Sniffer dogs show off new drug-detecting skills
December 31, 2005Two sniffer dogs trained for Customs work showed off their skills in detecting illegal drugs during a recent trial performance after they completed their training.
'Dog burgers' catch eye of pet owners in Sasebo
December 31, 2005SASEBO, Nagasaki -- A pet-goods manufacturer here has developed burgers designed especially for dogs, gaining attention from dog owners in the city.
Hackers trying to access computers in Japan every 6 1/2 minutes
December 31, 2005OSAKA -- Hackers are trying to break into computers in Japan an average of once every 6 1/2 minutes, a survey by Internet service firm Digital Effect Network Co.
8-car pileup on Tomei Expressway closes eastbound lanes for 2 hours
December 31, 2005SHIZUOKA -- A pileup involving eight vehicles on the Tomei Expressway around midnight Saturday that left seven people slightly injured forced the closure of its eastbound lanes for about two hours, police said.
Yahoo Japan boss may leave Roppongi Hills to shed negative image
December 31, 2005Yahoo Japan President Masahiro Inoue is considering moving his office away from Tokyo's upscale Roppongi Hills venue to shed negative images associated with firms there, it has been learned.
Families urged to evacuate homes after deadly gas discovery
December 31, 2005YUZAWA, Akita -- The municipal government recommended Saturday that 16 people in four households leave their homes located in a hot spa area where a family of four died after inhaling hydrogen sulfide gas coming out of the ground.
'Moe' voice actresses appear at Mainichi Comiket booth
December 31, 2005Young voice actresses gathered at the Mainichi Shimbun booth at the giant "Comic Market" convention in Tokyo on the event's final day, introducing Mainichi podcasts presented in "moe" anime-style voices.
Man strangles critical big brother with necktie
December 31, 2005TAIWA, Miyagi -- A man who strangled his elder brother for admonishing him over his work on Thursday was arrested Saturday for murder, police said.
Shrine ceremony participants take dip in icy Gifu river
December 31, 2005TAKAYAMA, Gifu -- Participants in a Shinto purification ceremony jumped into the icy waters of the Araki River here on Friday as the last day of the year approached.
2 die and another sickened in Tokyo apartment fire
December 31, 2005A man and a woman died and another was sickened in a Tokyo apartment fire Saturday morning, police said.
Inspectors blame side wind for causing deadly Yamagata derailment
December 31, 2005Government railway accident inspectors have concluded that a side wind was the main cause of the derailment of a limited express train in Yamagata Prefecture that killed five passengers and left 32 others wounded.
Ex-electric company president nabbed for murdering father
December 31, 2005HIGASHI OSAKA, Osaka -- A former president of an electric machinery manufacturer here has been arrested for murdering his father, who served as the firm's chairman, police said.
Cafe accused of giving away expired sweets as Christmas gifts
December 31, 2005OSAKA -- A cafe in the compound of JR Osaka Station gave away sweets to customers as Christmas gifts without checking their use-by dates, it was learned Saturday.
Japan's top 2005 stories: Derailment disaster highlights profits ahead of safety
December 31, 2005AMAGASAKI, Hyogo -- A commuter train derailment on the JR Fukuchiyama Line here in April that left 107 people dead and hundreds of others injured raised serious doubts about the railway operator's attitude toward safety.