A 'Nightout' with Nissan TIIDA

December 30, 2005

MUSCAT - Nissan TIIDA, the latest thoroughbred from Nissan, promises to rock the city once again. Nissan TIIDA will set Muscat in motion with 'New Year Nightout 2006', to be held at Yacht Club, Muscat, from 8pm today.

Sony rumoured to be launching English e-book device

December 30, 2005

Extract not available.

Nintendo Revolution less than $300

December 30, 2005

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has decided to let slip the company's plans to take on Sony and Microsoft in the pricing department. $

Sony Says I'm Sorry ... 21st-Century Style

December 30, 2005

Oh, Sony (NYSE: SNE)... for a company that's supposed to be clued in to what consumers want and need, you seem so clueless at times. And now you're going to pay for it.

Sony BMG Offers Free Music Downloads to Settle Suit Over CDs With Spyware

December 30, 2005

30 (Bloomberg) -- Sony BMG Music Entertainment, the world's second-largest record company, is offering free music downloads to help settle a lawsuit filed by computer users over its copyright-protection software.

Chinese bank chief 'to cancel Japan trip'

December 30, 2005

Extract not available.

Japanese go shopping as outlook brightens

December 30, 2005

Extract not available.

5.4 mln fiber-to-the-home subscribers in Japan by March 2006

December 30, 2005

Japan had 14.3 mln ADSL subscribers by October 2005, an increase by 564,300 since April 2005, MM Research Institute reports.

Sony BMG to compensate buyers of flawed CDs

December 30, 2005

It will pay an undisclosed amount for the recall of affected discs, and will also bear the cost of compensating members of the class-action suits.

China Central Bank Head Likely To Cancel Tokyo Trip - Report

December 30, 2005

TOKYO (AP)--The governor of China's central bank is expected to cancel a trip to Tokyo scheduled for next month because of China's anger over Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's repeated visits to a controversial war shrine, a newspaper said Friday.

Kobe Suspended for 2 Games

December 30, 2005

Kobe Bryant was suspended for two games without pay today for elbowing Mike Miller in the throat. During Wednesday's 101-99 loss to Memphis, the Lakers guard was called for a flagrant foul with 8:24 to play for elbowing Miller.

Kobe suspended 2 games for elbowing Miller

December 30, 2005

Posted on Fri, Dec. 30, 2005 NEW YORK - Kobe Bryant was suspended for two games without pay Friday for elbowing Mike Miller in the throat.

Toyota Announces First Vehicle With NXT-Equipped Roof Liner Loudspeaker System

December 30, 2005

Powered by a 4.0L V6 24-valve engine, the FJ Cruiser is available with a choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission and is equally at home on the highways as it is on mountain treks or jungle safaris according to Toyota.

Latest US$ exchange rates: US$/Yen 117.31; Euro/US$1.1877

December 30, 2005

News Major Currencies Exchange Rates Currency Quoted at 15:30 Quoted at 14:30 New York Close ------------------------------------------------------------------- USD/JPY 117.30/33 117.24/30 117.82/...

MOF: Japan Stayed Out Of Currency Markets In 2005 - Kyodo

December 30, 2005

TOKYO -(Dow Jones)- Japan's monetary authorities didn't intervene in the currency markets in 2005, as the yen moved against the U.S. dollar in a stable fashion, according to the finance ministry Friday, Kyodo News reported.

Kobe Suspended 2 Games for Elbowing

December 30, 2005

Kobe Bryant was suspended for two games without pay today for elbowing Mike Miller in the throat. During Wednesday's 101-99 loss to Memphis, the Lakers guard was called for a flagrant foul with 8:24 to play for elbowing Miller.

Latest US$ exchange rates: US$/Yen 117.34; Euro/US$1.1857

December 30, 2005

News Major Currencies Exchange Rates Currency Quoted at 16:30 Quoted at 15:30 New York Close ------------------------------------------------------------------- USD/JPY 117.33/35 117.30/33 117.82/...

NBA suspends Kobe Bryant 2 games

December 30, 2005

The NBA slapped Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant with a two-game suspension without pay on Friday. RELATED: Player bio: Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will sit out the next two games due to suspension. (

SKorea's Samung eyes NAND flash chip deal with Sony

December 30, 2005

Each firm is to invest 1.

