418 public schools have exposed sprayed asbestos
March 16, 2006Classrooms and corridors in 418 Japanese public schools, from kindergartens to high schools, contained exposed sprayed asbestos as of last month, according to an education ministry survey released Thursday. Ahead of the release of the survey results, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has ordered prefectural boards of education to take safety measures, including discontinuing the use of the facilities.
Japan's crown prince arrives in Mexico
March 16, 2006Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito arrived in Mexico City Wednesday to attend the fourth World Water Forum opening Thursday. The crown prince met Mexican President Vicente Fox in his official residence in Mexico City Wednesday afternoon. Fox requested that the crown prince send his regards to Japan's emperor and empress. The crown prince said it was a pity that his wife, Masako, was unable to come along, according to an Imperial Household Agency official.
DNA database identifies suspects in 245 criminal cases
March 16, 2006A DNA database that stores biological evidence left at crime scenes or collected from suspects has helped identify suspects in 245 criminal cases in the six-month period since it came into operation last September, the National Police Agency said Thursday. As of Feb. 28, the database stored DNA samples from 2,487 known suspects that have been collected during investigations and 2,054 DNA samples left by unknown suspects at scenes of unsolved crimes.