SAFER ROADS
Japan had 8,326 traffic fatalities in 2002 according to figures released by the National Police Agency, the fewest since the present statistics began in 1966 and less than half the peak in 1970.
(March 18, 2003)

"CHUSHINGURA"
Every culture has its beloved stories, and a favorite among the Japanese is "Chushingura," a tale of revenge based on actual events that took place in the early eighteenth century in Edo (now Tokyo). In terms of fame and longstanding popularity, "Chushingura" is on a par with Arthurian legend and Shakespearean plays.
(February 7, 2003)

BUZZWORDS OF 2002
A panel of judges recently selected the 10 trendiest words or phrases of 2002. The selection of the words always attracts plenty of attention, because the choices are seen as a reflection of the events and currents of the preceding 12 months.
(February 6, 2003)

NEW-WAVE BICYCLING
For a while, the popularity of cycling as a means of transportation was waning, and bicycle sales were in a slump. But lately bicycles have experienced a revival as an environmentally sound vehicle whose use promotes good health.
(February 4, 2003)

BACK TO THE PAST
The Showa era in Japan began in 1926 and lasted until early 1989. A Showa nostalgia boom is clearly underway in Japan, as cover songs of hits from the 1950s and 1960s, food products of that era, and even older buildings are all popular at the moment.
(January 22, 2003)

GREAT BALLS OF RICE!
Rice balls (onigiri) have long been a staple of Japanese picnics and lunch boxes. In the past, onigiri were usually made at home and eaten by family members, but now they are a top-selling product in convenience stores, and some cafes have even opened with onigiri as their signature dish.
(January 21, 2003)

POSH FOOD TO GO
If you serve up something special, the Japanese will gladly pay extra for it. Some of Japan's most exclusive hotels are now selling ready-to-eat meals to go.
(January 16, 2003)

BE PREPARED
September 1 is designated Disaster Prevention Day, and evacuation and other drills are held all across Japan on this day every year.
(November 19, 2002)

LAST BUT NOT LEAST
In recent months, books written for elderly readers have been racking up impressive sales, including some that have sold from several hundred thousand to over one million copies.
(November 13, 2002)

SEA OF JAPAN
The body of water to the west of Japan is known internationally as the "Sea of Japan." The governments of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), however, have been arguing that its name should be changed to the "East Sea."
(October 10, 2002)

KOIZUMI RESHUFFLES CABINET
On September 30, Prime Minister Jun'ichiro Koizumi carried out the first reshuffle of his cabinet since the launch of his administration in April 2001.
(October 8, 2002)

GIVE BLOOD AND ENJOY
Blood donation rooms have taken on a new face in the cities. They are turning into "urban oases" and are attracting a growing number of young people.
(September 25, 2002)

KEEPING FOOD SAFE
Confidence in food safety has been shaken in Japan. In order to combat this problem, efforts are being made to thoroughly control quality and guarantee the safety of food.
(September 6, 2002)

SUMMER FUN
All across Japan summer festivals and fireworks displays are drawing crowds. This year, a popular option for holidaymakers is to travel to a region to experience local culture.
(August 16, 2002)

KEEPING IN TOUCH
Many local governments are trying a number of different ideas to revitalize their areas, and information technology is proving to be one of the most promising methods.
(August 7, 2002)

A LEGACY OF GOODWILL
Japanese fans were unstinting in their support of the foreign World Cup teams playing in Japan and made many friends with traveling supporters.
(July 9, 2002)

GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Since the drama and passion of the 2002 FIFA World Cup kicked off on May 31, cultural exchanges between Japan and South Korea have been in full swing.
(July 4, 2002)

"FREE STYLE" WEDDINGS
Nowadays, while some Japanese couples still observe unique local customs or old-style pomp in their wedding ceremonies, recently a growing number are making their own distinctive contributions to engagements and wedding ceremonies.
(June 28, 2002)

