Search - mail

 
 
EDITORIALS
Aug 14, 1999

Wiretap with care

Toward the close of the Diet session this week, lawmakers affiliated with the ruling parties, riding on their coalition's majority, rushed through several controversial bills that could infringe on basic human rights in a free and democratic society. One of them is a package of three bills designed to...
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Aug 14, 1999

More than a humble piece of clay

Japan is a ceramic paradise, plain and simple.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / GETTING THINGS DONE
Jul 14, 1999

Substitutes

A woman tells us she is a vegetarian in the real sense -- no meat, fish or animal byproducts, even gelatin. In England she could buy dried mixes that could be reconstituted by adding water and then used to make sausages (Sosmix) and burgers (Veggie Burger Mix). She wonders if there are any similar products...
LIFE / Food & Drink / NIHONSHU
Jul 8, 1999

Oasis of serenity found in rowdiest Roppongi

One of Tokyo's greatest charms, and one of its greatest oddities, is its occasional lack of congruency. Like architectural hiccups, you often see a building where you would least expect it, completely unrelated to everything around it. Aburaya in Roppongi is like that, albeit it is more a matter of atmosphere...
CULTURE / Music / FUZZY LOGIC
Jul 6, 1999

How to get your teenage kicks in the 'teahouses' of Tokyo

I'm not one to hang around kiddies' playgrounds (honestly!), but when I strolled into Shimokitazawa's Shelter last week I was instantly teleported into a school disco, and it kinda felt good. But keep that to yourself, OK.
LIFE / Digital / CYBERIA
Jun 9, 1999

The random walk

Hoping to tap into that Amazon.com magic right here in Japan, Softbank (a software and publishing company), Seven-Eleven, Yahoo! Japan and Tohan, a book publisher and distributor, last week announced a joint venture to sell books online. e-Shopping! Books (who thinks up these names?) plans to open for...
COMMUNITY / How-tos / GETTING THINGS DONE
Jun 2, 1999

Found and lost

In looking through my file for information I needed for today's column, I was diverted by notes from readers that amused me, or might someday be useful. Here are a few of them:
ENVIRONMENT / WILD WATCH
Jun 2, 1999

Island life a short cut to evolution

Japan is not just an island; it is an archipelago.
JAPAN
May 27, 1999

Hotline to hear gripes on smoking

OSAKA -- Prior to World No-Smoking Day on Monday, a citizens' group here will open a one-day telephone hotline Saturday for people troubled by tobacco smoke.
CULTURE / Music / FUZZY LOGIC
May 18, 1999

Holy big beat funk, Captain!

Check him out now, the funky captain. Check him out now, the F-U-N-K-Y captain. Ch-ch-ch-ch-nu-nu-na-na. (cue big drums) . . . . There's a new superhero in town, folks. His name is Captain Funk. He's touching down in a disco den near you. His manifesto is simple:
EDITORIALS
Apr 4, 1999

Lunchtime in Lotus-land

Is nothing sacred? Even though we live in a place famous for its workaholic habits and stressful schedules, there has always been the comforting thought that in other, warmer countries people do things differently. In these Lotus-lands of the imagination, or so we believed, workers hardly merit the name:...
LIFE / Digital / CYBERIA
Mar 31, 1999

It's a poor workman ...

Readers probably haven't noticed, but The Japan Times has a new computer system. It's a lot like our old one, although it is speedier and it integrates a whole host of functions in one terminal; no longer do we have to leave our desk to accomplish different tasks.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / GETTING THINGS DONE
Mar 21, 1999

Obligations

What a downer! A reader has just looked at his calendar and realized that March 15 has passed -- and he forgot to file his Japanese tax return. While he should do it as soon as possible, he does not need to worry. Japan's bureaucracy tends to be compassionate in such matters, especially when the wrongdoer...
JAPAN
Mar 19, 1999

