Earthquake jolts Kanto, Tohoku regions
February 3, 2006A moderate earthquake jolted the Kanto and Tohoku regions in northeastern Honshu on Friday afternoon, the Meteorological Agency said.
Driver dies after 2 vehicles plunge into river in Chiba
February 3, 2006ICHIHARA, Chiba -- A car and a truck plunged into a river here early Friday morning after colliding with each other on a national highway, killing the car's driver, police said.
Japanese falling short of targets in government's 10-year plan to improve health
February 3, 2006Japanese are falling short of exercise and other targets set down in a 10-year plan to improve health, an official said Friday.
US Navy ship makes port call in Hokkaido despite opposition over recent murder
February 3, 2006MURORAN, Hokkaido -- The U.S.
Students boycott teacher's classes over 'Big Brother'behavior
February 3, 2006A social studies teacher at a Tokyo junior high school has been punished with a pay cut after several students boycotted his classes because he kept records of the students' character, history of illnesses and family circumstances.
Number of Penal Code offenses falls for third-straight year
February 3, 2006Police confirmed nearly 2.27 million cases of Penal Code offenses last year, marking a decline for the third-straight year, the National Police Agency (NPA) said.
Legal affairs bureau official convicted of molesting same girl twice
February 3, 2006SAPPORO -- A legal affairs bureau official has been convicted of molesting the same girl on a subway train twice.
Train makes unscheduled stop for girl taking university entrance exam
February 3, 2006A limited express train made an unscheduled stop at a western Tokyo station for a girl who failed to get off earlier to enable her to take a university entrance examination on Thursday, the train operator said.
Ministers urge caution over revisions to Imperial House Law
February 3, 2006Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki asked for caution on Friday over any possible revisions to the Imperial House Law that would allow a woman to ascend to the throne.
Body of elderly man found stabbed to death in house destroyed by fire
February 3, 2006MAIZURU, Kyoto -- The body of an elderly man was found with a knife in his chest in a house destroyed by fire, prompting officers to launch a murder and arson investigation, police said on Friday.
Driver of van dies in collision following police chase
February 3, 2006HAGI, Yamaguchi -- The driver of a van died in a collision he caused while being chased by a police car early Friday, police said.
Ex-Tobu Railway worker hit with 18-month prison term over fatal crossing blunder
February 3, 2006A former Tobu Railway Co.