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Dec 25, 2002

Yoshida, Hamaguchi coast to titles

World champions Saori Yoshida and Kyoko Hamaguchi eased to victories at the national wrestling championships Monday, while Olympic silver medalist Katsuhiko Nagata won his sixth straight title.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Dec 25, 2002

Mulgrew Miller and Wingspan: "The Sequel"

From the opening notes, Mulgrew Miller and Wingspan's "The Sequel" sounds reminiscent of Miles Davis' classic "Kind of Blue." The similar sense of cool working through minor chord changes results in a work of unhurried calm. However, Miller is not indulging in ancestor worship. Each of his bandmates...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 25, 2002

Ennosuke masters Mishima's extravagant vision

The Kabukiza Theater in Ginza concludes the year in style, with outstanding performances by the versatile Ichikawa Ennosuke, 63, and members of his troupe.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 25, 2002

Dancing to the Eastern wind of change

Asian performers of contemporary dance embody an inherent contradiction. With their Asian physiques and being raised in Asian cultures, they perform an art form that was pioneered by Isadora Duncan (1878-1927) and developed in the West.
SUMO
Dec 25, 2002

Asashoryu claims top ozeki spot

Ozeki Asashoryu, who became the first Mongolian to claim the Emperor's Cup last month, has been awarded the top ozeki slot as the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) released its rankings Tuesday for the upcoming New Year's Grand Sumo Tournament.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Dec 25, 2002

The Pascals: "The Pascals Go"

The Pascals are a quirky collection of outstanding Japanese musicians whose tunes are penned in the spirit of the French composer Pascal Comelade.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 25, 2002

Matsushita takes 4th crown

Top seed Koji Matsushita defeated Shinnosuke Kiho 4-2 in the men's singles final to win his second straight title and fourth overall at the table tennis national championships Monday.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 25, 2002

Put America's Korea policy on track

WASHINGTON -- With South Korea's critical presidential election decided, the Bush administration's Korea policy is in need of a midcourse correction.
EDITORIALS
Dec 24, 2002

Afghan revival depends on security

Sunday marked the first anniversary of the establishment of an interim government in Afghanistan following the collapse of the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban regime. Earlier this month, Mr. Hamid Karzai, head of the transitional government that took over from an interim administration in June, noted...
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 24, 2002

A healthy contrast to politics in Beijing

HONG KONG -- The openness, mutual personal criticism and freedom displayed during the latest Taiwanese election were a refreshing contrast to the secrecy, sycophancy and control displayed before, during and after the Chinese Communist Party's 16th Congress.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 24, 2002

Umemura takes women's singles

Top seed Aya Umemura edged Ai Fujinuma 4-3 in the women's singles final on Sunday to win her second straight title at the national table tennis championships and claim a spot in next year's world championships.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 24, 2002

Not much cheer for new year

Not long after arriving in Japan, I managed to make it to Nara for New Year's Eve. "Man," I thought, "this'll be the mother of all parties."
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / NOTES FROM THE SMOKE
Dec 24, 2002

Veering from Brookside Close to Robocop

As Notes From the Smoke afternoons go, the one I spent in Monzennaka-cho got off to an unpromising start.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 24, 2002

Clothing homeless volunteering and kids' art classes

Donating old clothes Being the season of good cheer and giving rather than receiving, here are some ways to help those less fortunate than ourselves.
COMMENTARY
Dec 24, 2002

The Iranian nuclear threat

ISLAMABAD -- New claims by the Bush administration that draw attention to Iran's covert nuclear program are certain to intensify security concerns surrounding the oil-rich Middle East.
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 23, 2002

Gamba bounced

Second-stage runnerup Gamba Osaka became the latest side to suffer an Emperor's Cup upset as it went down 1-0 to second-division Kawasaki Frontale in the fourth round on Sunday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 23, 2002

Lotte's Kobayashi gets big reward

Right-hander Masahide Kobayashi on Saturday re-signed with the Lotte Marines for 155 million yen, up 55 million yen, for next season after setting saves records in 2002. Kobayashi earned "save points" -- a combination of saves and wins in relief -- in 33 straight appearances as the top pick in the 1998...
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Dec 23, 2002

Ai-chan ousted in sixth round

Teenager Ai Fukuhara lost to Asami Suemasu 4-3 in the sixth round of the women's singles at the national table tennis championships Saturday, going out at the same stage for the second straight year.
COMMENTARY
Dec 23, 2002

Contrived crisis in education

Educational reform is becoming a political issue in Japan. At the center of the controversy is the Education Basic Law, which took effect in 1947 when the Constitution was established. Earlier this year the Central Council for Education, an advisory panel to the education minister, published an interim...
COMMENTARY / JAPAN IN THE GLOBAL ERA
Dec 23, 2002

Bleaker times may await the grandkids

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- In four weeks this series will have run for a year, and it will be time to bring it to an end. These last four articles, therefore, will constitute a combination of conclusions and parting thoughts.
COMMENTARY
Dec 23, 2002

Fundamentalism twists ethics of religions

LONDON -- Because of the events of 9/11 and al-Qaeda terrorism, we have all become deeply concerned about the malevolent aspects of Islamic fundamentalism. It is not always easy to remember that most followers of Islam are moderate and tolerant.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Dec 23, 2002

Symboli Kris S wins Arima Memorial

FUNABASHI, Chiba Pref. -- France's Olivier Peslier wrapped up the year and his own Christmas present with a victory in Japan's horse racing grand finale Arima Memorial on Sunday aboard the American-born Symboli Kris S.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / ON THE BOOK TRAIL
Dec 23, 2002

"The World of Peter Rabbit"

A hundred years ago, a naughty little rabbit sneaked its way into a farmer's garden -- and into the imagination of generations of children across the world.
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 23, 2002

Hamburg, Jubilo reach deal on striker Takahara transfer

OSAKA -- German first-division side SV Hamburg reached a deal with J. League champion Jubilo Iwata on Saturday for the transfer of Japan striker Naohiro Takahara.

Longform

Sociologist Gracia Liu-Farrer argues that even though immigration doesn't figure into Japan's autobiography, it is more of a self-perception than a reality.
In search of the ‘Japanese dream’