By Suvendrini Kakuchi

TOKYO, Sep 13 (IPS) - The evolution of the toilet in Japan, from the humble squat latrines of a few decades ago to today’s hi-tech, cockpit like contraptions, parallels the dramatic rise of this country from post-war ruination to global technological leadership.

TOKYO, Nov 14 (Asia Water Wire) - Japan's vaunted dam-building culture, involving millions of dollars in public funds, is taking a beating these days with growing public opposition and the election of environmentally-conscious governors.

TOKYO, Oct 23 (IPS) - Fish vendors in this seafood-crazy country have yet to recover from the shock of seeing their government accept a drastic 50 percent cut in Japan's catch of the prized southern bluefin tuna.

TOKYO (IPS) - Japan is defiantly preparing for the annual meet of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), in the West Indies this June, by going on a promotion drive for whale meat and other products. 

   A whale meat festival held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in May, featured gourmet dishes such as whale sashimi, sushi, stews and a host of frozen and canned items. 

TOKYO, (IPS) - Japan, a voracious consumer of marine resources, is now discovering that the drastic depletion of its own fish stocks is linked to the loss of underwater seaweed colonies -- caused, in turn, by rising sea temperatures.

   ''It's no exaggeration to say that Japan faces a critical situation when describing the rapid decline of marine supply in its domestic waters that is linked to seaweed loss. Tengusa (seaweed) provides food for marine species,'' says Tomohiro Takase, head of the fisheries department at the Hachijojima municipality.

EIGENJI, Japan (Asia Water Wire) - Despite winning a landmark court ruling in December, residents of Higashi-Omi village, some 500 kilometres west of Tokyo, brave heavy snow and freezing winds to attend meetings and devise strategies to protect their beloved Echigawa river from the planned construction of a dam.