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JAPAN
Feb 25, 2004

British example cited in climate effort

The international community should strive to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent from current levels by 2050, the head of Britain's Office of Science and Technology said Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 20, 2004

Japan ignores U.S. pressure, will develop Iranian oil field

Choosing money in the face of diplomatic pressure from the U.S., the government said Thursday it has struck a long-delayed deal with Tehran to grant a Japanese consortium rights to develop Iran's huge Azadegan oil field.
EDITORIALS
Jan 12, 2004

Falling behind in the FTA race

Free trade is taking a new shape. With the World Trade Organization's new round of multilateral talks on the rocks, countries around the world are taking increasingly to bilateral and regional free trade agreements, or FTAs. Japan is falling far behind in this race, largely because of its protected agriculture....
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2004

Golf courses and gardens may be added to CO2 calculation

Japan may include golf courses and gardens in residential and public areas, including those at shrines, in carbon dioxide absorption calculations to meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, Environment Ministry officials said Monday.
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.
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...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2003

Japan, ASEAN look to future

The summit between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations closed here Friday with leaders signing a "special relationship" declaration.
BUSINESS
Dec 13, 2003

Boards here in need of outsiders: U.S. headhunter

A leading U.S. executive search firm has found that Japan's corporate boards have a smaller number of external directors than any other nation.
EDITORIALS
Dec 12, 2003

Russian reality test for Kyoto

It is still unclear whether Russia has decided to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. But reports that Moscow had rejected the proposal refocused international attention on the appalling lack of progress since the agreement was negotiated more than five years ago. Despite the now considerable...
BUSINESS
Nov 21, 2003

Ministry blasts business opposition to carbon tax

A top Environment Ministry official lashed out Thursday at opposition by the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) to a ministry plan to introduce an environmental tax in 2005.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 19, 2003

Keidanren comes out against carbon tax

The Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) urged the Environment Ministry on Tuesday to think twice about introducing a carbon tax.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 7, 2003

Russian expert holds out hope for Kyoto

The fate of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol was thrown into jeopardy when Russian President Vladimir Putin failed last month to provide any indication that his country would ratify it.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Jul 6, 2003

The linden city turns over a new leaf

LEIPZIG, Germany -- German cities, even the larger ones, are associated with -- among other things German -- linden trees. In addition to the memory of Frankfurt's linden-lined streets, I remember a joyous summer evening in the city a few years ago when I had supper out in the courtyard of a local restaurant,...
BUSINESS
Jul 1, 2003

Phased consumption-tax hike eyed

The government may first raise the consumption tax to around 8 percent before implementing a double-digit figure as suggested by a recent tax panel report, the head of the panel said Monday.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2003

Tsukiji fish mart relocation rubs many wrong way

The relocation of the Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, better known as the Tsukiji fish market, is causing concern among restaurants and other retailers operating there because they must cover their own moving costs.
JAPAN
Jun 13, 2003

Distance limit eyed for Haneda overseas flights

The transport ministry proposed Thursday that Tokyo's Haneda airport be used for regular short-distance international flights by 2009, when it completes construction of a new 2,500-meter runway.
JAPAN
Jun 13, 2003

Distance limit eyed for Haneda overseas flights

The transport ministry proposed Thursday that Tokyo's Haneda airport be used for regular short-distance international flights by 2009, when it completes construction of a new 2,500-meter runway.
JAPAN
Jun 13, 2003

Distance limit eyed for Haneda overseas flights

The transport ministry proposed Thursday that Tokyo's Haneda airport be used for regular short-distance international flights by 2009, when it completes construction of a new 2,500-meter runway.
BUSINESS
May 28, 2003

Coalition task force approves bill to bolster stock-purchasing body

A coalition task force scrutinizing financial policies on Tuesday approved a legal amendment aimed at reinforcing the functions of a stock-purchasing body, lawmakers said.
JAPAN
Apr 12, 2003

Environment tax eyed for '05 debut

The Environment Ministry will levy an environment tax even if the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on global warming does not take effect on time, according to Vice Environment Minister Masaharu Nakagawa.
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

METI to authorize biomass fuel

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans to revise a law so vehicles can use an environmentally friendly biomass fuel that would help Japan meet its obligations in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
JAPAN
Feb 15, 2003

Ministry to draft environment tax

Environment Minister Shunichi Suzuki said Friday his ministry will draft an environment tax by this summer to fight global warming. "We would like to come up with a draft for the tax by this summer to foster public debate on the issue before actually introducing the tax," Suzuki said.
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2003

Emission-trading trials planned

The Environment Ministry is planning a test trial to trade carbon dioxide emission rights in fiscal 2003, beginning April 1, ministry officials said Sunday.
JAPAN
Jan 15, 2003

Japan to fund green projects in return for emission credits

Japan will help to fund projects in developing countries conducted under the mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol starting next fiscal year, government officials said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jan 13, 2003

Ministry pushing home power-saving unit

The Environment Ministry has decided to provide funding from April for the promotion of an electrical energy-saving mechanism for homes.
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2002

Emission-trading market to be tested in January

Japan is preparing for the test-run from next January of an emissions-trading market designed to combat global warming.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2002

U.S. could still join Kyoto: Yale professor

A U.S. environmental studies professor said Wednesday in Tokyo that the United States could still meaningfully participate in the framework of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on curbing global warming.
LIFE / Language / KANJI CLINIC
Aug 30, 2002

Cyberspace -- the final frontier of kanji-learning

Last fall, I reported the results of my search for kanji-learning gold in cyberspace. Today, in this second report, I am happy to inform you that the panning has never been better.

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