The Japan Times: All Stories

Japan's revolving-door immigration policy hard-wired to fail

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:10:00 PST

Last December, the Japanese government announced that a new visa regime with a "points system" would be introduced this spring.
It is designed to attract 2,000 non-Japanese (NJ) with a "high degree of capability" (kōdo jinzai), meaning people with high salaries, impeccable educational and vocational pedigrees, specialized technical knowledge and excellent managerial/administrative skills.

Buyers of new bonds to get special coin at term maturity

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:11:00 PST

Japan began selling special government bonds Monday aimed at raising funds for reconstruction from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, saying it will present buyers with commemorative gold coins imprinted with an image of the "miracle pine" that survived the killer tsunami when the bonds mature in three years.
The coins — worth ¥10,000 each, and silver coins worth ¥1,000 — are engraved with the design of the 30-meter-high pine in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, that was the only one of about 70,000 pines on a stretch of coast to survive the massive tsunami.

Orix Bank hopes to entice wealthy, households to take out more loans

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:12:00 PST

Orix Corp., a major financial services conglomerate active in fields from leasing to insurance, aims to expand loans at its banking unit by ¥150 billion next fiscal year on demand from households and wealthy clients.
Orix Bank Corp. targets 18 percent growth in lending for the year starting in April from ¥814 billion last March, Akio Ushio, president of the unit, said in a recent interview. The bank introduced a loan card on March 1 and began a private banking service to lure clients with assets exceeding ¥100 million.

Photos of hope adorn prime minister's door

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:13:00 PST

The heartbreaking images of hopelessness and despair from the devastation the megaquake and tsunami brought last March 11 remain fresh in the memory of not only Japan but the rest of the world.
The struggle for recovery is far from over, but small signs of hope are beginning to emerge as seen through 30 photographs on show at the prime minister's office.

H.K. set to ease curbs on imports of Japanese food

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:14:00 PST

Hong Kong Food and Health Secretary York Chow has indicated that the government will soon lift some restrictions on food imports from Japan imposed because of the ongoing nuclear crisis.
In talks with visiting Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano, Chow said imports of meat and chicken eggs from Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Chiba prefectures will resume soon, Kano said.

Government to pay debris disposal costs

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:15:00 PST

The environment minister said Monday that financial support will be given to any local government that accepts and disposes of debris from Iwate and Miyagi prefectures generated by last year's devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Environment Minister Goshi Hosono said Monday that the government will not only pay all expenses incurred by the disposal work, but also conduct radiation tests to ease residents' contamination fears.

Myanmar refugees set for new life

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:16:00 PST

Eighteen Myanmar refugees consisting of four families, who arrived in Japan from a camp in Thailand last year, completed a language and cultural acclimation program Friday and are looking forward to embarking on a new life here.
All the refugees are of the Karen ethnic minority and the second group that Japan accepted under its third-country resettlement program. All four husbands in the group will work at a shoe factory in Tokyo, while their wives will work at a cleaning company in Saitama Prefecture.

Ito wins ski jump event overseas

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:17:00 PST

Ski jumper Daiki Ito won his first title overseas on the World Cup circuit with a victory at a meet in Lahti, Finland, on Sunday.
Ito had leaps of 93 and 92 meters and collected 245.5 points for his third career victory, following the two titles he claimed at the Sapporo meet in January.

Work for the public's well-being

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:18:00 PST

During a debate in the Lower House last week, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Mr. Sadakazu Tanigaki, chief of the opposition Liberal Democratic Party, appeared to have reached agreements on several issues. The ruling and opposition parties should use that momentum to break the current political stagnation, especially the slowness in reconstruction from the 3/11 disasters.
At the outset of his questioning, Mr. Tanigaki pointed out the slowness in disposal of debris and in reconstruction of roads and ports. Mr. Noda replied that he will increase the speed of reconstruction, with the Reconstruction Agency playing a central role.

Havenaar hits third goal of season

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:19:00 PST

Striker Mike Havenaar was on target with his third goal of the season in Vitesse Arnhem's 2-0 win over De Graafschap on Sunday.
Wilfred Bony lashed home a powerful drive after 34 minutes and Havenaar came close to doubling the lead after the restart but his header went wide from close range.

NGO: 320 banks bankrolling nukes

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:20:00 PST

A report released Monday by a nongovernmental organization said 322 financial institutions in 30 countries, including Japan, have provided credit to Boeing Co. and 19 other companies in six nations involved in the development and manufacture of nuclear weapons.
The Australia-based International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons said in the report that those financial institutions provided credit worth about $48.7 billion, or about ¥4 trillion, since 2008.

Tokyo aquarium's penguin still at large, touring rivers

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:21:00 PST

A year-old penguin that got away from a Tokyo aquarium remains at large and was last seen swimming in a river near the facility.
The 60 to 70 cm Humboldt penguin was one of 135 at Tokyo Sea Life Park along the shore of Tokyo Bay in Edogawa Ward.

