The Japan Times: News & Business

Confession retracted but stands for killer, 86

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:10:00 PDT

The Nagoya High Court rejected a retrial appeal Friday of an 86-year-old man who has been on death row for four decades for the fatal poisoning of five women in 1961 in Nabari, Mie Prefecture, ruling his retracted confession made under initial grillings remains "basically trustworthy."
Even though Masaru Okunishi was initially acquitted and the high court in 2005 opted to reopen the case, presiding Judge Yasuo Shimoyama said Friday, "It is unquestionable that only Okunishi could have mixed pesticide into the wine" that poisoned the victims.

True freedom for Mr. Chen

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:11:00 PDT

The diplomatic row between the United States and China over how to treat blind Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng appears to have come to an end with the U.S. issuing him, his wife Yuan Weijing and his two young children visas on May 19 and their subsequent arrival in the U.S. the same day. But this does not mean the issue has been completely resolved: That will happen when China grants Mr. Chen the right to return to China and resume his activities there.
Mr. Chen will conduct research on China's criminal justice system and other subjects as a fellow at New York University's U.S.-Asia Law Institute. After arriving in New York, he said, "I am grateful the Chinese government dealt with the situation with restraint and calm." He also expressed hope that the Chinese government will endeavor to establish "justice and equality of society." He hopes to return to China after his stay in the U.S.

Toxin in Kanto tap water laid to waste-disposal firm

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:12:00 PDT

A Gunma-based industrial waste disposal firm is suspected of dumping the toxic liquid that polluted part of the Kanto region's water system last week, the Saitama Prefectural Government said Friday.
When its officials conducted an on-site inspection last week at Dowa Hightech Co. in Hojo, Saitama Prefecture, they found it had hired a contractor from the city of Takasaki in Gunma Prefecture to process industrial waste. The company's name is being withheld by the prefectural government.

90 projects face 'shiwake' scrutiny

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:13:00 PDT

The government's administrative reform panel has given the go-ahead for "shiwake" screenings of some 90 government projects.
Following approval by the Government Revitalization Unit, headed by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, 14 ministries and government agencies will spend June reviewing the projects in an attempt to cut wasteful spending.

Successful comedian apologizes for leaving his mom on welfare

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:14:00 PDT

Junichi Komoto, a member of the popular comedian duo Jicho Kacho, apologized Friday for letting his mother continue to receive welfare benefits after his career took off.
"My way of thinking was too naive. I sincerely apologize for that," Komoto said as he bowed in apology at a news conference at Yoshimoto Kogyo Co.'s Tokyo office in Shinjuku Ward.

Naha assembly against Osprey plan

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:15:00 PDT

The Naha Municipal Assembly on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution against the plan to deploy the U.S. MV-22 Osprey in Okinawa.
The resolution demanded that the U.S. and Japanese governments cancel the plan.

Japan Tobacco buys Belgium's Gryson

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:16:00 PDT

Japan Tobacco Inc. agreed to pay â¬475 million ($597 million) for Belgium-based Gryson NV to boost growth in Europe's roll-your-own cigarette market in the biggest purchase by a tobacco company since 2009.
The maker of Camel and Mild Seven cigarettes will pay 12.3 times the estimated 2012 earnings for all outstanding shares of Gryson, the Tokyo-based company said in a statement Thursday.

Toyota plots major push in emerging markets

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:17:00 PDT

Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday it plans to boost compact car sales tenfold in emerging markets by 2015 by adding seven new models and boosting local production and procurement in countries where rising wages are boosting demand.
The automaker is aiming to sell 1 million small cars a year in countries including India, Indonesia and Thailand by 2015.

Senate panel nixes Okinawa budget

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:18:00 PDT

The Senate Armed Services Committee has rejected the White House's $26 million budget request over the planned relocation of marines to Guam from Okinawa.
The request was not included in a defense authorization bill for fiscal 2013 starting in October that was unanimously approved Thursday by the committee, which played a key role in Congress' rejection of all fiscal 2012 budget requests related to the envisioned transfer.

