Japan's top 2005 stories: Quake-resistance data scandal shocks nation
December 28, 2005The falsification of quake-resistance data by architect Hidetsugu Aneha led to the construction of numerous defective condominiums, shocking the nation and leaving residents distraught after they spent tens of millions of yen to buy the units.
Japan waits for leap second on New Year's Day
December 28, 2005Japan, like the rest of the world, will be frozen in time for one second for the New Year.
Expensive watches stolen from home of celebrity Yumi Morio
December 28, 2005Several expensive watches were stolen from the home of 39-year-old celebrity Yumi Morio in a burglary earlier this month, it has been learned.
Post office in Osaka to deliver 35 New Year's cards a year late
December 28, 2005OSAKA -- A post office in Osaka Prefecture has left 35 New Year's cards for this year undelivered, the Japan Post branch revealed on Wednesday.
Man who registered 'Hanshin Victory' trademark ordered to pay damages to retailer
December 28, 2005OSAKA -- A retailer that sued a man who registered the "Hanshin Victory" trademark after the trademark was nullified and the store's contract to use it became useless was awarded 1 million yen in an appeal ruling at the Osaka High Court.
Government worker nabbed for trying to pinch woman's underwear from clothesline
December 28, 2005YOKOHAMA -- A government worker arrested on Tuesday for attempting to steal underwear hung outside an apartment here has denied the allegations saying he was just looking, investigators said Wednesday.
JR East begins to remove carriages of derailed train in Yamagata
December 28, 2005SHONAI, Yamagata -- East Japan Railway Co.
Skate championship scoring error was caused by lack of staff
December 28, 2005A scoring error at the Japan figure staking championships on Dec.
Truck driver dies after ramming his vehicle into another on Tomei Expressway
December 28, 2005SHIZUOKA -- A truck driver died after ramming his vehicle into the rear of a large truck on an expressway here early Wednesday, police said.
DPJ to submit bill that would lift ban on Internet election campaigns
December 28, 2005The largest opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is poised to introduce a bill that would lift a ban on election campaigns on the Internet, party officials said.
Japanese consul kills self over pressure from China to hand over confidential info
December 28, 2005The top government spokesman has admitted that a Japanese consul in Shanghai killed himself after being pressured by Chinese authorities to hand over confidential information.
Fuji TV to broadcast program to apologize over foul attack on chicken industry
December 28, 2005Fuji Television Network Inc.
Japan's top 2005 stories: Asbestos-related deaths spark health panic
December 28, 2005Fear of deadly side effects from asbestos gripped Japan in 2005 following a spate of deaths caused by use of the unburnable mineral.