Bryant, World Peace inspire marquee win

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:22:00 PST

Although Kobe Bryant hates to disappoint everybody who thinks his 33-point performance in a win over the Miami Heat was payback to Dwyane Wade for breaking his nose in the All-Star game a week ago, that particular Hollywood fable just isn't true.
"He knew I was going to be ready regardless," Bryant said.

Don't judge a house by its exterior

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:23:00 PST

The house stood out among its neighbors: not because of its box shape or the tall ham-radio tower planted in the parking space, but because of its bold two-tone exterior of wine red interrupted by sections of gray. The company that built it keeps costs down by not erecting model homes, so the salesman brought us to the recently finished building in central Chiba Prefecture, which was already occupied. The young couple were happy to show off their new purchase, and while the all-wood interior was the construction's main selling point, it was the outside that made the biggest impression. Looking closer, we discovered it was corrugated metal.
"It's called galvanium," the salesman told us. It felt like plastic thanks to the coating, which he said was similar to the finish of an automobile, but it reminded us more of lacquer. He said it was inexpensive but long-lasting. Even the roof was made of galvanium. It would never rust, he explained, nor would it need re-coating.

Lomu leaves hospital after treatment

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:24:00 PST

Retired All Blacks rugby star Jonah Lomu has been released from an Auckland hospital after a week of treatment for a kidney ailment.
A spokeswoman for Auckland City Hospital said Lomu's condition was now stable. The 36-year-old former winger is battling kidney failure and was admitted last week for dialysis treatment.

Miyagi among proposed Cup venues

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:25:00 PST

The Japan Football Association has proposed using Miyagi Stadium as one of five venues to host the Women's Under-20 World Cup this summer, JFA vice president Kozo Tashima said Monday.
In the plan submitted to soccer's world governing body FIFA, Tokyo's National Stadium, Komaba Stadium in Saitama, Niigata City Athletics Stadium and Kobe Universiade Stadium would also host matches at the tournament.

Seahawks' Lynch signs four-year deal

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:26:00 PST

Seattle Seahawks fans might want to consider stocking up on Skittles. Marshawn Lynch is staying put.
The Seahawks' bulldozing, candy-loving running back signed a four-year contract Sunday night that will keep him in a Seattle uniform for the prime of his NFL career and coming off his finest season.

DPJ leaders propose slashing lawmaker salaries by 14%

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:27:00 PST

The ruling Democratic Party of Japan's executive members decided Monday to slash legislators' salaries by about 14 percent — nearly double the 7.8 percent pay cut for civil servants approved by the Diet last week.
DPJ Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi proposed cutting ¥3 million from the average lawmaker's salary in an apparent attempt to ease simmering public frustration with its plan to double the sales tax.

Ardiles ready to face new challenge

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:28:00 PST

The coming J. League season will be a voyage into the unknown for Machida Zelvia, but the newly promoted second-division side couldn't wish for a more experienced hand on the tiller than manager Osvaldo Ardiles.
Machida lost 2-0 to Ehime FC on Sunday to begin its first campaign as a J. League club, joining J2 after meeting membership requirements and finishing third in the Japan Football League last season.

AIJ fiasco begs need for asset-manager oversight: DPJ

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:29:00 PST

The ruling Democratic Party of Japan is seeking to amend laws to require external audits for privately owned asset management firms in a bid to avoid a recurrence of the AIJ Investment Advisors Co. case.
The DPJ has launched a working team under its financial committee to discuss changes to rules governing investment managers for pension money, Tsutomu Okubo, a lawmaker who leads the panel, said in a recent interview. Okubo, 50, expects a bill to amend the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law will win Cabinet approval as early as this month and then be sent to the Diet.

Kanagawa group starts checking food for radiation

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:30:00 PST

A group of about 30 Kanagawa Prefecture residents, including mothers with young children, started a service Monday to measure radiation levels in food.
The group will use devices worth around ¥1.3 million each, purchased with donations, installed at each of its two offices in Yokohama and Sagamihara to check for such iodine, cesium and other radioactive substances.

Softbank to run Kyoto solar plant

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:31:00 PST

The Kyoto Municipal Government said Monday it has selected a Softbank Corp. unit and its two partners as contractors to build and operate a solar power plant in the ancient capital.
SB Energy Corp., Kyocera Solar Corp. and Kyocera Communication Systems Co. plan to construct two photovoltaic power generators with a total annual generation capacity of about 4.2 megawatt-hours, enough to meet annual demand from about 1,000 households.

