4 die after train blown off tracks in Yamagata
December 25, 2005SHONAI, Yamagata -- Four people died when a train derailed here Sunday night after apparently being hit by strong winds, police and the railway operator said Monday.
Seven & I to merge with Japanese department store operator Millennium Retailing
December 25, 2005Seven & I Holdings Co., operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan and the United States, said Monday it will take full control of department store operator Millennium Retailing Inc.
Japan's top stories: Koizumi ruffles foreign feathers
December 25, 2005Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's insistence on paying his respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country put Japan's relations with two of its biggest neighbors in a prickly spot during 2005.
Environment Ministry succeeds in photographing dugong and child
December 25, 2005The Environment Ministry has succeeded in taking a photo of a female dugong and her child swimming off Okinawa's main island, ministry officials said.
Beach for dogs to celebrate coming of New Year
December 25, 2005TAMANO, Okayama -- A private beach designed exclusively for dogs in Okayama Prefecture will open its gates for them to swim at on Jan.
Chlamydia for a Christmas present
December 25, 2005A young woman's boyfriend is waiting for her in Paris, where she's headed for her winter holiday.
Trucking association to hand out crime-prevention alarms to children
December 25, 2005SAITAMA -- The Saitama Trucking Association has decided to donate 70,000 portable truck-shaped crime-prevention alarms to new first-year elementary school students in Saitama Prefecture, it has been learned.