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JAPAN
May 19, 1997

Japan to propose environmental conference at G-7

In a fresh initiative aimed at demonstrating Japan's resolve to help preserve the environment, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto will propose to host an international conference addressing water problems in developing countries possibly by autumn, government sources said May 19.
JAPAN
May 16, 1997

LDP backs basic plan on expenditure limits

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party endorsed a basic outline May 16 for capping government spending to help the nation regain its fiscal health, but left many specific numerical targets up to the prime minister's Fiscal Structure Reform Council.
JAPAN
May 16, 1997

Forex decontrols kick off 'Big Bang'

The Diet enacted a law May 16 that ends the monopoly of banks in the foreign exchange business, allowing other companies and individuals to freely sell and buy foreign currencies and initiating the first of the "Big Bang" reforms.
JAPAN
May 13, 1997

Majority of Okinawa landlords content living with bases

IE-JIMA, Okinawa Pref. -- In the northwest corner of this 22-sq.-km coral island lies the U.S. Ie-Jima Auxiliary Airfield, where Marine Corps units from mainland Okinawa hold drills using Harrier vertical takeoff and landing jets around the clock.
JAPAN
May 12, 1997

SDF may be used for war on terrorism

Relaxing legal restraints on the Self-Defense Forces may be necessary to enable the government to better combat terrorism overseas, Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiroku Kajiyama said May 12.
JAPAN
May 12, 1997

Cultist Niimi breaks silence, praises Asahara

Breaking more than six months of silence, senior Aum Shinrikyo leader Tomomitsu Niimi expressed his continuous gratitude May 12 to cult founder Shoko Asahara for leading him along "the great path."
JAPAN
May 7, 1997

Attending the Nagano Games will be no easy feat

As opening day of the 18th Winter Olympics in Nagano Prefecture draws closer, many sports enthusiasts are beginning to wonder how they will be able to experience the Games.
JAPAN
May 6, 1997

Lower House approves environmental impact bill

The Lower House approved a bill May 6 to create Japan's first law to assess the environmental impact of construction projects.
JAPAN
Apr 30, 1997

Fukui disbands oil-spill task force

FUKUI -- The Fukui Prefectural Government disbanded its special oil-spill task force on April 30 as the clean-up of crude oil spilled from a Russian oil tanker in the Sea of Japan is nearly complete and the bow of the ship removed.
JAPAN
Apr 23, 1997

Peruvian troops force end to hostage crisis

LIMA -- Peruvian forces put a violent end to the 127-day-old hostage crisis late April 22 as they stormed the besieged Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima. All but one of the 72 hostages were rescued, and the 14 rebels who had been holding them were killed in an operation that ended in 37 minutes....
JAPAN
Apr 21, 1997

Panel backs longer time for public works plan

The government needs to extend its 10-year plan for 630 trillion yen in spending on public works projects instead of trimming the amount, members of the Conference on Fiscal Structural Reform agreed April 21, according to government officials.
JAPAN
Apr 17, 1997

Havana willing to grant asylum to Peruvian rebels

Cuba is willing to grant asylum to Peruvian rebels holding 72 hostages at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima, Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina Gonzalez reaffirmed April 17 in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Apr 16, 1997

G-7 may use Internet to publicize green efforts

The top leaders from the Group of Seven major industrialized economies and Russia are considering using the Internet at their June summit in Denver to appeal for more efforts at all levels to preserve the environment, Japanese government sources said April 16.
JAPAN
Apr 16, 1997

Oracle head sees future in networks

Personal computers will soon be replaced by network computers, which are simple and less costly, the head of Oracle Corp. said April 16 in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Apr 16, 1997

Criminal charges sought against PNC, officials

The Science and Technology Agency has asked police to take criminal action against Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corp. and some PNC officers over a series of accidents and ensuing coverup attempts at its atomic facilities, agency chief Riichiro Chikaoka said April 16.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 1997

