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JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 10, 2007

Nuclear power vital but fiasco-prone

Just how much does Japan rely on nuclear reactors? For nearly four decades, atomic power has, after oil and coal, played a key role in meeting Japan's energy needs. Today, 55 nuclear plants provide a third of the nation's electricity.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 3, 2007

Time up for bag-happy stores, users

Retailers have long considered plastic bags basic to good service. Supermarket clerks toss tofu, eggs and ice cream into individual clear plastic bags to prevent a mess should the products' own wrapping somehow break. More plastic bags are often provided just in case, then it all goes into bigger shopping...
JAPAN
Mar 14, 2007

Japan off hook for China gas weapons ills: court

The Tokyo High Court on Tuesday upheld a lower court ruling and rejected compensation claims from four Chinese people who were injured and one whose relative died from being exposed to chemical weapons abandoned by Japan in China at the end of the war.
EDITORIALS
Mar 14, 2007

The EU steps up on climate change

The European Union last week claimed global leadership in the fight against climate change. At a Brussels summit, the 27-nation bloc agreed to binding targets that would cut greenhouse-gas emissions, promote energy efficiency and encourage the use of renewable energy sources. If the policies are implemented,...
BUSINESS
Mar 1, 2007

BOJ's rate hike insane, economy expert says

The Bank of Japan was "insane" to raise its key interest rate to 0.5 percent last week because the economy is still fragile, Bill Emmott, author of several books on the Japanese economy, said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2007

Act locally on climate change, leaders urge

KYOTO -- Sharing a growing sense of crisis over climate change internationally, mayors and municipal officials met Friday in Kyoto to discuss how their local governments can cooperate to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
MORE SPORTS
Feb 4, 2007

Giants, Bears set for 2007 NFL game in London

Football will not necessarily mean soccer after this summer for the British.
EDITORIALS
Jan 25, 2007

Latin America makes a left turn

Upon winning a third term in office, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made a sharp left turn in his policies. Pledging to "devote my days, nights and entire life to the construction of socialism in Venezuela," the fiery nationalist has called on the legislature to give him authority to rule by decree,...
EDITORIALS
Dec 19, 2006

Closing the biofuel gap

Japan is lagging behind several other countries in developing liquid biofuels that serve as alternatives for fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. An increase in demand for oil caused by expanding economic activities worldwide as well as tighter government control of natural resources, as in...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 29, 2006

Tokyo, Jakarta fix framework of FTA

Tokyo and Jakarta announced Tuesday they have agreed on an overall framework for liberalizing bilateral trade, including Japanese autos and Indonesian natural gas and human resources.
EDITORIALS
Nov 25, 2006

Progress in fight against warming

The countries that attended the second meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Nairobi agreed to review the pact in 2008. The Nov. 17 agreement is a step forward since it was feared that serious conflict between developed and developing countries might torpedo the conference. It is hoped that...
COMMENTARY
Nov 20, 2006

Viable post-Kyoto approach

The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol covers the five years from 2008 to 2012. Now is the time to start discussing the international framework for the second commitment period, which begins in 2013.
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Oct 25, 2006

Where's the will to break energy status quo?

Berating the Kyoto Protocol for failing to cut greenhouse-gas emissions is a bit like kicking the dog at a party when someone passes wind. Sure, it's nice to skirt the blame, but don't fault the Kyoto accord for society's flatulence.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Oct 21, 2006

Astrologer reaches out with readings of counsel

His certification as an astrologer reads Tatsuhiro Percival Nakajima. Why? The gentle Japanese -- still coolly dressed for summer -- replies smiling: "Because I am the Fool."
MORE SPORTS
Oct 20, 2006

Rogge: Baseball still has work to do before Olympic return

IOC President Jacques Rogge said Thursday the Olympics has not closed the door on baseball for good, but that the major leagues need to take an even tougher stance on doping and make their star players available for selection if the sport has any chance of being welcomed back to the fold.
EDITORIALS
Oct 16, 2006

Retirement of an aviation pioneer

On Sept. 30, the YS-11, a twin turbojet passenger plane, made its last domestic flight -- from Okinoerabu Island to Kagoshima. It was retirement day for the aircraft that holds a special place in the history of Japan's aircraft manufacturing industry.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 28, 2006

'New Europe' has plenty of old problems

GENEVA -- The riots in Budapest, incited by leaked tapes that show Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany openly admitting that his government had lied for over a year about the country's dire finances, are but the latest evidence that things are going seriously wrong across Eastern Europe.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Sep 15, 2006

Fishing around for a piece of history

"Enjoy it while you can," says Professor Theodore Bestor of Harvard University. He's referring partly to Tsukiji's famous fish market and partly to sushi and to the fact that "some species are at risk of becoming commercially extinct."
EDITORIALS
Sep 4, 2006

Divisive changes in U.S.-ROK accord

Big changes are afoot in the military alliance between the United States and South Korea. The two governments have agreed to transfer operational control of the South Korean military in the event of a war to a South Korean general. South Koreans are deeply divided about the wisdom of this move.
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2006

Tokyo beats Fukuoka in bid to host '16 Games

congratulates Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara after the JOC announced Wednesday that the capital, and not Fukuoka, will be the nation's candidate city to vie to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. SATOKO KAWASAKI PHOTO
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 29, 2006

Mexico's president deserves a fair start

NEW YORK -- As the crisis over Mexico's disputed presidential election continues, questions are being raised not only about the conduct of the seemingly defeated candidate, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, but also about Mexico's presidential system. Is "presidentialism" as practiced in Mexico part of the...

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