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JAPAN
May 15, 1997

Ministry strikes deal to protect Japan interests in Hong Kong

Japan and Hong Kong reached an investment agreement that will protect Japan's investments in Hong Kong, Foreign Ministry officials said May 15.
JAPAN
May 15, 1997

Nago mayor accused of treason for heliport study

NAGO, Okinawa Pref. -- For decades, residents of Henoko Ward in the eastern part of this city have dined on such delicacies as shrimp, crab, turban shells and other shellfish from nearby coastal waters.
JAPAN
May 15, 1997

LDP won't endorse bill for separate surnames

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party will not join its allies in compiling a controversial bill to allow spouses to have different surnames, amid lingering opposition within the party, LDP officials confirmed May 15.
JAPAN
May 14, 1997

Bill to aid Hanshin quake victims submitted

A nonpartisan group of lawmakers submitted a bill May 14 aimed at providing financial aid to households hit by the Great Hanshin Earthquake in January 1995.
JAPAN
May 14, 1997

DPJ urges review of Isahaya Bay project

The Democratic Party of Japan has urged the government for a drastic review of an ongoing public works project to reclaim part of Isahaya Bay, Nagasaki Prefecture, for agricultural use.
JAPAN
May 14, 1997

Concerns over safety of nuclear power increasing

PRAGUE -- Nuclear plant safety was, as always, a major issue for atomic power operators from around the world who gathered here May 12 and May 13. Discussions took place amid growing public disquiet about the use and safety of nuclear power despite growing electricity demands in developing countries....
JAPAN
May 14, 1997

Ministries state opposition to reform

The foreign, finance and health and welfare ministries all reacted cautiously May 14 to proposed organizational changes necessary to realize Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto's pledge of slimming down the government.
JAPAN
May 14, 1997

India home furnishings fair coming to Ikebukuro

OSAKA -- The 8th India Home Furnishings Fair will take place at the Ikebukuro Sunshine City Convention Center in Tokyo from June 4 to 6, according to Indian trade and consulate officials in Osaka.
JAPAN
May 14, 1997

Osaka hospital sued over suspicious death

OSAKA -- Sisters of a female patient who died under suspicious circumstances at Osaka Ensei Hospital in Higashi Sumiyoshi Ward here filed a lawsuit May 14 with the Osaka District Court against the hospital's medical corporation, seeking 11 million yen in damages.
JAPAN
May 14, 1997

Current account surplus falls for fourth year in a row

The nation's current account surplus for fiscal 1996 fell 24.3 percent from the year before to 7.18 trillion yen, logging the fourth straight annual decline, according to Finance Ministry figures released May 14.
JAPAN
May 14, 1997

Bad loans force credit firms to shift assets and operations

OSAKA -- Tanabe Credit Cooperative and Chogin Osaka Credit Association Branch, two Osaka-based small financial institutions that are burdened with mounting bad loans, announced May 14 they will transfer their assets and operations to other financial institutions.
JAPAN
May 14, 1997

U.S. military's land leases expire; nothing happens

Although leases for land plots at 11 U.S. military bases expired at midnight May 14, a relevant law that was revised last month will enable the central government to continue providing the land to the U.S. forces.
JAPAN
May 14, 1997

Sumitomo Trust denies market rumors

Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co. on May 14 flatly denied market rumors that it would issue preferred stocks and terminate overseas operations due to losses, reports of which prompted stock exchanges to order trading in its shares be suspended.
JAPAN
May 13, 1997

EU threatens to go to WTO over leather imports 'promise'

The European Union has threatened to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization over Japan's import restrictions on leather products unless Tokyo fulfills its "secret promise" to increase imports from Europe, Japanese government sources said May 13.
JAPAN
May 13, 1997

Powerful quake rocks southern Kyushu, injures 27

KAGOSHIMA -- A powerful earthquake rocked Kyushu late May 13, injuring 27 people, officials said.
JAPAN
May 13, 1997

Dwindling aid for developing nations puts ADB in spotlight

FUKUOKA -- It will become increasingly important for the Asian Development Bank to offer assistance that would pave the way for the private sector to play a larger role in the development of countries in the region, a vice president of the bank said May 13.
JAPAN
May 13, 1997

Thai finance minister expects Japan to maintain aid

FUKUOKA -- Thailand's finance minister said May 13 that he does not expect a complete reversal in Tokyo's aid policy toward reducing official development assistance, expressing confidence that Japan will remain a key donor.
JAPAN
May 13, 1997

Marine activists demand opening of water gate

A citizens' group concerned over the extinction of marine life in Isahaya Bay, Nagasaki Prefecture, took to the streets May 13 in Tokyo's Kasumigaseki district.
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 13, 1997

Private earthquake aid still lacks accounting

KOBE -- Neither the Japan Red Cross nor a local distribution committee has any accounting of what happened to donations sent by individuals and groups of Americans to help survivors of the Great Hanshin Earthquake.
JAPAN
May 13, 1997

Annan expects UNSC reformation by year's end

A breakthrough in reforming the United Nations Security Council could be achieved by the end of the year as momentum mounts among members of the international body, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said May 13.
JAPAN
May 13, 1997

Pyongyang's ADB bid to get due consideration, bank chief says

FUKUOKA -- North Korea's bid to gain membership in the Asian Development Bank will not be affected by other ongoing diplomatic negotiations concerning the country, ADB President Mitsuo Sato said May 13.
JAPAN
May 12, 1997

Groups ready supplies for survivors of quake in Iran

Three organizations announced plans May 12 to gather money and supplies for survivors of the earthquake that struck northeastern Iran on May 10.
JAPAN
May 12, 1997

Business Show '97 opens today at Big Sight

Business Show '97 Tokyo will open May 13 at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, featuring many exhibitions on intranet and Internet networking, according to the organizing groups.
JAPAN
May 12, 1997

Earthquake in Tohoku interrupts trains

A strong earthquake measuring 4 on the Japanese seismic scale to 7 jolted a wide area of northeastern Japan on early May 12, interrupting railway and expressway services. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
JAPAN
May 12, 1997

50 million yen in relief aid headed to Iran

The government will provide Iran with relief aid worth 50 million yen to help the Middle East country cope with the major earthquake that killed at least 2,400 people, the government's top spokesman said May 12.
JAPAN
May 12, 1997

Seoul pushes North Korea's bid to join ADB

FUKUOKA -- South Korea on May 12 called on other members of the Asian Development Bank to join it in supporting North Korea's bid to become a member.
JAPAN
May 12, 1997

Disaster info network takes root in wake of Hanshin quake

OSAKA -- Lifeline suppliers and television and radio broadcasters based in the Kansai region on May 12 announced the creation of a network to enable smooth collection of information at times of disasters.
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

Annan hints Japan has good shot at UNSC seat

There is a strong possibility that Japan will become a permanent member on the U.N. Security Council as part of the body's future reform, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan hinted May 12.

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