Dollar appreciates 15% vs. yen, euro in 2005

December 30, 2005

By Rachel Koning, MarketWatchLast Update: 4:24 PM ET Dec 30, 2005CHICAGO (MarketWatch) - The U.S.

Japan, Europe Stock Markets See Big Gains

December 30, 2005

Chart shows performance of stock markets around the world. ( AP Graphic) Dec 30, 2005 - Stock markets in Japan and across Europe trended lower on Friday but finished the year with double-digit gains, significantly outperforming U.S. stock markets.

After Solstice, Nissan gets urge to unveil roadster

December 30, 2005

By Jim Mateja Pontiac obviously opened some eyes among the competition. Its $20,000 Solstice, an open-top two-seater introduced for 2006, is just about sold out with nine months left to go in the model year.

Sony Settlement Might Offer Free iTunes Downloads

December 30, 2005

Sony has done its best to settle the class action lawsuit against it brought by Girard Gibs and Kamber & Associates in New York over its embarrassing rootkit scandal.

12/30/05 Sony BMG in preliminary settlement over CD software suits

December 30, 2005

Groups involved in the lawsuits said late Thursday that the proposed settlement with Sony BMG, one of the world's biggest music companies, would be heard by a New York federal judge around January 6. '

Komazawa under the gun / Tokai, Nihon look to stop powerhouse from winning5th straight Tokyo-Hakone Ekiden

December 30, 2005

The Yomiuri Shimbun Komazawa University has won the Tokyo-Hakone Collegiate Ekiden four straight years. But even the Tokyo powerhouse knows that victory No. 5 will be no walk in the park.

Stagehand falls to death at Tokyo Dome

December 30, 2005

The Yomiuri Shimbun A 36-year-old scaffolder of Itami, Hyogo Prefecture, fell to his death from a scaffolding platform 14 meters above the ground at Tokyo Dome earlier in the week, police said.

Sony BMG to offer iTunes in DRM fiasco settlement

December 30, 2005

Sony BMG has moved to settle a class action lawsuit brought by Girard Gibs and Kamber & Associates in New York over its rootkit digital rights management (DRM)

Sony BMG tentatively settles CD software suits

December 30, 2005

The lawsuit against Sony BMG, a joint venture of Japan's Sony Corp and Germany's Bertelsmann AG, stems from its use of controversial technology aimed at thwarting illegal copying of music on CDs.

Japan's Consumer Prices Rise

December 30, 2005

By Catherine Makino Tokyo 30 December 2005 In a sign that Japan has ended a long period of deflation, consumer prices rose slightly last month. However, the government says unemployment climbed to 4.6 percent.

Canon LaserShot LBP3000

December 30, 2005

Canon LaserShot LBP3000What are the main requirements of a personal laser printer? It should produce good quality print reasonably quickly, of course, but it should also be small, quiet, easy to use, inexpensive and cheap to run.

Tokyo Stocks Surge 40 Percent in 2005

December 30, 2005

The Nikkei 225 index fell 232.77 points, or 1.42 percent, to finish Friday's half-day session at 16,111.43. The broader Topix index of all shares on the Tokyo Stock exchange's first section shed 13.99 points, or 0.83 percent, to 1,649.76.

ARIES (Sony) Rootkit Remover

December 30, 2005

ARIES (Sony) Rootkit Remover IconCool Studio 1.72.51201 Advanced ZIP Password Recovery... Update for Outlook 2002 (KB910...

Japan bestows Kabuki actor with prestigious stage name

December 30, 2005

The parade honored Kotaro Hayashi as one of the greatest performers in the 400-year-old Japanese drama.

Japan's North Korean schools find 'workers' paradise' doesn't add up

December 30, 2005

By Hans Greimel Associated Press Published December 30, 2005 TOKYO -- At a run-down Tokyo junior school, portraits of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il cast a watchful gaze over the pupils.

Tokyo stock market closes year's trading, with 40 per cent gain in 2005

December 30, 2005

Extract not available.

