Japan lab may have succeeded in inducing mad cow infection
January 5, 2006Japanese scientists believe they may have successfully infected cattle with mad cow disease as part of an experiment aimed at an early detection for the fatal bovine illness, a laboratory official said Thursday.
Foreign Ministry contacts U.S. military over sailors suspected of murder
January 5, 2006Japan's Foreign Ministry has asked the U.S.
Keizo Miura, pioneer of skiing in Japan, dies at 101
January 5, 2006Keizo Miura, a pioneer of skiing in Japan and the father of adventurer Yuichiro Miura, died of multiple organ failure, his office said.
Feces in 2 mailboxes stain 140 New Year cards
January 5, 2006FUNABASHI, Chiba -- Human feces have been found in two mailboxes, staining more than 140 New Year cards, police said.
Trucks parking illegally on expressway at night to wait for toll discounts
January 5, 2006An increasing number of trucks are stopping illegally at the side of the Tomei Expressway late at night waiting for toll discounts that start at midnight, it has emerged.
U.S. serviceman held for murder of woman in Yokosuka
January 5, 2006YOKOSUKA, Kanagawa -- A U.S serviceman aboard the USS Kitty Hawk has been taken into custody by U.S military officials over suspicions of his involvement in the murder of a 56-year-old woman, it has been learned.
Demolition of Chiba apartment begins in wake of shaky condo scandal
January 5, 2006SHIROI, Chiba -- Demolition work on an apartment block whose construction was halted in the wake of an earthquake resistance data scandal began on Thursday, marking the first time for dismantlement to begin since the scandal arose.
Gold medalist judoka Ryoko Tani has baby boy
January 5, 2006NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo -- Ryoko Tani, Japan's judo champion, and her husband, Orix Buffaloes outfielder Yoshitomo Tani, said they had named their first child Yoshiaki, when the mother was released from hospital on Thursday.
Japanese prime minister reconsiders trip to Israel due to Sharon's illness
January 5, 2006Japan's Prime Minster Junichiro Koizumi said Thursday he is reconsidering his plans to visit Israel this week because of the grave illness of his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon.
Man faces charges for killing woman who refused abortion
January 5, 2006YOKOHAMA -- A man who strangled a pregnant woman and dumped her body because she refused to have an abortion faces murder charges, police said.
Number of New Year shrine, temple visitors hits record
January 5, 2006The number of visitors to shrines and Buddhist temples over the first three days of the year reached 93.73 million, the highest figure on record, a police report showed Thursday.
Lawson planning 'nursery convenience stores' to help working moms
January 5, 2006Convenience store operator Lawson is planning to set up new 24-hour convenience stores with nurseries to cater to working mothers, it has been learned.
Tired post office boy buries mail in snow
January 5, 2006YAMAGATA -- A high school boy who was working part-time for a post office failed to deliver 627 pieces of mail, including 437 New Year cards, Japan Post said.
Nikko Citigroup places erroneous buy order on Tokyo Stock Exchange
January 5, 2006Nikko Citigroup blamed human error on Thursday for a mistaken buy order for shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, heightening concerns about stock trading here following computer glitches and a botched trade in recent months.
Deputy prosecutor arrested for attempted rape
January 5, 2006SENDAI -- A deputy prosecutor has been arrested for attempting to rape a woman at a hotel in Tokyo, the Sendai District Public Prosecutors Office said.
Ai Miyazato joins former classmates for Coming-of-Age ceremony
January 5, 2006HIGASHI, Okinawa -- Young star golfer Ai Miyazato attended a Coming-of-Age ceremony in her hometown in Okinawa Prefecture on Wednesday.