Commander of U.S. Forces in Japan apologizes for sailor's alleged slaying

January 11, 2006

The head of U.S.

Japan to strengthen immigration laws to counter terrorism

January 11, 2006

Japan would fingerprint foreigners, expel suspected terrorists and oblige aircraft operators to provide passenger lists under counterterrorism plans proposed by the Justice Ministry, an immigration official said Wednesday.

Tanigaki says Japan's hefty U.N. dues give it yen for greater clout in world body

January 11, 2006

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki has expressed concern over the size of Japan's U.N.

Techniques in Sendai kidnapping resembled those from mystery novel

January 11, 2006

SENDAI -- The techniques used to abduct a newborn baby from a hospital here closely resembled those in a Japanese mystery novel, police investigators have learned.

4 men including city officials busted for bid-rigging

January 11, 2006

OSAKA -- Four people including two municipal government officials were arrested on Wednesday over bid-rigging for city contracts, prosecutors said.

Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Bank printed thousands of wrong account numbers on forms

January 11, 2006

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, the recently formed largest bank in the world, printed thousands of wrong bank account numbers on forms delivered to over 500 firms being asked to switch over to the new bank, it has been learned.

Fewer new employees want merit-based treatment

January 11, 2006

The number of new employees who favor merit-based treatment is falling and those who don't want to change companies is increasing, a survey conducted by the Japan Productivity Center for Socio-Economic Development has found.

Toyota Corolla best-selling car in Japan for 3rd straight year

January 11, 2006

Toyota Motor Corp.'s Corolla was the best-selling car in Japan last year for the third consecutive year, an industry organization said Wednesday.

Crowded commuter trains would contribute to rapid spread of flu

January 11, 2006

Crowded commuter trains would likely be a major contributor to the rapid spread of influenza in the event of an outbreak of a new strain in Japan, researchers have found.

Woman viciously stabbed to death at home in Osaka

January 11, 2006

SAKAI, Osaka -- A woman was viciously stabbed to death on Tuesday by an apparent stranger who turned up on her doorstep and chased her into her home, slashing her and her daughter before fleeing, police said.

Pin-up queen finds range of emotions while playing robot

January 11, 2006

Playing an artificially intelligent robot for an online drama ironically gave Yuka Kosaka a chance to display a wide range of emotions, the pin-up queen told reporters at a news conference in Tokyo.

Gangster, chef busted for fatally beating man

January 11, 2006

KITAMOTO, Saitama -- A gangster and a chef were arrested early Wednesday for fatally bashing a man at a crime syndicate office here.

Keidanren chief suspects General Motors faces serious financial crisis

January 11, 2006

Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) President Hiroshi Okuda said he presumes that General Motors is in a serious financial crisis.

Man arrested for City Hall bomb threat was infuriated over worker's attitude

January 11, 2006

SAPPORO -- A man arrested for threatening to blow up the municipal government headquarters building here has told investigators that he was angry at a ward office's response to him, police said.

Man stabbed parents because they wouldn't drink his miso soup

January 11, 2006

KITAKYUSHU -- A jobless man arrested for fatally stabbing his mother and seriously injuring his father at their home here has told police that he got angry because they refused to drink miso soup he made for them, police said.