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SOCCER / World cup
Dec 2, 2003

Zico demands victory

Euro stars or no Euro stars, Japan coach Zico has demanded nothing less than victory from his players ahead of the East Asian Championship, which kicks off in Japan on Thursday.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 2, 2003

Could fear derail bold tourism bid?

There's a great irony in the Japanese government's "action plan" to double the the number of tourists who come to these shores by 2010.
COMMENTARY
Dec 2, 2003

Bolster will to defend Japan

Last month the government published an outline of draft legislation aimed at protecting the lives and property of Japanese people during a military attack from abroad. Such legislation could also apply in the event of a large-scale terrorist attack. The Diet will discuss the draft during the next regular...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 2, 2003

NGOs weighing impact of killings, future course

Japanese nongovernmental organizations working in Iraq expressed concern Monday that their aid activities may face a strategic change given the weekend assassination of two Japanese diplomats in the country.
BUSINESS
Dec 2, 2003

Jittery JT to launch six new products next month

Japan Tobacco Inc. said Monday it will launch six new cigarette products simultaneously early next month in a bid to sustain revenue amid a rapidly shrinking market.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Dec 2, 2003

What has been your worst holiday trip?

Klaus Voss Scientist, 38
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 2, 2003

Tokyo holds subway bioterrorism drill

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government held a drill Monday involving about 170 people based on the assumption that the capital was under attack by terrorists unleashing the smallpox virus on the subway system.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 2, 2003

Green cards, tenant rights and sewing

Immigration worry Dear Lifelines; My wife and I are returning in January from the U.S.; I am a U.S. citizen and she is Japanese. We had lived in Japan together for 7 years prior to my 2 year U.S. assignment. (I am a regular employee of the Japan branch office.)
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 2, 2003

State seizes Ashikaga Bank shares

The government completed procedures Monday to seize all shares in Ashikaga Bank and temporarily nationalize the insolvent regional lender.
JAPAN
Dec 2, 2003

Crime rate sees a slight decrease

The number of reported crimes nationwide has edged down after seven consecutive years of record highs, National Police Agency chief Hidehiko Sato said Monday.
BUSINESS
Dec 2, 2003

Dell sells first LCD TV outside U.S.

Dell Japan Inc., the Japanese unit of U.S. computer maker Dell Inc., on Monday launched its first liquid crystal display television outside the United States.
BUSINESS
Dec 2, 2003

Sony seeks capital via bond issue

Sony Corp. said Monday it will raise funds for capital investment by issuing up to 250 billion yen worth of five-year Euroyen zero-coupon convertible bonds on Dec. 18.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 2, 2003

Diplomat deaths may stall approval of SDF dispatch

Cabinet approval of a plan to dispatch Self-Defense Forces units to Iraq will probably be delayed until next week at the earliest, in the wake of the fatal ambush Saturday of two Japanese diplomats.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 2, 2003

Fukuhara moves up in rankings

Ai Fukuhara placed the third highest among Japanese players in the international rankings, the International Table Tennis Federation announced Monday.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 1, 2003

Brazil whips Japan at World Cup

With the title already in the bag, Brazil still turned in a brilliant performance to beat Japan 3-0 on the final day of the men's volleyball World Cup on Sunday.
EDITORIALS
Dec 1, 2003

Kashmir cools off

India and Pakistan have begun a ceasefire in Kashmir. The two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought three wars, two over the disputed region. While every ceasefire is to be applauded, this one is likely to be more symbolic than substantive. Still, it may permit the leaders of the two countries to meet...
BUSINESS
Dec 1, 2003

Sealing machine makes plastic beer bottles reality

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. has found a way to enhance the sealing performance of plastic, allowing beer makers to reduce their need for aluminum cans and create new kinds of product containers.
JAPAN
Dec 1, 2003

Governor lays blame for collapse on auditor

UTSUNOMIYA, Tochigi Pref. Kyodo) Tochigi Gov. Akio Fukuda on Sunday blamed an auditor for the national government's decision to take control of Ashikaga Bank in his prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 1, 2003

Kimpo, Haneda shuttles take off

Japanese and South Korean airlines began shuttle flights Sunday between Tokyo's Haneda airport and Seoul's Kimpo in a bid to boost tourism and exchanges between the two capitals.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 1, 2003

Diplomats' vehicle riddled with bullets

The four-wheel-drive vehicle used by the two Japanese diplomats killed in Iraq on Saturday had a "great number of bullet holes," reflecting the violence of the attack, according to the Foreign Ministry.
BUSINESS
Dec 1, 2003

Amino sports drinks gaining strength

Reflecting higher health consciousness and an ever-rising number of fitness enthusiasts, sports drinks containing amino acids are continuing to enjoy brisk sales in Japan.
JAPAN
Dec 1, 2003

Tochigi tries to pick up the pieces

UTSUNOMIYA, Tochigi Pref. -- One sleepless night after the government's decision to nationalize Ashikaga Bank, senior executives at manufacturer Rheon Automatic Machinery Co. held an emergency meeting Sunday at its headquarters to assess the damage.
COMMENTARY
Dec 1, 2003

LDP's diminishing appeal

In the Nov. 9 Lower House election, the governing Liberal Democratic Party lost 10 seats while the opposition Democratic Party of Japan gained 40. New Komeito added a few seats thanks to its cooperation in the election with the LDP, its ruling-coalition partner. The Social Democratic Party and the Japan...
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Dec 1, 2003

The visionless world of postelection Japan

"Now when you go to look for your left -- when you need them most -- they are nowhere to be found," says Michael Moore in the introduction to the U.K. version of his new book, "Dude, Where's My Country."

Longform

The volunteer lifesavers of Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club never know what's in store at the start of their day.
It's no simple day at the beach for Japan's volunteer lifesavers