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BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

Land prices seal decade of decline by falling 4.9%

Land prices in Japan declined by an average of 4.9 percent in the year to Jan. 1, falling for the 10th consecutive year amid the nation's prolonged economic slump, the Land Ministry said in a report released Thursday.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

Imports to be curbed via quarantine crackdown

In an effort to curtail surging vegetable imports to Japan, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry will effectively introduce curbs on the volume of products that are permitted to clear quarantine, ministry sources said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

Profit-taking puts Nikkei in nosedive back under 13,000

A wave of profit-taking sent Tokyo share prices reeling Thursday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 23, 2001

The Ichiro effect: What will star's departure mean for Japan baseball?

Much has been made over the past few months of former Orix BlueWave superstar Ichiro Suzuki leaving Japan and going to play for the Seattle Mariners. However, one aspect of Ichiro's big move has drawn little attention -- how will it affect Japanese baseball?
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

2001 budget set to clear Diet Monday

The ruling and opposition parties agreed Thursday to vote Monday on the fiscal 2001 budget both at the House of Councilors Budget Committee and during the chamber's plenary session, making it certain the budget will pass the Diet before the April 1 start of the new fiscal year.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

C&W considers buying local Internet provider

British telecommunications firm Cable & Wireless PLC is considering acquiring Internet Initiative Japan Inc., sources said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

Hong Kong beckons Japan firms

Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa on Thursday urged more Japanese companies to use the city as a business base in China, with greater opportunity expected after China enters the World Trade Organization.
CULTURE / Film
Mar 23, 2001

Ins and outs of postfeminist theory

Annabel Chong may not be a household name, but her claim to fame is quick and to the point: This porno actress grabbed a world record in 1995 by shagging 251 men in just under 10 hours.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Conference members seeking strong economic leadership

Although Japan knows it should carry out structural reforms and stimulate domestic demand to get out of its protracted economic slump, it is still waiting for someone to take the initiative and actually do something.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

Hayami lauds BOJ's strategy

Bank of Japan Gov. Masaru Hayami said Thursday that the central bank's policy of fighting deflation by implementing credit-easing measures when necessary has been effective thus far.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Mar 23, 2001

How diplomats express Japan

An Australian diplomat found modern Japanese weddings exciting and representing of the adaptability of the nation's culture, while a British participant described how much he loves "onsen" hot springs. And both did so in smooth Japanese.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 23, 2001

Mori planning major overhaul for BayStars

It's been said that life is all about truth and time. Well, truth be told, new Yokohama BayStars manager Masaaki Mori would prefer to spend as much of the time he has left on Earth doing what he loves most -- working in baseball.
SUMO
Mar 23, 2001

Kaio moves to 12-0

OSAKA -- Ozeki Kaio cruised to his 12th straight win over title pretender Tamanoshima on Thursday to hold onto the lead at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament and edge one step closer to his second Emperor's Cup.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

Banks rush for FSA funds ahead of fiscal-year deadline

The Financial Services Agency tentatively decided Thursday to inject 12 billion yen in public funds into Gifu Bank, a second-tier regional bank, to boost its capital, the agency said.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

LDP execs split over plan for stock-purchasing fund

Liberal Democratic Party policymakers in charge of revitalization of the stock market were still split Thursday over the efficacy of a controversial private fund aimed at easing selling pressure that stems from the unwinding of cross-held shares.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 23, 2001

'Little' Matsui sets sights on quadruple crown

Now that seven-time Pacific League batting champion Ichiro Suzuki has left the Orix BlueWave for the Seattle Mariners, this year's PL hitting title will be up for grabs.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

NPA targets rise in crimes by Chinese

Despite a 10 percent drop in crimes by foreigners in Japan in 2000, those committed by Chinese rose by 9 percent, the National Police Agency said Thursday.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Straining under their weight, bank behemoths strive to survive

All-out competition will break out among Japan's four major banking groups next month in an arena that will host some of the world's largest banks in terms of aggregate assets.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Ex-driver to be hanged for role in dual murder

OSAKA -- The Osaka District Court on Thursday sentenced a 58-year-old former driver to death for murdering a man and his wife in 1997 and stealing cash from their home in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 23, 2001

Dragons' Bunch looking to avoid sophomore jinx

Chunichi Dragons pitcher Mel Bunch will be out to prove his rookie year in Japan pro baseball last season was no fluke. The right-hander led the Central League with 14 victories, threw a no-hitter early in the year and turned in a superb 2.98 earned run average in helping the Dragons to a strong second-place...
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

145 firms seek 'sokaiya' crackdown

A total of 145 companies across Japan have sought police protection for shareholder meetings to be held later this month in an apparent bid to thwart "sokaiya" corporate extortionists, the National Police Agency said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

Honda touts emission control system

Honda Motor Co. said Thursday it has developed an automobile emission control system that can slash emissions of harmful agents to less than half the target levels set by the government last year.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Obituary: Michiyo Aratama

Veteran actress Michiyo Aratama, a popular figure in TV dramas and on stage, died of heart failure at a Tokyo hospital Saturday, her family said Thursday. She was 71.
COMMENTARY
Mar 23, 2001

Challenges for Japan-U.S. ties

The joint statement issued in Washington Monday by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and U.S. President George W. Bush is the first political declaration issued by Japan and a Republican administration in the United States in eight years. It marked a starting point for redefining terms of the Japan-U.S. security...
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Ex-Finnish prime minister to visit Japan

Former Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri, president of the 55th session of the U.N. General Assembly, will make a six-day trip to Japan starting April 1 to strengthen ties between Japan and the United Nations.

Longform

The students at Mitaka Municipal No. 7 Junior High School have access to various cooling devices for when they play sports.
Japan's extreme heat is causing a rethink of school sports