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Eric Johnston

CULTURE / Books

May 27, 2001

Japan’s traditions aren’t lost, they’re buried

DOGS AND DEMONS: Tales From the Dark Side of Japan, by Alex Kerr. Hill and Wang, 2001, 432 pp., $27 (cloth). An ancient Chinese tale holds that dogs are difficult to draw because they are ubiquitous; demons are easy to create because they spring from the artist’s imagination. Or, to put it more plainly,...

Japan Times

COMMUNITY

May 20, 2001

The importance of being Osakan

“Osaka? You think Osaka is the same as Tokyo?”

JAPAN

May 16, 2001

Three days of Bush bombardment ends

AWAJI ISLAND, Hyogo Pref. — In what turned into three days of criticism of U.S. foreign policy under President George W. Bush, former world leaders wrapped up the 19th plenary session of the Interaction Council on Tuesday.

Events

May 15, 2001

Japan’s ancient capital looks for new-tech entrepreneurs

KYOTO -- Size doesn’t matter -- it’s how good you are.

JAPAN

May 15, 2001

U.S. foreign policy under fire from council

AWAJI ISLAND, Hyogo Pref. -- Concerns over China, the East Asian region and U.S. attempts to act unilaterally were the focus of talks here Monday at the 19th plenary session of the the InterAction Council.

JAPAN

May 14, 2001

InterAction Council opens summit in Awaji

AWAJI ISLAND, Hyogo Pref. -- The InterAction Council, a group of former heads of state and government, opened its 19th plenary session Sunday at the Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center by criticizing the United States for turning its back on a number of global issues.

JAPAN

May 5, 2001

Aging U.S. POWs still await slave labor redress

OSAKA -- For 56 years, Ben Comstock, 82, an American captured by Japanese forces on Wake Island in December 1941, has been waiting.

Events

May 1, 2001

Baseball fans clear air about stars ‘Spaceman’ Shinjo, ‘boring’ Ichiro

OSAKA -- While most of Japan has celebrated the American success of Ichiro Suzuki, baseball fans in the Kansai region are sharply divided in their enthusiasm for the Seattle Mariners newest superstar.

Events

Apr 17, 2001

Kansai leaders brainstorm on ways to kick-start the region

OSAKA -- Since the end of the bubble era, the Kansai region’s economy has fared worse than many other parts of Japan.

JAPAN

Apr 16, 2001

USJ attacked over disclosure stance

OSAKA -- Only a month into its grand opening, the management of Universal Studios Japan is under fire from citizens groups and the local media for refusing to divulge information about the park’s operations.

Events

Apr 3, 2001

Osaka a tale of two ‘Americatowns’

OSAKA -- Many cities in Japan, Europe and the United States have a Chinatown. But Osaka now finds itself with two “Americatowns” that, although not competitors, are keeping an eye on each other.

JAPAN

Apr 1, 2001

Universal Studios opens in Osaka

OSAKA -- The power of Hollywood arrived in Osaka on Saturday as the Universal Studios Japan theme park opened its doors to the public.

JAPAN

Mar 22, 2001

Kobe Declaration a thorn in the side of diplomacy

Staff writer OSAKA -- Last year, Robert Ludan, U.S. consul general for the Osaka-Kobe region, began pursuing an issue that had lain dormant for 25 years: U.S. naval visits to Kobe.

BUSINESS

Mar 18, 2001

Kansai mulls ways to attract U.S. cash

OSAKA -- Discussion on America’s relationship with the Kansai region generally centers on business investment or the lack thereof.

JAPAN

Mar 4, 2001

Osaka to emphasize dangers of lighting up

OSAKA -- Forget the bid for the 2008 Olympic Games or the opening of Universal Studios Japan. For those Osaka residents who have long suffered in the presence of cigarette smokers, a recent announcement by the city came as some of the best news in years.

JAPAN

Feb 27, 2001

Residents fear Olympic bid will be mired in politics

OSAKA -- Osaka residents are voicing hope that their city will be viewed favorably by a group of International Olympic Committee officials visiting this week.

JAPAN

Feb 26, 2001

IOC inspectors arrive in Osaka

OSAKA -- Members of the International Olympic Committee’s bid-city evaluation committee arrived in Osaka on Sunday evening to begin a four-day inspection tour of sports and other facilities.

JAPAN

Feb 26, 2001

IOC inspectors arrive in Osaka

OSAKA -- Members of the International Olympic Committee’s bid-city evaluation committee arrived in Osaka on Sunday evening to begin a four-day inspection tour of sports and other facilities.

JAPAN

Feb 18, 2001

Osaka leaders’ talk fest serves up more than usual platitudes

KYOTO -- When the Kansai region’s leaders gather here every year for a two-day seminar to discuss the regional economy, corporate heads, economists and local government officials pontificate on issues ranging from information technology to employment.

BUSINESS

Feb 9, 2001

Public incentives urged to help Kansai economy

KYOTO -- Kansai region business leaders on Thursday called for increased local government involvement in business promotion, strengthened relations with Asia and better understanding of the security arrangement with the U.S. during their annual seminar here.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.

What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival

By Alex K.T. Martin

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