Fuji TV could slip into red as Livedoor share price sinks
February 1, 2006The likelihood that Fuji Television Network Inc. could slip into the red in the year through March increased Wednesday as the valuation loss on its holdings of Livedoor Co. shares has swollen to some 31.4 billion yen. The private TV broadcaster, which is a big shareholder in Livedoor, anticipates a group net profit of 23 billion yen in the year.
Gov't should have fully briefed Diet on mad cow policy: Koizumi
February 1, 2006Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Wednesday's upper house budget committee meeting expressed regret about the government's failure to fully brief the Diet about its decision not to send inspectors to U.S. meatpackers prior to the lifting of the import ban on American beef. The government claims that it canceled the plan to send the inspectors based on the belief that reliable food safety checks could only be performed only after U.S. beef imports had been resumed.
Bush eyes competition from China, India, skips N. Korea nuke issue
February 1, 2006U.S. President George W. Bush called for raising economic competitiveness against China and India in his annual policy-setting speech Tuesday, while vowing to press for freedom in countries such as Myanmar and North Korea. But Bush skipped mentioning his policy goals on North Korea's nuclear ambitions, although he condemned Iran for supporting terrorists and seeking nuclear weapons in the nationally televised State of the Union address before Congress.
Livedoor share price sinks below 100 yen for 1st time
February 1, 2006The price of Livedoor Co. stock sank below 100 yen Wednesday for the first time, compared with nearly 700 yen just before the accounting fraud scandal involving the Internet business operator was uncovered. On the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Mothers market for start-ups, Livedoor fell to 99 yen, down 8 yen from Tuesday's close, shortly after trading in the stock began at 2 p.m.. ==Kyodo