Matsui calls on more Japanese tourists to visit U.S., Yankee Stadium
February 9, 2006New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui called on more Japanese tourists to visit the United States, and in particular his club's home stadium, in a ceremony Thursday at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Matsui, who was appointed as a tourism goodwill ambassador by New York City in 2004, recommended that Japanese visit such major tourist spots in the city as Central Park and said in Japanese, ''Above all, Yankee Stadium.''
Matsui calls on more Japanese tourists to visit U.S., Yankee Stadium
February 9, 2006New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui called on more Japanese tourists to visit the United States, and in particular his club's home stadium, in a ceremony Thursday at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Matsui, who was appointed as a tourism goodwill ambassador by New York City in 2004, recommended that Japanese visit such major tourist spots in the city as Central Park and said in Japanese, ''Above all, Yankee Stadium.''
Livedoor Auto to cut ties with Livedoor
February 9, 2006Livedoor Auto Co., a used car sales unit of Livedoor Co., said Thursday its board has adopted a resolution to terminate its capital ties with the Internet firm, although it has yet to decide how to do so. The move follows the arrest on Jan. 23 of top Livedoor executives, including its then president Takafumi Horie, on suspicion of accounting fraud and stock manipulation.
BOJ looking at policy shift from March meeting: Fukui
February 9, 2006Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui signaled Thursday that the central bank will enter the final stage of determining when to end its ultra-loose monetary policy from its next policy meeting slated for March 8-9. ''The year-on-year change in the core consumer price index has already been at zero percent or above for the third straight month. We believe the CPI will rise by a wider margin from January,'' Fukui told a news conference after a two-day policy-setting panel meeting.
3 cities ready to file criminal accusation against Toyoko Inn
February 9, 2006The cities of Chiba, Yokohama and Kawasaki outside Tokyo are threatening to file a criminal accusation against budget hotel chain operator Toyoko Inn Co. with law enforcement authorities unless it takes corrective action for its hotels found to have been modified illegally mostly to increase the number of guest rooms, a Kyodo News survey showed Thursday. Of Toyoko Inn's 122 hotels across the country, 40 are suspected of being modified in violation of the Building Standards Law, shows the tally compiled from inquiries to municipalities where Toyoko Inn hotels are located.