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JAPAN
Dec 16, 2005

Tax breaks may soon be pulled; hikes eyed

The ruling coalition Thursday recommended scrapping income, residential and corporate tax breaks and raising liquor and tobacco levies in its reform proposals for fiscal 2006, and agreed to discuss a possible consumption tax increase for fiscal 2007.
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2005

Families spent record 58,000 yen to put kids through cram schools in 2004

The average annual amount spent on cram schools by households whose children attend public elementary schools jumped 14.4 percent to a record 58,000 yen between fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2002, the education ministry said Thursday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 16, 2005

Dropping a line and seeing what hits

The Icelandic singer Emiliana Torrini is sitting in the Tokyo office of her Japanese record company, talking about an izakaya where she spent an evening. Torrini has a special affection for eateries since she grew up in a restaurant run by her Italian immigrant father in a small town outside Reykjavik....
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 16, 2005

Ensemble plucking festive note

The St. Petersburg Chamber Ensemble is coming to Tokyo for a special Christmas performance, "Ave Maria In Christmas." The ensemble plays Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, Hatsudai (Dec. 25 at 11 a.m.) and Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Shibuya, Tokyo (Dec. 24, 11:30 a.m.), with only a few tickets remaining.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 16, 2005

Broadcaster screenslatest co-productions

There has never been greater attention on Asian cinema. The Sixth NHK Asian Film Festival, taking place Dec. 17-25 in Shibuya, Tokyo, continues its mission to support promising filmmakers in Asia following on the heels of Tokyo International Film Festival, Tokyo FILMeX and South Korea's Pusan Film Festival,...
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2005

Pair using Tamiflu die but state denies drug poses safety worry

The health ministry said Thursday that two men, one in his 50s and and the other in his 80s, died after taking Tamiflu, one after developing a serious skin disease and the other from kidney failure.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / COUNTER CULTURE
Dec 16, 2005

Another jewel in the Cartier crown

Venerated as the royalty of jewelers and the jewelers of royalty, Cartier is by far the largest brand of its kind in the world. With its illustrious history and client list including countless kings, queens and princes, it is little wonder that the brand's double C logo and distinctive red packaging...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 16, 2005

YMCK: "Family Racing"

The world over, nostalgia for 1980s video games is rife. But it is only fitting that the absolute kings, nay, gods of Famicon Pop are a group hailing from Japan -- YMCK.
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 16, 2005

Verdy eyes Ramos for vacancy

Tokyo Verdy will offer former Japan international midfielder Ruy Ramos the manager's job of the club relegated to the J. League second division, club officials said Thursday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 16, 2005

Mingus Big Band

The Mingus Big Band has dedicated itself to Charles Mingus' music, playing weekly in New York and touring actively since 1991. The band follow The Mingus Dynasty, basically Mingus' last band, which was renamed after his death in 1979, and has been keeping not only Mingus' music but his hip spirit and...
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2005

War Hussein's fault: Koizumi

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi argued Thursday that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein triggered the 2003 invasion of his country and Japan was justified in supporting the U.S.-led multinational force that launched the "pre-emptive" attack.
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2005

Death sentence finalized for murderer of five

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the death sentence for a 51-year-old man who was convicted of killing five people between 1992 and 1993.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2005

55-year-old Snoopy goes platinum

Jewelry maker I.K. Co. is offering 10 platinum Snoopy figures for 5.5 million yen each to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the popular American cartoon character.
BUSINESS
Dec 16, 2005

Kajima figure Ishikawa dies at 80

Rokuro Ishikawa, honorary chairman of major general contractor Kajima Corp., died of heart failure at a Tokyo hospital Wednesday night, company officials said Thursday. He was 80.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 16, 2005

Stripping it down, thriving on basics

Born in 1970 into an acting family -- his father is butoh master Akaji Maro and his brother is rising star Nao Omori -- Tatsushi Omori served as an assistant director for Junji Sakamoto and Kazuyuki Izutsu before working for producer/director Genjiro Arato on "Akame Shijuha-taki Shinju Misui" in 2003...
BUSINESS
Dec 16, 2005

Yakult to sell Thorpe's sports drink

Yakult Honsha Co. said Thursday it has agreed with Australia's Thorpedo Foods, a joint venture between So Natural Foods and Olympic gold medalist swimmer Ian Thorpe, to sell the venture's sports drink in Japan.
BUSINESS
Dec 16, 2005

ANA, JAL engine repairs to cost carriers 9.5 billion yen

All Nippon Airways Co. and Japan Airlines Corp. will replace parts in engines made by Pratt & Whitney of the United States in their Boeing 777s for about 9.5 billion yen due to incidents involving engine trouble earlier this year, the airlines said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Dec 16, 2005

Upturn pumps household assets to record 1.454 quadrillion yen

Assets held by Japanese households hit a record high 1.454 quadrillion yen as of Sept. 30 mainly due to income increases and rising share prices amid the economic upturn, the Bank of Japan said Thursday.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 16, 2005

Roppongi lights up

Roppongi Hills will be lit up brighter than ever this holiday season for "Artelligent Christmas 2005." Until Dec. 25, Keyakizaka Dori will be covered in the glow of blue and white lights while the main entrance to Roppongi Hills, 66 Plaza, will be lit up by its "Dramatic Crystal" illuminations that aim...
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Dec 16, 2005

Matsuzaka lands record salary

The Seibu Lions on Thursday signed ace right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka to a new contract that is expected to make him the highest-paid pitcher in the Pacific League next year.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / THE SECOND ROOM
Dec 16, 2005

Psychedelic radar 12.16

Friday, Dec. 16
BUSINESS
Dec 16, 2005

Only brokers must drop Mizuho spoils: JASDA

The Japan Securities Dealers Association will ask all members to give up profits they earned on Tuesday's settlement of Mizuho Securities Co.'s erroneous Dec. 8 sell order for J-Com Co. shares, industry sources said Thursday.
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2005

Nine child-sex offenders missing: police

The whereabouts of nine convicted child-sex offenders who have been released from prison since the National Police Agency started keeping track of them in June is unknown, the agency said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Dec 16, 2005

Hitachi vice president promoted

Hitachi Ltd. said Thursday its current executive vice president, Kazuo Furukawa, will become the president of the leading electronics maker April 1.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Dec 16, 2005

A few more before we go

It's always the same story: So many restaurants, so much great food, so little time. The Food File never has enough columns in a year to feature all of the excellent places we've enjoyed over the past 12 months. So, quickly, before we get sidetracked on pouring the mulled wine and carving the turkey,...
MORE SPORTS
Dec 15, 2005

Sao Paulo edges Al Ittihad to book spot in final

Marcio Amoroso scored twice and goalie Rogerio Ceni converted a penalty on Wednesday as South American champion Sao Paulo beat Al Ittihad 3-2 to go through to the final of the Club World Championship.

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?