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LIFE / Language
Mar 6, 2007

Eek! It's White Day, so what to say to your gal?

In January 2004, members of a Japan Ground Self Defense Forces contingent headed for Iraq were shown on the news being seen off by their families. It was an emotional moment, with plenty of misty eyes in evidence; but not one of these gallant young soldiers going off to war was seen exchanging a kiss...
BUSINESS
Mar 6, 2007

Nonfinancial investment surges quarterly 16.8%

Capital investment by Japanese companies excluding the financial and insurance sectors rose a record 16.8 percent in the October-December quarter from the same period a year earlier, the Finance Ministry said Monday, signaling the corporate-led economic expansion remains strong.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / ON THE BOOK TRAIL
Mar 6, 2007

"Double or Die," "The Skunk Code"

"Double or Die," Charlie Higson, Puffin Books; 2007; 390 pp.
SOCCER / J. League
Mar 5, 2007

Verbeek raves over brilliant Kobayashi

New Omiya Ardija coach Robert Verbeek is pinning the Mighty Squirrels' J. League hopes on Daigo Kobayashi -- and is keeping his fingers crossed the big clubs don't come sniffing around the brilliant young midfielder.
MORE SPORTS
Mar 5, 2007

Prince Rabbits move closer to place in Asia c'ship

Led by its high-powered offense, the Seibu Prince Rabbits are one win away from a berth in the Asia League Ice Hockey Championship.
BASKETBALL
Mar 5, 2007

Diouf carries 89ers in bj-league

Sendai forward Mamadou Diouf had 28 points, 19 rebounds and six assists, playing in 39 minutes out of 40, to help the fifth-placed 89ers move to .500 at 16 all with a 80-74 victory over the Takamatsu Five Arrows (19-13) at Tome Gymnasium in Miyagi Prefecture on Sunday afternoon.
JAPAN
Mar 5, 2007

Abe will stand by 1993 sex slave apology: aide

has not denied the statement," Seko said on a TV Asahi talk show. He did not attempt to explain the apparent discrepancies between the statement and Abe's denial that coercion was involved. Abe sparked international outrage last week by saying there was no evidence to prove women were forced into military...
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 5, 2007

Eastern challenge to West European jobs

MUNICH -- In January, the European Union expanded eastward once again. Following the "Big Bang" enlargement of 2004, which added 75 million new EU citizens, the accession of Romania and Bulgaria has added 30 million more. What does this mean for the labor markets of Western Europe?
EDITORIALS
Mar 5, 2007

Russia flexes its muscles

Recent statements by Russian officials have taken an ominous tone. In one speech, President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of trying to impose its will on the world, while other leaders warn that American plans to install missile defenses in Europe will force Russia to target the host countries...
COMMENTARY
Mar 5, 2007

To move without U.S. cues

In their talks Feb. 21, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney reaffirmed the "unwavering" Japan-U.S. security alliance. This raises a question: Why did Abe have to reaffirm an alliance that is said to have already benefited from the long honeymoon between former Prime...
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Mar 5, 2007

Japan must eliminate hidden agriculture taxes to progress at Doha

Some new developments may be around the corner in the Doha Round of trade liberalization talks.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 5, 2007

Michael Jackson arrives in Tokyo

Michael Jackson arrived Sunday in Tokyo, and fans paying more than 400,000 yen a ticket will be able to spend 30 seconds with the pop icon, an organizer said.
BASKETBALL
Mar 4, 2007

Diouf superb in loss

The Takamatsu Five Arrows defeated the host Sendai 89ers 84-82 in bj-league action on Saturday. Mamadou Diouf, a Senegalese forward, scored 44 points in defeat and also pulled down 15 boards. Takamatsu's Reggie Warren, Yu Okada and Rasheed Sparks all scored 16 points apiece for the Five Arrows, who improved...
BASKETBALL / ONE-ON-ONE WITH ...
Mar 4, 2007

Garrison: Hard work key to success

The Japan Times will be featuring periodic interviews with players in the bj-league -- Japan's first professional basketball circuit -- which is in its second season. Matt Garrison of the Niigata Albirex BB is the subject of this week's profile.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Mar 4, 2007

Complaints about officials ring hollow

LONDON -- Unless the Football Association brings in members of a jury from California, where no star can be found guilty it seems, Arsene Wenger, Dave Jones and Paul Jewell will have the book thrown at them -- albeit a small book.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 4, 2007

Pop star Utada divorces video director husband

Hikaru Utada, the U.S.-born pop star whose debut album "First Love" set a sales record in Japan and sold millions more across Asia, said Saturday she has ended a 4 1/2-year marriage to the director of her music videos.
MORE SPORTS
Mar 4, 2007

Arakawa accepts FSAJ Award

She's been dubbed "Cool Beauty" by the Japanese press. Her composure on the ice is equally stunning.

Longform

Juzo Itami’s “Tampopo” was released Nov. 23, 1985, and though it wasn’t a hit at the time, it has gained a cult following in the years since.
Eat, slurp, love: 'Tampopo' turns 40