China's Top Banker to Cancel Japan Visit

December 30, 2005

Zhou Xiaochuan, China's central bank chief, will cancel a scheduled visit to Japan. Chinese central bank indicated the chief's cancellation of the trip was due to scheduling problems.

Banner 2005 in Europe, Tokyo stocks

December 30, 2005

stocks, gold and the dollar on the last trading day of the year.

Japan 'warship plan' to guard whaling fleet

December 30, 2005

HARDLINE anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd claims Japan may be sending a warship to the Southern Ocean to protect its whaling fleet from interference.

Mitsubishi pair favourites for 2006 Dakar

December 30, 2005

By Gael Favennec Lisbon, Portugal - France's Stephane Peterhansel and Hiroshi Masuoka of Japan are overwhelming favourites to maintain Mitsubishi's stranglehold on the Dakar Rally when the 28th edition of the race starts here on New Year's Eve.

Sony Spyware Settlement Would Include Free Downloads

December 30, 2005

NEW YORK (AP)--A proposed settlement of lawsuits against Sony BMG Music Entertainment would let some consumers receive free music downloads to compensate them for Sony surreptitiously including spyware on millions of CDs, lawyers said Thursday.

Stocks big in Japan as market posts record yearly gain

December 30, 2005

Other Asian stock markets also ended a strong year with slight falls, while oil was holding above $60 a barrel for a 2005 gain of almost 40 per cent, and gold was slightly softer but above $513, showing a 17 per cent climb.

Japanese scientists plan to drill deep into core of Earth

December 30, 2005

YOKOHAMA, Japan : Japan has announced ambitious plans to tunnel to the very core of planet Earth - a feat no human has ever achieved. The country's scientists are hoping to learn more about the planet's past and even its future.

Sony to settle anti-piracy CD row

December 30, 2005

Free music downloads and cash refunds could soon be offered to owners of Sony B. -

Nintendo confirms Revolution will debut for less than $300

December 30, 2005

In the shocker of the year, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata decided to let us all know that they are indeed planning on dropping the Revolution for less than t. $

Investor Flocks to Japan as Further Growth Projected

December 30, 2005

Tokyo (ANTARA News) - Seminars for international investors conducted by economist Jesper Koll are typically fully booked. ' Everybody wants to invest in Japan,' Koll, chief economist at Merril Lynch in Tokyo, said.

Fuji Keizai Publishes Report On Disease Prevention/Health Food Market In Japan

December 30, 2005

Tokyo (JCN) - Japanese market researcher Fuji Keizai announced on December 27 that it has published a report on the disease prevention and health food market in Japan.

Nissan's radical sports car Urge

December 30, 2005

Nissan is taking aim at the video game generation with a lightweight, motorcycle-inspired concept car which will be launched at the Detroit motor show.

Japan to start Iran Azadegan oilfield

December 30, 2005

Reportedly, the Japanese semi-private and state-run oil company, Inpex will dis

Islamist extremist sought foothold in Japan

December 30, 2005

Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan is one of seven militant groups that were outlawed by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. '

Tokyo stocks take a breather

December 30, 2005

(Editor's note: Updating to correct typographical and data errors.)

Simon Yam celebrates 10 years as Canon spokesman in KL

December 30, 2005

JAPANESE imaging giant Canon rolled out two more Concept Stores in Malaysia as part of its branding and marketing drive in the presence of Hong Kong star Simon Yam Tat Wah at Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Japan-Bangladesh joint venture company formed to boost hospitality industry

December 30, 2005

News Miura International (BD) Limited, a Japan-Bangladesh joint venture company, was formed Wednesday to take the hospitality industry of the country forward.Fifty per cent of the newly-formed ...

Japan to bid sayonara to deflation in 2006

December 30, 2005

AFTER eight years of falling consumer prices, 2006 looks set to be the year that Japan says 'sayonara' to deflation as the world's number two economy awakes from a decade-long slumber.

Asian Stocks May Extend Rally in 2006 as Japan Economic Recovery Broadens

December 30, 2005

30 (Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks headed for a third year of gains and the Nikkei 225 Stock Average completed its biggest annual advance in almost two decades. The rally may extend through 2006 as U.S.

