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COMMENTARY
Jan 19, 2006

Still plagued by sleazy politics

LONDON -- There is understandably a great deal of cynicism about politicians in every country. Their reputation is probably now lower than that of any other profession because they have so often been exposed as liars and/or as corrupt.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 19, 2006

Director Yanagimachi explores the human condition

Mitsuo Yanagimachi is enjoying a moment in the sun after nearly a decade in the twilight: His new film "Camus Nante Shiranai (Who's Camus Anyway?)" was screened in the Director's Fortnight section at Cannes, picked up for distribution in the United States and showered with rave reviews from everywhere....
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 19, 2006

Aussies tackle global warming

SYDNEY -- Amid exploding energy demand from Asia-Pacific countries, resource-rich Australia has emerged as a leader of planned energy supply and use into the foreseeable future.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jan 19, 2006

With new name, Sakata Tojuro free to revive kamigata-style acting

In 1953, kabuki actor Nakamura Ganjiro III (then known as Nakamura Senjaku) scored his first major success on a Tokyo stage with his unorthodox perfomance in "Sonezaki Shinju (Double Suicide at Sonezaki)," a 1703 work by the celebrated playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon. The director, Nobuo Uno, allowed...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jan 19, 2006

"Stuff Happens" : So what do you think about it?

The night I got back home from the premiere of "Stuff Happens," the BBC World television news led off with a report on a further mess in Iraq -- the chief judge in the trial of deposed president Saddam Hussein had resigned following criticism of his "soft attitude" toward the defendant. I felt strongly...
BASKETBALL / NBA / NBA REPORT
Jan 18, 2006

Discontent with role led to Francis row

NEW YORK -- Think Brian Hill might have some regrets about his return visit through the Disney World turnstiles?
BASEBALL / MLB
Jan 18, 2006

Iriki heads for talks with MLB club

Japanese right-hander Yusaku Iriki left Japan for the United States on Tuesday hoping to strike a deal with a major league club during his trip.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Tanigaki backs female monarchs, says continuity important

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, considered a candidate to be the next prime minister, said Tuesday he supports the idea that females and their descendants should be allowed to ascend the Imperial throne.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Writer takes helm

Translator and writer Jun Hoshikawa has been appointed executive director of Greenpeace Japan, the nongovernmental organization announced Monday.
SUMO
Jan 18, 2006

Asashoryu fends off tough challenge to grab share of lead

Grand champion Asashoryu defeated Kotomitsuki on Tuesday to grab a share of the lead heading into the final stretch of the 15-day meet at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Foreign tourists hit record high 6.73 million

The number of foreign tourists to Japan in 2005 is estimated to have been a record high 6.73 million, up 590,000 from the previous year, transport chief Kazuo Kitagawa said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Itoyama gets Akutagawa; Higashino receives Naoki

Akiko Itoyama on Tuesday was named the recipient of the 134th Akutagawa Prize for promising new fiction writers, while Keigo Higashino was given the 134th Naoki Prize for experienced writers of popular fiction.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Serial killer Miyazaki must hang: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the death penalty for Tsutomu Miyazaki in the brutal late-1980s serial killings of four girls in Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture that stunned the nation.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Carrier leaks fuel

The Associated Press An undetermined amount of diesel oil leaked Tuesday from the aging USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier in the port of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, officials said.
SOCCER / J. League
Jan 18, 2006

J. League to expand second division

The J. League plans to expand the second division to 18 teams in 2010 from the current 13 in response to an increasing number of clubs hoping to join the league, J. League officials said Tuesday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 18, 2006

Cases highlight custody issues

Two recent incidents have drawn public attention to the Japan-U.S. agreement on handling U.S. military members suspected of committing a crime in Japan. In one case, a sailor arrested after a car accident was transferred to U.S. military authorities. In the other -- the robbery and fatal beating of a...
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Ito named new Tokyo police chief

The National Public Safety Commission on Tuesday named Tetsuro Ito, currently head of the National Police Academy, to be the next chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Computer to predict terrorist damage

The government plans to put into operation a computer simulator that can predict the damage caused by a large-scale terrorist attack, an official said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Prison urged for Muraoka in JDA-LDP fund scandal

Prosecutors on Tuesday demanded one year behind bars for former senior lawmaker Kanezo Muraoka for his alleged involvement in concealing a 100 million yen political donation by a dentists' group.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Huser boss clams up before the Diet

Huser Ltd. President Susumu Ojima refused to answer most questions under oath Tuesday before a Diet committee in connection with the nationwide building safety scam in which his condominium development firm is a key player.
BUSINESS
Jan 18, 2006

Cold weather cools beer shipments

Shipments of beer and beerlike alcoholic beverages by the top five breweries fell 3.1 percent in 2005 for the first decline in two years due to the colder than usual winter, industry figures showed Tuesday.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji