Search - 2004

 
 
EDITORIALS
May 20, 2005

A cautiously optimistic view

On the face of it, Japan's economy appears headed for a full-fledged recovery. In the first quarter of 2005, the gross domestic product (GDP) grew 1.3 percent from the previous quarter, or 5.3 percent in annualized terms, according to the Cabinet Office. It was the first solid quarterly growth since...
BUSINESS
May 17, 2005

Eisai again scores record profit

Eisai Co. said Monday it posted record group pretax and net profits for the fifth straight year in fiscal 2004 due to strong demand for drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease and peptic ulcers, its two major products in Japan and abroad.
BUSINESS
May 17, 2005

Current account surplus hits record high of 18.29 trillion yen

Japan's current account surplus hit a record high 18.29 trillion yen in fiscal 2004, up 5.8 percent from a year earlier for a second consecutive record high, the Finance Ministry said Monday.
BUSINESS
May 13, 2005

Steelmakers make hay as demand keeps rising

Strong global demand offset rising materials prices in fiscal 2004, allowing Japan's major steelmakers to log record earnings, according to earnings reports released through Thursday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 3, 2005

Shakeup in the lending business

O Kobayashi was stunned last year when he found that his mortgage applications had been rejected by two banks.
JAPAN
Apr 29, 2005

Cooked books seen at 29 police forces

The National Police Agency has discovered accounting irregularities tied to investigative expenses at 29 prefectural police forces, agency officials said Thursday.
CULTURE / Books / THE ASIAN BOOKSHELF
Apr 17, 2005

Peace of mind for Japanese inventors

VALUING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN JAPAN, BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES, edited by Ruth Taplin. London: Routledge, 2004, 163 pp., $97 (cloth). On April 1, Japan's first court dedicated to cases concerning patents and other intellectual property rights (IPR) was established as part of a far-ranging renovation...
BUSINESS
Apr 14, 2005

Lawson, FamilyMart post robust growth in earnings

Lawson Inc. said Wednesday its net profit for the year that ended in February rose 10 percent to a record 20.44 billion yen, buoyed by strong sales and aggressive store-openings.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Apr 10, 2005

Early showing by Carp raises hope for repeat of 1975 glory

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first Central League championship won by the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. It was in 1975 when the "Aka-Heru" (Red Helmets) played in their first Japan Series.
BUSINESS
Apr 8, 2005

Vodafone sees subscription growth slow

Vodafone K.K. has fallen further behind its two rivals in the mobile phone market as it had a steep decrease in subscription growth in fiscal 2004, according to data released Thursday by the Telecommunications Carriers Association.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 1, 2005

How to stabilize China, according to Hu

SINGAPORE -- China needs stability as it faces one of its most radical economic, social, cultural and political transforma- tions in history. This message was clearly delivered during the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing three weeks ago. President Hu Jintao needs stability to consolidate his...
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 26, 2005

Iwakuma determined to help Eagles soar in Sendai

Hisashi Iwakuma started playing baseball as an elementary school first grader at the age of 6, by throwing a ball against a wall in a game of catch with himself and dreaming of becoming a professional. Now, at age 24, he is arguably the best pitcher in Japanese pro baseball.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2005

Carmaker pushes hybrids as key environmental technology

The launch Tuesday of two sport utility vehicles featuring hybrid engines highlights Toyota Motor Corp.'s keenness to spread the hybrid system as a core environmental technology.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Mar 20, 2005

Who says you can't teach old baseball teams new tricks?

"New" is the watchword for Japanese baseball in 2005.
BUSINESS
Feb 24, 2005

Tertiary industry activity up second year

The tertiary industry activity index gained 2.2 percent in 2004 from the previous year for the second straight yearly rise, with the index registering its highest score since 1988, the government said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Feb 8, 2005

Flat TVs seen taking 86% of market in '09

Sales of plasma-display panel and liquid crystal display televisions are likely to grow about 3.5-fold from 2004 to 9.5 million units in Japan, accounting for 86 percent of overall TV sales in 2009, an industry association said Monday.
MORE SPORTS
Feb 4, 2005

Kitajima accepts award from FSAJ

Double Olympic gold medalist Kosuke Kitajima has another addition for his impressive trophy cabinet after accepting the award for 2004 Japanese Sportsman of the Year.
BUSINESS
Feb 4, 2005

Toyota sees 1 trillion yen year as profit rises 3.5%

Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday its group net profit in the October-December period rose 3.5 percent from a year earlier to 296.5 billion yen, clearing the way for its profit for the year to March to exceed 1 trillion yen for a second consecutive year.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 30, 2005

Looking up after bleak year

Two years ago, the World Economic Forum launched a Global Governance Initiative that brought together a group of experts from around the world to map the state of the world on peace and security, education, environment, health, human rights, and hunger and poverty. The initiative provides an assessment,...
BUSINESS
Jan 29, 2005

CPI declines for the fifth straight year as deflation continues to dog economy

The key gauge of consumer prices in Japan fell 0.1 percent in 2004, marking a fifth straight yearly decline and underscoring that the economy is still beset by deflation, the government said Friday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / INDUSTRY TRENDS
Jan 28, 2005

Epson's bold gamble leaves door ajar for Canon

Pole position in Japan's home printer market changed hands in 2004 for the first time in eight years, with the two principal rivals in the sector pursuing starkly contrasting product strategies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 30, 2004

Dentsu poll finds year's top 10 consumer darlings

2004 saw many things strike the fancy of Japanese consumers, especially on the big screen at home, to the extent that some became social phenomena.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 29, 2004

Buy local produce

Japanese films had a good 2004, even if eight of the 10 top box-office slots went to Hollywood. The Japanese exhibition business is coming to resemble the American one, with more multiplex screens and wider openings. This structure favors major Hollywood product -- the latest "Harry Potter" or "Lord...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / BEST BAR NONE
Dec 24, 2004

The rundown of the big countdowns

Another year has whizzed on by and the silly season is upon us again. Those of you who haven't yet had enough of overeating and overdrinking might find some of the Christmas dinner options of interest. Otherwise, hold off on the food, tighten that belt and get ready to dance in the New Year.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2004

82.18 trillion yen budget drafted

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki on Monday proposed a draft budget for fiscal 2005 worth 82.18 trillion yen, up 0.1 percent from the initial 2004 budget, as higher debt-servicing costs outpaced cuts in discretionary spending.
EDITORIALS
Dec 17, 2004

Better ways to share tax money

Local governments in Japan, like the central government, are heavily in debt. The deficit problem is adding to difficulties in budget talks between the Finance and Internal Affairs ministries. The key question is how much national tax revenue should be transferred to local administrations in fiscal 2005....
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Oct 27, 2004

Foreign heavy hitters show some 'appeal' during Japan Series

Congratulations to the Seibu Lions on winning their first Japan Series in 12 years.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Oct 13, 2004

Mino for the modern world

The traditional Mino pottery styles of Shino, Oribe, Yellow Seto and Black Seto have been the pride of the Japanese ceramic world since the Momoyama Period (1568-1615). However, Mino pottery just isn't what it used to be. Gone are its chadogu (tea wares) days of the 17th-19th century, when it was used...

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan