Yamasaki calls off China trip
December 31, 2005Senior Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Taku Yamasaki has called off his planned trip to China in mid-January because Chinese officials told him that they cannot arrange meetings for him with senior Chinese government officials, officials at Yamasak...
U.S. asks Japan to leave some GSDF officers in Iraq after withdrawal
December 31, 2005The United States has asked Japan to consider having a few senior ground troop officers remain in southern Iraq after a troop withdrawal from Samawah in order for Japan to continue to support Iraqi reconstruction, sources of the two countries said Sa...
Chinese Embassy says Japan wanted diplomat's suicide kept quiet
December 31, 2005The Japanese government urged China not to disclose the suicide of a staff member at the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai in May 2004, saying the suicide was caused by job stress, the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo said in a statement Saturday. Ac...
Firms allegedly involved in fraud donated Y23 mil to lawmakers
December 31, 2005Engineering companies recently investigated by prosecutors over an alleged fraud of government subsidies donated at least 23 million yen to 11 lawmakers and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party between 1998 and 2004, informed sources said Saturday. ...
Pro-Pyongyang facilities enjoying preferential tax treatment
December 31, 2005Thirty municipalities reduce property tax rates on facilities belonging to the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan or exempt them from taxes completely, citing their public nature, a government survey showed Friday. Alth...