Masturbation can be dangerous -- and I'm not pulling your leg, Dr. Kitamura says

January 28, 2006

"My (32-year-old) husband has so little interest in sex, you could say he doesn't care about it at all," a 30-year-old woman wrote to me.

Homeless man wins right to call public park 'home'

January 28, 2006

OSAKA -- A homeless man can officially register a public park where he lives as his residence, a court has said.

Livedoor faked billion-yen profit amid pitch for baseball team

January 28, 2006

Former Livedoor financial chief Ryoji Miyauchi and other executives at the Internet company window-dressed its financial statements in September 2004, declaring nearly 1.5 billion yen in profits, as it needed to look financially healthy while attempting to buy a baseball club, sources said.

Man claiming to be celeb's brother nabbed for fraud

January 28, 2006

MITO -- A man claiming to be the brother of famous fortune-teller Kazuko Hosoki has been arrested for financial fraud, Ibaraki police said.

'Livedoor Shock' induces consumer market's 'Horie Horror'

January 28, 2006

A financial industry worker breathes a sigh of frustration as he stands in front of a special display section in the Yaesu Book Center headquarters in Tokyo's Chuo-ku.

Rising gas prices threaten to drive more drivers to fill-and-run

January 28, 2006

OSAKA -- Rising gasoline prices in Osaka Prefecture could lead to an increase in gas station customers driving off without paying, industry sources say.

Tokyo's anti-crow measures cut bird numbers in half

January 28, 2006

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's drive to prevent the propagation of crows in the city has helped cut the number of birds in a half, officials said.

Swimsuits get World Cup flavor

January 28, 2006

OSAKA -- The summer's soccer World Cup added some sizzle in Japan's earliest swimsuit show this year at the Hankyu department store.

Alleged gang-rapist consulted with alumnus lawyer prior to arrest

January 28, 2006

KYOTO -- One of the three Kyoto University students under arrest for gang-raping two women consulted with a lawyer about the affair before being arrested, sources have revealed.

Thousands of pigs burn in farm fire

January 28, 2006

YAMADA, Chiba -- About 3,200 pigs were burned to death early Saturday morning as a fire raged through a pork farm here, police said.

Teacher caught snooping in female colleague's home

January 28, 2006

OTOFUKE, Hokkaido -- A public elementary school teacher has been arrested after he was caught lurking around the home of a female colleague, police said.

Man fatally stabbed after streetside stall brawl

January 28, 2006

TOKAI, Aichi -- A man died early Saturday after another patron of a streetside food stall whipped out a knife and thrust it into his chest, police said.

Scandal-ridden building firm moves out of swanky office

January 28, 2006

Condominium developer Huser Management Ltd.