Sendai hospital baby kidnapper may be harboring a grudge
January 6, 2006SENDAI -- A man who abducted a newborn baby from a hospital here early Friday may harbor a grudge against the institution, investigators said.
Blaze roars through JR Shimonoseki Station
January 6, 2006SHIMONOSEKI, Yamaguchi -- A fire burned through much of a railway station building here early Saturday morning, as well as scorching some neighboring structures, forcing the cancellation of train services, police said.
Food company fails to deliver about 2,000 New Year meals
January 6, 2006OTARU, Hokkaido -- Foodreams, a company selling frozen packages of the traditional New Year's fare of osechi ryori, company officials said.
Man arrested for abusing infant son of girlfriend
January 6, 2006SAITAMA -- A man who abused the son of his girlfriend earlier this month was arrested on Saturday, local police said.
U.S. sailor admits killing Japanese woman
January 6, 2006A U.S.
Japan and China to hold talks next week on ties, gas dispute
January 6, 2006Japan announced Friday it would hold one-day talks with China next week on bilateral ties and a dispute over gas deposits in the East China Sea, in an apparent attempt to staunch a rapid deterioration in relations.
Funeral held for Japan veteran who admitted taking part in 'Rape of Nanking'
January 6, 2006A funeral was held Friday for a Japanese World War II veteran who admitted to taking part in the 1937 "Rape of Nanking" in China and was among the few who spoke out publicly against the massacre.
Sole resident of shaky condo threatens demolishment plan
January 6, 2006Plans to tear down a Tokyo apartment block whose earthquake resistance data was falsified have come under threat because a resident is still living in the building, it has been learned.
Woman nabbed for fatally kicking boyfriend
January 6, 2006MISHIMA, Shizuoka -- A woman who fatally kicked her boyfriend at his home was arrested on Friday, police said.
Snowfall in Akita brings bullet trains to halt
January 6, 2006AKITA -- Akita Shinkansen bullet trains were brought to a standstill on Friday morning along with trains on other lines as heavy snow in the area disrupted rail services.
Nagasaki Prefectural Government worker in hot water for peeping into women's restroom
January 6, 2006NAGASAKI -- A prefectural government worker faces punishment and charges for peeping into a women's restroom at prefectural government headquarters here last month, officials said Friday.
Postal worker in sticky situation after fishing for lost mail with adhesive tape
January 6, 2006YASU, Shiga -- A post office official who inserted adhesive tape into a resident's mailbox to try and fish out New Year postcards he thought had been delivered incorrectly faces punishment, it has been learned.
Wanted North Korean agent told Soga he abducted Yokota
January 6, 2006A former North Korean agent on an international wanted list over passport violations told repatriated abductee Hitomi Soga directly that he abducted Megumi Yokota, it has been learned.
Jobless man busted for attempting to rob bank
January 6, 2006TOYONAKA, Osaka -- A jobless man who unsuccessfully attempted to rob a bank here Friday morning has been arrested, police said.
Deutsche Bank Group acquires 30.13 percent stake in Softbank
January 6, 2006Deutsche Bank Group has acquired a 30.13 percent stake of issued Softbank shares, it has been learned.
A 10-day-old baby boy abducted from a Sendai hospital
January 6, 2006SENDAI -- A newborn baby was abducted from a hospital here in the predawn hours of Friday, police said.
Actress Sakai awarded with million-yen pearl necklace to mark Coming of Age
January 6, 2006Actress Ayana Sakai has been awarded a 1 million-yen pearl necklace for being selected as the "Best Pearl Dresser 2006," a prize for which only 20-year-old women are eligible.
'Peaceful baby' dolls becoming a hit in Japan
January 6, 2006OSAKA -- A new type of puppet doll made to resemble a sleeping baby dressed in baby clothes is becoming a hit in Japan.
7 in 10 people fear income gap will expand
January 6, 2006Seven in 10 people fear a gap in income between Japanese individuals will expand, a Mainichi Shimbun survey has suggested.