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JAPAN
Aug 9, 2001

North Korea, Ukraine join saury fishing off Hokkaido

Russia has granted North Korean and Ukrainian boats permission to fish for saury in waters around Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are also claimed by Japan, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Aug 9, 2001

Shiokawa vows to prevent negative growth

Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa reiterated Wednesday that the government will take all necessary measures to prop up the economy if it falls into negative growth on an annual basis.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2001

Tokyo schools for disabled to get contentious history text

The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education voted Tuesday to use a controversial history textbook at three public schools for disabled children.
BUSINESS
Aug 8, 2001

Daiei to sell off Printemps Ginza

Supermarket chain operator Daiei Inc. announced Tuesday it will sell its full stake in subsidiary department store Printemps Ginza SA to reduce its own debt.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2001

Tanaka to delay own punishment

Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka said Tuesday that she will wait until a fuller picture emerges of the embezzlement scams enveloping her ministry before imposing punitive measures upon herself.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2001

Cabinet trio plan to visit Yasukuni on surrender day

Three of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's 17 ministers confirmed Tuesday they will visit Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15, the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.
CULTURE / Film
Aug 8, 2001

Are the fishing fools running out of line?

Tsuri Baka Nisshi 12 Rating: * * 1/2 Director: Katsuhide Motoki Running time: 111 minutes Language: JapaneseOpens Aug. 18 Some sequels make sense, but a "3" or "4" after the title of a Hollywood movie is generally a good reason to stay away unless you happen to be feeling charitable toward a studio...
LIFE / Travel
Aug 7, 2001

On a quiet crusade to end a tradition of injustice

BANGKOK -- On the first lunar cycle of the first month of this year, Chatsumarn Kabilsingh, an eminent Buddhist scholar, threw away her makeup, gave up eating meals after midday and relinquished the luxury of a comfortable bed. A month later, one day before the auspicious date of Buddha's holy Makhapuja...
Events
Aug 7, 2001

Privatizing nursery schools irks Takaishi parents group

TAKAISHI, Osaka Pref. -- With Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi making vague noises on the importance of education, this city of 62,000 people is realizing that words alone aren't the answer.
JAPAN
Aug 7, 2001

Foreign Ministry sacks two more officials

The Foreign Ministry dismissed two ministry officials on Monday, following their indictment earlier in the day on charges they mishandled about 22 million yen in public funds, the ministry said.
JAPAN
Aug 7, 2001

Obituary: Masahisa Aoki

Masahisa Aoki, a former director general of the Environment Agency who turned to politics after a career in newspapers, died Monday of a heart attack at a hospital in Saitama Prefecture, his family said. He was 78.
BUSINESS
Aug 7, 2001

Minicar presence gains on automaker innovation

Minicars were once regarded by Japanese consumers as second-class, cheap vehicles.
JAPAN
Aug 6, 2001

Outdoor accidents claim nine lives

Nine people died, two went missing and five others were injured Sunday in accidents on rivers, mountains and seas across Japan, according to a Kyodo News survey.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 5, 2001

Evidence of microbes from outer space

LONDON -- The biggest news so far this year is not George W. Bush's plans for intergalactic defense, or even the Code Red virus that was supposed to eat our computers and then our brains. It is the discovery of bugs in the upper atmosphere.
JAPAN
Aug 4, 2001

Economic panel floats budget limits

The Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy proposed Friday earmarking some 2 trillion yen for seven key areas under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's reform blueprint when the panel draws up budgetary ceilings for fiscal 2002 next week.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 4, 2001

Enduring summer's mosquitoes is murderous

It's summer on Shiraishi Island and the mosquitoes are out on their search and annoy missions. There are so many mosquitoes at night, it sounds like Leo Sayer is singing in my bedroom: "You make me feel like dancin' " they sing, "Gonna dance the night awa--" Pssssshhht. In a cloud of insecticide, they...
JAPAN
Aug 4, 2001

Pyongyang officials' visit to be nixed

The government will deny requests from a group of North Korean officials, including senior members of the ruling Workers Party of (North) Korea, to enter Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Friday.
JAPAN
Aug 4, 2001

National interests to dictate Kyoto ratification: Howard

Visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Friday that his country will decide on the basis of national interests whether to ratify the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, even if Japan goes ahead without the United States.
JAPAN
Aug 3, 2001

Tanaka gives in to Koizumi; U.S. envoy to be removed

Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka backed down Thursday in a feud with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi over personnel changes at the Foreign Ministry, agreeing to replace Japan's ambassador to the United States, a government source said.
JAPAN
Aug 3, 2001

Koizumi to attend A-bomb event

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will visit Hiroshima on Monday to attend a ceremony marking the 56th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Thursday.
JAPAN
Aug 3, 2001

Yasukuni furor sparks legal threat

Citizens' groups said Thursday they may sue Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for violating the Constitution if he visits Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on the Aug. 15 anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 2, 2001

Blame misplaced in Okinawa rape case

I am deeply disturbed, although not surprised, by the news that Japanese weeklies are harassing the young woman who claims to have been publicly raped in late June in Okinawa. Even Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka evidently blames her for having been out so late, drinking, in a bar frequented by American...
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Aug 2, 2001

You say Frankenfruit, we say miracle tomato

Prince Charles played into the hands of the sensation-seeking media -- and drew the groans of scientists -- with his comments last year on genetically modified crops. They are, he said, "Frankenstein foods." Rather than genetic manipulation, he urged investment in "traditional systems of agriculture."...
JAPAN
Aug 2, 2001

Tanaka, Fukuda feud over top diplomats

A tug of war continued Wednesday over whether the nation's top diplomats would be removed, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda warning Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka that a prolonged stalemate could damage national interests.

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