N. Korean agent Sin responsible for Yokota's abduction
January 5, 2006An internationally wanted North Korean agent abducted Megumi Yokota, repatriated Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga has testified, informed sources said Thursday. Sin Guang Su, 76, is wanted for the abduction of a 43-year-old Japanese man in 1980, and he is also suspected of having been involved in abductions of other repatriated abductees, including Yasushi Chimura, 50.
Sharon on life support in ICU after 2 surgeries
January 5, 2006Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was transferred to an intensive care unit and put on life support following a second operation that succeeded in halting cerebral hemorrhaging Thursday morning, Israeli media reported. ''The prime minister is in critical condition,'' Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital director Shlomo Mor-Yosef was quoted as saying by the Haaretz news service. But he added that Sharon's vital signs were ''functional and stable.''
Biz leaders urge fiscal outlay cuts before consumption tax hike
January 5, 2006Some business leaders called on the government on Thursday to make deep cuts in fiscal expenditures before the government hikes the consumption tax rate from the current 5 percent. Kakutaro Kitashiro, chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, urged both central and local governments to cut fiscal outlays, saying it is crucial to limit the funding of social security programs and curb outlays made via both the general and special accounts of the national government.
U.S. serviceman allegedly admits killing Japanese woman in Yokosuka
January 5, 2006A U.S. serviceman in his 20s from the U.S. aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk has admitted killing a 56-year-old Japanese woman in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, informed sources said Thursday, citing investigations by U.S. forces in Japan. The victim, Yoshie Sato, was found bleeding from her head near a building in Yokosuka at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Japan seeks sincere Chinese response over diplomat's suicide
January 5, 2006Japan's top government spokesman on Thursday urged China to give a ''sincere response'' over the suicide of a Japanese consulate general staff member in 2004 in Shanghai. ''We want to see a sincere response from the Chinese side,'' Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said in a press conference following a diplomatic spat between the countries over the case.
China says no high-level visits unless Koizumi changes
January 5, 2006China on Thursday rejected Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's statement Wednesday that Sino-Japanese diplomatic dialogue should continue unimpeded by his controversial visits to Yasukuni Shrine, which China views as glorifying Japan's militaristic past. High-level dialogue requires a proper atmosphere, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters, adding that China hopes Japan will consider the feelings of the Chinese people and take ''practical'' steps to heal the bilateral relationship.