Waseda University student chosen as Miss Japan Grand Prix
January 30, 2006Rie Kokubo, a 21-year-old Waseda University student looking to become a journalist, has been selected as the winner of the 2006 Miss Japan Grand Prix.
High schoolboy drowns in pool during diving practice
January 30, 2006AKITA -- A high schoolboy drowned in a pool on Monday afternoon during diving practice, police said.
Kyoto University's American Football team to sit out spring games over rape scandal
January 30, 2006KYOTO -- Kyoto University's American Football team has decided not to take part in several games in spring after three former players were arrested for gang raping two women.
Nagano man puts e-contract out on father
January 30, 2006MATSUMOTO, Nagano -- An unemployed man has been arrested for having his father killed by a hit man he contacted via the Internet but never met, police said.
Mao flies high but keeps feet firmly planted
January 30, 2006Mao Asada may have made a meteoric rise to figure skating superstardom, but she showed Monday night in Tokyo that her feet remain firmly planted on the ground.
Japanese prosecutors arrest senior defense official over alleged bid-rigging
January 30, 2006A senior Japanese defense official was arrested Monday for his alleged involvement in rigging bids for a series of projects at two military facilities in Tokyo, prosecutors said.
Hay fever sufferers to provide pollen forecasts
January 30, 2006CHIBA -- A Chiba company plans to get 100 families where at least one person suffers from hay fever to act as a "pollen researcher" in the hope they can help others battle the spring affliction that leaves millions of Japanese with runny noses and itchy eyes.
Osaka's homeless clash with officials over removal of tents from parks
January 30, 2006OSAKA -- The Osaka Municipal Government on Monday began removing homeless people's tents from two public parks despite strong opposition from the vagrants and their supporters.
Two homeless men arrested over fatal beating of 'buddy'
January 30, 2006Two homeless men have been arrested for the fatal beating of an elderly homeless man following a drunken spat in suburban Tokyo, police said.
Passengers forced to walk along tracks after train collides with car
January 30, 2006NODA, Chiba -- About 500 passengers were forced to walk along train tracks Monday morning when a Tobu Noda Line train was hit by a car, railway officials said.
Comedian Ken Shimura appears in promotion for his 'Lord of the Fools' DVD set
January 30, 2006Veteran comedian Ken Shimura appeared in a promotional event on Sunday to celebrate the release of a three-DVD set that contains his popular TV program, "Shimura Ken no Baka Tonosama" (Ken Shimura, Lord of the Fools).
Cops launch manhunt for bat-wielding attacker
January 30, 2006OTA, Gunma -- A man is fighting for his life in the hospital after being attacked by what he said had been a "bat-wielding foreigner," police said.
Giants star slugger marries TV announcer
January 30, 2006Yomiuri Giants slugger Yoshinobu Takahashi has married NTV announcer Mai Onodera, according to an announcement posted on his website on Monday.
Exec nabbed for illegally hiring underage girls for companion club
January 30, 2006NIIGATA -- A company executive who illegally hired some 30 teenage girls to work for a companion club he ran has been arrested, police said.
Mother, daughter held hostage in home
January 30, 2006HIGASHIOSAKA, Osaka -- An old man has been arrested after he burst into a home here, doused it with kerosene and then held the owner and her daughter hostage, police said.
Man sentenced to 16 years in prison for 14 sexual attacks on young children
January 30, 2006FUKUOKA -- A 33-year-old man who molested or raped 14 girls and boys was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Monday.
Osaka court rejects black American's discrimination suit
January 30, 2006OSAKA -- The Osaka District Court on Monday rejected a suit by a U.S.
Ramen pie has oodles of noodles
January 30, 2006BIBAI, Hokkaido -- With noodles, a slice of pork and stock flavor, the latest product from a famous restaurant would seem to be like any other ordinary bowl of ramen.