Friday, July 3, 8:18 (JST)
Young Japanese raise their voices over economy
A group of young people recently gathered in a darkened park here. Holding placards and megaphones, they chanted slogans condemning the Japanese government and a lack of jobs and opportunity. The scene, which is repeated often in the gritty Tokyo neighborhood of Koenji, is nothing close to the protests that have recently shaken Iran. Indeed, the protests would hardly raise an eyebrow in most parts of the world, but in this country, which values conformity, they represent a stark departure from the norm. Since the 1960s, when youth protests turned violent, even the mildest form of protests by young people has been viewed as taboo. (New York Times)
A group of young people recently gathered in a darkened park here. Holding placards and megaphones, they chanted slogans condemning the Japanese government and a lack of jobs and opportunity. The scene, which is repeated often in the gritty Tokyo neighborhood of Koenji, is nothing close to the protests that have recently shaken Iran. Indeed, the protests would hardly raise an eyebrow in most parts of the world, but in this country, which values conformity, they represent a stark departure from the norm. Since the 1960s, when youth protests turned violent, even the mildest form of protests by young people has been viewed as taboo. (New York Times)Japan students rush for English-language education 
At 28,000 dollars a year, a popular English language cram school course in Japan doesn't come cheap, but its students hope the rewards will more than make up for the hefty tuition fee.
The class is called "Route H" -- short for "Route to Harvard".
Hundreds of schools like it have opened across Japan in recent years to prep a new generation of students who have their educational sights set far beyond Japan's shores, at the top universities of the West. (AFP)
At 28,000 dollars a year, a popular English language cram school course in Japan doesn't come cheap, but its students hope the rewards will more than make up for the hefty tuition fee.
The class is called "Route H" -- short for "Route to Harvard".
Hundreds of schools like it have opened across Japan in recent years to prep a new generation of students who have their educational sights set far beyond Japan's shores, at the top universities of the West. (AFP)Japan may deploy troops near disputed islands 
Japan's defence ministry is considering deploying troops on an island in the East China Sea near a group of islets that is claimed by Tokyo, Beijing and Taipei, according to a ministry spokesman.
"We are studying (the deployment) so that it could be included in the planned year-end revision of the basic defence programme," the official said, confirming a news report on the plan to send an army unit to Yonaguni island. (AFP)
Japan's defence ministry is considering deploying troops on an island in the East China Sea near a group of islets that is claimed by Tokyo, Beijing and Taipei, according to a ministry spokesman.
"We are studying (the deployment) so that it could be included in the planned year-end revision of the basic defence programme," the official said, confirming a news report on the plan to send an army unit to Yonaguni island. (AFP)Japanese Emperor back to Canada after 56 years 
Japan's Emperor Akihito said Tuesday he was looking forward to his first return to Canada since making his first-ever overseas trip there as a teenage prince 56 years ago.
The 75-year-old monarch and Empress Michiko, one year his junior, are scheduled to leave here on Friday on a 15-day goodwill tour of Canada and the US Pacific island state of Hawaii. (AFP)
Japan's Emperor Akihito said Tuesday he was looking forward to his first return to Canada since making his first-ever overseas trip there as a teenage prince 56 years ago.
