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4 killed in explosion at Osaka chemical plant

National › 11:55 AM JST - 24th December

TOKYO — Four men died in an explosion Thursday at a chemical plant in Osaka, firefighters said. The blast occurred at around…

2 former secretaries of Hatoyama charged over falsified fund reports

Crime › 11:22 AM JST - 24th December

TOKYO — Prosecutors indicted two of the former secretaries of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama without arrest Thursday over falsified fund reports in…

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Local gov'ts to lease 500 rooms for homeless people during year-end

National › 06:51 AM JST - 24th December

TOKYO — Tokyo and nine other prefectural governments have decided to lease about 500 rooms from places like inns and…

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Robbers in disguise make off with Y100 mil from Osaka residence

Crime › 08:53 AM JST - 24th December

OSAKA — Two men dressed as home delivery workers broke into the residence of a 57-year-old financial company employee Wednesday…

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Tomomi Miyauchi promotes raunchy DVD for Christmas

Tomomi Miyauchi promotes raunchy DVD for Christmas

Entertainment › 10:41 AM JST - 24th December

TOKYO — Actress and bikini model Tomomi Miyauchi, 34, was full of Christmas spirit this week when she met her…

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PM offers public hope, dreams for Christmas, but wants nothing for himself

Politics › 11:51 AM JST - 24th December

TOKYO — Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Thursday he wants to give people hope and dreams for Christmas, but refrained…

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Nikkei hits 3-month closing high

Business › 03:43 PM JST - 24th December

TOKYO — The key Nikkei stock index rose sharply Thursday to a three-month closing high above 10,500 as investors tested…

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Final report on maglev train construction fails to specify route

Technology › 11:21 AM JST - 24th December

TOKYO — Central Japan Railway Co on Thursday submitted to transport minister Seiji Maehara the final report on the construction…

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Asada chases Olympic berth at Japan nationals

Sports › 04:01 PM JST - 24th December

OSAKA — Mao Asada will be looking to re-establish herself as a gold medal contender for the Vancouver Olympics at…

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Yemeni airstrike kills 34 al-Qaida militants, official says

World › 04:42 PM JST - 24th December

SAN'A, Yemen — Yemeni authorities say military operations targeting al-Qaida hideouts have killed 34 suspected militants, including important leadership figures in…

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A couple looks up at Yokohama Marine Tower. The tower will be illuminated until Jan 31.

Features

City girls hit rice paddies, in style

City girls hit rice paddies, in style

Lifestyle

TOKYO — Tokyo's most fashionable city girls have ventured into unfamiliar territory, crouching in muddy rice paddies to help make…

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Movie producer aims to help street children in Bangladesh

Entertainment / Arts

TOKYO — When Hiroki Watanabe Yokohama was a university senior, he visited Phuket in Thailand to participate in a yacht…

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Buying a camera in Japan? Think again

Buying a camera in Japan? Think again

Commentary

TOKYO — One of the most common questions I get about tech from visitors to Japan is “Where do I…

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New book suggests ulterior motive to timing of 1949 executions

Kuchikomi

Just after midnight on Dec 23, 1949 -- 60 years ago this week -- former Prime Minister Hideki…

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Tokyo Midtown park now popular dating spot thanks to Kusanagi

Shukan Post

TOKYO — A "crime scene" in Roppongi has turned into a dating spot for couples, decorated with illuminations for Christmas…

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Voice of success

Voice of success

Executive Impact

TOKYO — When Donna Burke arrived in Japan from Perth, Western Australia, in 1996, she was ready for an adventure.…

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OTTO stovetop espresso maker

OTTO stovetop espresso maker

New Products

ＯＴＴＯ, an Australian design award winning stovetop espresso maker is now available in Japan. At 4 kg of…

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Manga and anime, roughed up

Manga and anime, roughed up

Book Reviews

TOKYO — Britain’s "Rough Guide" series has been helping itinerant travelers navigate foreign destinations for nearly 30 years. As globetrotting…

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FY 2010 budget on tourism promotion to be halved from ministry request

Travel

TOKYO — The government is considering halving its tourism-related budget for fiscal 2010 to about 13 billion yen from the…

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