search

 
 
JAPAN
Nov 6, 2004

Ministry proposes 2,400 yen per ton carbon tax plan

The Environment Ministry unveiled a carbon tax Friday to discourage use of fossil fuels and promote the use of energy-saving appliances so Japan can meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.
BUSINESS
Nov 6, 2004

JAL back in black, sees rate hikes over fuel costs

Japan Airlines Corp. reported Friday that it returned to profit in the first half of the fiscal year as international travel recovered from a decline a year ago caused by the war in Iraq and the outbreak of SARS in Asia, and added that rising fuel costs will lead to fare increases.
COMMENTARY
Nov 6, 2004

French divide over Turkey

PARIS -- On Dec. 17 leaders of the 25 European Union states will consider Turkey's request to join their club. That doesn't mean Turkey is set to be admitted anytime soon. For budgetary reasons, it's not likely to happen before 2015.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 6, 2004

Don't expect mudslinging to fade away

HONOLULU -- Defeated vice presidential candidates in America usually don't rate much attention, but Democratic Sen. John Edwards signaled, perhaps inadvertently, what lies immediately ahead in U.S. politics when he said Wednesday: "This fight has just begun."
BUSINESS
Nov 6, 2004

Training costs cut McDonald's profit

McDonald's Holdings Co. (Japan) said Friday its third-quarter operating profit fell 19 percent to 1.73 billion yen because it spent more on training workers.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 6, 2004

U.S. pressure on North may sideline abductee resolution

U.S. President George W. Bush is expected to increase pressure on North Korea over the Pyongyang nuclear threat in his second term -- something Japan does not want, experts say.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2004

Niigata aftershock shuts down bullet train line, nuclear plant

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 shook Niigata Prefecture on Thursday morning, causing a bullet train line and a nuclear power plant to temporarily halt operations. Only minor injuries were reported.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2004

GPS school bags keep tabs on kids

The increasing frequency of crimes against children has caused the birth of yet another high-tech product.
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2004

Cops to aid domestic violence victims

The National Police Agency said Thursday it will offer more support to victims of domestic violence by allowing them to talk with perpetrators at police stations and helping them escape from their abusers.
BUSINESS
Nov 5, 2004

University-launched startups at 982

A total 982 venture businesses resulted from universities and government research institutes' developments as of the end of August, the University of Tsukuba said in a report released Thursday.
EDITORIALS
Nov 5, 2004

A nation that remains divided

A lthough the final results, as in the 2000 election, will be delayed, U.S. President George W. Bush has won a second term in office. Democratic Sen. John Kerry could have dragged out the fight with legal challenges and demands for a recount, but he decided that the president's lead margin was too large...
BUSINESS
Nov 5, 2004

BOJ, ECB to join Japan-EU talks

Top government and central bank officials from Japan and the European Union will hold a bilateral financial meeting in Tokyo next week to discuss foreign exchange developments and China's dollar-pegged currency system, EU sources said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Nov 5, 2004

Suzuki reports record first-half profit

Suzuki Motor Corp. on Thursday reported that its first-half net profit jumped 15 percent to a record 28.68 billion yen, thanks to strong domestic sales and cost-cutting.
BUSINESS
Nov 5, 2004

Malaysia FTA talks in sixth round

Japan and Malaysia began their sixth round of negotiations for a free-trade agreement Thursday in Tokyo, aiming to narrow differences over key issues such as abolishing tariffs on automobiles and plywood.
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2004

Leaders voice mixed reaction to Bush win

Political party leaders had mixed reactions to U.S. President George W. Bush's re-election Thursday that ranged from relief to demands for Washington to review its policy on Iraq.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Nov 5, 2004

Hitting the spectacular views and open-air baths Hakone

Autumn is probably the best season for travel, with the weather turning cooler but not too cold, and leaves imbuing the landscape with a rich kaleidoscope of color. Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture is one of the best places to admire the autumn hues. And there is still time to enjoy the late autumn colors...
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2004

Tsuzuki's resignation approved

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the resignation of Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Yuzuru Tsuzuki following the Supreme Court's upholding of his aides' conviction for violating election laws.
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2004

Jenkins calls his sentence for desertion 'very fair'

Former U.S. Army Sgt. Charles Jenkins believes his conviction and sentence to 30 days in jail for desertion after nearly 40 years in North Korea is "very fair," his military counsel said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Nov 5, 2004

Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical off 31%

Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. said Thursday its group net profit dived 30.9 percent from a year earlier to 20.03 billion yen in the first half of the 2004 business year due to a series of one-off losses.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 5, 2004

BlueWave GM presents list of 25 protected players

Orix BlueWave general manager Katsuhiro Nakamura visited the baseball commissioner's office on Thursday to present a list of 25 protected players who will receive preferential signing rights with the new team created by the merger with the Kintetsu Buffaloes.
BUSINESS
Nov 5, 2004

Think tanks estimate real growth reached 1.9% in July-September

The Japanese economy is estimated to have expanded at an annualized rate of 1.9 percent in real terms in the third quarter this year, according to nine major economic think tanks.
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2004

Troops ready for deployment; Iraq mission may be extended

The Defense Agency on Thursday ordered the Northeastern Army of the Ground Self-Defense Force to prepare to head to southern Iraq to take over Japan's humanitarian aid mission there -- an indication the government is prepared to extend troop deployment beyond its one-year mission.

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?