Survival of the fittest

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:19:00 PDT

Bic Camera Inc., the nation's No. 5 retailer of home electronics, plans to create the second biggest electronics retail chain after Yamada Denki Co. by acquiring Kojima Co., the seventh largest player in the industry.
Bic Camera will acquire a more than 50 percent stake in Kojima, possibly in June, but Kojima will remain on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with its name intact. The tieup between Bic Camera and Kojima represents an attempt by the home electronics retailers to survive in a shrinking market and to launch an offensive on Yamada Denki, the peerless leader in the industry.

Fourth batch of Filipino health workers set to arrive

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:20:00 PDT

The Philippines will dispatch 101 health workers to Japan on Sunday, the fourth batch of candidate nurses and caregivers who will train to work in the country under a bilateral agreement.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency said Friday that 28 nurses and 73 caregivers will head to Osaka Prefecture for an intensive six-month language training program before being sent to various health care facilities nationwide.

FedEx eyes Kansai regional hub

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:21:00 PDT

U.S. carrier FedEx Corp. is finalizing arrangements to make Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture its base for collecting shipments in Northeast Asia, sources said Friday.
FedEx and Kansai airport are expected to reach a deal in the near future, the sources said.

Hosono favors 15% share

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:22:00 PDT

Environment Minister Goshi Hosono said Friday he believes Japan's new energy policy, to be released this summer, can be based on the idea of reducing nuclear power to 15 percent of the nation's total electricity supply.
"Fifteen percent can be one base," Hosono said, while noting limiting the operation of reactors to 40 years is the government's policy and the 15 percent idea is in line with that policy.

Tankers from Iran may get reinsured

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:23:00 PDT

The government is considering legislation that will allow it to effectively reinsure tankers carrying crude oil from Iran to Japan, sources said.
The legislation, if enacted, will allow Japan to continue importing oil from Iran even after the European Union bans the region's insurers from underwriting reinsurance covering tankers carrying Iranian oil as new sanctions against the Middle Eastern country's nuclear program come into force, the sources said.

Wild crested ibis chick leaves nest, becoming first to do so in 38 years

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:24:00 PDT

A crested ibis chick briefly left its nest on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture on Friday, becoming the first one born in the wild to do so in 38 years, the Environment Ministry said.
Officials saw the ibis chick fly to a nearby tree branch late Friday morning via a live video feed that has been online since May 5, it said.

Suntory unit in Mumbai venture

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:25:00 PDT

Suntory Holdings Ltd. said Thursday its Singapore affiliate will acquire a 51 percent stake in Indian food and drink maker Narang Connect Pvt. Ltd. and set up a joint venture in Mumbai.
The move is aimed at creating demand for Suntory products in the fast-growing Indian market, and the venture plans to first sell Orangina, a sparkling orange drink, before considering expanding its product lineup.

Young goldfish breeders rise to challenge in Aichi

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:26:00 PDT

Breeding goldfish has been a dying industry in and around the city of Yatomi, Aichi Prefecture, but a glimmer of hope remains as a younger generation of breeders are taking over their family businesses.
"I could not bear to let the tradition of goldfish breeding in Yatomi die out," one young farmer said.

Dog lovers, urban explorers find a welcome at foot of Skytree

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:27:00 PDT

Tokyo Skytree appears well on the way to becoming the latest gathering place for dog lovers, not to mention people who want to explore the capital's traditional "shitamachi" old downtown district.
Net Work Co. has its Dog Dept brand apparel store and a dog-friendly Dog Dept cafe in a prime location at the foot of the tower.

Prices climb but no deflation end in sight: analysts

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:28:00 PDT

The core consumer price index rose 0.2 percent in April from a year earlier on higher hotel bills and TV set prices, posting the third straight monthly increase, government data showed Friday, but economists doubt the nation's chronic deflation is easing.
The core CPI, a benchmark index that excludes volatile fresh food prices, stood at 100.2 against the base of 100 in 2010, the internal affairs ministry said.

Japan, Pacific leaders meet on disaster, maritime issues

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:29:00 PDT

The leaders of Japan and Pacific island nations, many of which fear rising sea levels from global warming will eventually submerge their territory, gathered Friday night to kick off a two-day summit in Okinawa on regional maritime issues and disaster countermeasures.
Tokyo, which is hosting the triennial Japan-Pacific Islands Forum for the sixth time, invited the United States for the first time as Washington strategically shifts its focus to the Asia-Pacific region to stem China's growing assertiveness. The event will be cochaired by Noda and Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna.

