Gender Minister Inoguchi: Make it easier for women to work to avoid population crisis
January 19, 2006Japan needs to make it easier for women to enter the work force and have a family at the same time in order to avoid further declines in its population, a government official said Thursday.
Bus company official busted for stealing 3,250 prepaid bus cards
January 19, 2006KITAKYUSHU -- A former senior official of a major bus company has been arrested for pocketing 3,250 prepaid bus cards worth some 13.7 million yen, police said.
Actress Yukie Nakama releases mobile phone ring-tone melody
January 19, 2006Actress Yukie Nakama released her first mobile phone ring-tone melody on Thursday.
Cake shop bakes buns to cheer on Olympic ski jumpers
January 19, 2006SHIMOKAWA, Hokkaido -- A cake shop here has decided to cheer on four athletes headed for the Winter Olympic Games in Turin by selling buns bearing the initials of their surnames.
Consultant wanted to reduce steel in hotel despite opposition from experts
January 19, 2006Scandal-hit consultant Takeshi Shikasho attempted to reduce the amount of reinforced steel used in a hotel building in Aichi Prefecture by one-third despite expert advice that it was technically impossible.
Livedoor repeatedly made false takeover announcements of firms it already controlled
January 19, 2006Scandal-hit Livedoor Co. repeatedly lied that it had taken over firms even though they were already under its control.
Tottori to buy stun guns, protective vests after attacks by gangsters
January 19, 2006TOTTORI -- The Tottori Prefectural Government is planning to buy stun guns and protective vests for workers who handle prefectural land and construction deals, following repeated threats from right wing groups and gang members, it has been learned.
Actor Hiroki Narumiya, TV star Chinatsu Wakatsuki win "best jersey wearer" award
January 19, 2006Actor Hiroki Narumiya and TV celebrity Chinatsu Wakatsuki have been chosen as the "best jersey wearers" during an award ceremony.
Securities firm exec connected to Livedoor found dead in Okinawa
January 19, 2006NAHA, Okinawa -- A body thought to be that of a securities firm executive who formerly headed a company in the Livedoor group was found here on Wednesday evening, apparently after he committed suicide, police said.
Singer Kumi Koda's heart pounds while surrounded by 7 studs at Tokyo film preview
January 19, 2006Singer Kumi Koda said her heart was racing as she attended a preview of the new movie "Waters" in Tokyo, surrounded by seven handsome actors from the film.
Livedoor group relies more on takeovers for profits than IT business
January 19, 2006The Livedoor group, raided Monday by prosecutors for violating the Securities and Exchange Law, has relied heavily on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for the majority of its sales even though it is known as an Internet giant.
Japanese stocks rebound 2 percent after trading suspension day before
January 19, 2006Japanese stocks bounced back Thursday morning, with the key index rising 2 percent after heavy losses the day before in a session shortened due to a massive sell-off sparked by a probe of Internet startup Livedoor Co.
President of tainted condo firm balks at Diet testimony for benefit of residents
January 19, 2006Susumu Ojima, president of the scandal-hit condominium developer Huser Management Ltd., has told residents of fragile housing complexes that he refused to answer numerous questions in his Diet testimony for the benefit of the victims.
Tokyo Stock Exchange looks to de-list scandal-tainted Livedoor
January 19, 2006Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) officials have begun discussing the possibility of de-listing the stocks of Livedoor Co.