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Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / FUZZY LOGIC
Dec 26, 2004

Rip, burn, play: crucial tunes in 2004

Here is the definitive list -- albeit a bit fuzzy (it's been a tough few weeks of pre-Christmas partying) -- of the best albums of 2004. I wish there were more Japanese bands here, but in 2004 most of my favorite bands -- The Gimmies, The Saturns, Melt-Banana, Thee '50s High Teens, Watusi Zombie, etc....
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2004

Fukuoka by-election seen as test for party leaders Koizumi, Okada

A House of Representatives by-election this April in the Fukuoka No. 2 district will be a bellwether, not only for the future of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's government but also the Democratic Party of Japan, the biggest opposition force.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 26, 2004

New Year's Eve

While 3 million people stream through Meiji Jingu Shrine Dec. 31, a smaller number of devotees will be worshipping in their own musical way at Tokyo's jazz meccas. In an event that's become something of a tradition now, New Year's Eve means all night jams in Tokyo's many jazz clubs. Starting around 7...
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2004

Political parties amassed 319.6 billion yen in donations last year

Political parties raked in 319.6 billion yen in 2003, marking a 10.8 percent rise from 2002 and the first increase in three years, according to a tally of government political fund reports.
EDITORIALS
Dec 25, 2004

The year of the blog

Whether you're sick to death of the word "blog" or have no idea what it means, you are equally abreast of the times, linguistically speaking. Merriam-Webster, the U.S. dictionary publisher, recently declared it the most looked-up term on its Internet site this year, not counting profanities and perennial...
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2004

State to push for child-care leave at all companies

In the latest effort to arrest the nation's falling birthrate, a government task force Friday approved a new five-year plan that includes numerical targets and the introduction of child-care leave at all companies.
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2004

Cancer victims' kin demand ban on sales of Iressa

Families of patients who died after experiencing side effects from the lung cancer drug Iressa urged the government Friday to order British pharmaceutical maker AstraZeneca PLC to stop selling it because tests have shown it ineffective at prolonging life.
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2004

Court nixes IBJ back-taxes ruling over bad-loan writeoffs to lender

The Supreme Court on Friday invalidated a decision to impose back taxes on the former Industrial Bank of Japan for writing off nonperforming loans it made to an insolvent "jusen" mortgage lender.
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2004

Constitutional revision draft broke no law: probe

The Defense Agency has concluded that a senior Ground Self-Defense Force officer's recent drafting of a constitutional amendment did not breach the principle of civilian control over the military.
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2004

NPA confirms Japan's first case of e-mail fraud

The National Police Agency said Friday it has confirmed Japan's first case of e-mail fraud.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2004

Cuts should start with civil service: experts

The Cabinet approved a 82.18 trillion yen budget Friday for fiscal 2005 that experts say falls short of the drastic cost cuts needed to curtail spiraling public debt.
SUMO
Dec 25, 2004

Takekaze out of New Year Basho

Eighth-ranked maegashira Takekaze has undergone surgery on his left eye and will likely miss the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament next month, sumo sources said Thursday.
COMMUNITY
Dec 25, 2004

Shades of capella, Yale sabbatical and key-lime pie

Peter Hasegawa is on the Tokyo run . . . conducting postgraduate research, studying at Keio University, tutoring Japanese students at international schools in English, and trying to organize a visit by the Yale capella group, Shades. But only until Dec. 23, when he flies home to Connecticut for the Christmas...
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2004

JR Tokai OKs scooter-wheelchairs

Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) said Friday that it will conditionally allow handicapped people to use scooter-type electric wheelchairs at its train stations.
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2004

Ministry ponders role of crime victims

The Justice Ministry released an interim report Friday on measures to support people victimized by crime that lists pros and cons regarding their participation in trial and other criminal procedures.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2004

Japan doesn't buy North's 'evidence'

The information and items North Korea provided pertaining to 10 missing Japanese are not credible, the government said Friday, warning Pyongyang faces economic sanctions if it continues its "insincere" attitude over the abductions.
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2004

SMBC to open branch in Hangzhou

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. said Friday it will open a branch in Hangzhou, China, on Monday, becoming the first foreign bank to do so.
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2004

Blue LED case may end out of court

The Tokyo High Court recommended that a 50-year-old researcher and Nichia Corp., his former employer, settle their dispute over the blue light-emitting diode patent without any court ruling.
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2004

FSA to promote financial conglomerates

The Financial Services Agency announced a new two-year plan Friday underlining the nation's need for a legal framework that will allow the country's banks, brokerages and insurers to form financial conglomerates capable of competing on a global level.
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2004

FSA set to inspect report recheck refusers

The Financial Services Agency said Friday it will strongly urge companies to respond to its orders to review financial statements and will conduct on-site inspections on those who refuse.
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2004

Daikyo to sell seven noncore properties

Ailing condominium builder Daikyo Inc. said Friday it will sell properties from its noncore operations to seven companies, including a special purpose company established by the Morgan Stanley group of the United States, for about 80 billion yen.
Dec 25, 2004

State to push for child-care leave at all companies

In the latest effort to arrest the nation's falling birthrate, a government task force Friday approved a new five-year plan that includes numerical targets and the introduction of child-care leave at all companies.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 25, 2004

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks get green light

Softbank Corp. officially became a baseball club owner Friday when the Internet service provider obtained approval for its purchase of the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks from debt-ridden retail giant Daiei Inc.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Dec 25, 2004

Robert Morton

When he speaks of Queen Victoria, British monarch from 1837 to 1901, young Englishman Robert Morton becomes impassioned. He said: "England would have had a revolution if it weren't for Victoria. Her route to the throne was very tenuous, then she became the first monarch of the people, supported by the...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2004

Vodafone to play 3G hardball with customers

Vodafone K.K. President Shiro Tsuda has said the company will stop offering new second-generation cell phone handsets in 2005 to force customers to switch to 3G handsets.

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?