Year-end, New Year road toll lowest on record

January 4, 2006

A total of 106 road deaths occurred across Japan over the year-end and New Year holiday, the lowest figure on record, the National Police Agency said Wednesday.

Right wing of Zero fighter found in Hokkaido goes on display

January 4, 2006

KUTCHAN, Hokkaido -- The right wing of a Japanese wartime "Zero" fighter found on a valley here in 2003 is on display at a local museum.

Japanese researchers find new genus of fish in Cambodia lake

January 4, 2006

Fish belonging to an unknown genus have been caught in a Cambodian lake, a Japanese researcher said.

Police crackdown on adult adverts proving effective in Fukuoka

January 4, 2006

FUKUOKA -- A police crackdown on advertisements for adult entertainment businesses has led to a significant decrease in the number of adverts being posted in Fukuoka, police figures have shown.

Woman sought for murdering daughter hangs self in public toilet

January 4, 2006

NAGOYA -- The mother of a woman found slain in their apartment here Tuesday has committed suicide in a public lavatory, police said.

Kyoto shrine counts cash after New Year's visits

January 4, 2006

KYOTO -- Bank employees gathered at Fushimi Inari Shrine, a place where visitors often pray for bumper crops or business success, on Wednesday, to begin counting the cash offered by shrine-goers during the first three days of the year.

Weather agency warns of more heavy snow

January 4, 2006

Heavy snow will hit the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku region and mountainous areas in the Hokuriku region from Wednesday to Thursday morning, the Meteorological Agency said.