Hamas' perilous maneuvers

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:32:00 PST

Despite all of Hamas' assurances to the contrary, a defining struggle is taking place within the Palestinian Islamic movement. The outcome of this struggle — which is still confined to polite political disagreements and occasional intellectual tussle — is likely to change Hamas' outlook, if not fundamentally alter its position within a quickly changing Arab political landscape.
The current Hamas is already different from the one initially set up by a local Gaza leadership in December 1987 in response to the first Palestinian uprising.

Immigration 'informers' call on foreigners in Suginami Ward

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:33:00 PST

C.W., who lives in Tokyo's Suginami Ward, recently received a notice about the upcoming resident law changes and was informed that an "officer" would visit him and other foreign residents in the area. He is concerned about the intent of these changes and wondering why "officers" are only visiting the foreigners in his ward.
We contacted the Suginami Ward office and were informed that the notification and pamphlet sent out explained the upcoming changes to the alien registration and immigration systems. They were concerned that not all foreign residents would understand the information so they contracted Japan Convention Services, Inc., to send people door to door to help explain, if necessary.

Japan hopes Putin win will help resolve dispute

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:34:00 PST

Japan hopes Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's victory in the country's presidential election will help resolve the long-standing bilateral territorial dispute over Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Monday.
Tokyo also aims to further boost cooperation with Russia as Putin has reportedly voiced a strong desire to settle the territorial row in a mutually acceptable manner, Fujimura said at a press conference.

Chelsea owner sacks manager Villas-Boas

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:35:00 PST

Andre Villas-Boas' troubled eight-month reign at Chelsea was ended Sunday by Roman Abramovich, whose gamble on the inexperienced Portuguese backfired to leave the owner searching for his eighth permanent manager in nine years.
Hiring the 34-year-old Villas-Boas, a former Chelsea scout, turned out to be a mistake that could cost Abramovich about $60 million and his team a place in the Champions League next season.

Laviolette tirade lights fire under sluggish Flyers

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:36:00 PST

Ilya Bryzgalov's shutout, Eric Wellwood's deflected goal, and coach Peter Laviolette's well-timed timeout all helped the Philadelphia Flyers pick up a rare second consecutive victory.
Two-time league MVP Alex Ovechkin's diminished ice time certainly didn't have a positive effect on the Washington Capitals' suddenly silent offense.

Crown Prince cancels France visit

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:37:00 PST

Crown Prince Naruhito has canceled a plan to visit France this month for the World Water Forum to be held in Marseille, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday.
The Crown Prince will concentrate on covering Emperor Akihito's affairs of state, as the 78-year-old Emperor will rest until the end of this month after being discharged Sunday from University of Tokyo Hospital, where he underwent heart bypass surgery and rehabilitation.

Union thinks Braun leak isolated case

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:38:00 PST

The players' association believes the leak of NL MVP Ryan Braun's drug test was an isolated occurrence.
ESPN reported in December that Braun tested positive for elevated testosterone. Representatives of the Milwaukee outfielder argued during a grievance hearing that specified procedures for handling the sample were not followed, and arbitrator Shyam Das last month overturned the 50-game suspension Braun faced.

Island fortresses floated for Tohoku

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:39:00 PST

The idea of building raised stadium-size "islands" to accommodate tsunami-ravaged communities might sound like a bad joke, but that's exactly what one architect is urging devastated towns in Tohoku to consider.
Keiichiro Sako of Sako Architects has formulated a blueprint incorporating groups of such isles that will form entire towns and cities, creating a Utopian world he believes would be strong enough to withstand even the most lethal waves.

Increase pension oversight

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:40:00 PST

The news that AIJ Investment Advisors Co. lost most of ¥210 billion entrusted to it by corporate pension funds is causing great worry to many salaried workers. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has found that 84 corporate pension funds entrusted their assets to AIJ. The effect of the loss is serious because many workers' post-retirement life will be threatened. The Financial Services Agency and other relevant government organizations should carry out a thorough investigation to find out why and how AIJ lost the money. The government also must rigorously examine the situation of other investment advising companies and take necessary measures to dispel the worries of participants in the corporate pension scheme.
Japan has a two-part public pension system. The first part is "kokumin nenkin," which mainly covers the self-employed and those unemployed. The second part is "kosei nenkin," which covers corporate workers. The assets of the kokumin nenkin and part of the kosei nenkin are managed by the Government Pension Investment Fund; the remaining assets of the kosei nenkin managed by investment advising firms.

Caveat emptor: Not all 'word of mouth' blogs unpaid

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:41:00 PST

Is word-of-mouth information on the Internet trustworthy — or to be taken with a grain of salt?
The operator of a popular website collecting presumably honest consumer commentary about restaurants is endeavoring to gain consumer trust and ensure planted stooges aren't unleveling the playing field.

Shinchi, Fukushima: Why did you volunteer to come to Fukushima with Photohoku?

