Senior defense official arrested over suspected bid rigging
January 30, 2006Prosecutors on Monday arrested Takayoshi Kawano, 57, a top official at the Defense Facilities Administration Agency, and two others on suspicion of leading bid rigging for projects ordered by the agency. The two others are Takashige Matsuda, 52, an official at the agency's general affairs department, and Mamoru Ikezawa, 57, the agency's former technical councilor, according to sources at the special investigation department at the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office.
Tax accountant played major role in Livedoor fraud scheme
January 30, 2006A Livedoor Co. tax accountant played a major role in the company's alleged accounting frauds in 2004 that aimed to boost its group's share prices, sources close to the Internet and financial services firm's accounting practices said Monday. The accountant has been serving in an executive officer capacity at Livedoor. Prosecutors have already questioned her as they are probing the group's alleged securities law violations by misleading investors with false information, prosecution sources said.
10 die in Philippine billiard hall shooting
January 30, 2006A man opened fire into a crowded billiard hall in the southern Philippines, killing at least 10 and wounding five others, police said Monday. The police said the assailant used an assault rifle in the attack Saturday in Balabagan town, Lanao del Sur Province, apparently meant to avenge his son's death last month.