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BUSINESS
Aug 26, 2004

Toyota launches production, sale of pickup in Thailand

Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it has launched production and sale of a new pickup truck in Thailand, its first step in building a global supply network.
EDITORIALS
Aug 26, 2004

Clarifying the cyber-crime fight

Japan is set to become an active party to an international treaty designed to combat computer crime. The Diet, which earlier this year approved the Convention on Cyber-crime, is in the process of debating a set of revision bills for related domestic laws, including the Criminal Law. Given the rapid rise...
JAPAN
Aug 26, 2004

Koizumi to 'inspect' Russian-held islands

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Wednesday expressed his intention to visit eastern Hokkaido as early as next month to take a look at the Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.
BUSINESS
Aug 26, 2004

'05 budgetary requests likely to surpass 85 trillion yen

The fiscal 2005 budget requests from government ministries and agencies are expected to total 85.52 trillion yen -- 3.40 trillion yen greater than the initial budget for the current fiscal year, Finance Ministry sources said Wednesday.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / ANIMAL TRACKER
Aug 26, 2004

Brown-lined puffer

* Japanese name: Kitamakura * Scientific name: Canthigaster rivulata * Description: Puffer fish have plump bodies and thick, smooth skin interrupted by large bulging eyes. In many parts of Japan, puffer fish are called fugu, which is written using Chinese characters that mean "river pig." In western...
BUSINESS
Aug 26, 2004

JT unit in trouble over alleged smuggling

The Quebec government is seeking a tax payment of 1.36 billion Canadian dollars (about 114.6 billion yen) from JTI-Macdonald Corp., the Canadian unit of Japan Tobacco Inc., for the unit's alleged role in tobacco smuggling from 1990 to 1998, JT officials said.
JAPAN
Aug 26, 2004

Registered births down in first half

The first half of the year saw 560,958 newborns registered with Japanese authorities, including those born overseas, a decrease of 4,900 from last year, according to preliminary health ministry data obtained Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 26, 2004

Suzuki bribery charges politically motivated, his lawyers say

Lawyers for former House of Representatives member Muneo Suzuki told the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday that their client is innocent and the bribery charges against him are politically motivated.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 26, 2004

The Showa days: Were they really that good?

True to their inherent sentimentality, the Japanese often get all misty-eyed about times past. Lately the phrase "furuki yoki Showa (the good old Showa days)" has been bandied about. But, one is inclined to ask, were the Showa days really as good as the media would have us believe?
JAPAN
Aug 26, 2004

Ishiba looks to reduce civilian control over SDF

Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba wants to reduce civilian control over Japan's defense forces by revising relevant legislation, informed sources said Wednesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Aug 26, 2004

Nishi knocks two out of the yard

Toshihisa Nishi homered twice and Ichiro Horita hit a two-run go-ahead double in the third inning as the Yomiuri Giants came from behind to beat the first-place Chunichi Dragons 5-4 in the Central League on Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Aug 26, 2004

Daiei must seek IRCJ help: SMFG chief

Yoshifumi Nishikawa, president of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc., said Wednesday that supermarket chain operator Daiei Inc. has no alternative but to seek help from the state-backed Industrial Revitalization Corp. of Japan for its revival.
SOCCER / World cup
Aug 26, 2004

Zico recalls Takahara, Ono for qualifier

Japan coach Zico has recalled German-based striker Naohiro Takahara and Feyenoord midfielder Shinji Ono for the Asian champions' upcoming World Cup qualifier away to India.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Aug 26, 2004

Thinking aloud

Does language determine thought? Are there concepts in some languages that can't be understood in others because that language doesn't have the word for it?
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Aug 26, 2004

Shedding light on Doom 3

There's a slight glitch in the instantaneous transport system that Union Aerospace Corp. (UAC) is developing in its Mars labs -- it opens the portals of Hell.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 26, 2004

Youngest Cannes winner commended

Yuya Yagira, the 14-year-old named best actor at this year's Cannes Film Festival, received a Japanese government award Wednesday for his performance in the movie "Nobody Knows."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 25, 2004

No easy answers from Kore-eda

Directors who have been on the PR circuit long enough often have their answers ready before the interviewer's questions are halfway out of his mouth. Not Hirokazu Kore-eda. Despite the dozens of interviews he's given since "Nobody Knows (Daremo Shiranai)" screened in competition at this year's Cannes...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 25, 2004

Okada looks to stay on as DPJ chief

Democratic Party of Japan chief Katsuya Okada announced Tuesday that he will run in the party's presidential race on Sept. 13, with a majority of party members backing his bid for re-election.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 25, 2004

While Mom was away

Nobody Knows Rating: * * * * (out of 5) Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda Running time: 141 minutes Language: Japanese Currently showing [See Japan Times movie listings]
JAPAN
Aug 25, 2004

Typhoon's waves claim two sisters

Powerful Typhoon Aere, which hit Okinawa's Miyako and Ishigaki islands Tuesday morning, has left two young sisters dead in its wake, according to local rescue officials.
EDITORIALS
Aug 25, 2004

China marks Deng's centenary

China this week celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Deng Xiaoping, the man most responsible for setting China on the path toward growth, development and its re-emergence as a real power in Asia and the world. Deng died seven years ago, but his stature has only grown in the intervening years....

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?