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This article reports on the effect of an erroneous stock order by brokerage firm Nikko Citigroup Ltd. for paper maker Nippon Paper Group Inc. on the company's share prices in Japan.

Discusses how Maspro Denkoh Corp.'s president, Takashi Hashiyama, had Christie's International and Sotheby's Holdings play a game of rock, paper, scissors to determine which he would hire to auction off Maspro's collection of Impressionist paintings. How Takashi resorted to the game, a popular way to make arbitrary decisions in Japan, after the two auctioneers presented similar proposals; Frustration of the auctioneers, who poured money into the proposals; Victory of Christie's in the game.

The article focuses on ukiyo-e paintings of Japan exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, Massachusetts. The collection is described as sensuous, hedonistic and occasionally erotic Japanese paintings. The MFA sent 69 of its ukiyo-e paintings on tour, first to museums in Japan then to other museums in North America. The paintings have three formats including hanging scrolls, handscrolls and screens.

Focuses on the development of electronic readers that allow users to read books and other works digitally. Sale of electronic readers by Sony and Matsushita Electric Industrial in Japan; Description of the Sony Librie and Panasonic SigmaBook electronic readers; Problems encountered with the readers.

Reports on how the stance of business newspaper `Nihon Keizai Shimbun' over the shuffling of stock index affected the stock market of Japan. Printing of the views of Finance Minister Kiichi Miyaza and its rebuttal by the newspaper; Decline of Japanese stock market in May 2000.

A new paper argues that GDP per capita is becoming a less useful indicator of living standards and prosperity as the world ages. Instead, the authors suggest focusing on GDP per working-age adult. Japan, often cited as an example of economic stagnation, actually leads the G-7 in terms of growth per working-age adult. As many countries' working-age populations start to shrink before their overall populations, GDP per working-age adult will be a valuable guide to economic performance. Despite concerns about Japanification, Japan has still done reasonably well and has a high standard of living. [Extracted from the article]

Announces that the European Union (EU) has submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) arguments backing the United States and Eastman Kodak Company that Japan is restricting foreign companies from its film and photographic paper market. How these practices are in violation of WTO rules; What the ruling will project about the WTO's authority.

Reports that Japan's deepening recession is forcing companies to restructure. Companies that have revealed restructuring plans; Prediction of Pelham Smithers, a strategist with ING Baring Securities (Japan) Ltd.; Financial condition of Nikon Corp. and Daishowa Paper Manufacturing Co.; Implications of slumping corporate profits.

Focuses on the international antitrust cases being looked at by a number of United States grand juries. Sharing of information by Japanese-owed paper makers leading to criminal price fixing; Contention of critics that assaults, such as the one on Japanese paper firms, are testing the limits of US law by reaching into the sovereign affairs of other nations; View of international cases from US officials.

The article discusses the historical awareness of the Japanese people to natural disasters. The Shinto religion, it is observed, focuses on appeasing the forces of nature. Traditional Japanese architecture incorporates wood and paper as building materials, reflective of an understanding that human structures are not meant to last forever. The author believes that the Japanese character will aid in helping that nation recover from a March, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The article discusses the criticism that is being directed at Japanese scientist Teruhiko Wakayama in 2014 in the wake of an investigation into his stem cell research techniques which were published in the journal "Nature," focusing on a research paper retraction request by Wakamaya.

The article discusses a white paper released by the Japanese administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Japanese national security policies and Japan's interest in tightening Japan-U.S. relations, in light of China's military influence toward the region and territorial disputes.

The article discusses a "Defense White Paper" issued by the Japanese government on July 31, 2012 that expresses concern about the growing influence of China's military over Chinese foreign policy, and notes Japan's government has called for greater surveillance and security measures around the Senkaku Islands.

The article focuses on the plan of the Japanese central bank to keep taking steps to make financial conditions in the country accommodative and that excessive meddling might affect the way it functions, according to Bank of Japan policy-board member Tadao Noda during a meeting with business leaders in Naha, Okinawa. The local credit markets will reportedly benefit from the acquisition of more commercial paper and corporate bonds by Bank of Japan, according to analysts and investors. The idea was not supported by Noda.

The article announces the plan of Japan's Financial Services Agency to ease some accounting regulations for domestic banks. The agency aims to lessen pressure on the capital bases of domestic banks from the declines in global asset prices. According to the agency, the new guidelines will allow banks in the country to avoid having paper losses on certain financial assets reflected in their capital adequacy.

The article reports on moves by the Bank of Japan to strengthen markets including eased share-buyback conditions and fund injections into regional banks. While the bank maintained its key overnight call rate target at 0.5%, it broadened the range of asset-backed commercial paper eligible for market operations. Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa said the bank will strengthen money-market functions including the payment of interest to banks' reserve accounts.

Discusses a campaign by the governor of Iwate prefecture in Japan encouraging residents to renounce effort and adopt a more leisurely lifestyle. Popularity of Governor Hiroya Masuda's campaign, which emphasizes living a more fulfilling life closer to nature and away from the economic pressures of the city; How Japan's slowing economy of the 1990's caused many Japanese to question whether their hard work was really worth it; Japan's nascent slow-life movement, in which small towns are promoting green tourism where urban visitors come to work on a farm, search mountains for vegetables and make traditional paper.

Reports on a tactic that is being used by married couples in Japan that enables women to keep their maiden names. Details on the Japanese law that requires a husband and wife to share the same family name; Description of the tactic that couples use, dubbed 'paper divorce/remarriage'; Why the name issue is creating controversy in Japan.

Analyzes the economic and political conditions in Japan. Details on a paper issued by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology concerning Japan's economy; Economic impact of the country's public debt; Skepticism on budget balancing through taxes.

Discusses the economic conditions in Japan. Information on Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's emphasis on crisis management; Role of the Bank of Japan in interbank and commercial paper market; Issue on government debt; Source of optimism for Japan.

Reports on Eastman Kodak Co.'s lawsuit filed with the Japan Fair Trade Commission against Fuji Photo Film Co. for alleged anticompetitive practices in Japan's photographic film and paper market. Kodak's accusation of a conspiracy between the Japanese government and Fuji Film to keep Kodak film off store shelves in the country; Turnover of the case to World Trade Organization.

The article focuses on an increase in the number of consumers in Japan that are using their cellular telephones to write novels. A discussion of the popularity of the novels in Japan, which are known as mobile novels, is presented. The case of Satomi Nakamura, who has written eight novels on her cellular telephone, is discussed as an example.

Reports that congressional leaders in the United States are urging the White House to put pressure on Japan over alleged trade violations in photographic film. Allegations from Eastman Kodak Company; What has affected Kodak's market share and profits; Allegations from the United States about the Japanese government and Fuji Photo Film Company; Comments from George M.C. Fisher, Kodak's chief executive officer.

Reports on the urge to the US officials by Eastman Kodak Co. to force Japan to open its photographic market to the company. Relation between Kodak and Fuji Photo Film Company.

Focuses on the charges leveled by Eastman Kodak Co. against Japan and Fuji Photo Film Co. for blocking Kodak's access to the Japanese market. Details about the charges made in the petition with the US Trade Representative's office; Reactions of Fuji and the US trade officials to the petition.

Reports the plan of Eastman Kodak Co. to reduce the prices for films in Japan under a co-branding agreement reached with Nihon Ryutsu, a group of Japanese retailers, in August 1995. Comments of its rival Fuji Photo Film Co. on Kodak's move; Allegations of Kodak against the Japanese Government and Fuji of plotting to restrict Kodak's access to the Japanese consumers.