November 3, 2004

Some New York City residents keep worms by the pound to aid in indoor compost efforts; worms will eat fruits and vegetables that normally would be thrown in garbage; photos (M)

Like a Japanese compact car, the nation's economy is built to go a long way on a little gas. And so, Japan should be one of the best-prepared countries in the world to deal with rising oil prices. But as oil prices linger around $50 a barrel, economists now say Japan may be among the hardest hit. The Japanese economy depends less on oil than almost any nation, requiring only about half as much oil to generate $1 worth of economic growth as the United States. But while the surge in oil prices has had relatively little impact so far on corporate profits or consumer spending, the increase is beginning to take a toll on the economy by contributing to a decline in Japanese exports, the main engine of the recovery that began last year.

Articles on election results noted; photos

New York Yankees bench coach Willie Randolph is considered finalist for New York Mets managerial job; grew up Mets fan at Samuel J Tilden High School in Brooklyn (NYC) and spent years playing second base for Yankees and then coaching, but has never been pro manager; has earned respect and adoration of those who knew him from neighborhood; photos (M)

Peter Abblebome Our Towns column discusses strong Democratic voter turnout in Newark (NJ) (M)