Nepal's Maoist rebels announce end of ceasefire
January 2, 2006Nepal's Maoist rebels announced Monday the end of their four-month unilateral ceasefire, blaming government moves against rebel forces. ''We declare that the present ceasefire ceases to exist,'' rebel leader Prachanda said in a statement.
1 dies, 20 injured after collision of car, bus in Gifu Pref.
January 2, 2006One person died and 20 others were injured after a local bus and a car crashed head-on Monday afternoon in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, prefectural police said. Police said the man driving the car, Sosaku Nomura, 69, from the city, was killed in the accident that occurred around 4:40 p.m. on a loose curb section of two-lane National Route 41 in the city. A minicar also crashed into the car from behind, they said.
Bill for authorizing female monarchs to be presented in March
January 2, 2006The Japanese government will present an amendment to the Imperial House Law to the Diet in early March that would authorize females and their descendants to ascend the throne, according to informed sources. The revision comes after a Nov. 24 proposal by an advisory panel and would cause a reshuffle of the line of succession.
N. Korea slams Abe for linking normalization, abduction issues
January 2, 2006North Korea on Monday slammed Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe for conditioning normalization of diplomatic relations on a resolution of the North's past abductions of Japanese nationals, calling it more important for Japan to apologize and compensate for crimes against the Korean people over the last century. ''What is most essential for settling the issues related to the DPRK-Japan relations is not the 'abduction issue' but the issue of Japan's liquidation of its past crimes,'' the official Minju Joson daily said in a commentary carried by the Korean Central News Agency.
Health ministry prepares national cancer database
January 2, 2006Japan's health ministry is preparing to build a national database of registered cancer patients that will include their treatments and post-treatment condition in a bid to fight cancer, the No. 1 killer of Japanese people, according to ministry sources. Region-specific data on cancer patient distribution, death rates, causes, and treatment results by medical institutions will also be collected for future patients to select the hospital at which they wish to be cared for, the sources said.
Kagoshima researchers, companies aim to launch satellite
January 2, 2006Researchers working with high technology companies in Kagoshima Prefecture, where Japan's only rocket launch facilities are located, plan to launch a small, locally built satellite for weather forecasting and other purposes, according to one of the researchers. ''If we can secure a budget for development, we can complete it within a year and a half,'' said Masanori Nishio, assistant professor in radio astronomy at Kagoshima University. ''It will also help reinvigorate the local economy.''
Nepal's Maoist rebels announce end of ceasefire
January 2, 2006Nepal's Maoist rebels announced Monday the end of their four-month unilateral ceasefire. Prachanda, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), said in a statement that his rebel forces are unable to further extend the ceasefire because of the government's continued attacks against Maoist cadres. ==Kyodo
Emperor offers New Year's greetings to well-wishers at palace
January 2, 2006Japan's Emperor Akihito offered his annual New Year's greetings to well-wishers who gathered Monday at the Imperial Palace. Amid rain, about 50,200 people -- the least visitors since the Heisei era under the current emperor started in 1989 -- gathered at the palace, the Imperial Household Agency said.
Roh reshuffles 4 Cabinet posts, names new unification minister
January 2, 2006South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun partially reshuffled his Cabinet on Monday, naming Lee Jong Seok to become unification minister in charge of North Korea-related issues, and also replacing his commerce, science and labor ministers. Lee, who has been deputy head of the National Security Council since 2003, was named to replace Chung Dong Young, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.