Wed., Dec. 3, 2008

Market Moves: 93.47-93.52 yen/dollar [noon Wed.]

PHOTO NEWS

Worked up: Young temp workers, holding up signs with the message "We want to work like humans," call for better working conditions at a labor union rally in Tokyo on Oct. 5. NATSUKO FUKUE PHOTO

Full story >>

BOJ takes steps to thaw credit crunch

By TAKAHIRO FUKADA

The Bank of Japan says it will help companies get operating funds toward the yearend by accepting lower-rated corporate debt from banks as collateral for loans.

Make your season's greeting extra special by having it published in The Japan Times and online.

Waseda admits sensitive info leak

By MARIKO KATO

A list containing information on at least 719 cases of Waseda University students and employees who sought consultation about sexual harassment and other sensitive concerns is leaked on the Internet.

Temps in manufacturing feel full brunt of slump

By NATSUKO FUKUE

The deepening recession is worrying workers nationwide, particularly temporary employees in the manufacturing industry.

Planning on studying abroad? Why not consider earning your degree at a Japanese university?

TOKYO (noon)

15°C

Sunny

Humidity: 44%

Winds: N at 10 kph

Pressure: 1018 hpa

Total weather coverage >>

The Japan Times

Boost your job opportunities
with our new Scout service

Your new career starts here

Japan Info Guide
Links for living in Japan

Special Supplements

Luxury Hotel Special

Ready to pamper yourself? Indulge in Tokyo's best luxury hotels, where you can stay in style and enjoy the high life.

Education

Apply today to study at Japanese universities

Japanese Language School Directory

Your key to learning about Japan, its language and culture: Our recommended Japanese language schools.

通訳・翻訳キャリアガイド・オンライン

通訳・翻訳業界の総合ガイドブック2009年度版が誕生！一部コンテンツをウェブで公開中。

ジャパンタイムズの転職サイト

外資・グローバル企業の求人が満載。英語を活かして転職するならジャパンタイムズジョブ！

International Reports

WER: Singapore

Asian dynamo keeps pole position

Panorama: Bahrain

Part 2: Going from Strength to Strength

WER: Vietnam

Asia’s new tiger economy and investment hot spot

All International Reports >>

The Japan Times Online Updates

"The Curious Casebook of Inspector Hanshichi": Follow the adventures of one of Japan's first literary detectives, as he solves a variety of intriguing crimes committed in old Edo. Click for more information on the serialization of 'Inspector Hanschichi,' appearing in The Japan Times every week, Tuesday to Saturday, from Dec. 2.

Japan Times' 53rd charity drive: The Japan Times has begun its 53rd yearend charity drive to raise money for The Japan Times Readers' Fund, which helps the needy in Asia.

Japan Times Weekly Digital Version: The Japan Times Weekly can now be read via digital reader software, with all pages in full color. Click for more information (in Japanese) about the digital version of The Japan Times Weekly. The Japan Times Weeklyのデジタル版がスタートしました。デジタル版は全ページがカラーです。お申し込みはこちらから。

Aoki's aptitude at charity stripe benefits Apache

By ED ODEVEN

Cohey Aoki's free-throw shooting prowess gives the Tokyo Apache a special weapon on offense.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Gems of Asia: hotels worth the splurge

By JEFF KINGSTON

I admit to an incurable travel addiction, which I have been lucky enough to feed by journeying around Asia since 1980, driven by an abiding interest in the wonders and troubles of the region. ...

LIFE IN JAPAN

Splendors for all: the best of Asia

By JEFF KINGSTON

LIFE IN JAPAN

Japan looks beyond tourism's 'Golden Route'

By TOMOKO OTAKE and EDAN CORKILL

RE:VIEW >>

Viva la diva — Xtina keeps it feisty fresh

By ELIZABETH DAY

A year in a dog's life is supposed to be equivalent to seven in human terms. On the way to interview Christina Aguilera, it crosses my mind that there might be a similar exponential growth rate at work for diminutive ...

