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BUSINESS
Nov 20, 2002

Major automakers increase profits

Despite a stagnant domestic economy, the nation's major automakers managed to boost consolidated profits for the April-September period, thanks to a weaker yen and cost-cutting efforts, according to earnings reports released by Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Nov 20, 2002

Tax panel gets early jump on fiscal 2003 reform plan

The Tax Commission on Tuesday proposed a reform plan for fiscal 2003 that would attempt to boost the economy by allowing tax cuts for corporate activity and to secure more revenue by reducing exemptions for individuals.
EDITORIALS
Nov 20, 2002

War must not be seen as inevitable

U.N. weapons inspectors are back in Iraq after a four-year hiatus. An advance team of about 30, accompanied by Mr. Hans Blix, head of the U.N. Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, and Mr. Mohamed ElBaradei, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, arrived in Baghdad on Monday...
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2002

Cabinet OKs six-month extension of support for war on terror

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a six-month extension of Japan's logistic support for antiterror operations led by the United States.
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2002

Crimes set record high, arrests record low in '01

Last year saw a record 2.74 million Penal Code violations, excluding traffic offenses, up 12 percent from 2000, but the arrest rate fell to a postwar low of 19.8 percent, the government reported Tuesday, adding that although foreigners committed a small percentage of the crimes, their offenses were models...
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2002

State seeks job opportunities for youngsters

The government urged business leaders Tuesday to boost employment opportunities for high school graduates and other juveniles who find it increasingly difficult to find jobs.
MORE SPORTS
Nov 20, 2002

Tiger shrugs off rust in exhibition win over Choi

MIYAZAKI -- Some of the biggest names in golf Tuesday got their first taste of the conditions they are likely to face ahead of the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament starting on Thursday in Miyazaki when they competed in a light-hearted, made-for-TV exhibition match.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2002

Pedicabs try 'eco-trendy' revival

When the brightly colored vehicles debuted in Tokyo's fashionable Omotesando district in mid-October, they turned heads and passersby wondered if some special event was afoot.
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2002

Ruling bloc nixes Diet testimony by former North Korean agent

A proposed Diet appearance by a former North Korean agent was effectively canceled Tuesday after ruling coalition parties said they oppose inviting him to the legislature.
BUSINESS
Nov 20, 2002

Monetary policy to go unchanged

As stock prices continue to slide, the Bank of Japan made a rare announcement Tuesday that it will flood the market with yen to the limit of its current policy.
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2002

Aum members launch residency suit

OSAKA -- Three Aum Shinrikyo cult members have filed a damages lawsuit against the city of Suita, Osaka Prefecture, for rejecting their residency registration applications last month, Suita officials said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2002

Lower House OKs privatization bills

The House of Representatives passed bills Tuesday to turn 49 special-purpose public corporations into independent or privatized entities.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 20, 2002

Giambi sees big things ahead for 'Godzilla'

As hard as it is to imagine a Japanese ballplayer batting in the heart of the order for the New York Yankees, Jason Giambi won't second-guess Hideki Matsui's potential.
COMMENTARY
Nov 20, 2002

North Korean motives fan speculation

SEOUL -- I have given a series of lectures on U.S. Asia policy in the weeks since the revelation about North Korea's secret nuclear weapons program. While the audiences and locations in South Korea, Japan and the United States have varied widely, the questions have been remarkably similar. Along with...
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2002

Judges, prosecutors face pay cut

The Judicial Affairs Committee of the House of Councilors approved bills Tuesday to cut the monthly salaries of judges and prosecutors by an average of 2.1 percent.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Nov 20, 2002

"Captain Trip Records Sampler Vol. 1"

The fact that major record labels in Japan fail to tap the wealth of excellent underground bands undoubtedly irks a lot of these groups who -- with live, recording and practice schedules to keep -- cannot take up salaried jobs and instead have to work arubaito on a permanent basis. They carry on with...
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Nov 20, 2002

Expos evoke memories of Japan's 'gypsies'

There's a lot of speculation about what will happen to the Montreal Expos and where the team will play its home games during the 2003 season.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2002

Pyongyang's abductions spell fallout for Chongryun

OSAKA -- The junior high school girl, who asked to be referred to only as "Son," appeared on the verge of tears when she recalled what happened.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 20, 2002

Giants land Petagine

The Yomiuri Giants have landed Venezuelan slugger Roberto Petagine with a two-year deal carrying an annual salary of $6 million, officials of the Central League club said Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Nov 20, 2002

Sinead O'Connor: "Sean-Nos Nua"

Though she's done the occasional traditional Irish song as a guest on other people's records, Sinead O'Connor has never explored her country's musical heritage in depth. Now, after more than 10 years of trying to express her adolescent earth-mother iconoclasm, she gives up and goes the trad route with...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 20, 2002

Next best thing

Three tunes into his 2 1/2-hour extravaganza at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 11, Sir Paul McCartney introduced a "song that's never been played live until this year. The thing is, if you don't tour, then when you record a song, that's the last time you ever sing it." He then launched into the simple, unmistakable...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 20, 2002

Painter and powerbroker to the shoguns

Throughout history, powerful regimes have used art to reinforce their control and shore up their claims to legitimacy.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 20, 2002

Playing for that extra reason

The Willem Breuker Kollektief is a 10-piece jazz ensemble of mad Dutch that will stop at nothing -- not even onstage nudity -- to entertain themselves and their audience.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 20, 2002

Matsui to hire agent

Free-agent Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui said Tuesday he has decided to use an agent to hold talks with major-league clubs.
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2002

Tokyo, Seoul to team up on spy ships

The heads of the Japanese and South Korean coast guards agreed Tuesday to strengthen information-sharing on suspected North Korean spy ships should they be spotted off the two countries' coasts, Japanese officials said.

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