The 75-year-old monarch and Empress Michiko, one year his junior, are scheduled to leave here on Friday on a 15-day goodwill tour of Canada and the US Pacific island state of Hawaii. (AFP)Ferry service now links Japan, South Korea, Russia 
The cargo-passenger ferry Eastern Dream arrives in Sakai port in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, on Tuesday, inaugurating a new service with calls in Japan, South Korea and Russia. The 14,000-ton ferry, operated by South Korea's DBS Cruise Ferry Co., will start regular service on July 7, linking the ports of Vladivostok, Donghae (South Korea) and Sakaiminato. (Asahi)
The cargo-passenger ferry Eastern Dream arrives in Sakai port in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, on Tuesday, inaugurating a new service with calls in Japan, South Korea and Russia. The 14,000-ton ferry, operated by South Korea's DBS Cruise Ferry Co., will start regular service on July 7, linking the ports of Vladivostok, Donghae (South Korea) and Sakaiminato. (Asahi)Japan to generate solar power in outer space, then beam it to earth 
This may sound ridiculous first time you hear it, but Japan is thinking about solar power from panels located in space to mother earth, or to be more exact, the nation of Nippon itself. According to the Nikkei, the government plans to ask local technology companies to participate in the endeavor as early as next month. (crunchgear.com)
This may sound ridiculous first time you hear it, but Japan is thinking about solar power from panels located in space to mother earth, or to be more exact, the nation of Nippon itself. According to the Nikkei, the government plans to ask local technology companies to participate in the endeavor as early as next month. (crunchgear.com)Visa overstayers given too many breaks: rightist 
Daisuke Arikado believes the government is too easy on foreigners overstaying their visa and this frustrates him. Arikado is a former member of an ultra-rightist group who founded and heads the 30-strong nonprofit organization Movement to Eradicate Crimes by Foreigners.
(Japan Times)
Daisuke Arikado believes the government is too easy on foreigners overstaying their visa and this frustrates him. Arikado is a former member of an ultra-rightist group who founded and heads the 30-strong nonprofit organization Movement to Eradicate Crimes by Foreigners.
(Japan Times)| Jul 02 | Credit Suisse Japan Private Bank Wants 'Several Hundred' Hires (Bloomberg) |
| Credit Suisse Group AG, Switzerland's biggest bank by market value, may hire hundreds of employees for its Japanese private banking business as it seeks to tap into $14.8 trillion in assets held by the nation's households. |
| Jul 02 | Kansai leads the way in 'green energy' business (Japan Times) |
| An increasing number of companies in the Kansai region are taking on the challenge of developing new businesses using their own energy-saving technologies. |
| Jul 02 | Shinsei, Aozora to merge in 2010 (Japan Times) |
| Shinsei Bank and Aozora Bank said Wednesday they have reached an agreement to merge in October next year to create Japan's sixth-largest banking group with total assets of over 18 trillion yen. |
| Jul 02 | Nomura to purchase NikkoCiti for 19 billion yen (Japan Times) |
| Nomura Holdings Inc., Japan's largest brokerage, said Wednesday it agreed to acquire Citigroup Inc.'s local trust banking unit for 19 billion yen to boost its asset administration business. |
| Jul 01 | Sony struggling as Walkman hits 30th anniversary (Las Vegas Sun) |
 When the Sony Walkman went on sale 30 years ago, it was shown off by a skateboarder to illustrate how the portable cassette-tape player delivered music on-the-go _ a totally innovative idea back in 1979.
Today, Sony Corp. is struggling to reinvent itself and win back its reputation as a pioneer of razzle-dazzle gadgetry once exemplified in the Walkman, which Wednesday had its 30th anniversary marked with a special display at Sony's corporate archives.
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USD to JPY:
95.905
| Jul 02 | 'Super solar loans' green way to stoke economy (Asahi) |
| As an economist whose job is to analyze fiscal policies both in and outside the nation, I expected the government to devise a powerful policy package to tame the ongoing economic crisis. |
| Jul 02 | Business sentiment improves slightly (Asahi) |
| Business sentiment among large companies improved for the first time in two and a half years, but the general feeling remains one of continued economic gloom. |
| Jul 02 | Roadside land values fall across nation for the 1st time in 4 years (Asahi) |
| Key land prices used to determine tax amounts dropped nationwide in 2009 for the first time in four years, the National Tax Agency said Wednesday, reflecting the impact of the global financial crisis on the real estate market. |
| Jul 02 | Cabinet OKs record budget ceiling (Asahi) |
| The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a record 52.7 trillion yen cap on general policy budget spending for the fiscal year starting in April 2010. |
| Jul 01 | Japan's debt financing program carries risks (Forbes) |
| Massive fiscal stimulus drives undertaken by governments around the world since the onset of the financial crisis and global economic recession have pushed up levels of public borrowing dramatically. Japan has undertaken what the International Monetary Fund says is one of the largest fiscal stimulus programs among advanced nations, equal to 2.4% of gross domestic product in 2009 and a further 1.8% in 2010. |
NIKKEI 225:
9876.15
| Jul 02 | Tokyo stocks down on caution ahead of U.S. jobs data, lack of cues (AP) |
| Tokyo stocks fell Thursday as investors decided to lock in profits amid a lack of major trading cues and awaited U.S. jobs data for June due out later in the day, hoping for more signs of economic recovery. |
| Jul 02 | Japan housewives to shun currency markets on new rule (Bloomberg) |
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| Jul 01 | Tokyo shares blush crimson (Forbes) |
| Major Asian stock markets open on Wednesday were an expanse of red, as a smaller-than-expected improvement in manufacturing sentiment and plans by manufacturers to cut capital spending by record levels hammered Tokyo shares. Seoul and Shanghai stocks bucked the trend though, as South Korea posted a record trade surplus and China's manufacturing sentiment improved. |
| Jul 01 | How Japan's unlikely shareholder rebellion could lead to profit plays for Western investors (moneymorning.com) |
| The normally reticent Japanese investors - long accustomed, or even resigned, to public subtlety and backroom wheeling and dealing - are becoming fed up with this system and are becoming quite brazen in their protests. And very direct, as well. |
| Jul 01 | Japan REIT market hits 8-mth high, more gains seen (Reuters) |
| Japan's real estate investment trust market climbed to an eight-month high on Monday as investors grew more optimistic about the sector's financial health and analysts forecast more upside ahead. |
| Jul 02 | Struggling Japanese PM turns to comedian for help (telegraph.co.uk) |
 Taro Aso, the increasingly desperate Japanese prime minister, is appealing to a former stand-up comedian to join his cabinet and save the administration just weeks ahead of the general election. Hideo Higashikokubaru, recently elected governor of Miyazaki Prefecture, initially rebuffed an indirect approach from Mr Aso by saying he would only accept a portfolio if he was listed as the Liberal Democratic Party's candidate for prime minister in the election, which has to be held before Sept 10.
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| Jul 02 | Aso gives up on plan to shuffle party posts (Asahi) |
| Prime Minister Taro Aso gave up on plans Wednesday to shuffle the leadership of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party, but in a face-saving step he named two lawmakers to Cabinet posts. |
| Jul 02 | Probe, full clarification of Hatoyama case needed (Yomiuri) |
| In the wake of an illegal donation case involving former Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa that saw him resign his post, a political-fund scandal involving current party leader Yukio Hatoyama has surfaced. |
| Jul 01 | Japan names new economic and fiscal policy minister (AFP) |
 Japan's embattled Prime Minister Taro Aso on Wednesday named Yoshimasa Hayashi as the new state minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy, the top government spokesman said.
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| Jul 01 | Japan opposition leader sorry for sloppy donations records (AFP) |
 Japan's opposition leader Yukio Hatoyama on Tuesday apologised for the sloppy accounting records of his fund-raising body, the latest blow to his party in an election year.
Media had questioned the accounting records of the group which manages political donations to Hatoyama, saying the donors' list included names of dead people and those who had denied giving money.
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| Jul 02 | Aussies embrace their inner Japanese superhero (thewest.com.au) |
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| Jul 02 | Shimbashi cafe booms as oasis for smokers (AP) |
| Salaried workers feeling cornered by the growing smoking ban in the city can take a breather at a "tobacco cafe" that recently opened in Tokyo's Shimbashi district, becoming an oasis for smokers. Suitably named Cafe Tobacco, smoking is allowed in all of its three- story premises with 44 seats. The cafe also offers original blend coffee with a bitter taste, which is believed to go well with cigarettes. |
| Jul 02 | Amuro survives a hard life with limitless talent (China.org.cn) |
 In a life of ups and downs the popular Japanese pop singer Amuro Namie is heading for one of her happier up moments. On July 11-12, Amuro will perform on the Shanghai Grand Stage. It will be her first solo concert in Chinese mainland, granting at long last her Chinese mainland fans an opportunity to watch their idol live.
