Japan News Review

Japan stocks decline as recession dents demand for materials

Editor — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:57:51 +0000

Japan stocks slumped as prospects for a prolonged recession dimmed the earnings outlook for manufacturers and commodities producers.

Aso’s latest stimulus worth ¥23 trillion

Editor — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:09:48 +0000

Prime Minister Taro Aso unveiled a ¥23 trillion stimulus package Friday that will allow up to ¥12 trillion in public funds to be injected into financial institutions, far more than the ¥2 trillion initially planned.

Job-reneging firms’ names to be released

Editor — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:00:50 +0000

Aiming to embarrass companies into better behavior, the labor ministry plans to publish the names of those that withdrew job offers made to graduating students in an attempt to discourage unilateral cancellations, sources said.

Bill to redress uninsured children to be enacted

Editor — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:00:26 +0000

A bill to redress the issue of children without health insurance is likely to be enacted at the current Diet session as the Liberal Democratic Party and the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan agreed Wednesday to hold talks over the bill jointly proposed by three opposition parties, parliamentary sources said.

Nippon Oil, Nippon Mining to integrate business

Editor — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:59:44 +0000

Nippon Oil Corp., the largest oil distributor in Japan, and major distributor Nippon Mining Holdings Inc., will integrate their business by establishing a holding company, possibly in the fall of 2009, sources familiar with the plan said Thursday.

Mental test to be conducted on alleged attacker of ex-official, kin

Editor — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:15:52 +0000

Police decided Wednesday to conduct a mental examination on a man who is believed to have been involved in the murder of a former vice health minister and his wife, and the assault of the wife of another former vice health minister, investigative sources said.

Gov’t to effectively halt spending cut policy to bolster economy

Editor — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:05:29 +0000

The government is set to effectively halt its spending cut policy in compiling the budget for fiscal 2009 starting in April, in a bid to prioritize stimulus measures over efforts to improve the nation’s fiscal health, government and ruling party sources said Wednesday.

List of 719 cases of harassment at Waseda University leaked from computer

Editor — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:05:09 +0000

A list of 719 cases of harassment that allegedly occurred at Waseda University in Tokyo has leaked on the Internet, university officials said.

Government panel deems 37% of spending by NPO’s wasteful

Editor — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:04:18 +0000

A government panel tasked with studying ways to eliminate wasteful use of taxpayers’ money has proposed a 37 percent cut, worth about 350 billion yen, in funding for government-authorized nonprofit organizations in fiscal 2009 compared with the corresponding figure in fiscal 2006.

US policy adviser predicts dollar slipping below 90 yen

Editor — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:03:35 +0000

Lawrence Lindsey, a former economic policy adviser to U.S. President George W. Bush, told Japanese lawmakers in Tokyo on Wednesday the U.S. dollar could slip below 90 yen, the lawmakers said.