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Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / ON THE BOOK TRAIL
Oct 2, 2003

"The House of Windjammer," "Boolar's Big Day Out"

"The House of Windjammer," V.A. Richardson, Bloomsbury; 2003; 349 pp. No matter where you grow up, whether it's in 21st-century Japan or in 17th-century Europe, some things never change. People everywhere, at every time, are at the mercy of larger forces -- political upheavals, market fluctuations,...
BUSINESS
Oct 2, 2003

Fujitsu unifies four semiconductor subsidiaries

Struggling computer giant Fujitsu Ltd. on Wednesday unified four of its semiconductor subsidiaries in locations stretching from northern Miyagi Prefecture to southern Kagoshima Prefecture to boost the efficiency and cost competitiveness of its semiconductor operations.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2003

New law requires recycling of PCs at consumers' expense

Starting Wednesday, new legislation takes effect that compels personal computer manufacturers to collect used PCs from households and recycle their parts, with consumers footing the bill. The following are basic facts about the recycling process:
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2003

Exhaust curbs to sting truck operators

Hideaki Tsuchiya's small trucking firm in Tokyo's Meguro Ward faced a major headache earlier this year: Five of his 20 trucks did not meet new exhaust regulations that take effect in the metropolis Wednesday.
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2003

Diplomat says antiwar stance led to his firing

A senior Japanese diplomat who left the Foreign Ministry on Aug. 29 is planning to challenge the ministry as he believes he was "virtually fired" due to his opposition to Japan supporting the U.S.-led war on Iraq, the ex-diplomat told Kyodo News in a recent interview.
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2003

Africa confab targets conflict prevention

How to prevent conflicts and bolster development in Africa were the focus of the second day of a major donor conference Tuesday that brings together 23 African heads of state and delegates from about 140 countries and international organizations.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Oct 1, 2003

Tigers' pennant forced Giants skipper to fall on his sword

That was a shocker. Talking here about the resignation of Yomiuri Giants manager Tatsunori Hara on Sept. 26. Sure, it had been rumored for days, but I for one did not expect it would really happen.
EDITORIALS
Oct 1, 2003

Brace for another round of SARS

Ever since severe acute respiratory syndrome was brought under control this summer, medical authorities have warned that another outbreak could occur in the fall. The world got its first fright last month with reports of occurrences in Singapore and Hong Kong. In fact, the Hong Kong case was not SARS;...
BASEBALL / MLB
Oct 1, 2003

Hawks finally secure PL flag

Like their famous manager, the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks let their bats do the talking.
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2003

Ishihara wealth put at 163 million yen

Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara declared Tuesday that his private assets total 163 million yen, 3 million yen less than the level of personal wealth he reported in 1999 when he was first elected governor.
BUSINESS
Oct 1, 2003

Nissan Diesel restructuring plan calls for bailout worth 106 billion yen

Struggling truck maker Nissan Diesel Motor Co. announced Tuesday a new restructuring plan that calls on Nissan Motor Co. and its three main banks to provide a 106 billion yen bailout.
BUSINESS
Oct 1, 2003

Japan dumps another 4.5 trillion yen

Japan spent 4.46 trillion yen between Aug. 28 and Sept. 26 intervening in the currency market to weaken the yen, the Finance Ministry said Tuesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 1, 2003

Late to offer self-service, gas stations now struggle for profits

Naotake Bando likes the simplicity. The 61-year-old motorist, who recently pulled into a self-service gas station in Chofu, western Tokyo, said he prefers to fill up his car by himself.
MORE SPORTS
Oct 1, 2003

Miyazato may turn pro next year

Eighteen-year-old Ai Miyazato, who recently became the first amateur golfer in 30 years to win on the Japanese LPGA tour, is considering turning pro in the near future, her father and coach Masaru Miyazato said Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Oct 1, 2003

Praise be! Hip-hop art gets religious

Picture a classic Byzantine icon of the crucified Christ. The savior's body, having been taken down from the cross, is surrounded by his grieving loved ones. Now imagine that scene in the 21st century. Replace the body of Jesus with that of slain gangsta rapper Tupac Shakur, laid out on a car hood, with...
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2003

Chongryun starts paying local taxes

The pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun) paid about 22 million yen in taxes Tuesday to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government following Gov. Shintaro Ishihara's decision to end the group's tax-exempt status.
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2003

Airlines gird for battle over Tokyo-Osaka route

With the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line now stopping at Shinagawa, airlines are bracing for cutthroat competition with the speedy rail service between Tokyo and Osaka.
MORE SPORTS
Oct 1, 2003

Schuettler strolls by Iwabuchi, into third round at Japan Open

Top-seeded Rainer Schuettler of Germany cruised into the third round of the AIG Japan Open Tuesday, dispatching Japan's Satoshi Iwabuchi 6-0, 6-4 at Tokyo's Ariake Colosseum.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2003

Prosecutors drop Tanaka fraud case

Prosecutors decided Tuesday not to pursue a case against former Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka, who was suspected of misusing her secretary's government salary.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 1, 2003

U.S. mission remains on track in Iraq

WASHINGTON -- How can we really determine if the Iraq mission is going well? Pessimists worry about recent truck bombings and political assassinations, ongoing serious crime problems, sustained attacks against U.S. forces, and high unemployment together with slow progress at improving the Iraqi standard...
MORE SPORTS
Oct 1, 2003

Tosa pulls out of Tokyo Marathon

Reiko Tosa, who took the silver medal at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, has decided not to compete in the Tokyo International Women's Marathon this fall because of an injury sustained to her left foot, marathon sources said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2003

Government takes abandoned arms ruling 'seriously'

The government "takes seriously" a court ruling holding it responsible for Japan's wartime abandonment of chemical and conventional weapons in China, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2003

Man faces charge over 100 yen theft of old newspapers

Police have turned over to prosecutors their case against a 46-year-old man who allegedly stole 100 yen worth of old newspapers from a garbage collection site in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, it was learned Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Oct 1, 2003

The fine arts of craftsmanship, then and now

Among the various styles of art born in the former capital of Kyoto is the highly cultured style known as Rimpa that flowered early in the 17th century. The pioneers of the style were Hon'ami Koetsu (1558-1637) and Tawaraya Sotatsu (?-1643?), and the art form didn't become known as Rimpa until it was...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Oct 1, 2003

Nagoya's new pretender to EL theater throne

Black lipstick, grommet belts and thrash metal music are an integral part of Rising Sun Theatre's debut production, William Shakespeare's "Macbeth." So are noh masks, hakama (trousers) and a huge Shinto torii.
BUSINESS
Oct 1, 2003

IRCJ to drop Mitsui Mining aid plan after smelling a rat

The state-backed Industrial Revitalization Corp. of Japan said Tuesday it will scrap an already-endorsed scheme to bail out struggling natural resources firm Mitsui Mining Co. because the rescue plan needs revision.
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2003

Firms searched over bid-rigging allegations

The Fair Trade Commission on Tuesday searched the offices of major general contractors Kajima Corp., Shimizu Corp., Taisei Corp., Obayashi Corp. and Penta-Ocean Construction Co. in connection with suspected bid-rigging for public works projects in the city of Niigata.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 1, 2003

Currency interventions prove to be both fruitless and costly

GUATEMALA CITY -- The weakening of the U.S. dollar accelerated after finance ministers from the Group of Seven issued a communique calling for market-oriented international exchange rates. Soon afterward, the Japanese yen set a two-year high against the American currency.

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