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JAPAN
Feb 7, 2006

Suspect builders linked to six U.S. base projects

At least six construction projects at U.S. military bases in Japan were awarded in fiscal 2004 to contractors that have been searched by prosecutors investigating alleged bid-rigging at the Defense Facilities Administration Agency, investigative sources and documents indicated Monday.
BUSINESS
Feb 7, 2006

Toshiba seals Westinghouse deal

Toshiba Corp. reached a formal agreement Monday with British Nuclear Fuels PLC to acquire the British firm's U.S. nuclear power plant arm, Westinghouse Electric Co., Toshiba officials said.
EDITORIALS
Feb 7, 2006

Enough of make-believe bidding

The arrests last week of senior officials of the Defense Facilities Administration Agency (DFAA) confirmed that bid-rigging on public-works projects remains an entrenched practice in Japan. What happens, basically, is that a contract is awarded at a price higher than if it were put out to bid through...
BUSINESS
Feb 7, 2006

JAL reports 23 billion yen group net loss

Japan Airlines Corp. reported Monday a group net loss of 23 billion yen for the first three quarters of fiscal 2005, slumping from a net profit of 79.2 billion yen it logged in the same period the previous year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 7, 2006

CDs of juicy classical snippets a big hit

A CD series bringing together short, catchy parts of 100 pieces of classical music has recently become a surprise blockbuster at CD shops across the country.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 7, 2006

Weeping Toyoko boss pledges to right wrongs

Toyoko Inn Co. President Norimasa Nishida said Monday the firm will retrofit all the hotels that it illegally modified after they were approved by municipal governments as meeting barrier-free codes, and will hire disabled people to promote their employment.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Feb 7, 2006

Twisted legal logic deals rights blow to foreigners

Steve McGowan, an African-American resident of Kyoto, sued an eyeglass shop in Daito City, Osaka Prefecture, for refusing him entry in 2004 on the basis of the color of his skin.
BUSINESS
Feb 7, 2006

Bioplastic to boost NTT cell phones' 'green' credentials

NEC Corp. and Unitika Ltd. said Monday an environmentally friendly bioplastic they have jointly developed will be used in NTT DoCoMo Inc. cell phones.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Feb 7, 2006

Was casting Chinese actresses in "Memoirs of a Geisha (Sayuri)" a blunder?

Josh Chua Student, 20 In Hollywood, it's common for an actor of a certain ethnicity to play a character of another ethnicity. I don't think Scots were in uproar over Mel Gibson in "Braveheart." If anything, it says more about a lack of Japanese actors.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Feb 7, 2006

How Japan became No. 1

Who has the global bragging rights to slimness? First there was Mireille Guiliano's book, "French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure," published in 2004. Hot on the heels of this best-seller, Naomi Moriyama threw down the gauntlet less than a year later with "Japanese Women Don't...
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / ON THE BOOK TRAIL
Feb 7, 2006

"Firebird," "Thor's Wedding Day"

"Firebird," Susan Gates, Puffin; 2005; 212pp.
LIFE / Language
Feb 7, 2006

Practical reasons for praising entrance exams

On Saturday, Jan. 21, history was made. And I was a part of it by simply taking a 30-minute listening test. It was the first time that the unified university entrance exams, prepared by MEXT's National Center for University Entrance Examinations, had included listening comprehension. This may very well...
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Feb 7, 2006

Guarantors and leaving the country

Guarantor Is there an organization in Japan that serves as a guarantor for foreigners in Japan who want to rent apartments?
Rugby
Feb 6, 2006

Toshiba Fuchu wins 2nd straight Microsoft Cup

Toshiba Fuchu scored four tries in the first half and went on to beat Suntory 33-18 in the Microsoft Cup final on Sunday, completing a league and cup double for the second straight year.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Feb 6, 2006

Source: Saito to sign with Dodgers

Japanese right-handed pitcher Takashi Saito is likely to sign a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers shortly, baseball sources said Sunday.
JAPAN
Feb 6, 2006

Police agency seeking to outlaw powerful air guns

The National Police Agency will ask lawmakers to ban air guns that have been retooled to give them killing power, NPA officials said Sunday.
JAPAN
Feb 6, 2006

Health ministry to set specific nonsmoking goal

The health ministry has decided to set a numerical target to lower the ratio of smokers as part of a national health campaign, officials said Sunday.

Longform

A store clerk tries to cool things down in front of their shop by spraying a hose.
Is extreme weather changing the way Japan shops?