Search - 2005

 
 
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.
COMMENTARY
Dec 21, 2003

Devil of amity lurks in free trade details

SINGAPORE -- The decision at the Japan-ASEAN summit on Dec. 11-12 to create a new "special relationship" between the two may be historic, but the economic free-trade areas that will provide its foundation look like long shots. Japanese efforts are likely to be frustrated by the same political forces...
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2003

Delay investment trust sales by Japan Post, Aso suggests

Posts minister Taro Aso said Friday his ministry should not submit a bill for allowing Japan Post to sell investment trusts before the government compiles a final report on the entity's privatization next fall.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Officials debate details of Futenma move

National and local government officials met Thursday to discuss industrial development and other issues surrounding the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

High court backs elevated Odakyu line

Tokyo residents seeking to block Odakyu Electric Railway Co.'s construction of a 6.5-km elevated section of track saw the Tokyo High Court on Thursday overturn a lower court ruling that sided with them.
JAPAN
Dec 18, 2003

Ministers back Japan Highway splitup

The transport minister and the administrative reform minister agreed Wednesday to carve up the heavily indebted Japan Highway Public Corp. after it is privatized in fiscal 2005, government officials said.
BUSINESS
Dec 18, 2003

Resona group nixes Saitama's offer

Banking group Resona Holdings Inc., now undergoing rehabilitation, will turn down Saitama Gov. Kiyoshi Ueda's offer to invest 1 billion yen in taxpayer money into the locally operating Saitama Resona Bank, Chairman Eiji Hosoya said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Dec 18, 2003

Coalition says consumption tax hike in 2007 could save pension system

The ruling coalition finalized an annual tax reform package Wednesday that vaguely advocates a consumption tax hike in fiscal 2007 as a means of saving the ailing public pension system.
COMMENTARY
Dec 18, 2003

Conservatives smell an upset

LONDON -- A transformation has taken place on the British political scene, and it is one that could have profound effects on the wider European landscape as well as on trans-Atlantic relations. The nature of this change can be summed up in two words -- Michael Howard. This is the man who has now emerged...
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 17, 2003

Buchwald to Reds

The Urawa Reds said Tuesday they have reached a basic agreement with former German international defender Guido Buchwald to make him the new coach of the J. League first division side beginning Feb. 1, 2004.
BUSINESS
Dec 17, 2003

Saitama governments to pump Resona with taxpayer money

The prefectural and municipal governments of Saitama are willing to use roughly 1 billion yen in local taxpayer funds to claim a stake in Saitama Resona Bank, the local arm of Resona Holdings Inc., Saitama Gov. Kiyoshi Ueda said Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Dec 17, 2003

MMC, Chrysler to team up on pickup

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. announced Tuesday it will jointly develop and manufacture a midsize pickup truck for the North American market with the Chrysler Group of German-American automotive giant DaimlerChrysler AG.

Longform

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.