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EDITORIALS
Nov 6, 2004

Get ready for rising prices

For the first time in eight years, Japan's consumer prices (excluding those of perishable food) are forecast to rise on an annual basis, albeit only slightly. A 0.1 percent increase in consumer prices is expected for the fiscal year starting April 1, 2005, according to an economic and price outlook released...
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 6, 2004

Surely U.S. set to reconcile

WASHINGTON -- After a campaign that stressed the importance of continuity, some might expect few changes in policies during the second term of President George W. Bush. But the outcome of this bitterly fought election has clarified many issues in the United States and will send a signal far beyond America....
BUSINESS
Nov 6, 2004

China's energy thirst lifts Mitsubishi profit 48%

Mitsubishi Corp. said Friday its first-half net profit jumped 48 percent to 89.4 billion yen, buoyed by robust demand for energy and natural resources amid China's rapid economic growth.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 6, 2004

U.S. will also lose if it sells out Taiwan

NEW YORK -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, during a recent visit to China, provoked a diplomatic uproar when he said that Taiwan is not a sovereign state and that the United States seeks to bring about Taiwan's reunification with China.
BUSINESS
Nov 6, 2004

Key economic gauge stays below boom-or-bust line

A key gauge of the current state of Japan's economy stayed below the boom-or-bust line of 50 percent in September for the second straight month, stirring concerns that the nation's economic recovery might have peaked.
JAPAN
Nov 6, 2004

Obituary: Neal Henry Lawrence

Neal Henry Lawrence, a Benedictine monk who served in several important posts, including president of the Asiatic Society of Japan and board member of the Harvard Club of Japan, died Wednesday at a hospital in Fujimi, Nagano Prefecture. He was 96.
BUSINESS
Nov 6, 2004

NTT to cut phone line price in half

The two regional units of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. said Friday that they will cut their initial fee for fixed-line telephone service in half to 36,000 yen, effective March 1.
JAPAN
Nov 6, 2004

Defense Agency sues battery makers

The Defense Agency filed a lawsuit Friday with the Tokyo District Court, demanding three battery manufacturers involved in big-rigging return some 700 million yen in improper profits, agency officials said.
JAPAN
Nov 6, 2004

Ministry proposes 2,400 yen per ton carbon tax plan

The Environment Ministry unveiled a carbon tax Friday to discourage use of fossil fuels and promote the use of energy-saving appliances so Japan can meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.
BUSINESS
Nov 6, 2004

JAL back in black, sees rate hikes over fuel costs

Japan Airlines Corp. reported Friday that it returned to profit in the first half of the fiscal year as international travel recovered from a decline a year ago caused by the war in Iraq and the outbreak of SARS in Asia, and added that rising fuel costs will lead to fare increases.
COMMENTARY
Nov 6, 2004

French divide over Turkey

PARIS -- On Dec. 17 leaders of the 25 European Union states will consider Turkey's request to join their club. That doesn't mean Turkey is set to be admitted anytime soon. For budgetary reasons, it's not likely to happen before 2015.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 6, 2004

Don't expect mudslinging to fade away

HONOLULU -- Defeated vice presidential candidates in America usually don't rate much attention, but Democratic Sen. John Edwards signaled, perhaps inadvertently, what lies immediately ahead in U.S. politics when he said Wednesday: "This fight has just begun."
BUSINESS
Nov 6, 2004

Training costs cut McDonald's profit

McDonald's Holdings Co. (Japan) said Friday its third-quarter operating profit fell 19 percent to 1.73 billion yen because it spent more on training workers.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 6, 2004

U.S. pressure on North may sideline abductee resolution

U.S. President George W. Bush is expected to increase pressure on North Korea over the Pyongyang nuclear threat in his second term -- something Japan does not want, experts say.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2004

Niigata aftershock shuts down bullet train line, nuclear plant

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 shook Niigata Prefecture on Thursday morning, causing a bullet train line and a nuclear power plant to temporarily halt operations. Only minor injuries were reported.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2004

GPS school bags keep tabs on kids

The increasing frequency of crimes against children has caused the birth of yet another high-tech product.
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2004

Cops to aid domestic violence victims

The National Police Agency said Thursday it will offer more support to victims of domestic violence by allowing them to talk with perpetrators at police stations and helping them escape from their abusers.
BUSINESS
Nov 5, 2004

University-launched startups at 982

A total 982 venture businesses resulted from universities and government research institutes' developments as of the end of August, the University of Tsukuba said in a report released Thursday.
EDITORIALS
Nov 5, 2004

A nation that remains divided

A lthough the final results, as in the 2000 election, will be delayed, U.S. President George W. Bush has won a second term in office. Democratic Sen. John Kerry could have dragged out the fight with legal challenges and demands for a recount, but he decided that the president's lead margin was too large...
BUSINESS
Nov 5, 2004

BOJ, ECB to join Japan-EU talks

Top government and central bank officials from Japan and the European Union will hold a bilateral financial meeting in Tokyo next week to discuss foreign exchange developments and China's dollar-pegged currency system, EU sources said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Nov 5, 2004

Suzuki reports record first-half profit

Suzuki Motor Corp. on Thursday reported that its first-half net profit jumped 15 percent to a record 28.68 billion yen, thanks to strong domestic sales and cost-cutting.

Longform

An illustration features the Japanese signs for "ganbare" (good luck) and the Deaflympics, which will be held between Nov. 15 and 26.
A century of Deaf sport finds its moment in Tokyo