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COMMENTARY / World
May 10, 2002

Splintered blocs in Malaysia unite on draconian law

SINGAPORE -- Malaysia's disparate opposition groups have launched a new campaign against a draconian security law in an attempt to prevent Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from further splitting their ranks.
COMMENTARY / World
May 4, 2002

No end in sight to China's banking woes

While Japan's recession and its wobbly banks distract much of the world, the banking sector in China is in much worse shape. Xinhua News Agency has reported that central bank governor Dai Xianglong admits that nonperforming loans (NPLs) account for 26.6 percent of total lending by China's top four state-owned...
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 28, 2002

Shinjo-mania begins to wear thin with Giants teammates

CHICAGO -- When the San Francisco Giants arrived at Wrigley Field on Tuesday for a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs, Tsuyoshi Shinjo was batting a depressing .168. Considering how much attention he was receiving from the Japanese media, you'd think he was batting 1.000.
EDITORIALS
Apr 28, 2002

Give the insects their due

Now and again an infinitesimal news item appears that puts in perspective the entire scope of human affairs, from the tragic to the trivial. That happened again this month, about the time the world's attention was divided between the Middle East and Mr. Tiger Woods. It turns out that in nature's vast...
JAPAN
Apr 26, 2002

Prosecutors hit in Snow probe

OSAKA -- Prosecutors last year made an inappropriate decision when they declined to indict two former executives of Snow Brand Milk Products Co. in connection with a mass food-poisoning outbreak, the No. 1 Osaka Inquest of Prosecution has ruled, it was learned Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 23, 2002

Osaka prosecutors arrest one of own over power abuse

OSAKA -- The Osaka District Public Prosecutor's Office on Monday arrested the head of the Osaka High Prosecutor's Office's public security department on suspicion of fraud and abuse of power concerning the auction of a condominium.
SOCCER / World cup / EXCERPTS FROM PHILIPPE TROUSSIER'S BOOK
Apr 22, 2002

Media drove me to hell

"Passion" is the story of Japan soccer team coach Philippe Troussier, his struggle to make it as a player and manager and his travels around France, Africa and Japan. In the book, Troussier also details his philosophy and thinking as he prepares for the World Cup in June. In this, the sixth of 10 exclusive...
JAPAN
Apr 20, 2002

Next ambassador to Israel named by Foreign Ministry

Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said Friday she will name Tadashi Imai, head of the ministry's Intelligence and Analysis Bureau, as the next ambassador to Israel.
BUSINESS
Apr 20, 2002

Shiokawa to put Japan's case to G7

Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa said Friday he will counter negative views expressed by the International Monetary Fund regarding Japan's economic prospects when he meets with his Group of Seven counterparts in Washington.
BUSINESS / ON THE FRONT LINE
Apr 19, 2002

Market cautiously optimistic on earnings

The benchmark 225-issue Nikkei average has been languishing at around 11,000 since the beginning of the fiscal year, reflecting a lack of clear direction.
JAPAN
Apr 18, 2002

Narita gets its second, but short, runway

NARITA, Chiba Pref. -- A ceremony to mark the opening of a controversial second runway at New Tokyo International Airport was held here Wednesday with transport minister Chikage Ogi and other dignitaries attending.
LIFE / Digital
Apr 18, 2002

Navigating the broadband connection

Last week we discussed the different broadband services available in Japan and how to subscribe to each. This week we'll take a look at the steps necessary to configure your system to connect to the Internet using your new broadband service, and also consider some of the options available to users with...
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 11, 2002

Threat of new Iraqi war has neighboring Turkey on edge

ANKARA -- At his shop in the ancient citadel of this busy capital city, Satilimish Sutchuoglu and three fellow carpet sellers gather to drink tea and trade forecasts of economic doom.
JAPAN
Apr 8, 2002

Asian issues carry much weight on global stability

NAGO, Okinawa Pref. -- There were times when relations between the European Union and Japan suffered from having a narrow focus, centered on economic matters.
JAPAN
Apr 6, 2002

Computer glitches cripple transactions at Mizuho

Mizuho Financial Group, the world's largest banking group, confirmed Friday that it has a backlog of at least 2.5 million incomplete transactions due to computer system glitches.
BUSINESS / ON THE FRONT LINE
Apr 4, 2002

Political uncertainty may drive down yen

Political turbulence could weigh on the yen's value in the months ahead.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 3, 2002

Tokyo Marine, Nichido Fire integrate into holding firm

Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance Co. and Nichido Fire & Marine Insurance Co. integrated their operations Tuesday and established a holding company that will eventually cover the Millea Insurance Group, which comprises three nonlife and one life insurer.
BUSINESS
Mar 26, 2002

Kyodo photos go online in English

Kyodo News on April 1 will launch an English-language photo data service that will allow customers to search and download photos via the Internet.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Mar 24, 2002

And for your comic delight: The Suzuki Show

Contrary to popular belief, what's good for the goose is not always good for the gander. When Makiko Tanaka was ousted as foreign minister, tears helped crystallize a victim image that guarantees her political longevity. On the other hand, those of Muneo Suzuki, the main victim of Makiko's victimhood,...
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 23, 2002

A silver lining in Gujarat state's riots

The death of around 800 people in the recent riots in Gujarat state was a sobering reminder of the primeval passions and tribal savagery that can be unleashed so ferociously at a moment's notice in India. They were an antidote to the unbridled optimism that saw only an emerging information-technology...
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 21, 2002

Troussier to test new players in friendly

OSAKA -- Taking advantage of the absence of injured and European-based players, Japan coach Philippe Troussier plans to test out new players in Thursday's friendly against Ukraine, the first of eight warmups ahead of the World Cup.
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Mar 21, 2002

Xbox ball: 'Inside Drive'

Strip away the marketing hype. If you want to know what kinds of people video game console makers are targeting, take a look at the kinds of games they play.
BUSINESS
Mar 20, 2002

Okinawa Cellular may get regulatory break

The telecommunications minister hinted Tuesday that Okinawa Cellular Telephone Co. may remain free from regulations governing "dominant" mobile phone operators even though its controls a large share of the market in Okinawa Prefecture.
BUSINESS
Mar 19, 2002

Electronics titans aim for LSIs

Hitachi Ltd. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. announced Monday that they will set up a joint venture to integrate their semiconductor businesses relating to system LSIs, or large-scale integrated circuit chips.
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2002

Matsushita, NEC seek to postpone wage increases

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and NEC Corp. are negotiating with their labor unions to postpone regular pay raises for their rank-and-file employees for six months beginning April 1, industry sources said Friday.
BUSINESS
Mar 14, 2002

Air France eyes '05 Nagoya return

The general manager of the Japanese office of Air France said Wednesday that the airline may resume its flights from Nagoya in 2005, the year in which a new international airport is scheduled to open and a world exposition will be held in Aichi Prefecture.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 10, 2002

Halos, signposts show Korean impasse

HONG KONG -- Flower shows, snowdrifts and clouds over Mount Paektu may help explain the continued absence of peace on the Korean Peninsula.
BUSINESS
Mar 9, 2002

Business heads call for reforms

Business leaders on Friday called on the government to promptly carry out tax reforms and take other steps to bolster economic activity after the latest key data confirmed that Japan is in a dire recession.

Longform

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