Gov't reaches 1st settlement with unrecognized Minamata sufferers
TOKYO, March 3 Kyodo - The government and major chemical maker Showa Denko K.K.
Russia to cement control of disputed islands with defense buildup
MOSCOW, March 3 Kyodo - Russia intends to cement its control of Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido by deploying sophisticated weapons, such as antiship cruise missiles and an air defense system,
Teen arrested over alleged cheating in univ. entrance exams via phone
KYOTO, March 3 Kyodo - Police arrested a preparatory school student in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on Thursday for allegedly cheating in college entrance exams by using a mobile phone.
Lawmaker tries to leave Kan's DPJ at critical time
TOKYO, March 3 Kyodo - A Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker tried to leave the ruling party on Thursday, dealing a fresh blow to Prime Minister Naoto Kan as he faces an uphill battle to secure enou
Ozawa backs DPJ rebels' actions in boycotting budget vote
TOKYO, March 3 Kyodo - Former Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa said Thursday that the 16 DPJ members who recently boycotted a parliamentary vote on the budget were perfectly entitled t
Maehara apologizes to former Australian POWs over wartime forced labor
TOKYO, March 3 Kyodo - Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara on Thursday apologized to five former Australian prisoners of war and their families in Tokyo over forced labor during World War II.
DPJ finds it hard to persuade rebels not to boycott budget-related bills
TOKYO, March 2 Kyodo - The Democratic Party of Japan found it difficult Wednesday to persuade some of the 16 lawmakers of the ruling party who boycotted a vote on the fiscal 2011 budget in parliame
U.N. suspends Libya's membership in Human Rights Council
NEW YORK, March 1 Kyodo - The U.N.
Japan urges emerging economies to tackle climate change responsibly
TOKYO, March 2 Kyodo - Japan on Wednesday urged emerging economies whose emissions of greenhouse gases have been on the rise to ''play a responsible role'' in the global fight against climate chang
Japan gov't plane leaves N.Z., no kin of quake victims aboard
TOKYO, March 2 Kyodo - A Japanese government plane sent to New Zealand left for home Wednesday, but family members of the Japanese affected by the earthquake there who are now in the quake-hit area
