Japan News Review

963 apply to become JAXA astronauts

Editor — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:50:15 +0000

A total of 963 people applied to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to become astronauts, after the agency began accepting applications for the first time in 10 years, officials said.

Rice says U.S. won’t forget Japanese abductees

Editor — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:54:45 +0000

The United States will continue to press for the release of Japanese citizens abducted decades ago by North Korea as it seeks the resumption of disarmament talks with Pyongyang, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday.

Flood of ‘Akihabara-style’ murder threats posted on Internet

Editor — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:54:07 +0000

Over a dozen threats of murder and other crimes were posted on the Internet following the random street killings in Tokyo’s Akihabara earlier this month, police said.

Hiroshima makes Internet filtering on cell phones compulsory for under 18s

Editor — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:53:37 +0000

The Hiroshima Municipal Government will launch an ordinance on July 1 requiring retailers in the city to introduce filtering for cell phones to prevent people under the age of 18 from viewing harmful information on the Internet, it has been learned.

China to welcome first Japanese warship since WWII

Editor — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:53:15 +0000

China prepared Tuesday to welcome the first Japanese war ship to visit since World War II in a dramatic sign of improving relations between East Asia’s two major powers.

Woman arrested for rampant knife attacks in Osaka

Editor — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:52:51 +0000

A Kobe woman who randomly attacked three other women at JR Osaka Railway Station has been arrested, police said.

Tokyo closer to CO2 reduction bill

Editor — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:23:39 +0000

The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly’s environment and construction committee on Monday passed a bill that will revise a city ordinance to require major companies in Tokyo to cut carbon dioxide emissions, clearing the first hurdle in introducing the first such ordinance in the country.

Softbank says Japan price for iPhone comparable to marked down US price

Editor — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:23:09 +0000

Softbank, the carrier that won the coveted right to sell the iPhone in Japan, said Monday it will sell for 23,040 yen — comparable to the marked down U.S. price for the hit gadget.

Japan, Australia likely to clash at whaling talks

Editor — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:21:44 +0000

Australia will call for a complete halt to whaling this week at a meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Chile as Japan seeks permission to kill more of the animals, saying they eat too many fish.

Consumption tax rise within 2 to 3 yrs, says Fukuda

Editor — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:21:06 +0000

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said Monday he is thinking about raising the consumption tax rate sometime during the next two to three years.