Biological terrorism poses new threat to crops, livestock, experts warn
February 15, 2006Terrorism experts warned Wednesday that biological weapons pose new global threats through possible attacks on livestock and crops or through the deployment of yet unknown pathogens that are tailor-made by genetic engineers.
Global securities firms to give up windfall profits from erroneous trading
February 15, 2006Fifty securities firms, including UBS and Lehman Brothers, will give up over 20 billion yen (US$170 million) in profits gained from a trading error, donating the gains to a fund for strengthening Japan's stock trading system, company officials said.
South Korean envoy says normal ties with Japan impossible if Yasukuni visits continue
February 15, 2006SEOUL -- South Korea's top envoy to Japan indicated Wednesday that normalizing relations between the two countries would be impossible as long as Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other officials visit Yasukuni Shrine, where convicted war criminals are interred.
Tokyo 'harem' man eavesdropped on clients before telling fortunes
February 15, 2006Hirohito Shibuya, a self-proclaimed fortune-teller accused of intimidating a woman so she would join his "harem" of wives in Tokyo, eavesdropped on women to get information about them before he read their fortunes, it has been learned.
Student who operated 'Samurai' host club arrested for extortion
February 15, 2006OSAKA -- A university student accused of threatening the girlfriend of a former host club co-worker, ordering her to write an IOU, has been arrested, police said.
Japan soaks up spring-like warm weather
February 15, 2006People in Tokyo and many other cities across Japan enjoyed spring-like warm weather on Wednesday.
University student buried to death by snow falling from roof of hall
February 15, 2006EBETSU, Hokkaido -- A university student died after he was buried under snow that fell from the roof of a student hall, police said on Wednesday.
3 youths arrested for kicking school's rabbit to death
February 15, 2006Three 18-year-old boys who kicked a rabbit to death after stealing it from an elementary school were arrested for animal protection law violations, police said on Wednesday.
Abandoned dogs to be trained to fight off pesky monkeys in Akita World Heritage area
February 15, 2006AKITA -- The Akita Prefectural Government has decided to train stray dogs to fight off monkeys that have been causing increasing damage to crops in the World Heritage Shirakami Mountain Range area.
Skater Okazaki apologizes to supporters after finishing fourth
February 15, 2006TURIN -- Japanese speed skater Tomomi Okazaki, who finished fourth in the women's 500-meter race, was not satisfied with her efforts and apologized to her supporters.
Former Olympic ice hockey player faces prison term for stealing from woman
February 15, 2006SAPPORO -- Prosecutors on Wednesday demanded a former member of the Japanese ice hockey team in the 1998 Nagano Olympics be sentenced to one year in prison for stealing money from a woman.
Harada apologizes again for disqualification, prepares for large hill
February 15, 2006Japanese ski jumper Masahiko Harada offered a fresh apology for his disqualification from the normal hill competition in Turin, as he appeared before reporters for the first time in three days while practicing for the upcoming large hill competition.
Employer of man murdered in Philippines was named for insurance payout
February 15, 2006The company that employed a Japanese man shot to death in the Philippines last July was named as the recipient of a life insurance policy taken out on him, police investigators have learned.
Sailing federation official arrested for child prostitution
February 15, 2006NAGOYA -- A Japan Sailing Federation official who performed indecent acts with a minor in a hotel room here has been arrested on suspicion of child prostitution, police said.