China keeps its policy to Japan despite of Japanese gov't shift: FM

December 30, 2005

China is to insist on its position and foreign policy to Japan no matter which party or person rules Japan, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in Beijing Thursday.

Investec upbeat on stocks, enthuses on Japan

December 30, 2005

LONDON (Reuters) - Investec Asset Management is bullish on stocks for 2006 and is especially upbeat about Japan after the country's recovery from a long period in the economic doldrums.

NKorea suspected of counterfeiting yen, yuan, euro - report

December 30, 2005

dollar notes, but in yen, yuan and euro bills as well, the Kyodo News reported on Friday. , , -

Year-end spending spree augurs well for Japanese economy

December 30, 2005

A year-end spending splurge by Japanese consumers on flat-panel televisions, overseas holidays and other luxuries is helping to underpin an upbeat outlook for the world's number two economy.

Court approval sought for proposed Sony settlement

December 30, 2005

Lawyers said the deal requires the world's second-largest music label to stop manufacturing compact discs with MediaMax software or with extended copy protection or XCP software that could leave computers vulnerable to hackers.

Class Action Lawsuit Against Sony BMG Has Been Settled

December 30, 2005

Sony BMG was served with lawsuits on November 14, for its music cd copy protection. The Digital Rights Management software would install using a 'rootkit' to conceal its integration.

Sony BMG makes CD software settlement

December 30, 2005

Sony BMG has tentatively settled at least 15 consumer class actions brought agai

Sony BMG Tentatively Settles Suits on Spyware

December 30, 2005

By The Associated Press The music publisher Sony BMG Music Entertainment has reached a tentative settlement of lawsuits that accused it of violating consumers' rights and trading in malicious software.

CORRECT: Tokyo markets take a breather

December 30, 2005

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index fell as much as 0.65% to 14,947.78.

Children burned to death in Hiroshima blaze

December 30, 2005

HIROSHIMA -- Two children died early Friday after a fire broke out in their home in Hiroshima's Asakita-ku, razing the two-story structure, police said. Police said the fire broke out at the home of 31-year-old Osamu Sori at about 6 a.m.

Envoy's suicide raises tension between China and Japan

December 30, 2005

Extract not available.

Japanese stocks lower at year's last trading session

December 30, 2005

Japanese stocks lower at year's last trading session TOKYO: Japanese stocks ended lower Friday, the last trading session of 2005, but the market's main index held onto a five-year high with optimism about the coming year.

Murakami Fund sells off stake in Osaka Stock Exchange

December 30, 2005

A major investment group called the Murakami Fund has sold all shares it owned in the Osaka Stock Exchange (OSE), earning nearly 3 billion yen in gains, market sources said.

Japan's top 2005 stories: Confident Koizumi leads LDP to landslide election victory

December 30, 2005

The focus of attention in the poll was definitely on Koizumi's postal privatization project after a set of bills to do so was earlier vetoed in the Upper House, prompting the prime minister to leverage it as a major election issue.

Tokyo Stocks Close Out 2005 on Low Note

December 30, 2005

TOKYO Japanese stocks ended lower Friday, the last trading session of 2005, but the market's main index held onto a five-year high amid optimism about the coming year. The dollar edged higher against the yen and euro.

Japanese bonds rise; return just 0.65 pct for 2005 year

December 30, 2005

TOKYO, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Japanese government bond (JGB) prices rose in the last session of the year on Friday, helped by a slide in Tokyo stocks and short-covering ahead of the New Year holidays, but trading was exceptionally thin.

Saint Marc Holdings, Aioi Insurance, Shinsei Bank: Japanese Equity Preview

December 30, 2005

30 (Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may move in Japanese markets on Jan. 4. Prices are as of the 11 a.m. close of trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange today. The markets will be closed from Dec. 31 through Jan. 3 for national holidays.

Asian Stocks Pare 2005's Advances as BHP and Honda Slide; Woodside Climbs

December 30, 2005

30 (Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks declined on the last trading day of 2005, paring annual gains. BHP Billiton and Honda Motor Co. fell after the weakest U.S.