Japan to offer 25 million yen in relief supplies for Philippine landslide victims
February 19, 2006Japan will provide 25 million yen in emergency relief supplies for the victims and survivors of the deadly landslide in the southern Philippines, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
Japan reportedly willing to pay to get U.S. troops out of Okinawa quicker
February 19, 2006Japan will propose lending money to the United States to speed up the planned relocation of 7,000 Marines out of the country, according to a newspaper report Sunday.
Time to take courageous steps to combat declining birthrate
February 19, 2006A handful of numbers tell the bleak story of Japan's future as a world leader in population decline -- 10,000, 24.09 million, 13.8 million, 38, and 32.
Report says misunderstanding led to shipment of prohibited veal
February 19, 2006WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration says a New York meatpacker and a government inspector misunderstood new trade rules when they allowed prohibited veal to be shipped to Japan.
20-year-old shochu liquor found in brewery to go on sale in Kyushu
February 19, 2006TARAGI, Kumamoto -- Thousands of liters of barley shochu found in a brewery storage tank here after more than 20 years are set to go on sale, it has been learned.
Japanese student missing in US draws little attention
February 19, 2006MADISON, Wisconsin -- The last time a 20-year-old college student disappeared in this city, the police led a massive search that cost $100,000 and the national media converged to cover the story.
Tourists flock to see frozen waterfall lit up in Gifu
February 19, 2006TAKAYAMA, Gifu -- A spectacular frozen waterfall is being lit up at night during a local tourism promotion festival.
Stork's nest removed from utility pole to avoid nasty shock
February 19, 2006TOYOOKA, Hyogo -- A nest that a pair of storks were making on a utility pole here has been removed for fear that the birds might be electrocuted, officials at a prefectural stork protection and breeding center said.
Women's curling team's gutsy show too little, too late
February 19, 2006Japan's team in the women's curling Saturday symbolized the performance of many of the nation's athletes in the Turin Winter Olympic Games -- flashes of brilliance before eventually falling too short.
Koizumi offers condolences to Philippine landslide victims, prepares relief
February 19, 2006Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi offered condolences to the victims of a Philippine landslide that left 1,800 people missing and feared dead, the Foreign Ministry said.