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BUSINESS
Oct 16, 2004

Use of 'safety net' cuts bankruptcies in fiscal first half

The number of corporate bankruptcies in Japan in the fiscal first half sank below 7,000 for the first time in a decade, Teikoku Databank Ltd. said Friday.
JAPAN
Oct 16, 2004

Japan wants U.S. security pact redefined: official

A senior Defense Agency official indicated Friday that Japan will pursue a redefinition of the Japan-U.S. security arrangement when the two countries discuss the proposed realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.
JAPAN
Oct 16, 2004

Eyebrows, hackles raised as Koizumi backs Bush

The top government spokesman on Friday rushed to play down a suggestion by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi that he was backing U.S. President George W. Bush ahead of the Nov. 2 election.
BUSINESS
Oct 16, 2004

Department store sales slide 5.1%

1 percent in September from a year earlier to 136.6 billion yen for the seventh consecutive monthly decline.
BUSINESS
Oct 16, 2004

Motor show spotlight on vehicles for the disabled

Motor show spotlight on vehicles for the disabled
COMMENTARY
Oct 16, 2004

Of course, U.S. should global-test policy

LOS ANGELES -- On the controversial issue of a so-called global test for prudent foreign policy, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has been skillfully put on the defensive by the Republican re-election machine. This is brilliant campaign politics but a potentially fatal foreign-policy direction....
COMMENTARY
Oct 16, 2004

Preventing a new dark age

The entire geopolitical system is now enmeshed with Middle East issues. Mideast stability is the absolute key to peaceful global progress, both economic and social, as well as to the future of many world leaders and their policies.
BASEBALL / MLB
Oct 16, 2004

Livedoor president grilled over Web site

Livedoor president Takafumi Horie faced a battery of questions from Japanese baseball officials regarding the adult content of his company's Web site.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 16, 2004

Americans don't want, but need, illegals

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- "We're giving our country away," said my friend with serious concern. She was talking about illegal immigration to Italy and how the new arrivals have no respect for the law and have no intention to integrate and will ultimately destroy the fabric of Italian society.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 16, 2004

BayStars move up

Reserve outfielder Masaaki Koike homered twice Friday as the Yokohama BayStars beat the Yakult Swallows 4-2 for their third straight victory and moved out of the Central League cellar.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 16, 2004

Firms learn from VCR war, seek early mortal blow

Japanese electronics makers are waging battles in various digital home appliance sectors, aware that those who claim initial victories will likely remain dominant.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Oct 16, 2004

Karen Sieg

"What I find most impressive about Tokyo International Players is that the organization has been active for 108 years, and is run completely by volunteers," said Karen Sieg. "When the international community is so transient, it is amazing to me that a small group of people with love of theater has continually...
EDITORIALS
Oct 15, 2004

Enough words, let's see some action

The Social Insurance Agency, which has been accused of corruption and criticized for wasteful use of pension-insurance premiums, has announced a set of countermeasures aimed at reforming itself through its own efforts. However, many of the measures are presumed to have been enforceable within the existing...
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2004

14th case of mad cow confirmed

A 48-month-old cow that died last week has been confirmed as having had mad cow disease, making it the nation's 14th case, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry said Thursday.
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2004

Koizumi told to iron out differences with LDP over postal privatization

A former Cabinet minister demanded Thursday that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reach a compromise with the Liberal Democratic Party over his plan to privatize the nation's postal services.
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2004

Machimura to attend Okinawa meets

Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura will visit Okinawa Prefecture on Saturday to discuss the realignment of U.S. troops in Japan with local leaders and U.S. military officials, according to government sources.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Oct 15, 2004

English newspapers make beeline for Beckham's jugular

LONDON -- Only in England could David Beckham be not so much in hot water but a bubbling volcano for admitting he deliberately got himself cautioned during England's 2-0 win against Wales last Saturday.
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2004

Firms lied to get state loans: board

Many small companies that received loans from the state-backed National Life Finance Corp. filed false financial reports and used false identities in applying for loans, Board of Audit officials said Thursday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 15, 2004

Livedoor appoints O'Malley as manager

Internet services company Livedoor on Thursday announced the appointment of former Yakult Swallows and Hanshin Tigers player Tom O'Malley as manager of its baseball team.
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2004

Bridges lacking quake reinforcement

Some 75 percent of about 700 state-built river bridges that have been inspected by the Board of Audit have not undergone reinforcement against earthquakes since the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, the board said Thursday.
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2004

Suicide Web sites not breaking any laws

The suicides earlier this week of nine people have renewed concerns over the suicide-related Web sites through which they are believed to have met.
BUSINESS
Oct 15, 2004

Uniqlo annual net profit up 50% on women's clothes

Fast Retailing Co., operator of the Uniqlo casual clothing chain, said Thursday its net profit jumped 50 percent to 31.37 billion yen for the year ended Aug. 31, with a revamped women's clothing line luring back customers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 15, 2004

Businesses court women who like spending time alone

After shying away from eating in restaurants and staying at hotels by themselves, Japanese women are beginning to seek more time alone.
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2004

Reports of Iraq killings prove false

Government officials were bombarded by inquiries from the public and media on Wednesday night and early Thursday morning following bogus online reports that two Japanese had been killed or injured in Iraq.
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2004

Government's human trafficking plan 'inadequate'

An association of human rights groups and researchers presented a draft set of proposals Thursday aimed at addressing the problem of human trafficking, saying that a government plan to beef up punishment for the crime is not enough to combat the problem.
BUSINESS
Oct 15, 2004

IRCJ begins assessing struggling Daiei's assets

The state-backed Industrial Revitalization Corp. of Japan began a full-scale evaluation of Daiei Inc.'s assets Thursday, a day after the ailing retailer decided to seek its help instead of using only private-sector funds.
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2004

Tunisians win redress over physical abuse at immigration facility

The Tokyo District Court on Thursday ordered a private security firm, its president and three employees to pay a combined 1.1 million yen to each of two Tunisian men over physical abuse the latter suffered in 2000 when they were held at an immigration facility.

Longform

Juzo Itami’s “Tampopo” was released Nov. 23, 1985, and though it wasn’t a hit at the time, it has gained a cult following in the years since.
Eat, slurp, love: 'Tampopo' turns 40