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:42:00 PST

Kana SuzukiShiatsu masseuse, 31 (Japanese)On March 11, I was overseas so I felt disconnected to what happened in Tohoku. I really wanted to do something to help. So I came here to feel closer and see the smiles of the local people.
Katsumi SaikiEvent photographer, 39 (Japanese)Usually photographers take their pictures away with them, but here we leave them with people and make new albums. I think that's great.

McIlroy holds off Tiger, assumes No.1 ranking

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:43:00 PST

Rory McIlroy was six holes away from winning the Honda Classic and going to No. 1 in the world, an outcome that looked inevitable as he stood on the 13th green Sunday at PGA National.
That's when he heard the roar.

Berlitz court ruling unequivocal on basic right to strike

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:44:00 PST

After hearing more than three years of testimony, the judge took only a minute to read the court's verdict rejecting Berlitz Japan's ¥110 million lawsuit against striking teachers and their union and reaffirming organized labor's right to take industrial action.
According to the Feb. 27 Tokyo District Court ruling, "There is no reason to deny the legitimacy of the strike in its entirety and the details of its parts — the objective, the procedures, and the form of the strike. Therefore there can be no compensation claim against the defendant, either the union or the individuals. And therefore it is the judgement of this court that all claims are rejected."

Okajima keen to utilize experience

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:45:00 PST

Left-hander Hideki Okajima said Monday he looks forward to demonstrating the experience he gained abroad in the major leagues after joining the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.
The former Boston Red Sox reliever was acquired over the weekend by Softbank on a one-year deal worth ¥35 million.

Tsunami-debris violins to be played

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:46:00 PST

A project is under way to have 1,000 violinists from around the world play at various venues in Japan and abroad with violins made from debris in the tsunami-ravaged city of Rikuzentakata, with the first performance to be given by Israeli-born violinist Ivry Gitlis, 89, at a first-anniversary ceremony there on Sunday.
Violins have been made under the project from wooden debris in Rikuzentakata, home to the "miracle pine" that became a symbol of hope and perseverance.

Wary eye on China buildup

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:47:00 PST

Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Monday that Japan will continue to keep close tabs on China after its announcement of a double-digit hike in its defense budget in 2012 and urged Beijing to be transparent in revealing the details.
"There are some parts in the breakdown of China's defense budget that are unclear, and it is desirable to boost the transparency in the defense budget and China's (overall) defense policies," Fujimura said.

Rebuilding lives in shattered Tohoku, one image at a time

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:48:00 PST

As the minibus winds through the foothills of northern Fukushima, the Geiger counter flashes blue and buzzes loud alerts — but it doesn't distract Brian Peterson. The 35-year-old American holds up a boxy Konika Instant Press — what he calls his "magic camera" — then explains how to load it, set the aperture and remove jammed film without ruining the entire stock.
Although the process sounds complicated, the other 14 passengers follow his directions unfazed. Tokyo-based designers and photographers from half a dozen countries, they know the ins and outs of cameras and many earn a living shooting fashion shows, weddings and war zones. Today, however, they're all volunteering their services for free — and while Peterson's next instruction must run counter to everything they've ever learned, none of them bats an eyelid.

NFL asks to meet with Williams regarding Saints' bounties

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:49:00 PST

NFL investigators were set to meet Monday with the former New Orleans Saints assistant coach who admitted and apologized for running a bounty program that rewarded players with thousand-dollar payoffs for knocking targeted opponents out of games.
The meeting with Gregg Williams will be in the New York area, according to two people familiar with the NFL's investigation of the bounties. They spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because details of the continuing investigation are not being disclosed.

Zaccheroni hoping to find new talent

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:50:00 PST

Japan boss Alberto Zaccheroni said Monday he was looking forward to casting an eye over his national team charges and also hoping to unearth new talent during the new J. League season kicking off this weekend.
"I am so pleased that the season is finally starting," the Italian coach told reporters.

Pretty in print: Marni at H&M dares to be bold

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:51:00 PST

Once, in the world of fashion, the word "designer" meant only one thing: exclusive stores, celebrity-style outfits and look-and-faint price tags.
Today, however, luxury-level fashion design is an altogether more accessible affair, as it increasingly finds itself filtering onto the racks of stores more commonly associated with the budget-end of the retail-therapy spectrum.

A few of readers' favorite things; heated discussion on the burning issue of warmth

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:52:00 PST

A selection of readers' responses to Debito Arudou's Feb. 7 Just Be Cause column, "These are a few of my favorite things about Japan":
As the father of a disabled child and fellow rights activist, I found it disappointing and more than a little hypocritical that one of Debito's favorite things about Japan is the ability to use facilities specifically designed for one of the most discriminated-against minority groups as his own personal "throne" with impunity. I can only imagine he is also thrilled that there is no enforcement of handicap parking violations.