4th GSDF contingent returns home from Iraq after 6-month dispatch
January 28, 2006About 100 Japanese ground troops returned to Tokyo's Haneda airport Sunday after finishing their six-month dispatch in Iraq, where they conducted humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. The Ground Self-Defense Force's fourth contingent to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah moved from the airport to the Defense Agency in Ichigaya, Tokyo, where they met their families.
It is desirable for emperor to visit Yasukuni Shrine: Aso
January 28, 2006Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Saturday it is desirable for the emperor to visit Yasukuni Shrine and told China to stop complaining about Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the Shinto shrine in Tokyo. ''From the viewpoint of the spirits of the war dead, they hailed 'Banzai' for the emperor -- none of them said long live the prime minister. A visit by the emperor would be the best,'' Aso said in a speech in Nagoya.
Hamas leader rejects int'l calls for group to disarm: report
January 28, 2006Hamas' senior leader Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday turned down international calls for the Islamic militant group to disarm and renounce violence to prevent cuts to international aid for the Palestinian Authority, Reuters reported. ''This aid cannot be a sword over the heads of the Palestinian people and will not be material to blackmail our people, to blackmail Hamas and the resistance. It is rejected,'' Reuters quoted Haniyeh as saying in an interview in the Gaza Strip.
Securities watchdog to seek prosecution of Livedoor itself
January 28, 2006The Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission is expected to file a criminal complaint with public prosecutors against Internet company Livedoor Co. itself, as well as four of its former executives, sources familiar with the case said Saturday. The securities watchdog has decided to seek prosecution of Livedoor and one of its affiliates, not only of former Livedoor President Takafumi Horie, 33, and three other former executives, as it believes the firm should be penalized for the suspected extensive involvement of its former management in illegal activity, they said.
Yamaha suspected of having shipped chopper to army-linked Chinese firm
January 28, 2006Yamaha Motor Co. is suspected of having exported a remote-controlled helicopter that could be converted for military use to a Chinese firm linked to the People's Liberation Army in 2003, investigative sources said Saturday. The export was one of some 10 helicopters Yamaha has allegedly shipped to several Chinese companies since July 2001, the sources said.
Bush says no aid unless Hamas renounces violence against Israel
January 28, 2006U.S. President George W. Bush made it clear Friday that the United States would suspend aid to the Palestinians unless Hamas renounces violence against Israel. In a wide-ranging interview at the White House, Bush urged the Hamas Islamic militant group, which won a sweeping victory in Palestinian elections Wednesday, to abandon its militant arm and accept Israel's right to exist.
Baseball: Salary arbitration date set for Ohka
January 28, 2006Japanese right-hander Tomokazu Ohka, who has filed for salary arbitration with the Milwaukee Brewers, will have his hearing on Feb. 16 in St. Petersburg, Florida, it was announced on the team's official website on Friday. Ohka, who made $2.75 million in 2005, wants a raise to $5.2 million but the Brewers are only offering him $4.25 million, a gap of $950,000.
Golf: S. Maruyama 5th after 2nd round at Buick Invitational
January 28, 2006U.S. tour regular Shigeki Maruyama fired a 7-under-par 65 to surge into a share of fifth place after the second round of the Buick Invitational on Friday. Maruyama, who started the day in a share of 77th place, made seven birdies in a bogey-free round for a 7-under 137 total at Torrey Pines Golf Club, moving him five strokes behind sole leader Brandt Jobe of the United States.
Trouble detected in satellite Daichi during operation check
January 28, 2006Japan's space agency said Saturday some troubles were detected in a land-observation satellite the previous day after it was deployed from a domestically made H-2A rocket earlier this week, though posing no serious effect on its operation. According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, the trouble was detected in the data processing system of the Advanced Land Observing Satellite, nicknamed ''Daichi,'' at 10:51 p.m. Friday during an operation check upon completion of the process to change its attitude control.
Figure skating: Oda wins Four Continents title
January 28, 2006Former world junior champion Nobunari Oda of Japan held onto his lead from the short program with a strong men's free skate to win his first title at the Four Continents figure skating championships Friday. Oda, who will not be competing in the Turin Olympics next month, came second in the free skate for a total of 201.69 points, beating out runner-up Christopher Mabee of Canada by three points. Matt Savoie came third with 190.15.