TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME
In a survey on spectator sports, Japanese professional baseball was the number-one choice of fans for the eighth year in a row.
(May 28, 2002)

GETTING CONNECTED
Recently there has been a sharp increase in the number of middle-aged and older people who are using e-mail.
(May 24, 2002)

IS SPRING ABOUT TO ARRIVE FOR THE ECONOMY?
According to the government's March 2002 Economy Watchers Survey, based on interviews of small-business people who feel the effects of changes in the economy directly, the diffusion index stood at 43.9, 10.8 points better than the previous month's survey. Japan's economy has had an extended period of hibernation - people are now hoping that spring is about to arrive.
(May 23, 2002)

STEPPING INTO A HIDDEN WORLD--by Gina Cogan
A researcher of Buddhism shares her unusual experience of stepping inside a convent that is closed to the public and glimpsing the reality of its inhabitants.
(April 24, 2002)

CARLOS GHOSN
Possibly Japan's most famous foreign resident, our third interviewee shared with Trends in Japan the importance of embracing differences and learning from them.
(April 5, 2002)

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE WORLD CUP?
In an online survey, nearly half the respondents were optimistic that the Japanese team will progress past the first round of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
(April 18, 2002)