Spyware creator arrested for stealing from bank account
January 26, 2006A man who created spyware to access victims' computers and steal Internet banking passwords and identification, which he used to illegally withdraw money from their accounts, has been arrested, police said.
Ken Watanabe defends casting choices in 'Memoirs of a Geisha'
January 26, 2006HONG KONG -- Japanese actor Ken Watanabe has defended the casting of ethnic Chinese actresses for the main roles in "Memoirs of a Geisha," saying that the geisha art was like Italian opera and people with different nationalities should be allowed to perform.
Livedoor exec told accountant to pay 1.65 billion yen as bogus ad fees
January 26, 2006A female executive of the Livedoor group, apparently working under orders from former Livedoor Co.
Arrested Livedoor exec Nakamura admits practices 'may have been illegal'
January 26, 2006Osanari Nakamura, the operating officer of scandal-hit Internet firm Livedoor, has admitted to prosecutors that the firm's practices "may have been illegal."
Japan protests alleged Russian intrusion into Japanese airspace
January 26, 2006Japan has launched an official protest with Moscow over a Russian aircraft's alleged intrusion into Japanese airspace, officials said Thursday.
Nuclear reactor shuts down after valve trouble; no radiation leak
January 26, 2006A nuclear reactor in northwest Japan undergoing a test run ahead of its planned launch was shut down Thursday due to technical problems, but there was no danger of a radiation leak, an official said.
Famous temples in Kyoto and Nara hold fire drills
January 26, 2006Priests and local residents took part in fire drills at famous Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto and Horyuji Temple in Nara on Thursday.
Man who lived with harem told woman she would be turned to mince
January 26, 2006A 57-year-old fortune-teller arrested on suspicion of threatening a young woman who refused to live with him and a harem of other women told the victim she would be turned into mince if she left, police investigators said.
Body of newborn baby found dumped in plastic bag in rice paddy
January 26, 2006ANJO, Aichi -- The body of a newborn baby was found dumped in a plastic bag in a rice paddy at the side of a road here, police said Thursday.
Hokkaido government engineer arrested for hiring teen prostitute
January 26, 2006OBIHIRO, Hokkaido -- A Hokkaido government engineer was arrested on Thursday for paying an underage girl for sexual services, officials said.
Uniqlo operator to team up with Daiei to sell new discount clothing brand
January 26, 2006Fast Retailing Co.
Teen singer BoA among recipients of 'Best Jewelry Wearer Awards'
January 26, 2006Teen singer BoA has selected as a recipient of this year's "Best Jewelry Wearer Awards" along with 29-year-old actress Koyuki and other famous figures.
Professor fired for peeping up schoolgirl's skirt to lecture at another university
January 26, 2006NAGOYA -- Former Waseda University graduate school professor Kazuhide Uekusa, who has been convicted of using a mirror to look up the skirt of a high school girl, has been hired to teach at another university.
Fortune teller living with harem of 10 women arrested for making threats
January 26, 2006A man in his 50s who has a harem of 10 women has been arrested for threatening another woman he invited to live with them, police said.
One-time Livedoor target Fuji TV now eyeing takeover of disgraced predator
January 26, 2006A Japanese TV network that was involved in a hostile takeover bid by Livedoor Co.