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Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 25, 2003

Businesses gear up to launch IP phone services

Roused into action by Softbank Corp.'s foray into Internet Protocol telephony last April, major telecommunications carriers and Internet service providers soon plan to launch their own commercial end-to-end IP phone services via broadband lines.
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Koizumi leaves for South Korea

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi left for South Korea on Monday evening on a two-day visit that will include the presidential inauguration of Roh Moo Hyun.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Koizumi names moderate Fukui as central bank chief

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Monday nominated former Bank of Japan Deputy Gov. Toshihiko Fukui, who is not considered an aggressive deflation fighter, as the new BOJ chief, according to government sources.
EDITORIALS
Feb 25, 2003

Less than reassuring words

Finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of Seven industrialized countries held one of their regular meetings last weekend in Paris. Two days of discussions produced a statement promising efforts to stabilize and stimulate their economies and a pledge to convene again in the event of an emergency....
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Feb 25, 2003

The Art of Dining 2003

Refugees International Japan is staging its thirteenth annual Art of Dining Exhibition on March 12 2003 at the Westin Tokyo, Ebisu Garden Place.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Mountain queen not done yet

Imagine all the possibilities. Open up a world map. Decide where, when, how and with whom. Then pack your knapsack and go. It's that simple for Junko Tabei when it comes to climbing mountains, no matter how high.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Sumo head stung for elder rights

The Tokyo District Court on Monday ordered the current head of the Tatsunami sumo stable to pay 175 million yen to his predecessor in return for receiving his rights to operate the stable.
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

METI to authorize biomass fuel

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans to revise a law so vehicles can use an environmentally friendly biomass fuel that would help Japan meet its obligations in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
MORE SPORTS
Feb 24, 2003

NEC downs Suntory to capture C'ship

The T-shirts worn by the NEC players at the end of the 40th All-Japan Championship summed it up - "NEC Miracle 7." Having finished seventh in the Kanto League and being forced into a playoff to reach the national stages of the Company Championship, NEC finished the season as champion of Japan following...
MORE SPORTS
Feb 24, 2003

Kitajima rewrites national record

Japan's Kosuke Kitajima set a short-course national record of 2 minutes, 6.00 seconds in the men's 200 meters breaststroke at a time trial race at the Tatsumi International Swimming Center on Saturday.
MORE SPORTS
Feb 24, 2003

Gold Allure shines in year's first jewel

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BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Feb 24, 2003

Like real reforms, banking crisis this spring unlikely to materialize

Each spring in recent years, people have started talking about a financial crisis in Japan as the month of March draws near. In about five weeks, most Japanese firms will be closing their books for fiscal 2002, and I would like to discuss this year's situation from several perspectives.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2003

Powell seeks Japan's support for UNSC vote in early March

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said in Tokyo on Sunday that he expects the United Nations Security Council to vote on a new resolution for Iraq in early March.
COMMENTARY
Feb 24, 2003

Reform of the fourth estate

I was stunned by recent media reports that Takuhiko Tsuruta, president of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper, had become a whistle-blowing target. At a company shareholders meeting, a proposal demanding Tsuruta's dismissal from the board was presented by an editor and shareholder of the newspaper. Tsuruta...
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2003

New Narita operator to be quieter, greener

The proposed new operator of Narita airport may be faced with strict measures for environmental conservation and noise reduction.
EDITORIALS
Feb 24, 2003

Cozy business-political ties die hard

The question of politics and money remains very much alive in Japan. It was the subject of intensive debate at Thursday's special session of the Lower House Budget Committee. Central to the debate was the legality of corporate donations to political parties, a question that has taken on new meaning in...
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / ANIMAL TRACKER
Feb 24, 2003

Burying beetle

* Japanese name: Yamatomon shidemushi * Scientific name: Nicrophorus japonicus * Description: Burying beetles are large insects, growing up to 20 mm long. They have large eyes, strong legs, powerful biting jaws and club-shaped antennae. These beetles are black, with distinctive orange markings on the...
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2003

ANA aims to cut retirement benefits

All Nippon Airways Co. is considering slashing its retirement and pension benefits by around 10 percent from the new business year that begins April 1, company sources said Sunday.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 24, 2003

Shifting fortunes for France's 'bulldozer'

LONDON -- A year ago, he was dropping in the polls as he faced a tough re-election fight. Allegations of political and financial scandal surrounded him. His rival for the presidency accused him of being old and tired. Five years of having ruled with a government of the opposing party had marginalized...
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM NEW YORK
Feb 24, 2003

When is a war crime not a war crime?

NEW YORK -- Gunning down civilians on the ground in war may constitute a war crime, but blasting civilians out of existence from high in the sky does not. Or so the general rule seems to be.
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2003

Confab on human security begins

A Japanese-initiated international panel began on Sunday its two-day final meeting on human security.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / JET STREAM
Feb 24, 2003

Speak Japanese? You've got yourself a job

What kind of work will I find after leaving Japan? This is a question nearly all language teachers in Japan ask themselves at some point. And it's a question that's being asked more frequently, given the present state of the economy and its dwindling job prospects. There are, however, remarkable opportunities...
BUSINESS
Feb 24, 2003

G7 cool to Japan's deflation concerns

PARIS — Japan's efforts to highlight concerns of a global deflation and the impact of a cheap Chinese currency on the global economy fell flat at the meeting of Group of Seven financial chiefs.
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2003

HCV patients number 1.5 million

A five-year survey of blood donors suggests that about 1.5 million people in Japan have contracted hepatitis C virus (HCV), narrowing down an earlier, broader estimate, according to a health ministry study group.
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW
Feb 24, 2003

Hardest part will be rebuilding

MOSCOW -- A homeowner's golden rule is buy or build -- but never rebuild. The costs of adding a closet to your kitchen almost equals your mortgage; additional insulation ruins your budget; a new bedroom kills your credit.
EDITORIALS
Feb 23, 2003

Singing the karaoke blues

Japan has given much to world culture. Kimono, anime, sushi and ikebana are just some of the words that have become so well-known abroad they don't even need translating. But one pastime has come in the past few decades to represent Japan perhaps more authentically than any other activity -- and that's...

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