N Korea slams Abe for linking normalization, abduction issues
January 2, 2006North Korea on Monday slammed Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe for linking normalization of diplomatic relations on a resolution of the North's past abductions of Japanese nationals, calling it more important for Japan to apologize and compensate f...
Bill for authorizing female monarchs to be presented in March
January 2, 2006The government will present an amendment to the Imperial House Law to the Diet in early March that would authorize females and their descendants to ascend the throne, according to informed sources. Crown Prince Naruhito, 45, Emperor Akihito's firs...
Japan rebuts China's claims about diplomat's suicide
January 2, 2006A diplomatic spat between Japan and China over the suicide of a Japanese Consulate General staff member in Shanghai rippled further Sunday as Tokyo issued a statement saying Beijing's claims made a day earlier were untrue and also that there were "re...