search

 
 
COMMENTARY
Mar 1, 2003

Chirac remains on the attack

PARIS -- French Finance Minister Francis Mer has at last acknowledged that there is no chance the government will achieve its target of 2.5 percent growth in GDP this year. A steady increase in unemployment, a massive fall in stocks and plummeting car sales all indicate that France has not escaped the...
BUSINESS
Mar 1, 2003

Viable Asian bond markets pushed

Staff report
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Foreigners locked up despite acquittal

Roberto Tokunaga was freed in May 2001. The 26-year-old Brazilian was acquitted by a district court in Nagano Prefecture of fatally abusing his 3-year-old daughter.
Japan Times
JAPAN / IN WITH THE NEW
Feb 28, 2003

Ex-BOJ man hopes to wield LDP clout as reformer

A glance at his Web site can tell you quite a lot about his position.
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Sharp collared in tax-evasion bid

OSAKA -- The Osaka Regional Taxation Bureau has told Sharp Corp. that it failed to declare 400 million yen in income over three years to last March 31, including 100 million yen the firm deliberately hid, sources said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Feb 28, 2003

Kinki Nippon lays profits to cost cutting

Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. said Thursday its group net profit grew 4.8 percent to 2.45 billion yen last year thanks to cost cuts and a rebound in overseas travel.
BUSINESS
Feb 28, 2003

Group urges sales tax hike, public works cuts

The government should hike the sales tax and cut public spending over the next eight years in an attempt to balance the national budget, an influential business organization said Thursday.
EDITORIALS
Feb 28, 2003

A new role in nation-building

Restoring internal security is an essential condition for nation-building in Afghanistan, where local warlords continue to defy the authority of the central government. It is welcome news, therefore, that the international community has pledged new aid for an Afghan program to disarm those chieftains...
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Ex-patient shoots nurse at hospital

OSAKA-- A 37-year-old female nurse was shot dead by a former patient at a hospital in the city of Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on Thursday afternoon, according to local police.
BUSINESS
Feb 28, 2003

Takenaka to miss Hubbard

Financial Services Minister Heizo Takenaka voiced regret Thursday over the resignation of top White House economist Glenn Hubbard.
BUSINESS
Feb 28, 2003

EU approves Mitsubishi Electric codes

An influential European Union board has approved two types of ciphers developed by Mitsubishi Electric Corp. as "highly practical and strong cryptographic algorithms," the electronics company said Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Celebrated geisha's tell-all a hot item

The mystery of the geisha, with their painted faces and elaborate kimono, has long been a source of fascination for people worldwide. But it has also led to fantasies and misunderstandings about their true roles.
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Yongbyon reactivation 'regrettable'

Japanese government officials expressed regret Thursday over the reactivation of North Korea's nuclear facilities in Yongbyon and urged Pyongyang to end its provocation.
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

11 people found in ship container

Eleven people were found in a shipping container offloaded at Tokyo port Thursday and were taken into custody on suspicion of entering the country illegally, police said.
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Moriyama supports transsexuals

Justice Minister Mayumi Moriyama voiced support Thursday for amendments to the family registration law aimed at allowing people with gender identity disorder to register their new gender.
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Palace moat net yields six bluegill, 30 native fish

The Environment Ministry began Thursday netting nonnative fish in the Ushigafuchi moat at the Imperial Palace to protect the native species there.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND
Feb 28, 2003

Never too late for resolutions

The study and enjoyment of wine can be a lifelong passion: Insight gained now can bring pleasure for years to come. We are often asked what we would recommend to people looking to expand their wine knowledge and over the years we've gathered a list of suggestions. Though spring is coming, it's not too...
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Wanted Red Army member left trail in Philippines

Kunio Bando, a key member of the Japanese Red Army militant group who is on an international wanted list, may have been in the Philippines around summer 2000, according to sources.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Dozing train driver creates a nightmare

The transport ministry said Thursday it is considering administrative penalties against West Japan Railway Co. over an incident in which a driver fell asleep at the helm of a bullet train.
BUSINESS
Feb 28, 2003

JAS to postpone launch of cargo handling unit

Japan Airlines System Corp. plans to postpone its cargo operation spinoff eyed for April 2004 as the move would make it difficult for the carrier to effectively allocate crews for the firm's overall operations, company sources said Thursday.
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Abductees' kin seek audience in U.S.

Relatives of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea said Thursday they plan to visit the United States next week to seek both government and public help in settling the abduction issue.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Feb 28, 2003

Maruichi: Bettering the bistro

Maruichi is so intimate and unpretentious that it has chosen to call itself a bistro. But that gives the wrong impression entirely. You will find no red checkered tablecloths here, no tourist posters, Pernod ads or guttering candles jammed into empty wine bottles. Instead it espouses a quiet simplicity...

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