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BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2004

Chip makers scuttle planned alliance

Major semiconductor companies have scrapped a plan to form an alliance to invest in advanced manufacturing facilities, the president of chip maker Renesas Technology Corp. said Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jun 23, 2004

A Korean marriage of high and low art

In Asia, June is traditionally the most popular month for weddings -- as is evident from the ceremonies you'll see happening around you every weekend. It's timely, then, that the current exhibition at the Mingeikan (Japan Folk Crafts Museum) offers a glimpse of the practices and iconography of Korean...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 23, 2004

Smarting from pension snafu, LDP has modest poll hopes

The Liberal Democratic Party must "humbly accept" the harsh public outrage over its recent forced passage of contentious pension reform bills as it strives to retain its strength in the July 11 House of Councilors election, the LDP secretary general said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2004

NEC develops 'bioplastic' that can change shape

An NEC Corp. research unit has developed a new vegetable-based plastic that has the ability to "remember" and change shape.
BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2004

IRCJ chief denies entity has failed to live up to its name

Kazuyoshi Kaneko, state minister for the Industrial Revitalization Corp. of Japan, brushed aside criticism Tuesday that the state-backed corporate rehabilitation body isn't living up to its name.
BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2004

Japan and EU agree to treat farm issues with kid gloves

Japan and the European Union agreed Tuesday that special consideration should be given to Japanese rice and other sensitive farm products in multilateral trade negotiations on tariff cuts, government officials said.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / THE SECOND ROOM
Jun 23, 2004

Japan crowd overwhelms Jiga + Jinno; New releases spark summer's fire

Weeks of wonder culminated in a long moment of uncertainty when Jiga + Jinno of Analog Pussy took the stage back on April 9 at Cube326.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 23, 2004

It's all in the pursuit

Toy Love Rating: * * 1/2 (out of 5) Japanese title: Neko wa Nandemo Shitteiru Director: Harry Sinclair Running time: 88 minutes Language: English Currently showing [See Japan Times movie listings] For once, the Japanese title works better than the original -- the New Zealand movie called...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jun 23, 2004

Putting it in motion

When the British choreographer Matthew Bourne first staged his "Swan Lake" in 1995 at the off-West End Sadler's Wells Theatre, most critics and members of the dance establishment simply didn't know what to make of it. That, however, didn't stop the production becoming an instant hit in the West End...
BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2004

Tokyo may retain stake in privatized mail service

The government is considering retaining equity stakes in postal services even after they are privatized, government sources said Tuesday.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 23, 2004

New approach needed in six-party talks

WASHINGTON -- As the six-party talks over North Korea's nuclear program resume late this month, the outlook for success remains as poor as ever. The Bush administration continues to take a firm stand, insisting on complete, verifiable and irreversible North Korean nuclear disarmament before any discussions...
BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2004

Japan lifts ban on Dutch poultry

Japan on Tuesday lifted its import ban on poultry and poultry meat from the Netherlands, imposed in March following an outbreak of bird flu in that country, the farm ministry said.
EDITORIALS
Jun 22, 2004

Moment of truth for Iran, IAEA

Doubts surrounding Iran's nuclear-energy program continue to mount. Last week, the governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution condemning Iran's failure to come clean about its nuclear plans and urging greater cooperation with the nuclear watchdog. The next steps...
BASEBALL / MLB
Jun 22, 2004

Buffaloes-BlueWave merger gets green light

The Japanese pro baseball executive committee decided Monday to accept the proposed merger between the Kintetsu Buffaloes and the Orix BlueWave after the two clubs reached a basic agreement on the deal early last week.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jun 22, 2004

Visa cards, pensions and thesaurus info

Visa card Is it possible to get a zero annual fee Visa or Mastercard from a Japanese bank? It is quite common in the U.S., but I have never heard of or seen one here.
BUSINESS
Jun 22, 2004

More Japanese turning to black vinegar as healthy pep drink

Drinking black vinegar for its health benefits has become increasingly popular, with sales of the brownish-red brew posting significant growth over the last two years.
BUSINESS
Jun 22, 2004

Aioi asks MMC to reimburse 30 million yen payout

Aioi Insurance Co. has asked Mitsubishi Motors Corp. to reimburse the 30 million yen in insurance money it paid out to a person injured in an accident deemed to have been caused by a defect in an MMC truck, Aioi officials said Monday.
COMMUNITY / Issues
Jun 22, 2004

Nova's culture clash

Going to extremes Your article about the Nova no-contact rule was interesting, but seemed to overlook (or at least de-emphasize) one important aspect of the rule. It not only prevents Nova employees from having romantic or potentially romantic contact with any Nova student from any branch, but it also...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / A GAIJIN'S TALE
Jun 22, 2004

Food for thought

I was standing on a relatively crowded late afternoon train, quietly eating a sandwich when I heard in slow, but perfect, English: "It is thought . . . impolite . . . to eat . . . while standing . . . in Japan."
BUSINESS
Jun 22, 2004

KDDI to offload PHS business

KDDI Corp., the nation's No. 2 mobile carrier, officially announced Monday that it has agreed to sell its PHS business to the Carlyle Group, a U.S. private equity fund, for 220 billion yen.
MORE SPORTS
Jun 22, 2004

Sato makes podium as Schumacher dominates

INDIANAPOLIS -- Takuma Sato became the first Japanese driver in 14 years to make a podium finish at an overseas grand prix when he placed third in the final of the U.S. Grand Prix on Sunday.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 22, 2004

One country, many systems?

SINGAPORE -- China is said to be changing fast and profoundly, but three recent issues highlight best the changing concept of regionalism in China:
BUSINESS
Jun 22, 2004

Sumitomo to buy car parts maker

Sumitomo Corp. said Monday it will acquire auto parts manufacturer Kiriu Corp. from Unison Capital Inc. in July.
BUSINESS
Jun 22, 2004

Missing TV viewer data recovered

BS-i Inc., a digital satellite broadcaster affiliated with Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc., said Monday that personal data on 10,868 TV viewers have been discovered after being left inside a discarded computer.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jun 22, 2004

What is behind Japan's human trafficking?

Natasha Ignatova Student, 19 The victims can't ask for help. The police will say "you don't have a visa so we'll deport you." People think victims can just quit if they don't like the conditions, but they can't.
SUMO
Jun 22, 2004

Asashoryu shooting for fourth straight title

Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu will be aiming for his fourth straight Emperor's Cup atop the prestigious east position as the Japan Sumo Association announced the rankings Monday for the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
BUSINESS
Jun 22, 2004

SMBC to acquire stake in Promise

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. will acquire a 15 percent equity stake in Promise Co. by July 13 and eventually boost it to 20 percent, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc., the bank's parent, and the major consumer finance company said Monday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 22, 2004

DPJ needs more than union help at polls

On a recent evening, about 2,500 members of the UI Zensen labor federation filled a hall in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward to rally for fellow member Mitsuyoshi Yanagisawa, who will run in the July 11 House of Councilors election.
EDITORIALS
Jun 21, 2004

'Country, your sport is summer'

Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the official beginning of the season that inspires so many mixed feelings. Reflect for a moment on the associations, literary and otherwise, that come to mind when you think of the word summer. There are happy ones: the boys of summer; the...

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?