Search - 2003

 
 
JAPAN
Jan 25, 2002

Toshima eyes tax on nuisance bikes, studio flats

Toshima Ward in Tokyo is planning to introduce the nation's first taxes on studio apartments and on bicycles parked in an obstructive manner near train stations, according to Toshima Mayor Yukio Takano.
BUSINESS
Jan 25, 2002

Asahi Bank shareholders OK merger

Asahi Bank's shareholders on Thursday approved a proposal to integrate operations with Daiwa Bank Holdings Inc., Asahi Bank officials said.
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2002

Public buildings face new barrier-free codes

The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry plans to strengthen the barrier-free law by making it obligatory for public buildings to install handrails and other facilities needed by senior citizens and the physically impaired, ministry sources said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2002

Insurers set to finalize details of merger plans

Top officials from Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance Co. and Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Co. will meet today to iron out the details of a proposed business integration, including the transfer of Asahi's sales division to a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokio Marine, company sources said Sunday.
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2002

Nankai to slash staff, cut pay, close units

OSAKA -- Financially ailing Nankai Electric Railway Co. has unveiled a radical restructuring program, saying it will slash more than 20 percent of its workforce, reduce pay and close down unprofitable subsidiaries.
JAPAN / PROTOCOL PURSUIT
Jan 19, 2002

Role of forests seen leading environmental debate

Last of three parts Staff writer Forests are now at the forefront of climate-change debate in Japan.
JAPAN
Jan 19, 2002

Ministry plans DNA tests to identify repatriated war dead

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry plans to conduct what would become the first DNA tests by the state to identify the remains of war dead gathered from abroad and in Okinawa.
JAPAN / INTERNATIONAL RATIONALE
Jan 19, 2002

Coffee shops on different tracks in Japan

Three specialty coffee chains from Seattle -- Starbucks, Tully's Coffee and Seattle's Best Coffee -- are aggressively expanding their business in Tokyo, changing the face of the capital with the rich aroma of espresso.
JAPAN
Jan 19, 2002

Bigger role sought for paramedics

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry will discuss expanding the role of emergency medical technicians, amid mounting concerns over their limited capabilities under current regulations, ministry officials said Friday.
JAPAN
Jan 19, 2002

Japan's first railway station to be rebuilt

East Japan Railway Co. said Friday an affiliated body of the railway operator will restore the nation's first railway station, which dates back to 1872, in the Shinbashi district of Minato Ward, Tokyo, in spring 2003.
BUSINESS
Jan 19, 2002

Insurance body vice chief steps down

The Life Insurance Association of Japan said Friday its board accepted a proposal to replace vice chief Yuzuru Fujita, president of Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Co., with Shinichi Yokoyama, president of Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. Fujita is leaving because he wants to focus all his energy into efforts...
JAPAN / PROTOCOL PURSUIT
Jan 17, 2002

Carbon tax stuck in detour to Kyoto

This is the first in a three-part series on Japan's struggles to curb global warming gas emissions. Staff writer The dust is finally settling.
BUSINESS
Jan 16, 2002

Daihatsu Diesel in South Korea tieup

OSAKA -- Daihatsu Diesel Mfg. Co. said Tuesday it has formed a technical tieup with South Korea's HSD Engine Co. in the field of medium-speed marine diesel engines.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 16, 2002

Cambodian aid raises concern

Through its involvement in Cambodia since the U.N. peacekeeping process began in 1991, Japan has played a positive role in attempting to bring peace and development to Cambodia. Japan's generous aid program has brought some significant benefits to Cambodians over the past 10 years. These include a glistening...
BUSINESS
Jan 16, 2002

UFJ Bank makes shaky debut

UFJ Holdings Inc. decided Tuesday to dip into its reserves to the tune of 1 trillion yen to make dividend payments, indicating that the group's new bank, which officially began operations the same day, is already desperately low on capital.
BUSINESS
Jan 15, 2002

Daiei gets green light to use revitalization law

Daiei Inc., seeking to avoid bankruptcy under more than 2 trillion yen of debt, will be allowed to rehabilitate under the industrial revitalization law if its restructuring plan is approved, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Monday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 14, 2002

Relief step best left unused

Banks were once regarded as a symbol of financial security. People deposited money with banks, confident that it would be fully protected. Bank failure was simply out of the question. The myth of the "invincible bank" collapsed following the burst of the economic bubble a decade ago. Now depositors know...
BUSINESS
Jan 12, 2002

Deposits at credit unions may get protection: FSA

Financial Services Agency chief Hakuo Yanagisawa said Friday the government may protect deposits at small savings associations as a safeguard against chaos after blanket deposit protection at failed banks is abolished in April.
BUSINESS
Jan 11, 2002

Stock surge euphoria may yield to hangover

Although the Tokyo Stock Exchange ushered in 2002 on a positive note, a long lasting surge appears unlikely. The outlook remains bleak for the year ahead and beyond.
JAPAN
Jan 11, 2002

Okayama city sets sights on nation's first electronic ballot

Niimi, in Okayama Prefecture, is aiming to use the nation's first electronic voting system in its mayoral and municipal assembly elections in June.
BUSINESS
Jan 9, 2002

Aso calls for time frame for consumption tax hike

The Liberal Democratic Party's top policymaker on Tuesday called for setting mid- to long-term time frames for raising the consumption tax beyond the current 5 percent.
BUSINESS
Jan 8, 2002

Two potential replacements named as buzzards circle Hayami

Bank of Japan Gov. Masaru Hayami has little more than a year left in his term, but speculation is already brewing over who will succeed him.
EDITORIALS
Jan 8, 2002

AFTA becomes reality

Since 1997, and the onset of the Asian financial crisis, there has been little for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to celebrate. But ASEAN rang in this New Year with a much needed boost. On Jan. 1, six of its 10 member-nations completed their plans to create an ASEAN Free Trade Area. Creation...
COMMUNITY
Jan 6, 2002

Life in the new year: Que sera sera

What joys and sorrows will the coming year bring for Japan? Fast forward to Jan. 1, 2003, apply tongue firmly to cheek and enjoy the benefit of hindsight by reading the alternative futures contained in the 2002 diaries of long-suffering Tokyo banker Gamansuruzo Nostrodoomus, and go-getting Kansai career...
BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2002

Koizumi hints at more public funds for banks

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has pledged to take every possible step to avert financial crisis, hinting at yet another injection of public money into banks suffering from bad loans.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2002

Theater eyes alliance with Globe

The nation's oldest Kabuki theater in the town of Kotohira, Kagawa Prefecture, is working to forge an alliance with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London, according to Kotohira Mayor Masaomi Yamashita.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 4, 2002

Town ties fate to remnants of an industry

KUSHIRO, Hokkaido -- Although the new year was just around the corner, there was little joy to be seen in the southeast end of this port city.
JAPAN
Jan 3, 2002

East Asian community sought by region's leaders

While China drew much media attention by declaring its bid to conclude a free-trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations within 10 years, the creation of an even bigger Asian community including ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea has turned up as a hot topic.
BUSINESS
Jan 3, 2002

Tax panel chief leans toward broader base, not rate cuts

Tax Commission chief Hiromitsu Ishi said Wednesday he does not favor cutting taxes to stimulate the economy; instead he would broaden the tax base to better help the government fill its depleted coffers.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.