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LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Nov 13, 2003

The indispensable vagueness of 'domo-domo'

It's when I'm away from Japan and forced to speak in another language (in this case English) that I realize just how vague Japanese can get. At home, it's possible to go through a whole day without uttering one coherent sentence built on spontaneous thought and logic.
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2003

MMC eyes North American strategy

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will release a strategic review of its North American operations early next year.
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2003

Takara's net profit takes a dive

Takara Co.'s group net profit for the fiscal first half of 2003 fell 28.6 percent from a record high a year earlier to 1.58 billion yen.
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2003

Surplus soared in first half of fiscal 2003

Japan's current account surplus soared 20 percent in the first half of fiscal 2003 from a year earlier to a record 8.35 trillion yen, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday in a preliminary report.
EDITORIALS
Nov 13, 2003

A nonproliferation victory in Iran

The bad news is that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded that Iran operated a secret nuclear program and formally breached its obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). The good news is that the agency caught the clandestine program and forced Tehran to admit...
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2003

Marubeni to raise cash via preferred share issue

Struggling trading house Marubeni Corp. said Wednesday it will raise 75.5 billion yen by issuing preferred shares through third-party allotment mainly to financial institutions.
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Nov 13, 2003

Come to Disney, go to Mars

Mission: Space, a new ride/space flight simulator at Epcot Center, part of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, takes Disney guests in a whole new direction -- straight up into space.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2003

East Tokyo welcomes artists in bid to revitalize historic district

When woodblock print master Ando Hiroshige created his famed "One Hundred Views of Edo," the eastern part of the capital was a bustling commercial and cultural hub.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 12, 2003

Plot thickens as Tuffy says he doesn't want to change teams

Now the stage is set for another blockbuster off-season deal for the Yomiuri Giants. But Tuffy Rhodes says he is not yet ready to play for another team.
EDITORIALS
Nov 12, 2003

Mr. Koizumi's postelection challenges

Continuity and unity underscored Monday's meeting of the heads of the three ruling coalition parties, which gained a solid majority in Sunday's Lower House election. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, president of the Liberal Democratic Party, is certain to be re-elected at the outset of a special Diet...
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2003

Convenience shop killer appeals term

A 35-year-old man who killed a convenience store manager last year has appealed his life sentence to the Supreme Court.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 12, 2003

Man who gave us loose white socks eyes comeback

The man behind the "loose socks" fad among schoolgirls had enough of the phenomenon long before it died out.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2003

Delay likely for SDF's Iraq orders

The government will probably postpone Cabinet approval of a basic plan to send Self-Defense Forces units to Iraq until after next week's special Diet session, officials said Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2003

North Korean agent loses bid for asylum in Japan

The Justice Ministry turned down Tuesday a request for refugee status by a former North Korean agent, judging he does not face the threat of persecution because he already has Chinese and South Korean citizenship, ministry officials said.
BUSINESS
Nov 12, 2003

Mobile phone shipments up 20%

Domestic shipments of mobile phones rose 20.6 percent in September from a year earlier to 4.129 million units, up for the 11th consecutive month.
BUSINESS
Nov 12, 2003

NTT posts nation's largest operating profit

NTT Corp. posted the nation's largest operating profit for the fiscal first half of 2003.
BUSINESS
Nov 12, 2003

Tanigaki against New Komeito tax plan

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki indicated Tuesday that he opposes New Komeito's proposal to scrap income tax cuts to allow the government to step up its contributions to the crisis-ridden pension program.
BUSINESS
Nov 12, 2003

Online shoppers find 'bargain' PC in Web snafu

Marubeni Corp. will sell some 1,500 personal computers at a discount of 90 percent after posting the wrong price on its online shopping site.
BUSINESS
Nov 12, 2003

Resona seeks profits via new plan

Resona Holdings Inc. aims to swing back into the black in fiscal 2004 under a new two-year business improvement plan that will be unveiled soon, company sources said Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Nov 12, 2003

Economy watchers index tops 50

Business sentiment among taxi drivers, restaurant owners, department store clerks and others improved in October, with their index hitting positive territory for the first time in 39 months, according to a government survey released Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Nov 12, 2003

Season of 'new faces' sees an old master take a bow

This month the Kabukiza, Ginza, is sporting a yagura (turret) on its gabled facade, covered with a blue curtain on which is written "Kyogenzukushi (All kyogen plays)." To those in the know, the turret is announcing the arrival of the annual kaomise ("face-showing") season. This was the most important...
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2003

Cost of operating nuclear reprocessing plant seen at 19 trillion yen

Operating the spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant under construction in Aomori Prefecture is projected to cost 18.91 trillion yen over a 40-year period, electric power industry officials said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2003

Legal power sought for inquest panels

A government panel suggested Tuesday that decisions by prosecution inquest committees be legally binding and that court-appointed lawyers be allowed to function as prosecutors.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2003

Contact, peer power key to curbing suicides

Close, personal contact -- involving peers whenever possible -- is the key to preventing suicide, experts agreed Tuesday.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Nov 12, 2003

Gift-giving season came early for the Hawks and Giants

"Kokubo dealt to Giants" read our headline above the story reporting the transfer of infielder Hiroki Kokubo from the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks to the Yomiuri Giants on Nov. 4. But how would this appear in the sports transactions columns listed in many newspapers in North America and around the world?

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