Search - 2004

 
 
BUSINESS
Apr 6, 2006

Privatization of JR Tokai complete after 20 years

The Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency said Wednesday it has sold all of its 12.77 percent stake in Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai), completing the privatization of the firm 20 years after the breakup of the Japanese National Railways.
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2006

Livedoor exec Kumagai free on bail

The Tokyo District Court decided Tuesday to grant bail to former Livedoor Co. Representative Director Fumito Kumagai, who has been indicted for corporate accounting fraud and has been in detention since his arrest Feb. 22, court officials said.
BUSINESS
Apr 5, 2006

Tanigaki worried about rate hike

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki voiced concern Tuesday over recent rises in long-term interest rates, saying sharp increases are detrimental to growth, especially when the economy is still suffering mild deflation.
JAPAN
Apr 3, 2006

Aso: Troops to stay put in Iraq until stability restored

Japanese troops may stay in southern Iraq until a degree of political stability is restored in the country, Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Sunday, denying media reports they might pull out by May.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Apr 1, 2006

Play of young Guns illustrates Wenger's eye for talent

LONDON -- We should have known better than to question Arsene Wenger's judgment.
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2006

33 metro teachers hit for symbol snub

The Tokyo Metropolitan board of education Friday punished 33 public school teachers who refused to stand to face the national flag and sing "Kimigayo," the national anthem, at March graduation ceremonies.
BUSINESS
Apr 1, 2006

Cost of living just got more expensive as fiscal 2006 begins

The April 1 start to the new fiscal year brings with it a number of increases in the cost of living.
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

Asahara lawyers protest appeal snub

Lawyers for Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara lodged a public protest Thursday over Tokyo High Court Judge Masaru Suda's decision to throw out their appeal of the guru's death sentence.
CULTURE / Music
Mar 31, 2006

Kanye West

Well-known for his production work with Jay-Z, Ludacris and Alicia Keys, Kanye West became a household name with the release of his debut album, 2004's "The College Dropout." The multi-platinum recording exploded out of the gates and the massive cross-over appeal of West's rap anthems netted him 10 Grammy...
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006

23,800 rights abuses tallied in Japan

The number of human rights violations reported to the Justice Ministry's regional legal affairs bureaus across Japan reached a record-high 23,800 in 2005, up 4 percent from the previous year, a ministry tally showed Thursday.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Mar 31, 2006

Majestic entertainment

Subtitled "Adult Frustration!?" Yebisu Cultural Festival returns for its fifth installment to Tokyo nightspot Milk on April 1. As usual, it boasts a diverse lineup of live bands, DJs and special performances.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 30, 2006

Marines find hope in new diplomatic tool: English

URUMA, Okinawa Pref. -- At first glance, it looks like the typical English conversation school found throughout Japan -- students armed with pencils and notebooks listening to a Western instructor drill them in grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.
JAPAN
Mar 30, 2006

Change to allow foreign political funds

Running for office doesn't come cheap. Politicians need money for posters, vans, venues for speeches and meals for volunteers. The problem for aspirants to office is that political donations are falling, and corporate money in particular is dwindling fast.
JAPAN
Mar 29, 2006

News rivals hit Yasukuni visits

Recent events in the nation's normally staid print media have surprised readers of the powerful Yomiuri Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 28, 2006

Asahara death sentence appeal foiled

The Tokyo High Court on Monday rejected an appeal from Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara, increasing the likelihood the guru's death sentence for masterminding the deadly 1995 gassing of the Tokyo subway system and other murders will stand without further sessions.
BUSINESS
Mar 28, 2006

Household assets down 11% from '99

Financial assets and home equity held by households averaged 39 million yen as of the end of November 2004, a drop of 11.1 percent from 1999, when the last survey was conducted, according to a survey by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry released Monday.
JAPAN
Mar 28, 2006

Kanebo's book-cooking execs avoid prison time

The Tokyo District Court handed suspended prison terms Monday to former Kanebo Ltd. President Takashi Hoashi and ex-Vice President Takashi Miyahara for colluding with auditors to cover up over 160 billion yen in capital deficits in fiscal 2001 and 2002.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 27, 2006

Injury casts shadow on Yanagisawa's World Cup prospects

Japan international Atsushi Yanagisawa's chances of playing at this summer's World Cup were left hanging in the balance Sunday after tests revealed the Kashima Antlers striker has fractured a bone in his right foot.
EDITORIALS
Mar 27, 2006

China and Russia ready to deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China last week to kick off "the Year of Russia in China." The festivities, which Russia will reciprocate next year with "the Year of China," are sure to trigger the usual excited speculation about ties between the two continental giants.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Mar 26, 2006

Ambassador Schieffer still fond of baseball in role as diplomat

Over the years, several people have been called "baseball ambassadors" for their efforts in fostering friendly relations between Japan and the United
SOCCER / J. League
Mar 26, 2006

Japan striker Yanagisawa sustains foot injury

Japan and Kashima Antlers striker Atsushi Yanagisawa sustained a right foot injury in a J. League match Saturday and is expected to miss the upcoming friendly at home against Ecuador.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Mar 26, 2006

Consumer credit companies have your money, and the media, in their pockets

On Jan. 13, the Supreme Court found in favor of an individual who had sued a consumer credit company for charging too much interest. By doing so, the court rejected the controversial "gray zone" that such companies take advantage of in their business.

Longform

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