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Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Dec 10, 2003

Desperately seeking Kyusetsu

In the world of tea, certain inherited potters' names stand out as shining stars and their works are seen almost as brand-name goods. Just as shoppers hanker for a Gucci bag, a tea devotee covets certain chawan (tea bowls), say, from the Kaneshige kiln in Bizen. Possessing one of these is a status symbol,...
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2003

Japanese feel affinity with not-too-distant Finland: ambassador

Finland and Japan may be at opposite ends of the scale when it comes to the size of their populations, but the links between the two countries are very close, according to Finnish Ambassador Eero Salovaara.
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2003

Iraqi exile turns up anti-U.S. heat, calls on Japan to do the right thing

Japan should take the initiative and rebuild Iraq in a way that truly serves the Iraqi people, exile Abdul Amir Rekaby said Monday in Tokyo.
EDITORIALS
Dec 9, 2003

Outmaneuvered in Taipei

Shrewd maneuvering by Taiwan's opposition parties have denied President Chen Shui-bian a political victory in the runup to the election that will be held next spring. Parliament has approved a bill, proposed by Mr. Chen, that permits referendums on critical issues. But the final version of the legislation...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2003

Maintaining diversity said key to building Asian bloc

Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said Japan will try to value Asia's diversity in a bid to create an East Asian Community.
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2003

500 to 700 ground troops to be sent to Iraq

Japan plans to dispatch between 500 and 700 personnel from the Ground Self-Defense Force to areas centering around Al-Muthanna province in southeastern Iraq, which include the city of Samawah, government officials told ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers Monday.
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2003

More science projects with EU sought

The European Union and Japan should cooperate in developing such advanced scientific technologies as fuel cells, the research commissioner of the European Commission said Monday in Tokyo.
BUSINESS / FRONT-RUNNERS
Dec 9, 2003

Purifier firm had rough patch but overall well-oiled

After facing bankruptcy less than five years ago, Sanmi Corp. has fought back to become the nation's leading producer of oil purifiers for power plants and home appliance companies, according to its president, Hisayoshi Tamaru.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2003

Takefuji chairman admits ordering phone tap, resigns

Takefuji Corp. founder Yasuo Takei, under arrest for his alleged role in a wiretapping case, resigned Monday as chairman after admitting he ordered his men to bug a journalist's phone, the major consumer loan company said.
BUSINESS
Dec 9, 2003

Cut to public housing loan rate eyed

Government Housing Loan Corp. is expected to reduce its basic lending rate to 2.6 percent from the current 2.7 percent, retroactive to Nov. 21, corporation officials said Monday.
BUSINESS
Dec 9, 2003

Sammy to purchase 22.4% stake in Sega

Pachinko machine maker Sammy Corp. said Monday it will acquire a 22.4 percent stake in Sega Corp., becoming the largest shareholder in the game maker.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / A GAIJIN'S TALE
Dec 9, 2003

Gentlewoman

One of the more interesting things about Japan is the rather unusual dynamic between men and women.
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2003

Panel seeks better treatment for inmates

An advisory panel to the justice minister will call on the government to improve correctional policies, and medical and human rights conditions inside prisons, according to a draft proposal unveiled Monday.
BUSINESS
Dec 9, 2003

Keidanren chief willing to stay on

Hiroshi Okuda, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), expressed willingness Monday to continue serving in the post beyond the end of his two-year term in May.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 9, 2003

Inheritance, noise woes and pet travel

More on death tax More now on inheritance or death tax. Alastair had heard that "death tax" is very high in Japan and was wondering if this was the case.
BUSINESS
Dec 9, 2003

Bank lending slipped again in November

The volume of bank lending fell in November to a new low for the second consecutive month, as major banks remain focused on writing off past loans gone bad and large corporations continue to write down debt instead of borrowing new funds.
COMMENTARY
Dec 9, 2003

Euro in big political trouble

LONDON -- When the euro was being planned some years ago, the austere German central bankers, led by the formidable Hans Tietmeyer, then the Bundesbank chairman, were adamant about one thing: The currency would work only if every member state adhered rigidly to the Stability Pact -- the set of rules...
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 9, 2003

Burden of proof impossible to bear

It may not have been exactly what the government has in mind by the cliche "international cooperation," but dozens of ordinary Japanese folk recently gave up a precious Sunday to help out foreigners in trouble.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji