A STEAMING HOT BUSINESS
A popular way to relax and escape the bustle of city life in Japan is to travel to an onsen (hot spring) resort. For those who want to enjoy the luxury of a spa in their own homes, meanwhile, condos with natural spring water are being built in and around Tokyo. These moves seem to have struck a chord with modern-day consumers and have succeeded in generating new demand.
(December 20, 2002)

'TIS THE SEASON TO GIVE
December in Japan is a time for gift giving. But unlike Christmas presents, seibo in Japan often consist of food or drinks and are given by one family to another or by a company to its clients.
(December 19, 2002)

DOUBLE HONORS

The 2002 Nobel Prize for physics will be shared by Masatoshi Koshiba, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, and two other scientists. The Nobel Prize for chemistry, meanwhile, will go to Koichi Tanaka, a researcher at Shimadzu Corp.
(October 31, 2002)

REIKA UTSUGI
Trends in Japan interviewed softball player Reika Utsugi, a Chinese-born naturalized Japanese citizen who helped the Japanese national team to the silver medal in the Sydney Olympics.
(December 16, 2002)

ATTITUDES ON AGING
When asked about the image of the elderly in Japan, those aged 65 and older said that the elderly are healthy, enjoy satisfying lives, and are comfortable financially.
(November 11, 2002)

ELIZABETH KIRITANI
Award-winning journalist and author Elizabeth Kiritani shared with Trends in Japan joys of community and the beauty of traditional life in Japan.
(October 30, 2002)