FILM >>

It's a horror show, you should come on round

By GIOVANNI FAZIO

"1408" is the latest story by Stephen King to make it to the big screen, and it's quite similar to one of the first King movies, "The Shining." There's a cynical writer — John Cusack this time, instead of Jack ...

Broken English

A fairy-tale chick flick

By KAORI SHOJI

252 — Seizonsha Ari

Japan's latest disaster flick . . . is a disaster

By MARK SCHILLING

Kurosawa's 'Rashomon' revisited

By ALEX MARTIN

FOOD >>

Brown rice befits chef's cake, beer

By NICHOLAS COLDICOTT

"He was a wise man who invented beer," said Plato. It wasn't his greatest line, but it sets this story up nicely: the tale of a talented man who sort of reinvented beer. ...

Bright lights, retro style

By ROBBIE SWINNERTON

Haute cuisine and the friendly local

By ROBBIE SWINNERTON

TRAVEL >>

A hideaway in Mito

By MARK SCHREIBER

The historic city of Mito in Ibaraki Prefecture serves as the transfer point to the JR Suigun Line, a narrow-gauge single-track line that runs along the scenic Kuji River en route to the Fukuroda Falls. ...

ON THE ROAD

ART

MUSIC

BOJ takes steps to thaw credit crunch

Waseda admits sensitive info leak

Temps in manufacturing feel full brunt of slump

The Japan Times

Japan Info Guide Links for living in Japan

Special Supplements

International Reports

The Japan Times Online Updates

Aoki's aptitude at charity stripe benefits Apache

Texans dominate Jaguars

Sekizuka to return

Gems of Asia: hotels worth the splurge

Splendors for all: the best of Asia

Japan looks beyond tourism's 'Golden Route'

Viva la diva — Xtina keeps it feisty fresh

It's a horror show, you should come on round

A fairy-tale chick flick

Japan's latest disaster flick . . . is a disaster

Kurosawa's 'Rashomon' revisited

Brown rice befits chef's cake, beer

Bright lights, retro style

Haute cuisine and the friendly local

A hideaway in Mito

Training regime for keirin draws blood, sweat, sometimes tears

'Tis a gift to be simple

Where to view Christmas lights in and around Tokyo

Kansai's many Christmas highlights

Church services for Christmas

Take a Yokohama dinner cruise

Zero Gravity

Noodles

Toy gun maker held over lethal models

Ministers hail Gates and Clinton

Three to sue Isuzu over lost jobs

Carbon tax idea finds little traction

Hara, 82, to hang up saxophone

Late 'manga' pioneer Tezuka still the king

BOJ finds that manipulating rates is packing little punch

GDP for '07 revised up to real 1.9%

LDP seeks spending cut freeze

Sweden shows how to sell anti-protectionism

Proposals for pension reform

Time for Europe to fill a fading NATO's shoes

Back to the baths: Otaru revisited

Hailing the tail end of Bush

How has the global financial crisis affected you?

Traveler's friend

Harajuku in peril?

Ruth Hetcamp

Arts of enlightenment

Asian art 'madness' a la mode

Japanning for southern barbarians

Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

Chanson musicians bring a little warmth to a Japanese winter

Lisa Loeb

Capsule "More! More! More!"

Bras, bros and other borrowings into Japanese

The long Japanese love affair with foreign words, from sake to sōpurando

Kabuki rescued by national defeat

Drawing new life out of an old story

Bite-'em-up exploits in lower Manhattan

Oh, no: It's not a Christmas pud

Hiiragi-nanten (Mahonia)

Preholiday offerings speak of sensibility

Yamaha makes a stand for television sound

Be a walking drive-in with mini projector

iPhone accessory gives you TV on the go

Tsurube and Nakai's travels, Detective Takemura, and a famous cross-dressing spy

Shades of the BBC in NHK's own 'The Office'

'Tarento' on parade, featuring Sanma-san, Akiko Wada and Beat Takeshi

We're just playing ball

Japan Info Guide
Links for living in Japan