News - Sun 7 Sep 2008
U.S. new car market slightly above 14 mil. in 2008, 2009: Toyota
Toyota Motor Corp. President Katsuaki Watanabe indicated Friday the size of the U.S. new automobile market will total slightly above 14 million units in 2008 and 2009. It will be ''hard'' for new car sales in the United States to reach 14.5 million units,'' Watanabe told reporters in New York in reference to the company's previous projection for the U.S. market size.Views: 7
Head of Osaka rice miller admits involvement in sale of tainted rice
The president of an Osaka-based rice miller said Saturday his company began disguising non-edible tainted rice as edible and selling it five or six years ago under his instruction to help overcome unfavorable business conditions. ''I sincerely apologize for causing great trouble and concerns among people,'' said Mitsuo Fuyuki, president of Mikasa Foods, during a press conference.Views: 31
New subsidies planned for reducing safety checks of nuclear plants
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has decided to hand out new subsidies to localities where the frequency of safety checks of nuclear power plants will be reduced under a new inspection system, sources familiar with the matter said Saturday. Under the new system to be introduced in January, the interval between periodic safety checks will be extended to a maximum 24 months from the current 13 months, allowing electric power firms to run their nuclear power plants continuously for a longer duration of time as the plants' operations are suspended during the checks.Views: 10
Los Angeles court to hand down decision on Miura's arrest Sept. 26
The Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday held the fourth round of hearings on a motion by Japanese national Kazuyoshi Miura to invalidate an arrest warrant against him and said it will hand down a decision on Sept. 26. Miura, 61, has been held on Saipan since late February for allegedly conspiring to kill his 28-year-old wife Kazumi, who was shot in Los Angeles in 1981. She died a year later in Japan.Views: 32
Agency to launch research group to promote use of robots in disasters
The government's Fire and Disaster Management Agency will launch a study group as early as October to promote the use and development of robots used at disaster sites, such as to find people trapped under wreckage after earthquakes or fires, according to agency officials. The study group, which will consist of industrial machinery makers and researchers among others, will review ways to cut production costs and improve the operability of such robots, the officials said.Views: 7
Nuclear Suppliers Group approves U.S.-India nuclear trade waiver
The 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group reached a consensus Saturday to give India a nuclear trade waiver for its bilateral nuclear cooperation deal with the United States. ''We have reached a landmark decision to allow for civil nuclear trade with India,'' John Rood, acting U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control issues, told reporters after a three-day meeting in Vienna.Views: 29
LDP presidential hopefuls start effective election campaign
Five prospective candidates for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Sept. 22 leadership election effectively kicked off their campaigning Saturday, with each expressing their views through various media on the most appropriate economic policies for the country. LDP Secretary General Taro Aso, 67, and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, 51, officially declared their candidacies on Friday for the LDP presidential election to replace Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who abruptly announced earlier this week his intention to step down.Views: 8
LDP presidential hopefuls start effective election campaign
Five prospective candidates for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Sept. 22 leadership election effectively kicked off their campaigning Saturday, with each expressing their views through various media on the most appropriate economic policies for the country. LDP Secretary General Taro Aso, 67, and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, 51, officially declared their candidacies on Friday for the LDP presidential election to replace Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who abruptly announced earlier this week his intention to step down.Views: 16
2nd marijuana tests positive for 2 Russian sumo wrestlers
Detailed examinations of urine samples from two Russian wrestlers involved in alleged marijuana use showed positive results Saturday, putting pressure on already under-fire Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi. Sumo sources said the ''A'' samples from Russian siblings Roho and Hakurozan were both positive in the latest tests that followed the positive results of the random tests conducted earlier this month after countryman Wakanoho was arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession.Views: 15