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| Jul 02 | Whether to come out at the office (Japan Times) |
| 'Do you live on your own?' It's a perfectly casual question at work, one that would naturally arise in conversations. For many gays and lesbians, however, if they happen to live with their partner, queries such as this often become the moment of truth - or the moment of avoiding the truth. |
| Jul 02 | Govts lift ban on riding bicycles with 2 kids (Yomiuri) |
| People who ride with two children on bicycles that do not meet the standards will be fined up to 20,000 yen for violating the Road Traffic Law. |
| Jul 01 | Japan happy with 2019 rugby WCup support (etaiwannews.com) |
| Japan has welcomed a vital recommendation that it host the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Rugby World Cup Limited, which owns all rights associated with the tournament and is under the control of the International Rugby Board, recommended on Tuesday that England host in 2015 and Japan in 2019. |
| Jun 29 | Ishikawa headed to British Open (ESPN) |
 Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa closed with a 1-over 73 on Sunday to win the Mizuno Open on the Japan Golf Tour and qualify for the British Open next month.
It was the first victory this year for the 17-year-old Ishikawa, and it came at the right time. The top four players not already exempt for the British Open earned a spot in the field July 16-19 at Turnberry.
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| Jun 29 | Sumo: Ozeki Harumafuji eyes yokozuna promotion at Nagoya meet (AP) |
 Ozeki Harumafuji, who captured his first career title at the summer meet, will sit on the prestigious east position as the Japan Sumo Association on Monday released the new rankings for the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
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| Jun 29 | This could be my last Wimbledon, says Sugiyama (AFP) |
 Japanese veteran Ai Sugiyama has admitted this could be her last Wimbledon.
The 33-year-old, who made her All England Club debut in 1993, says she is now playing for the sheer fun of it -- and could be on her 17th and final visit.
Though the Japanese number one is finding it harder to stay in peak fitness, she is still having the time of her life on the tennis court -- and her performances this year have motivated her to carry on.
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| Jun 29 | Japan rugby continue winning ways against Tonga (AFP) |
 Japan stretched their Pacific Nations Cup winning streak against Tonga in a tight 21-19 victory after a last-minute Tongan conversion attempt went astray.
Tonga scored three tries to two, including winger Tevita Halaifonua's finish in the corner from a rare sweeping backline movement in the final minutes, but his own conversion attempt was wide, to the relief of the Japanese.
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| Jul 02 | 3 college rugby players busted for buying cannabis (Mainichi) |
| Three college rugby players have been arrested on suspicion of buying cannabis from a drug dealer, police said. Hyogo Prefectural Police arrested three Osaka University of Economics students on suspicion of cannabis possession. They were Yuki Hashimoto and Kyohei Shigematsu, both 20, and a 19-year-old male. The trio are all members of the university's rugby team that has taken part in two inter-college championships. |
| Jul 02 | Japan students rush for English-language education (AFP) |
| At 28,000 dollars a year, a popular English language cram school course in Japan doesn't come cheap, but its students hope the rewards will more than make up for the hefty tuition fee.
The class is called "Route H" -- short for "Route to Harvard".
Hundreds of schools like it have opened across Japan in recent years to prep a new generation of students who have their educational sights set far beyond Japan's shores, at the top universities of the West.
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| Jul 02 | Teachers should quit if they don't like anthem: Saitama gov. (AP) |
| Saitama Gov. Kiyoshi Ueda said Wednesday teachers should quit if they refuse to stand up and sing the "Kimigayo" national anthem at school ceremonies. "I think teachers who do not like the (Hinomaru) national flag and the national anthem should quit," he told the prefectural assembly. "Those who do not love their own country will not be respected in other countries." |
| Jul 02 | Single moms fight for kids' futures (Japan Times) |
| For single mothers, no government financial assistance means no higher education for their children - and probably no future. |
| Jul 01 | National Rhinoceros Beetle Sumo Championship ends in chaos after feisty finalist flees (Mainichi) |
 The grand final of the National Rhinoceros Beetle Sumo Championship suffered a shock upset on Sunday after one "wrestler" flew out of the arena and subsequently the room, earning an instant disqualification.