FROM A BOTTLE INTO A BAG
Recently more and more plastic bottles are being collected after use and made into new products. The recycled material has been turned into uniforms for schools and companies, egg cartons, and even business cards.
(June 12, 2002)

WELCOMING THE WORLD
Predictions suggest that around 400,000 people will visit Japan for the FIFA World Cup, to be held from May 31 to June 30. With so many foreigners visiting at the same time, even places not directly related to the tournament need to prepare carefully.
(May 17, 2002)

JAPANESE STYLE IS IN
Things that are distinctly Japanese have been growing in popularity recently, both in Japan and overseas.
(April 24, 2002)

TWO MONTHS AND COUNTING
The tension is mounting as the May 31 kick-off of the 2002 FIFA World Cup approaches.
(April 16, 2002)

NEW USES FOR RECEIPTS
Japanese people have come up with several new, unique ways of using receipts: as a means of contributing money to charity, as prize-draw slips, and as media for weather predictions or publicity about new products. It looks as if they are destined to become a new medium for communication.
(March 12, 2002)

SPICING UP LIFE
Celebrity homemakers show others how to spice up an ordinary household and are noted for devising ways to make everyday activities creative and fun.
(January 28, 2002)

TRENDIEST PHRASES OF 2001
Six phrases coined by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during 2001, including "structural reform without sanctuary," were chosen by a selection committee as best representing the trends of the year 2001.
(January 22, 2002)

JAPAN REJOICES
On December 1 a daughter was born to Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan. The event has been enthusiastically welcomed by the people of Japan, the more so because the birth has come after a long period of gloomy news.
(January 17, 2002)

OUTWITTING GARBAGE
Food waste is recycled into fertilizer, which helps grow rice and vegetables, which find their way back onto dinner tables. This kind of "food cycle" is becoming more widespread thanks to the Food Product Recycling Law, which went into effect in May 2001.
(November 30, 2001)

DOING GOOD WORK
More and more young Japanese are turning to part-time jobs with a "volunteer" flavor. Rather than a simple paycheck, these workers are looking for new, more meaningful experiences, or the chance to contribute to society.
(November 5, 2001)

GINZA, SHIBUYA GET NEW FACES
Two of Tokyo's most popular districts are undergoing image makeovers. Behind these changes are dropping land prices caused by the collapse of the economic bubble and a transition of generations among the consuming public.
(October 17, 2001)

WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Debate on the idea of allowing married couples to use separate surnames in family registers--official records of all Japanese kept in city offices--is heating up again. In a recent Cabinet Office survey, 42% of respondents said they favored revising the Civil Code to permit such a change, exceeding the 30% who were opposed.
(September 21, 2001)

COMMUNITY VOICE
Community FM radio stations broadcasting to small areas are sprouting up all across Japan. These stations are proving very popular among local residents because they provide community-based news and invite local participation. In case of a disaster such stations can be used by local authorities to communicate important information and instructions.
(September 6, 2001)

FAILURE BREEDS SUCCESS
People in Japanese business circles these days are looking on the old proverb, "Failure is the mother of success," with renewed appreciation. Examples of companies putting into practice the idea of learning from mistakes are too numerous to mention. The Ministry of Education has begun work creating a database of failures that have occurred in cutting-edge research and development.
(September 4, 2001)

KOIZUMI MANIA
The popularity of reformist Prime Minister Jun'ichiro Koizumi is like a whirlwind blowing all across Japan. Almost everything Koizumi does or says is reported by television's news programs and other shows covering current events.
(August 23, 2001)

IS JAPAN BECOMING A "CAFE SOCIETY"?
Since last year the cafe business has been booming all over Japan. These fashionable hangouts do not just serve tasty cups of coffee and tempting desserts; other factors like their interior design and decor and the music playing in the background make cafes mellow spaces that have won the hearts of younger generations, especially women in their twenties and thirties.
(August 20, 2001)