Asia-Pacific Perspectives: Japan+, May 2004, Volume 2, Number 1
 

Features:

• Science: Ig Nobel Dreams Japan has more than its fair share of winners of the "other" Nobel Prize.
   
• Industry: The Outstanding Skills Workers' Award This award is given to workers who have shown technical excellence in the workplace.
   
• Special Feature: The Cutting Edge of Cool Manga, anime and cartoon characters are the modern, cool face of Japanese culture. They have also developed into a huge,multi-million dollar industry.
   
• Investment: Direct Investment in Japan This country can offer many advantages to overseas investors. We look at some corporate success stories.
   
• Theater: Tokyo International Arts Festival   This year's festival gave viewers a welcome look at Middle Eastern culture.
   
• Interview: Yoshinori Yasuda As an environmental archaeologist, Dr. Yasuda studies the rise and fall of ancient civilizations in relation to environmental changes.
   
• Traditional Art: Mumyoi Ware A traditional style of pottery made with the red Mumyoi clay of Sado Island, Mumyoi ware has seen some recent stylistic innovations.

Columns:

• Fashion

• Japan Through Statistic

• Lifestyle

• Environment

• Government

• Selection/Letters