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BUSINESS
Apr 2, 2002

Manufacturers' overtime off 12.9%

Average overtime hours at manufacturers plunged 12.9 percent in February from a year earlier to 12.5 hours, the 12th consecutive month of year-to-year decline, according to a government report released Monday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2002

China to get 2,500 cherry tree seedlings

A Japanese group will donate 2,500 flowering cherry tree seedlings to China for plantation in a Beijing park as part of moves to promote bilateral friendship, group members said Monday.
BUSINESS
Apr 2, 2002

Yanagisawa assures banks are healthy

All of the nation's financial institutions are in good health following the introduction of the "payoff" system cap on time-deposit guarantees at banks, Financial Services Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa said Monday.
BUSINESS
Apr 2, 2002

KDDI starts high-speed mobile service

KDDI Corp. launched a third-generation high-speed data transmission service Monday for its au mobile phone service, moving to compete with a similar service offered by rival NTT DoCoMo Inc.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / ON THE ARCHIPELA-GO
Apr 2, 2002

The birthplace of a famous novel is still inspiring visitors today

"I had spent three nights at hot springs near the center of the peninsula," Yasunari Kawabata wrote in his short novel "The Izu Dancer," published in 1925. "And now, my fourth day out of Tokyo, I was climbing toward Amagi Pass and South Izu."
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2002

Reporter gives thanks for freedom

A former reporter for the daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun who was detained in North Korea for more than two years on suspicion of espionage thanked Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi on Monday for the ministry's efforts in freeing him in mid-February.
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2002

Sakata coed dreams of degree as classmates flee to find work

SAKATA, Yamagata Pref. -- Jin Xianhua, a 26-year-old Chinese student, tossed and turned as if in a bad dream as she took the night express bus to the snow-clad Shonai Plains in the north.
Japan Times
Events
Apr 2, 2002

Museum displays home articles of 'typical' family from Seoul

SUITA, Osaka Pref. -- South Korea may never have felt closer to Japan than it has this year. Not only are the two nations cohosting the World Cup later this year, but a three-day tour to Seoul nowadays costs less than 30,000 yen, and Korean food is popular across Japan.
BUSINESS
Apr 2, 2002

Extend tariff investigation: LDP

Senior members of the Liberal Democratic Party asked trade minister Takeo Hiranuma on Monday to extend by six months an investigation into whether tariffs should be imposed on towel imports from China and Vietnam.
BUSINESS
Apr 2, 2002

Sumitomo, U.S. firm settle over copper-trading lawsuit

Trading house Sumitomo Corp. said Monday it has reached an out-of-court settlement with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. over unauthorized copper trading by a former Sumitomo employee.
BUSINESS / TAKING STOCK
Apr 2, 2002

Strong start doesn't ease fears

The Tokyo stock market rang in the new fiscal year on a positive note Monday, ignoring worries about the underlying economic reality.
COMMENTARY
Apr 2, 2002

Ending myths about lifestyle

LONDON -- Japan 2001, a major manifestation of Japanese culture in Britain, ends this spring. Consisting of more than 2,000 events large and small, it has had a significant impact and has helped to spread understanding of Japan among people throughout Britain.
BUSINESS
Apr 2, 2002

Mizuho Holdings sees new dawn

Mizuho Holdings Inc., the world's largest banking group by assets, made a fresh start Monday as its three core banks merged into two -- Mizuho Bank and Mizuho Corporate Bank.
EDITORIALS
Apr 1, 2002

Banks must disclose more information

Banks in Japan enter a new era today when full deposit protection is abolished for time deposits and other similar savings accounts. In the event of a bank failure, the maximum refund per capita will be limited, in principle, to 10 million yen plus interest. And beginning April 1, 2003, the same limit...
COMMENTARY
Apr 1, 2002

French presidential election elicits yawns

PARIS -- A month before the first round of the French presidential election, the campaign is duller than ever. As Jonathan Fenby recently wrote in Time magazine, "Chirac and Jospin have so far failed to ignite voters' enthusiasm."
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2002

Many worried about pensions: poll

More than three out of every four Japanese have fears about the future, with many especially concerned about their pensions, Dentsu Inc. said in a recent survey report.
SOCCER / World cup / EXCERPTS FROM PHILIPPE TROUSSIER'S BOOK
Apr 1, 2002

Breaking the inferiority complex

"Passion" is the story of Japan soccer team coach Philippe Troussier, his struggle to make it as a player and manager and his travels around France, Africa and Japan. In the book, Troussier also details his philosophy and thinking as he prepares for the World Cup in June. In this, the third of 10 extracts...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 1, 2002

Nissan Construction Co., stiffed by Mycal, files for protection

Nissan Construction Co., affiliated with collapsed retailer Mycal Corp., has filed for protection from creditors.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 1, 2002

Tigers shock Giants

The Hanshin Tigers gave notice Saturday night that their preseason surge was no fluke.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 1, 2002

Risks in waiting on Koizumi

When he debuted as prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi pledged economic and political reforms, saying there will be "no economic recovery without structural reforms." To implement the reforms, Koizumi said he was ready to overhaul the governing Liberal Democratic Party. I have supported Koizumi's determination,...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 1, 2002

Beijing's WTO entry seen as start of Asia 'axis of virtue'

SINGAPORE -- China's entrance into the World Trade Organization does not represent a threat to the economic well-being of either Japan or the ASEAN countries. Rather, it marks the beginning of an axis of virtue in East and Southeast Asia and trade and investment opportunities for all.

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’