Skater Yukari Nakano emerges as Olympic candidate
December 19, 2005Japanese figure skater Yukari Nakano has emerged as a candidate for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, following her solid third-place performance at the Grand Prix Final in Tokyo.
Police search 120 locations over falsification of quake-resistance data
December 19, 2005Police on Tuesday raided about 120 locations including construction company offices over a scandal-tainted architect's falsification of quake-resistance data for numerous condominiums and hotels, police said.
Care worker steals 45 mil. yen from handicapped woman
December 19, 2005OSAKA -- A nursing care worker has been arrested for abusing her position and stealing about 45 million yen from the home of a physically handicapped woman she was caring for, police said.
School keeps quiet as teacher throttles schoolboy
December 19, 2005HIMEJI, Hyogo -- Officials at a public high school here failed for six months to report that a teacher had held a student in a choker hold to punish him, prefectural board of education officials said.
Japan to slash budget to below 80 trillion yen for first time in eight years
December 19, 2005Japan's general account budget for the fiscal year starting April is expected to fall below 80 trillion yen for the first time in eight years, reflecting government efforts to rein in spending and cut its massive debt, the Finance Minister said Monday.
Number of deaths or injuries from snow in Niigata Prefecture unusually high
December 19, 2005NIIGATA -- The number of deaths or injuries because of heavy snow in December is unusually high in Niigata Prefecture, officials said.
Prime Minister Koizumi cheers for Asada
December 19, 2005Cheering for Japanese teenager Mao Asada who won the Grand Prix series final over the weekend, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Monday he wants to see the country's underage star's performance at the Turin Olympics.
Yingling appears in advertising campaign for shampoo
December 19, 2005Celebrity Yinling of Joytoy appeared in an advertising campaign on Monday for Unilever Japan's new product, "Moist Finish" shampoo, in Tokyo.
Residents of shaky condominiums worried over moving children to new schools
December 19, 2005Numerous residents of condominiums for which an architect falsified quake-resistance data are worried over having to transfer their children to other schools now that they have to move out of the structures.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe regrets star skater Asada too young for Olympics
December 19, 2005Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said on Monday that it was regrettable that star skater Mao Asada was unable to take part in the Olympics in Turin in February because she was too young.
Man held for trespassing admits murdering Osaka sisters
December 19, 2005OSAKA -- A man under arrest for trespassing on the premises of a building next to a condominium complex where two sisters were fatally stabbed has admitted to being involved in their murder, police said on Monday.
Man pleads not guilty to confining 4 women
December 19, 2005A man accused of confining four women in his apartments or hotel rooms pleaded not guilty to the charges on Monday.
Ex-Labor Minister Murakami loses appeal against prison term for accepting bribes
December 19, 2005The Tokyo High Court on Monday dismissed an appeal filed by former Labor Minister Masakuni Murakami against a lower court ruling that found him guilty to accepting bribes from an organization supporting smaller businesses.
Giants' infielder Nioka marries announcer Chiharu Yoine
December 19, 2005Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka has married freelance announcer Chiharu Yoine, the baseball club said on Monday.
Heavy snow hits Nagoya, central Japan
December 19, 2005NAGOYA -- Cold air above the Japanese archipelago brought heavy snow to Aichi, Gifu and Mie prefectures in central Honshu on Monday, the local meteorological observatory said.
Police officer forced to quit for dating suspect's wife
December 19, 2005YAMAGATA -- A police officer quit his job after he was suspended from duty for dating the wife of a criminal suspect he had questioned for more than six months, police officials said.
Top skaters thrill fans in post-Grand Prix exhibition
December 19, 2005The world's top skaters thrilled fans during an exhibition in Tokyo on Sunday after the Grand Prix competition wound up the previous day.
Adults happy to receive any type of Christmas gift
December 19, 2005A poll on some 5,300 adult men and women about what they want for Christmas has revealed that "any gift" was the most popular choice.