MSDF destroyer at N.Y. Fleet Week

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:30:00 PDT

A Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer is docked in New York to participate in the annual Fleet Week, in which military ships, including those from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, sail into the city.
The Shirane made port at Brooklyn as the weeklong event kicked off Wednesday. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the start of the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States.

Social game site operators to ban controversial 'gacha' price-gouging sales method

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:31:00 PDT

The nation's six largest online game site operators have drawn up a guideline banning a controversial sales practice that will soon become subject to government regulation.
The move announced Friday comes after DeNA Co., Gree Inc., Mixi Inc. and three other major operators said they would scrap the "complete gacha" practice, which can result in users, particularly children, incurring exorbitant charges.

Subaru maker Fuji goes against grain with local output hike

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:32:00 PDT

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. is making a contrarian bet: The maker of Subaru cars is cranking up domestic manufacturing at a time when its domestic rivals are expanding overseas to escape the strong yen.
The carmaker said this month it plans to increase domestic production to account for 78 percent of output during the fiscal year ending next March, compared with 73 percent the previous year. Fuji Heavy said that expanding capacity in Japan — instead of the United States, its biggest market — is cheaper.

780,800 foreigners visited in April

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:33:00 PDT

The number of foreign visitors to Japan in April rebounded to a level similar to that prior to the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, due mainly to an increase in Japan-bound flights, including those of low-cost carriers, a government agency said Thursday.
The figure for last month rose 2.6-fold year-on-year to 780,800, only 0.9 percent lower than April 2010, the Japan National Tourism Organization said.

Desperate Kurd plays final asylum card

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:34:00 PDT

The 42-year-old Kurdish asylum seeker's wife and four children fled back to Turkey more than a year ago, terrified about the radioactive fallout from the Fukushima nuclear crisis, but he stayed on, in limbo, hoping beyond hope that he would be permitted to remain in Japan.
The man, who was living in Saitama Prefecture and asked that his name be withheld to protect his privacy, is not allowed to work and doesn't qualify for health insurance as the government has rejected his four previous applications for refugee status.

Risks to wildlife from tsunami debris worrying Alaska, Canada

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:35:00 PDT

More and more debris from the March 2011 tsunami is washing ashore in Alaska and Canada, prompting mounting concerns over the potential harmful effects on local wildlife, according to local reports.
Patrick Chandler, a member of the nonprofit Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, said it discovered significantly more washed up buoys and far higher amounts of polystyrene foam during a recent research trip on Montague Island off Alaska, according to the Agence France-Presse news agency.

Renewable energy quest to tap ocean-based sources

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:36:00 PDT

The government will pursue development of ocean-based renewable energy sources, including offshore wind power, amid concerns over electricity shortages now that all of the nation's nuclear plants have gone offline, officials said Friday.
Candidate sites for demonstration experiments in marine areas will be sought for that purpose from local governments and venues picked by the end of the fiscal year through March 2014.

NHK Chairman Sudo set to quit, focus on Tepco

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:37:00 PDT

Fumio Sudo, chairman of NHK's Board of Governors, said he will step down to focus on his upcoming role as outside director of Tokyo Electric Power Co.
Sudo, a consultant at JFE Holdings Inc., has faced criticism because his plan to double as Tepco outside director and chairman of NHK's top decision-making body opened up questions about the neutrality of reporting by the public broadcaster.

Most disaster-hit fish ports back up

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:38:00 PDT

Most of the ports damaged by the tsunami created by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 are restarting fish offloading operations thanks to progress on restoration, the government said Friday.
Of the 319 affected ports on the Pacific coast, 311, or 97 percent, had undergone substantial restoration as of April 18, according to the government's annual fisheries industry report. Work to remove disaster debris from the ports and sea routes has been completed, it said.

Cops report big haul of knockoffs

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:39:00 PDT

Police turned over to prosecutors Friday their case against a 45-year-old woman in Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture, who allegedly possessed and was trying to sell about 16,000 counterfeit items featuring popular characters such as Hello Kitty and Anpan Man.
The prosecutors will decide whether to indict the woman, whose name is being withheld by authorities.