Enterprise Spirit: New camera sells on nostalgia

27th in an occasional series
JAPAN
Mar 2, 1999

Intel launches Pentium III with controversial user ID

Intel Corp. launched its latest but controversial Pentium series microprocessor product Tuesday in Japan, as more than 30 system vendors including NEC Corp., Sony Corp. and Fujitsu Ltd. released Pentium III models the same day for the Japanese market.
LIFE / Digital / CYBERIA
Feb 17, 1999

Designing for dollars

Say what you will about Jeff Bezos, president of Amazon.com, but he is a savvy guy. He and his company may not be worth the gazillions of dollars that the market is throwing at them, but he deserves credit for making the market believe in him.
LIFE / Digital / CYBERIA
Jan 20, 1999

Toys today, tools tomorrow

Cybersurfers never had it so good. The efforts of Apple's Steven Jobs to revive his legacy mean that we can order the iMac in one of five "flavors." Thanks, Steve. Bill Gates wants you to be able to go anywhere you want on the Net -- as long as Microsoft escorts you on the journey
JAPAN
Aug 24, 1998

Views solicited on war memorial

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will begin accepting public feedback in September about a controversial peace memorial hall to be dedicated to victims of massive U.S. air raids during World War II, officials said Monday.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 1998

Group to write specs for wireless PC-electronics interface

Major electronics companies in Japan said Wednesday they have jointly established a working group to define common specifications for hardware that will easily connect personal computers to devices such as cordless phones, VCRs and audio sets through wireless communications.
JAPAN
Nov 19, 1997

Hashimoto seeks LDP approval of postal reform compromise

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto on Wednesday requested that leaders of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party urge rank-and-file party lawmakers to accept a compromise reform proposal put forward by the government over the status of three controversial services of the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry....
JAPAN
Oct 2, 1997

WebTV to offer Net access via television

WebTV Networks K.K., a wholly owned subsidiary of WebTV Networks, Inc. of the United States, announced Oct. 2 that it will provide an easy-to-handle television Internet access service starting Dec. 1.By connecting the WebTV Internet Terminal that has been specially developed by Sony Corp. to a television...
JAPAN
Sep 12, 1997

Hashimoto defends choice of ministers

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto stressed Sept. 12 that his new Cabinet contains the best lineup possible for tackling the intensive reforms he is pursuing.
JAPAN
Sep 3, 1997

Stumbling blocks to administrative reform still remain

Staff Writer
JAPAN
Aug 21, 1997

Panel gives glimpse of next government

The government's blue-ribbon panel on administrative reform concluded Aug. 21 that the government should be revamped into a Cabinet Office, 10 ministries and two agencies by January 2001.
JAPAN
Jun 4, 1997

Postal ministry pounds privatization plan

The Posts and Telecommunications Ministry, as expected, came out June 4 against the idea of privatizing postal services , postal deposits and insurance in its response to the government's blue-ribbon panel on administrative reform.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 1997

Outdoor gear: love of nature or fashion craze?

Outdoor products originally designed for taking on a trip to the wilderness have become a common sight in the big city. During the past few years, the fashion-driven young -- clad in colorful outdoor jackets and sporting brand-name day-packs and hiking boots -- have given the concrete jungle a new look....
JAPAN
Jan 24, 1997

Tax Commission solicits public opinion on reform

In an unusual move, the government's Tax Commission on Jan. 24 submitted a report asking the public for its opinion on the best taxation system for the nation.Rather than simply providing its own analysis, the commission wants to get people to voice opinions on its report through mail, fax and e-mail,...
Japan Times
Special Supplements / Hiroshima G7 Summit Special
May 19, 2023

Diversification fueled through ‘education of conscience’

In 1864, when the isolationist foreign policy of the Tokugawa shogunate was still in effect, Jo Niijima, a 21-year-old son of a samurai, left Japan for the United States, risking capital punishment. For Niijima, it was an adventurous quest to seek a land where greater equality, freedom and human rights...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 9, 2023

Canada expels Chinese diplomat, risking retaliation in feud

A leaked Canadian intelligence document reportedly said Zhao Wei was looking into penalizing Conservative lawmaker Michael Chong over his hard-line positions on the Beijing government.

Longform

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.
Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat