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COMMENTARY
Jan 25, 2007

Abe's aggressive agenda

HONOLULU -- There is no mistaking Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's determination to transform Japan's foreign and security policies, and reassert itself in the world. Yet while he must seize opportunities as he forges this new role, he must also reassure doubters both at home and abroad that Japan will act...
SUMO
Jan 23, 2007

Numbers break records, character creates legends

At exactly 5:43 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 21, 2007, yokozuna Asashoryu Akinori was presented with the Emperor's Cup for the 20th time in his sumo career; a feat achieved only four times prior, by former yokozuna Taiho (32 total yusho), Chiyonofuji (31), Kitanoumi (24) and Takanohana (22). These...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Jan 23, 2007

Gender identity transformed from 'freak' into rights issue

'When I was a child, I had a feeling I wasn't satisfied with being a human being. To be a human being didn't seem like a beautiful existence to me," says Otojiro Toriyama.
LIFE / Language
Jan 23, 2007

Translations blunted by discarded 'somethings'

One of the great pleasures of life in a country not your own is savoring its literature in the original language.
COMMENTARY
Jan 22, 2007

Unshackling Japan's defense

On Jan. 9 the Defense Agency was upgraded to full ministry status. At a ceremony marking the change, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said it was a major step from the "postwar regime" toward a foundation for national rebuilding.
Japan Times
LIFE / WEEK 3
Jan 21, 2007

Dig in at this genuine cantina

OSAKA -- Osaka likes to brag that it is the kitchen of Japan, where the stomach is the most important body organ. But as the guidebooks might say, "Cheap and cheerful is the rule" when it comes to establishing a decent greasy spoon in this city, which prides itself on its working-class, merchant roots....
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2007

'Yokohama Incident' appeals dismissed

The Tokyo High Court on Friday dismissed appeals brought by the relatives of five men convicted in the so-called Yokohama Incident, the nation's worst case of repression of journalistic freedom during the war.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Jan 20, 2007

Dr. Manny Sultan and Yasuko Emmei-Sultan

Three people have had major influences on the life, character and career of Dr. Manny Sultan, Cairo-born architect, interior architect, and space planner.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Jan 20, 2007

The child in me, the child in you

Mirrors don't lie, but they can mislead. Mine, for example, will sometimes offer unkind reflections upon my age. Especially in the morning.
COMMENTARY
Jan 19, 2007

Europe, energy and Russia

LONDON -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has a very different attitude toward Russia from the last three or four German chancellors, perhaps because she grew up in former East Germany, under Russian control.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Jan 19, 2007

Here lies the lore of the land

Against the backdrop of the Northern Japan Alps, isolated and picturesque Takayama, in Gifu Prefecture, is a welcome retreat from big-city life.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jan 19, 2007

Recital reunites teacher with pupil

The contrabassist Isao Fukazawa will perform a bass recital to celebrate 20 years as principal bassist of Kyushu Symphony Orchestra, at Kioi Hall, Tokyo, on Jan. 25. The program, quipped the "ultimate" contrabass concert program, presents masterpieces spanning many musical eras.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Jan 19, 2007

Ebisu Imaiya So-Honten: Skewered or simmered, rare birds

The evenings are long and dark. Icy winds whip through the streets. Comfort food is called for, and it pays to know where to find it. If we're in Ebisu, as often as not we head straight to Imaiya So-Honten.
COMMENTARY
Jan 18, 2007

Unhappy state of education

LONDON -- Very few parents in Britain or Japan are happy about the state of education available to their children. The response of politicians in both countries to these concerns is inadequate and sometimes dangerous.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2007

Cost of Kobe memorials irks some critics

KOBE -- A dozen years after the Great Hanshin Earthquake, debate is growing over how best to remember the disaster and its aftermath in a city where only 70 percent of current residents were here when the temblor struck.
JAPAN
Jan 16, 2007

New security body may form policymaking core

A government panel planning a new, streamlined national security policymaking body agreed Monday that it should form an inner circle of the current Security Council of Japan and look at long-term policy.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Jan 16, 2007

Mixed results with foreign influx

At first glance there is little sign that Nishi-Kasai is different to any other Tokyo suburb. It's a neat, if unremarkable, commuter town. Like similar areas, it grew rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s with an influx of migrant workers from the countryside.
Japan Times
LIFE
Jan 14, 2007

It's high time for Japan to ride the space-tourism wave

The United States and Europe are finally, albeit slowly, paving the way for space tourism to become a revolutionary source of new business -- some economists even believe it could save the stagnating world economy.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 14, 2007

Aceh peace pays off for election victor

BRUSSELS -- After the second anniversary of Aceh's tragic tsunami, peace seems to have finally come to the troubled province. Official results of the Dec. 11 provincial elections came with the new year. They confirmed a landslide victory for one faction of the former rebels.
BUSINESS
Jan 13, 2007

Fukui hints at rate hike at next BOJ meeting

BOJ Gov. Toshihiko Fukui said Friday that private consumption is "on the increase," fueling speculation the central bank may raise interest rates at its meeting next week.
EDITORIALS
Jan 12, 2007

Opportunity in Somalia

Somalia's recent history is sad and confusing. The war-torn country has had 14 governments in 15 years; none has been able to stabilize the country. Most recently, Ethiopia sent troops into Somalia to drive the ruling Union of Islamic Courts from power and restore the government of President Abdullahi...
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jan 9, 2007

Holidays bring back that lovin' feelin' for work

There's something about the Japanese new year that saps all the energy out of a woman and plunges her into despair. It's little wonder that many a working girl returns to the office after the holidays, heaves a sigh of relief and mutters "shigoto shiteta hoga mashi dawa (it's easier to work)" before...
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 9, 2007

Fighting fingerprinting and roaches

Fingerprinting Regarding the new law requiring the photographing and fingerprinting of foreigners, reader Nick asks about any organizations that are lobbying against the new law.

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