Gov't panel adopts basic plan for supporting crime victims
December 26, 2005A government panel adopted a basic plan Monday encompassing 258 measures to help crime victims, including considering a new system which will enable them to directly participate in the criminal trials of the perpetrators, government officials said. The plan, to be formally endorsed at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday morning, has been formulated in line with a basic law to help crime victims that came into force in April. Measures based on the plan should be worked out over the five years up to the end of 2010.
Death toll in Yamagata derailment reaches 4, search ends
December 26, 2005The death toll in Sunday's derailment of an East Japan Railway Co. train in Shonai, Yamagata Prefecture, rose to four Monday, before firefighters wrapped up search and rescue operations at the express train which was partly toppled and smashed. The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry gave a warning Monday to the train operator JR East, saying the incident damaged public trust in rail transportation.
Thailand marks 1st anniversary of tsunami disaster
December 26, 2005Thailand commemorated the first anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster Monday, with about 10,000 people gathering at beaches in southern Thailand to remember more than 5,000 people killed. Tsunami survivors, relatives of those who died, government officials and guests from foreign countries were among those who gathered at seven beaches in Phuket, Phang-Nga, Krabi and Trang, which were hit by the massive tsunami that followed a strong earthquake on Dec. 26 last year.