Finance Minister Tanigaki says economy has revived but some 'major' challenges remain
January 9, 2006NEW YORK -- Japan's Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said Monday that his country's economy is recovering steadily due to strong domestic demand, with robust corporate earnings boosting personal consumption.
Snowfall fatalities reach 70 as more troops head north to help
January 9, 2006The death toll from snowstorms that have blasted northern and central Japan since early December rose to 70 on Monday after two people died while clearing snow, police and news reports said.
Police transfer U.S. sailor to prosecutors over murder case, extending custody
January 9, 2006Japanese police took an arrested U.S.
Japan may compensate foreigners confined during colonial rule with Hansen's disease
January 9, 2006Japanese Diet members plan to table a bill designed to pay compensation to those who had to stay in sanatoriums for Hansen's disease in South Korea and Taiwan during Tokyo's colonial rule there.
Male chauvinists' association goes public
January 9, 2006KURUME, Fukuoka -- The Zenkoku Teishu Kanpaku Kyokai (National Male Chauvinists Association), which offers a rating for quarrels between couples, has gone public for the first time.
Town mayor arrested for accepting bribe from poultry farm owner
January 9, 2006SHINTOMI, Miyazaki -- A local mayor was arrested on Monday for accepting a bribe from a poultry farm owner in return for helping him build a chicken dropping processing plant, police said.
Prince Tomohito criticizes government panel proposal on female monarchs
January 9, 2006Japan's Prince Tomohito urged a government panel to reconsider its proposal to resolve an Imperial succession crisis by letting females reign, months after he suggested employing concubines to produce a male heir, a news report said Monday.
Police officer uses knife to urge ex-girlfriend to return to him
January 9, 2006NARA -- A police officer was arrested on Monday for threatening his former girlfriend with a knife in a bid to force her to return to him, investigators said.
Teacher bashes taxi driver after spat over directions
January 9, 2006KASHIHARA, Nara -- A public high school teacher has been arrested after he bashed a taxi driver following an argument over whether the cabby should make an illegal turn, police said.
Fire station gutted as firefighters party
January 9, 2006OITA -- Firefighters accidentally burned down the second floor of a fire brigade guardhouse here as they partied to celebrate a successful promotional event held to mark their firefighting skills, police said.
Wife arrested over husband's insurance murder had huge debts
January 9, 2006KITAKYUSHU -- A woman, under arrest for teaming up with two others to murder her husband for his life insurance benefits, is suspected of committing the crime to pay debts and for gambling, police said.
Kidnappers collared shortly after baby rescued
January 9, 2006SENDAI -- A couple who kidnapped a newborn baby boy and held him for about 50 hours were taken into custody almost immediately after the child was found safe, police said.
7 die in fire at home for elderly
January 9, 2006NAGASAKI -- Seven people died in a fire that broke out at a home for the elderly on Sunday, police said.
Maintenance blunder prevents JAL jet from reversing thrust when landing
January 9, 2006A blunder in maintenance work prevented a Japan Airlines (JAL) jet from reversing the thrust of one of its two engines when it landed at Kagoshima Airport on Saturday, airline officials said.
Police rescue 4 missing skiers who asked for help on mobile phone
January 9, 2006UTSUNOMIYA -- Prefectural police on Monday rescued four missing skiers who called for help on a mobile phone from a mountain, police officials said.