Japan's medal drought lingers as Okazaki falls short
February 14, 2006Japan's disappointing performance at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games continued Tuesday as team captain Tomomi Okazaki fell tantalizingly short of a medal in the women's 500-meter speed skating.
Majority of Japanese women hate giving chocolates on Valentine's Day, poll shows
February 14, 2006Valentine's Day isn't a sweet experience for many women in Japan, since tradition dictates that they're obligated to give chocolates to men, a survey showed Tuesday.
Koizumi's reform push loses footing amid whispers of a lame duck premiership
February 14, 2006A few months ago, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was lauded as Japan's most dynamic and popular leader in decades, an iron-willed politician fresh off a stunning election victory and energized to enact a long list of campaign promises.
Weather girls team up for cell-phone news
February 14, 2006Ten young women selected to work as weather presenters for a broadcast service aimed at cell phone users teamed up for a final rehearsal at a studio in Chiba Prefecture.
Police raid two financial firms over shady share deal
February 14, 2006NAGOYA -- Police on Tuesday searched the offices of two financial firms on suspicion that they illegally sold Earth Chemical Co.
Guinean man handed suspended prison term for overstaying visa
February 14, 2006SAPPORO -- A Guinean clothing store manager was handed a suspended prison term Tuesday for overstaying his visa.
Ex-Narita Airport officials admit obstructing bids as trial opens
February 14, 2006Two former Narita International Airport Corp.
Factory workers knew exports of precision parts found in Libya were illegal
February 14, 2006Factory workers at a company that was raided by police for unauthorized exports of precision instruments that were found at a Libya nuclear facility were aware that government approval was needed to export the parts, investigative sources have said.
Drunk, unlicensed driver sentenced to 20 years over fatal hit-and-run
February 14, 2006CHIBA -- An unlicensed driver who drunkenly killed four people and injured four others in a hit-and-run accident was Tuesday sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
Man dies after jumping in front of oncoming train in Yokohama
February 14, 2006YOKOHAMA -- A man died after jumping in front of an oncoming train here early Tuesday morning, inconveniencing over 35,000 commuters, police and the railway operator said.
New York Times rips into 'Japan's Offensive Foreign Minister'
February 14, 2006Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso was criticized by the New York Times in a recent editorial for his "inflammatory statements" about Japan's modern history.
Police arrest suspect in serial rape investigation
February 14, 2006NARA -- Police investigating a series of rapes and sexual assaults on women and young schoolgirls across three prefectures have arrested a 42-year-old man, law enforcers said.
Bureaucrats spark spat over English titles
February 14, 2006Several of Japan's top politicians have started referring to themselves in English as "vice ministers" because they find their official titles of "parliamentary secretary" to be demeaning.
Police officer shoots at shoplifting couple's car
February 14, 2006KOFU -- A police officer fired shots at a shoplifting couple's car before arresting the pair after the driver ran through two checkpoints, prefectural police said.