Britain's Blair condemns 'slavery' in N. Korea
October 10, 2006Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair attacked North Korea's human rights record Tuesday saying its people ''are kept virtually in a position of slavery.'' Blair told reporters the plight of North Korea's citizens was often overlooked in the concern about Pyongyang's nuclear program.
U.S., Japan to propose common sanctions resolution on N. Korea
October 10, 2006Japan, working together with the United States, wants to come up with a common draft resolution at the U.N. Security Council against North Korea for its claim it has conducted a nuclear test, Japan's U.N. Ambassador Kenzo Oshima told reporters Tuesday. The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Japan held a meeting Tuesday morning to discuss a draft resolution the United States presented Monday to the council calling for tougher sanctions against Pyongyang.
Crown prince returns home after attending king's funeral in Tonga
September 20, 2006Crown Prince Naruhito returned to Japan from Tonga on Wednesday after attending the state funeral of the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of the South Pacific kingdom, who died earlier this month after a long illness. The crown prince arrived at Tokyo's Haneda airport aboard a government plane by way of Auckland, New Zealand.
Abe's financial backing largely from medical industry
September 20, 2006Reports declared by political bodies under newly elected Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe have revealed his political activities have been largely supported by the medical industry. The two political entities collected a total of 295 million yen in 2005, up 37.4 percent from the previous year, according to the political funds reports on the chief Cabinet secretary, who is to be picked as Japan's prime minister next Tuesday.
Opposition parties tough on Abe over disparities, Constitution
September 20, 2006Leaders of opposition parties on Wednesday vowed to take a firm stance against Shinzo Abe who was elected president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party earlier in the day, particularly over issues pertaining to social disparities and the Constitution. Meanwhile, Takenori Kanzaki, chief of the LDP's coalition partner, the New Komeito party, who will step down later in the month, expressed hope that Abe will work to mend ties with Asian countries, tackle the falling birthrate and correct income and regional disparities.
Japan's ruling party set to pick new chief Wed., Abe set to win
September 19, 2006Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, who eyes a larger role for Japan on the world stage, is set to win the governing party's leadership election Wednesday to succeed Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. With overwhelming support from party members, Abe, 51, is all but certain to defeat Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki and Foreign Minister Taro Aso to become Liberal Democratic Party president and be picked as Japan's youngest premier next Tuesday in parliament.
Military seizes power in Thailand in coup, ousts Thaksin
September 19, 2006The Thai military said in a statement Wednesday it has taken control of Bangkok and its vicinity, wresting power from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The military launched a coup against Thaksin on Tuesday by surrounding his offices with tanks, taking control of television stations and declaring a provisional authority pledging loyalty to the king.
Thai military launches coup against premier
September 19, 2006The Thai military and police said in a statement Tuesday that they have taken control of Bangkok and its vicinity. The military launched a coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by surrounding his offices with tanks, taking control of television stations and declaring a provisional authority pledging loyalty to the king.
Japanese envoy conveys regrets over canceling of Sakhalin-2 project
September 19, 2006Yasuo Saito, Japanese ambassador to Russia, on Monday met with Russian Natural Resources Minister Yurii Trutnev to convey Japan's regret over his ministry's decision to revoke government approval of an international oil and natural gas development project off Russia's Sakhalin island, Russian media reported Tuesday. Saito told Trutnev that the decision to rescind governmental approval for an environmental survey of the so-called Sakhalin-2 project, which involves Japanese companies among others, effectively canceling it, has little valid grounds, according to the reports.
Japan imposes additional sanctions on N. Korea over missile launches
September 19, 2006Japan imposed financial sanctions Tuesday on North Korea by prohibiting remittances to 15 entities and one individual linked to the North's missile and weapons programs, in line with a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning missile launches by Pyongyang in early July. ''By implementing these measures, we will demonstrate the resolve of the international community, as well as Japan, in line with the U.N. Security Council resolution,'' Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said of the sanctions approved at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting.