80 Akita spas told to take measures against toxic gas accidents
January 3, 2006The Akita prefectural government has asked about 80 hot spring facilities to take prevention measures against toxic gas accidents after a four-member family was killed last week by hydrogen sulfide gas at a spa in the prefecture, prefectural official...
Rush of returning travelers peaks
January 3, 2006Transport facilities were crowded Tuesday nationwide as the return rush of those who spent the New Year's holiday season in their hometowns peaked. Shinkansen trains bound for Tokyo were running at more than 100% capacity, with one from Morioka, Iwat...
GSDF troops depart for U.S. for landing drills with Marines
January 3, 2006An advance team of a Ground Self-Defense Force's Western Army unit departed for a U.S. Marine Corps base in California on Tuesday for joint landing drills, the GSDF said. The team's 30 members will soon be joined by 100 more troops from the GSDF West...