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The Japan Times: All Stories
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All the news, sports and feature stories from The Japan Times
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Long journey to safe harbor in an unpredictable world
Knowing Japanese troops had caused the deaths of her father's parents and siblings in World War II, Japan was about the last place Ha Thi Thanh Nga expected to end up. Today — some 30 years after arriving here as a refugee — Nga, 49, is helping other compatriots make lives for themselves here.
In a recent interview at the Takatori Catholic Church Community Center in Kobe's Nagata Ward, where conversations held in Portuguese, Chinese and Vietnamese mingled with the cries of toddlers at play, Nga talked about her early life and how she became head of an NGO for Vietnamese residents, Vietnam in Kobe.
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Miyazaki crisis almost over
The Miyazaki Prefectural Government on July 22 lifted its last ban on the shipment of livestock. This is a sign that the foot-and-mouth disease crisis in the prefecture, which lasted more than three months, is nearing an end. But it must be kept in mind that the eradication of the virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease has not yet been confirmed.
It only is confirmed that there are no more new cases of foot- and-mouth disease. There is the possibility that the virus remains in animal waste on livestock farms and in other substances. To prevent its spread, thorough disinfection must be carried out.
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Ogijima, man-tree island of art
One of the greatest opportunities to visit the Seto Inland Sea is from now through Oct. 31. During this time, the Setouchi International Art Festival beckons you to discover up to six islands in Kagawa Prefecture and one in Okayama Prefecture.
This art festival has a little something for everyone — art lovers and art haters alike (hey, I don't like to discriminate). I recently visited Ogijima, one of the islands imbued with art to host the festival. It's impressive just how much art can help to save an island and its culture. Ogijima (man-tree island) is the 40th island I've visited in the Inland Sea, and I'd have to rank it as one of the best for first-time visitors to the Seto Naikai.
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Beijing's Asia power play
China's economic and military might has grown in recent years along with its overseas trade and investment. China is becoming an oceanic power with growing clout in the Asia-Pacific region.
It demonstrated naval, air and amphibious strength this year by holding exercises in the South and East China seas, where it has unresolved territorial and maritime boundary disputes with several Southeast Asian countries and with Japan.
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A call for death penalty debate
Until July 28, no executions had been carried out for a year in Japan, with death row convicts numbering a record 109. On that day, two inmates were hanged in the Tokyo Detention House.
Justice Minister Keiko Chiba, a human rights lawyer who used to be a member of a Diet members' league for the abolition of the death penalty, ordered the executions. Moreover, she witnessed them — probably the first justice minister to do so.
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Japan Times 
