Search - 2005

 
 
JAPAN
Jan 15, 2004

Koizumi urges LDP-DPJ effort to revise Constitution

Constitutional reform is no longer a taboo issue and the Liberal Democratic Party should work together with the Democratic Party of Japan to submit bills to this end to the Diet, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Jan 15, 2004

Koizumi defends reform efforts

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi went on the defensive Wednesday, denying charges that his administration has been slow to bring about promised economic reforms.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2004

Cash-strapped video artist soldiers on

Video artist Michael Goldberg counts himself lucky to have been able to work on projects that inspired him: those focusing on cross-cultural communication between Japan and the world.
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2004

DPJ set to submit own proposals on Constitution

The Democratic Party of Japan said Tuesday it will issue constitutional amendment proposals by 2006.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 12, 2004

China lights Vietnam's path

SINGAPORE -- Profound similarities bind China and Vietnam together today more than ever. Twelve years after their brief border war in 1979, Hanoi and Beijing normalized relations in 1991 after resolving the "Cambodian problem" at the Paris Peace Conference. This normalization of relations put to rest...
BUSINESS
Jan 10, 2004

Matsushita hopes digital focus ups profit margin

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. said Friday it aims to lift its profit margin to at least 5 percent in the next three years on sales of 8.2 trillion yen by meeting rising demand for digital consumer electronics products such as DVD recorders and flat TVs.
BUSINESS
Jan 10, 2004

Eight carmakers in recycling scheme

Eight of Japan's 12 automakers said Friday they have formed a joint organization to recycle automobile shredder dust. The move is aimed at meeting a car-recycling law that will take effect in January 2005.
BUSINESS
Jan 8, 2004

Yamaha set to hit targets a year early

Yamaha Motor Co. said Wednesday it will probably achieve the sales and profit targets stipulated under its three-year business plan one year ahead of schedule in March.
BUSINESS
Jan 8, 2004

Toshiba makes versatile DVD player

Toshiba Corp. has developed a next-generation DVD player that can handle both current and new formats, the electronics maker said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2004

LDP platform includes revising Constitution

The 2004 policy platform of the Liberal Democratic Party advocates drafting a revised Constitution before the party's 50th anniversary in November 2005, LDP sources said Tuesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2004

Continental chief pins airline's survival on service

HOUSTON -- "Break-even status" is the ultimate financial goal for Continental Airlines in the new year, even though there are some signs that the U.S. airline industry may finally be climbing out of its prolonged slump.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jan 4, 2004

Innovative dance program aims to shift the balance

In the arena of artistic production, a publicly run performing arts facility on the Sea of Japan coast is issuing a challenge to Tokyo, the nation's center of cultural activity. The Niigata City Performing Arts Center (Ryutopia) has tapped Jo Kanamori, a 29-year-old star dancer and choreographer, to...
BASKETBALL / NBA / NBA REPORT
Jan 1, 2004

Knicks hiring of Thomas doesn't necessarily spell danger for Chaney

NEW YORK -- In view of Scott Layden's still smoldering dismissal, why would any clear thinker vaguely concerned with credibility hypothesize Knicks coach Don Chaney is in immediate danger of being fired?
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2004

Constitution seen being sidestepped as Japan weighs new defense policies

On Dec. 19, the day the National Security Council met to approve the purchase of a U.S.-developed missile defense system, the government announced it will update the country's basic defense program by the end of 2004.
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2004

Decision to dispatch SDF troops to Iraq a watershed for defense, security policy

Japan's decision to send Self-Defense Forces troops to Iraq, coupled with the decision to introduce a missile defense system, marks a major turning point for the nation's defense and security policy. Never in its 50-year history has the SDF been mobilized for noncombat duties in a foreign country in...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2004

High-tech 'smart homes' just get smarter

Japanese companies are rapidly commercializing the so-called Net Kaden system for electronic control and monitoring of homes through links with mobile phone and high-speed broadband systems.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 31, 2003

Affluence of retirees makes them targets

After losing his wife six years ago, the retired realtor decided to spend the rest of his life in pursuit of his passions.
BUSINESS
Dec 31, 2003

Japan needs to develop coordinated trade policy amid era of FTA talks

Japan is beginning to realize the importance of adopting a coordinated trade policy to gain the upper hand in negotiations on free-trade agreements with other Asian countries in 2004.
BUSINESS
Dec 27, 2003

New airline to link Kyushu, Tokyo

A startup airline plans to begin flights between Kitakyushu and Tokyo, primarily targeting business travelers, when a planned new airport opens here in 2005, the company's president said Friday.
EDITORIALS
Dec 26, 2003

Privatizing the highway corporations

Finally the stage has been set for the privatization of the debt-ridden highway corporations. The government plans to send related bills to the next Diet session, which opens in January. If the package is approved as scheduled, a new tollway system will go into operation in fiscal 2005 under the management...
BUSINESS
Dec 26, 2003

Government to clarify fiscal surplus goal

The government is ready to clarify the fiscal policy goal of achieving a surplus in the primary balance by fiscal 2013, moving a step forward from the vague target of early in the next decade, government sources said Thursday.
SOCCER / World cup
Dec 25, 2003

Japan to face Oman

Japan will face Oman in the first Asian qualifying round for the 2006 World Cup in February next year, the Japan Football Association said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2003

Banks to receive green light to enter securities business

Banks are set to be allowed into the securities business following a recommendation Wednesday by a government panel that banks and other financial institutions be given the ability to act as sales agents for brokerage houses.
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2003

Tokyo hesitant to grant Iraq debt relief

There are no doubts about Japan's support for the United States in Iraq. Tokyo was a strong backer of the U.S.-led invasion, is a top contributor to reconstruction and just approved a plan to send troops to the region.
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2003

Ministry vows immediate steps to improve correctional system

The Justice Ministry announced Monday it will act immediately to improve the correctional system and prison conditions, including taking steps to reduce inmates' mandatory work hours, allow outsiders to visit prisons and revamp all padded cells.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2003

Draft 2004 budget relies heavily on bond issuance

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki submitted on Saturday a draft budget for fiscal 2004 worth 82.11 trillion yen -- but is reliant on bond issuance as Japan faces growing social welfare costs due to the rapidly aging population.

Longform

A man offers prayers at Hebikubo Shrine in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward. The shrine is one of several across the country dedicated to the snake.
Shed your skin and reinvent yourself in the Year of the Snake