No decision made on tightening margin trading rules: TSE
December 26, 2005The Tokyo Stock Exchange said Tuesday it has not made any decision on the issue of tightening its rules on margin trading. The comment followed a report by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun in its Tuesday morning edition that said the world's second-largest bourse is considering tightening the rules to keep the market from overheating.
3 still feared missing in derailment, probe resumed
December 26, 2005Authorities launched a search Tuesday for three people possibly missing in Sunday's fatal derailment of an East Japan Railway Co. train and resumed the on-site investigation into the accident. The authorities on Monday said there were no more people left in the derailed train in Shonai, Yamagata Prefecture, but they received information that two women and a girl are missing since the accident.
Japan's jobless rate rises to 4.6% in Nov.
December 26, 2005Japan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate came to 4.6 percent in November, up from 4.5 percent in October for the second straight month of increase, the government said Tuesday. The rise in the jobless rate primarily stemmed from women leaving jobs for better employment as the nation's economic recovery widens, government officials said.
Japan's nationwide CPI up 0.1% in Nov, 1st rise in 25 months
December 26, 2005Japan's nationwide core consumer price index, excluding volatile perishables, rose 0.1 percent in November from a year earlier for the first increase in 25 months, the government said Tuesday, raising hopes that the economy is emerging from seven years of deflation. The latest data also indicate that the Bank of Japan's ultra-easy monetary policy could be nearing an end.
Aid package for asbestos victims endorsed
December 26, 2005The government endorsed a comprehensive package on Tuesday to provide financial support to people suffering from asbestos-linked diseases as well as those who have lost family members to such illnesses, while trying to ease public concern over health and environmental hazards caused by asbestos. It plans to submit a bill to the Diet in January for a new law to implement the package, under which 3 million yen would be paid as condolence money and funeral fees to those who have lost relatives to asbestos-linked diseases who were not covered by the current industrial accident insurance schemes.
Japan may suspend talks if N. Korea insincere on abductions
December 26, 2005Japan will tackle its three-track negotiations with North Korea, expected to begin in January, with a firm attitude, including the possibility of suspending the talks early on if Pyongyang fails to act sincerely in resolving the abduction issue, the relatives of Japanese abduction victims said Monday. The Japanese Foreign Ministry's Akitaka Saiki made the remarks to the relatives when he met them at the Cabinet Office in Tokyo to brief them on his talks with North Korean officials held Saturday and Sunday in Beijing.
Catcher Yano signs new 2-year deal with Hanshin
December 26, 2005Hanshin Tigers catcher Akihiro Yano, who had declared free agency but opted to remain with the Central League champions, signed a two-year contract carrying an estimated annual salary of 220 million yen on Monday. The new deal represents a 50 million yen increase in annual salary from this year and will earn him 500 million yen over two years if he receives the full amount of performance bonus in addition to the base salary and re-signing bonus.
Olympics: Takahashi, Yuasa added to list of Turin-bound skiers
December 26, 2005The Ski Association of Japan added Nordic combined ace Daito Takahashi and slalom specialist Naoki Yuasa on Monday to the list of Japanese skiers competing in the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Turin with six other athletes. Takahashi, who finished sixth in the sprint event at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City, will make his second straight Olympic appearance along with fellow Nordic combined skier Norihito Kobayashi.
Japan eyes new fast-breeder reactor around 2030
December 26, 2005Japan plans to build a new fast-breeder reactor around 2030 for practical operation succeeding the existing prototype fast-breeder reactor ''Monju,'' sources at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Monday. The ministry's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy filed the plan during the day's session of an advisory body on energy and natural resources for discussions.