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Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Aug 28, 2002

Spoon: "Kill the Moonlight"

Since forming in the early '90s, the Austin, Texas, band Spoon has continually sharpened its sound to such a fine edge that its new album, "Kill the Moonlight," could conceivably be performed live with only singer-songwriter Britt Daniels on vocals, drummer Jim Eno on tambourine and a tape of the simple...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Aug 28, 2002

Ninagawa gives his best -- all over again

People always comment on Shakespeare's incredible productivity, but director Yukio Ninagawa surely deserves to be right up there with him -- at least in terms of hard work.
JAPAN
Aug 28, 2002

Mali envoy seeks to further exchanges

Fatoumata Diall, Mali's first ambassador to Japan, hopes to increase contacts and relations between the two countries at various levels.
BUSINESS
Aug 28, 2002

Thai deputy prime minister floats idea of new Asian bond

Visiting Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said Tuesday that Bangkok is considering a new type of bond in Asia that countries in the area could use to invest their foreign reserves.
BUSINESS
Aug 28, 2002

Postal panel narrows options

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's private advisory panel on postal services agreed Tuesday to propose three options for privatizing the services in its final report to be compiled in early September.
JAPAN
Aug 28, 2002

Peace Boat activists land on disputed island

The Peace Boat, a ship owned by a nongovernmental organization of the same name, and more than 500 passengers landed on Russian-held Kunashiri Island off Hokkaido on Tuesday morning -- despite a Foreign Ministry request that they not visit the disputed islet.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / NEW ART SEEN
Aug 28, 2002

All things in the universe, and some

The very idea of a comprehensive retrospective of Tadanori Yokoo's work is a daunting one. How to bring together an oeuvre that spans almost a half-century and is, by turns, strident, nationalistic, homoerotic, funny and cosmic; that is both representational and abstract; that comprises posters, photographs,...
BUSINESS
Aug 28, 2002

Economic assessment raised for eight regions

The government on Tuesday upgraded its economic assessment of eight of Japan's 11 regions, primarily because of increases in industrial production.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Aug 28, 2002

Amadou and Mariam: "Amadou and Mariam"

This album smokes. Amadou and Mariam play a rollicking, good-natured blend of bluesy R&B and Malian dance band music. Amadou sings and plays a seamless rhythm guitar and the occasional crackling lead, while Mariam sings in a voice of sweet fragility.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Aug 28, 2002

A total feast for the eyes

...
JAPAN
Aug 28, 2002

Opera on exiled Christian daimyo aimed at boosting Philippine ties

An opera about the life of a daimyo who was exiled for his Christian faith will be staged next year to mark the 100th anniversary of Japanese migration to the Philippines, according to organizers.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Aug 28, 2002

David Grisman Quintet: "Dawgnation"

Don't let the corny cover photos and the too-clever song titles playing on the word "dawg" throw you off. Virtuoso mandolin player David Grisman's latest, "Dawgnation," is made up of wonderful acoustic music that satisfies with a rambling, walking beat, freshness and honesty.
SUMO
Aug 27, 2002

Asashoryu officially listed as ozeki

Recently promoted ozeki Asashoryu was officially listed at his new position and Takamisakari broke into the upper ranks Monday when the Japan Sumo Association released its rankings for the upcoming Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.
BASEBALL / MLB
Aug 27, 2002

Lions' Nishiguchi just one out away

Fumiya Nishiguchi threw a no-hitter for 8 2/3 innings Monday, but had to settle for a two-hit shutout as the Pacific League-leading Seibu Lions kept rolling with a 6-0 triumph over the Lotte Marines.
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2002

Eager parents boost demand for English picture books

Imports of English picture books for children have risen to meet demand among parents eager for their children to start learning English at an early age.
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2002

Couple with disabled girl hope to forge support unit

The parents of a partially deaf girl in Yamagata hope to re-create in Japan the supportive atmosphere for parents of disabled children that they encountered while living in the United States.
EDITORIALS
Aug 27, 2002

Strict political ethics are overdue

The indictment last week of Lower House member Muneo Suzuki on fresh charges of bribery is a reminder that money politics is alive -- if not well -- and that genuine political reform remains a long way off. Public prosecutors are reportedly building new cases against him for possible campaign-fund abuse...
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2002

Nippon Food's sold-off beef to be checked

The farm ministry on Monday said that it would inspect all of the roughly 140 tons of beef that Nippon Food Inc. asked the government to purchase after a beef-mislabeling scandal came to light earlier this year.
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2002

U.N. Population Fund to open office in Tokyo next week

said Monday it will open an office in Tokyo next week to engage in wider activities in Asia. The new office will be set up inside United Nations University in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. It will be headed by Kiyoko Ikegami, who is working as a department director for the Japanese Organization for International...
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2002

Inamine asks Koizumi to review SOFA, reduce U.S. presence

Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine asked Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Monday to review the Japanese-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement and reduce the size of U.S. forces based in Okinawa.
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2002

Osaka plans to boost worker morale with performance-based pay raises

OSAKA -- In an effort to boost morale among prefectural employees, the Osaka Prefectural Government plans to reinstate special pay raises to staffers for good performance, it was learned Monday.
BUSINESS
Aug 27, 2002

North Korean trade official visits to explain market reforms

A North Korean vice minister of trade is in Japan on an 11-day unofficial visit to explain Pyongyang's new market-based reforms to Koreans living in the country, a Korean association said Monday.
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2002

Psychiatry meet calls for better mental-health care

YOKOHAMA -- Psychiatrists from around the world on Monday adopted a declaration calling on represented countries to provide the best available treatment for those with mental illnesses.
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2002

Koizumi to visit U.S. for Sept. 11 ceremony, meet Bush

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will visit the United States to observe the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Monday.

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’