Newborn baby girl dies after being abandoned in coffee shop lavatory

February 13, 2006

A newborn baby girl found abandoned in the lavatory of a Tokyo coffee shop on Sunday has been confirmed dead at a hospital, police said.

Japan misses out again as Kato flops

February 13, 2006

Unheralded Yuya Oikawa just missed out on a medal in the men's 500-meter speed skating, but world record holder Joji Kato and dual medallist Hiroyasu Shimizu flopped, continuing Japan's woes at the Turin Winter Olympic Games.

Solid gold sea bream stolen from roadside rest center

February 13, 2006

HITA, Oita -- A golden sea bream ornament valued at about 37 million yen was stolen from a roadside rest center here, police said Monday.

3 die after truck hits vehicles stopped on Kyoto expressway

February 13, 2006

UJI, Kyoto -- Three people died and seven were injured after a truck rammed into a line of vehicles stopped to assist a man found collapsed on an expressway here, police said.

Harada disqualified from jumping event because skis were too long

February 13, 2006

TURIN -- Masahiko Harada of Japan was disqualified from the elimination round of the normal hill ski jumping event at the Turin Winter Olympics because his skis were too long.

Horie sent e-mail to subordinate asking him to window-dress affiliate's accounts

February 13, 2006

Scandal-tainted Livedoor Co.

Former Livedoor president charged with violating securities laws

February 13, 2006

Japanese prosecutors charged the former president of Internet services company Livedoor with securities laws violations Monday, Kyodo News agency reported.

Satoya 'frustrated' with lowly 15th place in women's moguls

February 13, 2006

Japanese Skier Tae Satoya said she felt "frustrated" after finishing a disappointing 15th in the women's moguls event despite putting 100 percent into her performance.

Maathai joins tree-plating ceremony with Environment Minister Koike

February 13, 2006

Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai took part in a tree-planting ceremony with Environment Minister Yuriko Koike on Monday, after visiting the minister and discussing environmental preservation.

Sumitomo Trust loses suit against Mitsubishi-UFJ over scrapped deal

February 13, 2006

The UFJ Bank group broke no law when it scrapped its agreement to sell UFJ Trust to Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co.

Skater Kato ready for the race of his life

February 13, 2006

TURIN -- Speed skater Joji Kato, considered the most likely Japanese athlete to win gold, is set to race in the men's 500-meter event on Monday in the Winter Olympics.

City official nabbed for shoplifting from supermarket

February 13, 2006

CHIGASAKI, Kanagawa -- A Chigasaki Municipal Government official accused of shoplifting from a supermarket here using a shopping bag he brought to the store has been arrested, police said.

Jobless man arrested for possessing unauthorized Viagra

February 13, 2006

NAGOYA -- A jobless man who was caught possessing unauthorized Viagra tablets at his home for the purpose of selling them has been arrested, police said.

Man sets record by eating 241 bowls of 'wanko' noodles

February 13, 2006

HANAMAKI, Iwate -- A 38-year-old man has won a noodle-eating contest by consuming a record 241 small bowls of 'wanko' soba.

Japan's torrid Turin continues

February 13, 2006

It remains a sad fact since the start of the Turin Winter Olympic Games, Japan's most effective contributor has still been Yoko Ono with her somewhat bizarre appearance at Friday's Opening Ceremony, squealing "Imagine Peace," which at least elicited a huge roar of approval from the crowd.