gaining steam

Former world champion Shizuka Arakawa took the lead at the Japanese national figure skating championships on Saturday, improving her chances of securing one of three spots for Japan at the Turin Winter Olympics.
LIFE / Travel / NATURE TRAVEL
Dec 25, 2005

Born to be wild

The Gorillarium at Howletts Zoo, near the cathedral city of Canterbury in the southern English county of Kent, is about as good as it gets. If you are a captive gorilla. Or if you want to see one.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Dec 24, 2005

Shi Yu Chen

Step inside Argo restaurant and library cafe in Kojimachi, Tokyo, and you might suppose yourself in the dining lounge of a luxury yacht. It is true you don't look out over Greek islands. Instead, you have a high view of the moat and the parkland of the Imperial Palace, and the complex of the British...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Dec 24, 2005

Born and raised a 'gaijin'

The other evening after pushing my way onto the same train car as always, I hung there on my commuter strap and broke momentarily from my rush hour funk to find my reflection staring back at me from the window. There I stood with my shoulders sagged, my necktie loosened and a work world of fatigue weighing...
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2005

Emperor turns 72, frets blizzard woes

Emperor Akihito marked his 72nd birthday Friday with an address to the public, expressing concern about people who have been hit hard by the recent heavy snowfall.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 23, 2005

Verdy appoints Ramos as boss

Tokyo Verdy on Thursday named former Japan international midfielder Ruy Ramos as manager of the once-mighty club, which was relegated to the J. League second division this season.
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2005

Itoham gets 30 million yen fine

The Tokyo District Court ordered major meat processor Itoham Foods Inc. on Thursday to pay 30 million yen over its involvement in a meat importer's evasion of customs duties on imported pork, imposing a fine three times the amount that prosecutors had demanded.
OLYMPICS
Dec 22, 2005

Igaya focused on 2016 bid

International Olympic Committee vice president Chiharu Igaya said there is a good chance for Japan to host the 2016 Games.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 22, 2005

Poverty collides with U.S. children's rights

NEW YORK -- The haunting images of African Americans stranded in New Orleans are powerful evidence of the fate of the dispossessed in the United States. The extent of the divide between rich and poor was clearly shown during a recent visit to the U.S. by Arjun Sengupta, an independent expert on human...
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2005

Bank of India chief sees chances for Japan tieups

Bank of India, one of the largest public-sector banks on the subcontinent, is eyeing opportunities to support small and midsize Japanese firms in technical partnerships with Indian firms, according to Muthusamy Balachandran, chairman and managing director of the bank.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2005

Airport OK'd after 30 years

Putting an end to twists and turns in government policy over the last 30 years, the land ministry on Monday approved a new airport construction plan on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, which is known for its beautiful coral reefs.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2005

Abused girl a captive almost in plain sight

Amid the string of child murders across Japan in recent weeks, the bizarre story of an 18-year-old girl in Fukuoka Prefecture, allegedly confined almost all her life and beaten by her mother, has all but gone unnoticed.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 20, 2005

Names, cards and insurance

Naming a child I have heard that Japan does not allow middle names, even for children with foreign parents. Why not? Is there a way I can "sneak in" a middle name? Can I use a hyphen? I really want my children to have middle names.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2005

Brokers probed over J-Com gains

The Financial Services Agency is investigating securities houses to determine if they complied with regulations when profiting from an erroneous sale order placed by Mizuho Securities Co.

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