Japanese foreign minister sees Yasukuni as non-issue in LDP race
January 12, 2006Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Friday he thinks the dispute over visits to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine should not be an issue in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential race this fall, echoing remarks by Japan's premier and top government spokesman. ''Not once have I thought that (Yasukuni) should be a point of contention,'' Aso said in a news conference following a Cabinet meeting when asked his thoughts on making Yasukuni an issue in the LDP race.
Baseball: Japanese reliever Mori to join Tampa Bay Devil Rays
January 12, 2006The Tampa Bay Devil Rays said Wednesday the major league baseball club and Japanese reliever Shinji Mori have signed a two-year deal believed to be worth $1.5 million. ''Shinji Mori is a talented reliever who will add depth to our bullpen,'' Andrew Friedman, the Rays' executive vice president for baseball operations, said on the club's website.