1997 likely to be critical for banks

The upcoming year will be a critical one for domestic banking as the industry decides on a new grand design for Japanese financial institutions operating in the global markets, the head of the nation's banking community said April 15.
JAPAN
Apr 10, 1997

LDP, allies agree on Okinawa aid plan

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its two smaller non-Cabinet allies agreed April 10 on a program designed to promote the economic development of Okinawa Prefecture and help it achieve financial independence. The program suggests that a large part of the island prefecture be turned into a free-trade...
JAPAN
Apr 7, 1997

State plans to win final rights to base land

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto indicated April 7 that his government will try in the future to grant itself legal and ultimate authority to forcibly rent land for use by U.S. military bases.
JAPAN
Apr 2, 1997

Kajiyama speech hints at stiffer base land law

Tough new legislation could be introduced in the future to help the central government override opposition from landowners and local governments when leases for property within U.S. bases expire, the government's top spokesman hinted Apr. 2.
JAPAN
Mar 31, 1997

Red Cross looking for language helpers

The Japanese Red Cross Language Service Volunteers are seeking volunteers to help with management, planning, translation and other activities.
JAPAN
Mar 26, 1997

Okamitsu admits taking bribes in nursing home scandal

A former top bureaucrat at the health ministry and two others pleaded guilty Mar. 26 in their first trial hearing to bribery charges in connection with the construction of special subsidized nursing homes.
JAPAN
Mar 25, 1997

Ota rejects Hashimoto's request to back lease revisions

Okinawa Gov. Masahide Ota on Mar. 25 turned down Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto's request for support for revising a 1952 special land lease law that would allow the U.S. military to legally continue using facilities in Okinawa Prefecture beyond the expiry of forced land leases.
JAPAN
Mar 25, 1997

1997 budget to be enacted Mar. 28

The 77.4 trillion yen fiscal 1997 budget is expected to be enacted Mar. 28 -- four days before the new fiscal year begins -- with the backing of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its small allies, the Social Democratic Party and New Party Sakigake.
JAPAN
Mar 24, 1997

Tax hike reports misinterpreted, Ogawa says

There have been misinterpretations of media reports that Finance Minister Hiroshi Mitsuzuka hinted at another rise in the consumption tax, Vice Finance Minister Tadashi Ogawa said Mar. 24.
JAPAN
Mar 21, 1997

Ainu bill approved but void of legal rights

The government on Mar. 21 officially approved a bill to create a new law on the Ainu people of Hokkaido, but failed to grant them special rights as an indigenous group.
JAPAN
Mar 17, 1997

Foreign secretary Komura leaves with message for Peru

State Foreign Secretary Masahiko Komura left for Peru on Mar. 17, carrying a message from the prime minister that the Lima hostage standoff must be resolved via peaceful means.
JAPAN
Mar 15, 1997

Four JR firms anticipate drop in pretax profits

Due to an increased burden of fixed-asset taxes and negative effects of the April 1 consumption tax hike, the pretax profits of four Japan Railway group carriers are likely to shrink in the next business year, compared with the figures in their business plans for the current fiscal year, the four firms...
JAPAN
Mar 7, 1997

Bridge authority moves offices out of Tokyo

Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Authorities, the first special corporation to relocate its head office outside the capital, stepped up its moving operations Mar. 7 in preparation for beginning business at its new head office in Kobe's Chuo Ward on Mar. 5.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 1997

Kyoto cab firm offers Tokyo top-service taxis, discount fares

Neatly dressed in a uniform designed by Hanae Mori, Japan's leading fashion designer, an MK Taxi driver can make you feel like you are riding in a limousine. The driver will greet you as you climb aboard and, upon arrival at your destination, open the door for you, instead of relying on the automatic...
JAPAN
Mar 6, 1997

Salsa dancers invited to compete

Sponsors of the Cuban Salsa Dance Contest are seeking participants for the event scheduled for April 6 in Tokyo.

Longform

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami