Lebanese woman corroborates North Korean kidnapping described in Jenkins' book
December 21, 2005A Lebanese woman said Wednesday her daughter was kidnapped by North Korea in 1978 and decided to remain there after marrying an American deserter, corroborating an account in another U.S.
Harley Davidson recalls more than 500 motorcycles in Japan
December 21, 2005Harley-Davidson Japan is recalling a total of 512 motorcycles covering six models due to transmission problems, the Japanese Transport Ministry said Wednesday.
Families who fear relatives were kidnapped by North Korea meet in Tokyo
December 21, 2005Thai, Lebanese and South Korean families who fear their relatives were kidnapped and taken to North Korea decades ago met with counterparts from Japan in Tokyo on Wednesday, saying they would all work together to rescue their loved ones from the communist country.
JAXA considering developing own high-tech space suit
December 21, 2005JAXA, Japan's space agency, said it is considering developing its own space suit that can be used in future manned space projects.
Japan's top 2005 stories: Japanese astronaut makes 'Discovery' in space
December 21, 2005Fuelling the dreams of little boys across Japan, astronaut Soichi Noguchi made his debut in space aboard NASA's first "Return to Flight" space shuttle mission since the Columbia disaster 2 1/2 years prior.
Mystery ice chunk falls from sky onto golf course near Tokyo
December 21, 2005A disc-shaped piece of ice of unknown origin plummeted from the sky onto a golf course near Tokyo Wednesday, narrowly missing players on the fairway but causing no injuries, police said.
IOC's Igaya says no changes to rules for Asada
December 21, 2005IOC vice president Chiharu Igaya said Tuesday the Olympic governing body would not move to alter rules that make Japanese figure skating sensation Mao Asada ineligible for the Turin Winter Games.
Japan's top 2005 stories: Valentine leads Chiba to first Japan Series title in 31 years
December 21, 2005In leading the Chiba Lotte Marines to their first Japan Series title in 31 years, Bobby Valentine turned around a team of perennial losers and made them a group of hard-hitting champions.
January sumo rankings released with focus on Kotooshu, upstart Yoshikaze
December 21, 2005The new rankings for the January Grand Sumo Tournament were unveiled on Wednesday, showing new Ozeki Kotooshu along with new top division upstart Yoshikaze.
Following derailment disaster, JR West workers cite safety is first priority
December 21, 2005OSAKA -- More than 70 percent of West Japan Railway Co.
Celebrities appear for unveiling of massive photo mosaic
December 21, 2005Actor Asahi Uchida joined celebrities Rei Yoshii and Yuka Kosaka at a ceremony on Wednesday to mark the presentation of a work recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's largest photograph mosaic of its kind.
Actor Hidetaka Yoshioka divorces Yuki Uchida
December 21, 2005Popular actor Hidetaka Yoshioka and his wife, former actress Yuki Uchida, have divorced, it was learned on Wednesday.
Chiba proposes first ordinance banning discrimination of disabled
December 21, 2005CHIBA -- An outline of Japan's first ordinance banning discrimination against the disabled planned by the Chiba Prefectural Government highlights measures to prevent malicious treatment of those with disabilities, officials said.
JAL plane carried passengers with engines fitted in wrong place
December 21, 2005A Japan Airlines (JAL) Boeing 747 aircraft whose left and right engines were mixed up during maintenance carried passengers on international flights for seven months before the error was uncovered, it has been learned.
Diamond-studded Christmas cake on sale at Tokyo store
December 21, 2005The economy is finally picking up, and Tokyoites are in a spending mood this winter.
Ex-NHK president to become advisor to Yomiuri Shimbun's research division
December 21, 2005Former NHK President Katsuji Ebisawa will become an advisor to the research division of the national daily Yomiuri Shimbun, it was learned on Wednesday.
Crime rise prompts Saitama to place guards at schools
December 21, 2005SAITAMA -- The Saitama Municipal Government has decided to place guards at all 101 elementary schools and schools for the disabled in the city following a spate of crimes against young children, it has been learned.
Residents of shaky condos want developer declared bankrupt
December 21, 2005Residents of condominiums built by Huser Management based on falsified structural strength data plan to ask a court to declare the developer bankrupt in a bid to freeze the firm's assets, it has been learned.
Australian children's entertainers The Wiggles to recruit Japanese Wiggles group
December 21, 2005SYDNEY -- The Wiggles are driving their big red car to Japan.
Japan and NKorea to hold talks on abductions, bilateral issues this weekend
December 21, 2005Japan and North Korea will hold talks over the weekend on the North's abductions of Japanese citizens and other pending issues, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
Trio busted for pocketing 100,000 yen from cash haul found in Saitama
December 21, 2005SAITAMA -- Three people who pocketed 100,000 yen of about 18 million yen found in an irrigation channel in Hasuda, Saitama Prefecture, have been reported to prosecutors, police said.
Actress Kyoko Fukada dresses as angel for latest film preview
December 21, 2005Actress Kyoko Fukada was dressed in a white angel-like costume when she appeared at a preview for her latest film, "Tenshi" (Angel).
San Diego Padres to transfer pitcher Otsuka to Texas Rangers
December 21, 2005NEW YORK -- Japanese setup man Akinori Otsuka is set to be transferred from the San Diego Padres to the Texas Rangers, according to the official Major League Baseball web site.