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EDITORIALS
Apr 19, 2003

U.N. resolution in abduction cases

The nuclear standoff with North Korea has tended to overshadow the country's human rights abuses, including the abduction of Japanese nationals. It is fitting, therefore, that the U.N. Human Rights Commission has adopted a resolution condemning Pyongyang's human rights record.
BUSINESS
Apr 19, 2003

Fast Retailing sees profit decline 44.8%

Fast Retailing Co. said Friday it chalked up a consolidated net profit of 11.89 billion yen in the first half of its current business year, down 44.8 percent from a year earlier.
BUSINESS
Apr 19, 2003

Life insurer chief offers stock tip to BOJ

As the Bank of Japan delves into unconventional policies, it should consider buying bank stocks from life insurers and other large bank stakeholders, the chairman of the Life Insurance Association of Japan said Friday.
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2003

Diet panel starts debating attack response legislation

The Diet on Friday launched full deliberations on a package of bills dealing with responses to foreign military attacks.
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2003

Rumsfeld barb on Pyongyang aid earns angry rebuke from Fukuda

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda voiced displeasure Friday over a suggestion by U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld that money and goods sent by Japan, South Korea and China are helping to sustain North Korea's dictatorship.
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2003

Amusement parks tap nation's love of hot springs

As amusement and theme parks nationwide struggle to attract visitors, operators in Tokyo are digging deep to tap one of Japan's favorite past times and lure a wider range of patrons.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 19, 2003

Hiyama's homer sees off BayStars

Shinjiro Hiyama led off the bottom of the ninth with a "sayonara" homer off BayStars starter Chris Holt (1-2) as the Hanshin Tigers edged Yokohama 3-2 at Koshien Stadium on Friday, sending the BayStars to their fourth straight loss.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 19, 2003

N. Korea makes entry into world meet

North Korea has completed its entry for next month's World Championships in Paris, a qualifying event for next year's Athens Olympics, table tennis sources said Thursday.
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2003

Panel drops plan to identify ideal size for municipalities

An advisory panel to the prime minister examining the future of local governments has decided not to specify a desirable population level as a factor in deciding the scope of administrative powers for local authorities, according to panel sources.
BUSINESS
Apr 19, 2003

FamilyMart to offer 'happoshu' deal

Convenience store operator FamilyMart Co. said Friday it will not raise the price of "happoshu" after a tax increase takes effect May 1.
BUSINESS
Apr 19, 2003

Digital broadcasting licenses issued

The government issued provisional licenses Friday to 17 television stations planning to begin terrestrial digital broadcasts in December.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 19, 2003

Stop demolitions of Palestinian homes

NEW YORK -- Systematic home demolitions, severe travel restrictions, curfews and town blockades are cruel occupation policies aimed at intimidating Palestinians and making them leave their lands. Since the start of Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands in 1967, more than 10,000 homes have been demolished,...
MORE SPORTS
Apr 19, 2003

2006 field expanded

The 2006 men's basketball World Championships to be hosted by Japan will be held in a 24-team format instead of the standard 16, officials of the Japan Basketball Association (JABBA) said Friday.
BUSINESS
Apr 19, 2003

Industrial output figure upgraded

Industrial production in February was revised upward to a seasonally adjusted fall of 1.6 percent from January, according to a report Friday by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2003

Team develops 'book' to store DNA gene data

A research team has developed a simplified technique for storing and delivering genes by creating what it describes as "DNA books" using genes extracted from animal cells.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Apr 19, 2003

Paying your last, last, last respects

When Kazuko, my next-door neighbor, came to my "genkan" at 8 in the morning, I knew something was wrong. She never comes to my house before 9. "Amy, your landlord has died," she told me.
BUSINESS
Apr 19, 2003

Genome breakthrough prompts scramble in pharmaceutical sector

With the task of unscrambling the human genome complete, Japanese pharmaceutical companies are trying to produce new medicines to fight diseases for which effective drugs don't yet exist.
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2003

Top court rules against claimants in redress case

The Supreme Court on Friday overturned a lower court ruling regarding the legal validity of loss compensation agreements signed before a Finance Ministry ban on such deals between securities firms and their clients.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / THE SECOND ROOM
Apr 19, 2003

2003 party season gets its blessing; Credit where due in 2002

As omens go, the last two Sundays have been righteously encouraging for the Tokyo party scene.
BUSINESS
Apr 19, 2003

Survivors may face taxes on pensions

Families who have lost their breadwinner due to death may have to start paying taxes on the public pension benefits they receive.
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2003

Tougher rules on motorbike exhausts eyed

An Environment Ministry panel compiled a proposal Friday to tighten restrictions on exhaust emissions from two-wheeled motor vehicles.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 19, 2003

View talks with skepticism

HONOLULU -- The North Koreans have set both doves and hawks all a-twitter in Washington, Tokyo and Seoul by agreeing to discuss its nuclear plans with American diplomats. But a word of skepticism is in order.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2003

SARS forces rethink on disease responses

The health ministry is considering legal changes to more effectively handle outbreaks of infectious illnesses -- such as the atypical pneumonia now plaguing much of Asia -- by increasing the government's authority to act.

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