Train derails in Yamagata, injuring 10
December 25, 2005An express train heading for Niigata partly derailed and toppled onto its side Sunday in Shonai, Yamagata Prefecture, leaving about 10 people injured, police and East Japan Railway Co said. The first three cars of the six-car express Inaho No. 14...
1,100 homes in Niigata again suffer power cuts
December 25, 2005About 1,100 homes in Niigata Prefecture again suffered power outages Sunday as heavy snow continued to fall in areas along the Sea of Japan coast. The temporary blackout came after up to 650,000 homes in the prefecture had power outages Thursday a...
4 found dead in apparent group suicide in car in Saitama
December 25, 2005Three men and one woman were found dead Sunday morning in a car parked on the side of a forest road in Tokigawa, Saitama Prefecture, in an apparent group suicide, police said. The police said charcoal stoves were found inside the passenger car, pa...
Crown prince, crown princess may visit Mexico
December 25, 2005Crown Prince Naruhito may visit Mexico together with Crown Princess Masako next March to attend the 4th World Water Forum, sources close to the matter said Saturday. The government is sounding out the trip, which if materialized would mark the fir...
Gov't wants two SM3-type Aegis warships
December 25, 2005The Defense Agency believes that keeping two Aegis warships equipped with sea-based Standard Missile 3 interceptor missile systems constantly deployed would enable Japan to shield itself from ballistic missiles, agency sources said Saturday. Under...
22-year-old Japanese tourist missing in Turkey since early November
December 25, 2005A Japanese university student went missing in Turkey in early November while visiting the country for sightseeing, the Consulate General in Istanbul said Saturday. Nothing has been heard of Sotaro Matsukura, a 22-year-old Seijo University senior...
Japanese sentiment toward China worsens; only 32% feel positive
December 25, 2005The Japanese people's sentiment toward China has worsened with a record-low 32.4% feeling good about the country, down 5.2 percentage points from a year ago, a cabinet Office poll showed Saturday. A record-high 71.2% said ties between Japan and Ch...