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| Jul 02 | Researchers race to unravel genome of bluefin tuna (Yomiuri) |
| A joint research team of the Fisheries Research Agency, Tokyo University and Kyushu University is expected to finish decoding the entire genome of the bluefin tuna by the end of this year, according to the agency. |
| Jul 02 | Timing of transplant vote in spotlight (Yomiuri) |
| The House of Councillors has begun full-fledged deliberations on a bill to revise the Organ Transplant Law and a counterproposal bill to establish an ad hoc committee for discussing how to treat brain death in children. |
| Jul 01 | Japan: Automation Nation? (NewsWeek) |
 More than any other country in the world, Japan is a case study in the triumphs of human engineering. Every Japanese manufacturer prides itself on energy efficiency and zero-landfill waste policies. The train and subway stations are models of precision and the application of information technology.
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| Jul 01 | Wind power has its own environmental problems (Yomiuri) |
| Wind power generation is expected to be a clean and environmentally friendly natural energy source, but a new kind of environmental problem has surfaced as infrasonic waves caused by windmills are suspected of causing health problems for some people. |
| Jun 30 | Japanese spacecraft finds uranium on moon (Florida Today) |
| Uranium exists on the moon, according to new data from a Japanese spacecraft. Advertisement The findings are the first conclusive evidence for the presence of the radioactive element in lunar dirt, the researchers said. The revelation suggests that nuclear power plants could be built on the moon, or even that Earth's satellite could serve as a mining source for uranium needed back home. |
| Jul 01 | Apparently the Japanese like Wii Sports Resort (endsights.com) |
 After having been on store shelves in Japan for only four days, Wii Sports Resort has become one of the region's top selling Wii games to date.
The game sold 353,000 copies putting it in third place behind Super Smash Brothers Brawl and Mario Kart Wii.
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| Jul 01 | 'Eco-points' ready for registration, exchanges of goods (AP) |
| The government on Wednesday began accepting from consumers registrations for "eco-points" introduced recently to stimulate purchases of more efficient electric appliances as well as applications for exchanging points for merchandize, gift coupons and electronic money. |
| Jun 30 | Windows 7 pre-orders sell-out in Japan (engadget.com) |
| Often companies will claim a "sellout" in order to hype incredible demand for its product. However, these claims are pointless without any firm numbers -- after all, there's a big difference between moving 100 and 100,000 units. Now we're getting word from Japan that the heavily discounted Windows 7 upgrades that went up for pre-order on Friday are sold-out. |
| Jun 30 | Is Sony developing a playStation phone? (BusinessWeek) |
| Is Sony finally taking aim at Apple's iPhone? Over the weekend the Japanese business daily Nikkei reported that Sony plans to form a skunkworks team whose job it will be to design a hybrid video game-cell phone gizmo-one that taps the company's years of producing PlayStation Portable gaming consoles and Sony-Ericsson handsets. A spokeswoman at Sony wouldn't confirm whether the report was true, and would only say that executives were considering "various possibilities." Combining elements of a PSP and handset would seem a "natural process of thinking," the spokeswoman said, without elaborating. |
| Jun 30 | Net-enabled TVs strike a spark in consumer electronics market (Japan Times) |
 Manufacturers are promoting sales of flat-screen TVs through discounts and other incentives, and thanks to their efforts sales are rising. However, now the TV makers have to stem the ongoing fall in prices.
To address the issue, the manufacturers are turning out a new generation of television sets that allow consumers to view videos transmitted via the Internet, while Net companies deliver a wider range of movie and drama titles through their video-on-demand services.
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