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JAPAN
May 1, 2002

Land ministry prepares for volcanic contingencies

The land ministry said Tuesday it will create computerized hazard maps for evacuation and emergency plans to cover volcanic eruptions, lava flows and ash falls nationwide.
BUSINESS
Apr 30, 2002

METI group set to tackle copyright abuse in Asia

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will organize a private group of publishers and producers of music, movies, games and other software in June to deal with rampant piracy in China, South Korea and Taiwan, METI officials said.
JAPAN
Apr 29, 2002

Over 7,500 take advantage of new rehabilitation system

More than 7,500 heavily indebted individuals made use of a new system to receive court-organized rehabilitation in the first 11 months since the system's introduction last April, according to statistics released by the Supreme Court on Sunday.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 28, 2002

Public rests easy with cash under the futon

As the scandals keep a-comin', the citizens are receiving what many believe is a healthy and long overdue reality check about those whom they've entrusted with their collective well-being. Politicians have always been suspicious types and bureaucrats only slightly less so. But now teachers, policemen...
BUSINESS
Apr 26, 2002

Japan to take flexible stance on oil reserves: METI

Japan plans to relax its oil reserves policy and will unleash stockpiles in the event of a surge in crude oil prices, government sources said Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 24, 2002

Lawmakers flock to Yasukuni

Ninety-one lawmakers, including Jin Murai, head of the National Public Safety Commission, visited Yasukuni Shrine on Tuesday in the wake of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's surprise visit there Sunday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Apr 24, 2002

Rage against the machine: anti-tech art

"The First Move," a showcase of finalists for the 2002 Philip Morris Art Award, opens this Saturday at Tokyo International Forum. On display until May 6, the exhibition includes paintings, photographs, 3-D pieces, videos, installations and computer-generated work by 57 young artists selected from more...
JAPAN
Apr 21, 2002

Koizumi says reform path stands firm

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi took the opportunity Saturday of a cherry blossom viewing party he hosted at a Tokyo park to emphasize that his structural reform policy stands firm.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 21, 2002

Koizumi trade pitch misses

CAMBRIDGE, England -- At the Baoa Forum for Asia that met on Hainan Island in China earlier this month, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made yet another proposal for a greater economic cooperation agreement for East Asia. This time Japan's focus is on an ASEAN-plus-five formula, as announced...
LIFE / Food & Drink / BEST BAR NONE
Apr 21, 2002

Whip me with your best shot

A frequent visitor to Tokyo for the past 20-plus years asked me whether I thought S/M was on the rise in Tokyo. The answer is both yes and no. Hardcore S/M bars have been discreetly operating throughout that period, but as with all specialty bars, they are controlled by a strict members-only door policy,...
COMMENTARY
Apr 20, 2002

Comedy on the heels of traged

As the saying goes, "tragedy at first, followed by comedy." Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's dismissal of Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka on Jan. 29 was a tragic event in the political world. The collapse of the Koizumi-Tanaka team, at the forefront of the government that emerged in April 2001 to tremendous...
JAPAN
Apr 20, 2002

Koizumi urged not to visit Yasukuni

The newly appointed South Korean ambassador to Japan on Friday indirectly urged Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to abstain from visiting Yasukuni Shrine in August, a visit which strained Tokyo-Seoul relations last year.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Apr 20, 2002

Salah Hannachi

From April 19 to 25 the Hilton Hotel Tokyo is hosting a culture and food promotion evocatively themed "Breeze From Tunisia." Chefs from Hilton Tunis are presenting authentic Tunisian cuisine. At a gala luncheon April 22 a raffle will be held for tickets for the Japan-Tunisia World Cup match, and for...
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 19, 2002

Top Tiger shifts position barely an inch

NEW DELHI -- When Velupillai Prabhakaran, the rebel leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), held his first press conference after a gap of 12 years, he generated some optimism that was no sooner overshadowed by pessimism.
EDITORIALS
Apr 18, 2002

Emergency bills need consensus

After a quarter century of government discussion of security policy, the Diet is set to debate legislation designed to deal with emergencies directly affecting the security of Japan -- namely, military attacks from abroad. At stake is a set of three bills, adopted by the Cabinet on Tuesday and submitted...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / J-POPSICLE
Apr 17, 2002

Happy End all over again

British rock band Oasis will be playing live in Tokyo on May 23. But exactly where is a mystery.
EDITORIALS
Apr 16, 2002

Tip of the 'bad debt' iceberg

The results of special bank audits announced last week by the Financial Services Agency confirm that Japan's banking sector is still saddled with large amounts of bad debt. The message is that banks remain heavily exposed to the risks of default despite stepped-up efforts to improve the situation.
CULTURE / Books / THE ASIAN BOOKSHELF
Apr 14, 2002

Reflecting the author at twice his natural size

A PILGRIMAGE TO ANGKOR. By Pierre Loti. Translated by W.P. Baines. Edited and introduced by Michael Smithies. With photographs by Euayporn Kerchouay. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1999 (revised edition), 107 pp., 22 color plates, 395 baht (paper) On an April evening in 1865, Louis Marie Julien Viaud, then...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 14, 2002

It's not what you're thinking . . .

The way the rock business works is, you buy the record and if you like what you hear, you go to see the band in concert, which more likely than not, will be scheduled within two months of the record's release. Or, you see a band (by accident?) at a concert and then you rush out to your nearest record...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Apr 13, 2002

Yasmina Karem

This year marks the 49th annual Cherry Blossom Charity Ball sponsored by the international Ladies Benevolent Society. A major fundraising event for charitable causes, the ball is also a starred occasion on Tokyo's international social calendar.
JAPAN
Apr 13, 2002

MSDF 'preparatory' power eyed

The government is considering legal revisions to allow for "preparatory" action by Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels that would enable them to deal quickly with suspicious ships spotted off Japan, Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani said Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / MUSEUM MUSINGS
Apr 13, 2002

Toto showcases cutting-edge shapes in design

For anyone interested in contemporary architecture and interior design, as well as a little extra luxury in the kitchen or bathroom, the Toto Nogizaka Building is the place to admire the latest curves, lines and designs.
LIFE / Language
Apr 12, 2002

Online tournament aiming to take haiku global

Last week, The World Haiku Club kicked off a global haiku tournament. For the first time, haiku enthusiasts from more than 10 countries are gathering online to watch and participate in this three-month contest which runs through June.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Africa aid forum searches for solutions

In an attempt to find solutions to Africa's persistent poverty and low economic growth, regional leaders and experts recently met in Tokyo to discuss ways to remedy the continent of its problematic governments.
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

World Cup travel fares discounted for foreigners

The transport ministry on Tuesday unveiled special transportation discounts for overseas tourists during the World Cup soccer championships, which start May 31.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Nakata promotes Cup with Internet cafe

An Internet cafe set up by Japanese soccer player Hidetoshi Nakata will open in Tokyo from April 19 to July 14 in concert with the 2002 World Cup soccer finals, which are being cohosted by Japan and South Korea.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Apr 10, 2002

Total eclipse of the art

In a residential area close to the bright lights and buzz of Shibuya, a fascinating theatrical experiment is taking place at the Agora Theater in Tokyo.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?