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JAPAN
Sep 3, 1997

APEC urged to listen to less-developed states

The framework of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum should continue to be one where less-developed members can discuss issues on an equal footing with their industrialized counterparts, visiting Chilean President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle said Sept. 3.
JAPAN
Sep 2, 1997

57% of Japanese polled view China as a friend

Some 57 percent of Japanese feel some kind of friendship toward China, according to the results of a telephone survey conducted by Kyodo News Service on Aug. 30 and 31.
JAPAN
Sep 1, 1997

Nation can't afford more pump-priming

There is no possibility that an economic pump-priming package will be drawn up in the latter half of this fiscal year due to financial constraints, a top Finance Ministry official said Sept. 1.
JAPAN
Sep 1, 1997

Millions across the nation take part in earthquake drills

Millions of people around the country observed the 74th anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake on Sept. 1 by taking part in antidisaster drills.
JAPAN
Aug 29, 1997

Supreme Court backs Ienaga in textbook suit

The Supreme Court on August 29 ordered the central government to pay 400,000 yen in damages to 83-year-old historian Saburo Ienaga in the last of his three lawsuits against the Education Ministry, although it ruled that the system of screening school textbooks is constitutional.
JAPAN
Aug 27, 1997

Matsushita re-emphasizes path of economic recovery

Bank of Japan Gov. Yasuo Matsushita reiterated August 27 the BOJ's position that the economy on the whole remains on a modest recovery track, although the aftereffects of the consumption tax hike linger on.
JAPAN
Aug 26, 1997

Sato hopeful of WTO talks with China

Trade chief Shinji Sato expressed hope August 26 that upcoming bilateral talks on China's entry to the World Trade Organization would see positive developments.
JAPAN
Aug 25, 1997

The Asahara Trial: Attorney fights for fairness

Last of three parts
JAPAN
Aug 21, 1997

Administrative orders up for review

The Finance Ministry expressed willingness Aug. 21 to review various administrative orders at present given to the financial industry with an eye to eventually scrapping them.
JAPAN
Aug 19, 1997

Japan ponders stance on antipersonnel land mines

Japan remains reluctant to sign a treaty banning the use of antipersonnel land mines, although it may consider doing so, Foreign Ministry officials said Aug. 19. The officials were reacting to news that Washington has expressed readiness to take part in the process.
JAPAN
Aug 18, 1997

Vague boundaries urged in bilateral defense guidelines

FUKUOKA -- When revising guidelines for defense cooperation with the U.S. in the case of emergencies around Japan, it is important, for strategic reasons, to keep the geographical scope vague, Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Taku Yamasaki said Aug. 18.
JAPAN
Aug 13, 1997

Osaka named candidate for 2008 Olympic Games

The city of Osaka defeated rival Yokohama 29 to 17 in a vote by the Japanese Olympic Committee and sports officials Aug. 13 to become the nation's candidate for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
JAPAN
Aug 11, 1997

Damages sought by victims of biological warfare in China

Chinese victims of Japanese germ warfare in the early 1940s filed a class-action suit with the Tokyo District Court on Aug. 11, demanding that the government acknowledge the damage and compensate them individually.
JAPAN
Aug 6, 1997

Yamaichi chairman quits top industry post

Tsugio Yukihira, chairman of Yamaichi Securities Co., officially stepped down August 6 as head of the Securities Dealers Association of Japan to take responsibility for alleged illegal payoffs to a "sokaiya" corporate extortionist.
JAPAN
Aug 5, 1997

TSE criticized for computer crash

Finance Minister Hiroshi Mitsuzuka said August 5 that his ministry will soon send a "strong request" to the Tokyo Stock Exchange to smooth out its operations and avoid a repeat of the August 1 trading hours computer crash.
JAPAN
Aug 5, 1997

DKB, Nomura penalties take effect today

Administrative penalties against Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank and Nomura Securities Co. for their payoffs to a "sokaiya" corporate extortionist take effect August 6.
JAPAN
Aug 5, 1997

Debate over youth law upsets Justice minister

Justice Minister Isao Matsuura expressed displeasure August 5 over ongoing public debate on revising the Juvenile Law, saying it focuses too much on whether lawbreakers under age 16 should be subject to criminal punishment.
JAPAN
Aug 5, 1997

Koga glum over progress of air talks

Transport Minister Makoto Koga expressed disappointment August 5 over the progress of U.S.-Japan civil aviation talks currently under way in Tokyo, saying negotiations seems to be moving backward.
JAPAN
Aug 4, 1997

Thailand need only seek help: Finance Ministry

A top Finance Ministry official on August 4 repeated the oft-used refrain that Japan stands ready to cooperate if Thailand makes a formal request for financial assistance.
JAPAN
Aug 1, 1997

Japan, Australia agree to cooperate in Asia-Pacific

Japan and Australia agreed August 1 to expand cooperation for stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, according to Foreign Ministry officials.
JAPAN
Aug 1, 1997

Nikkei sinks below 20,000 after computer glitch hits TSE

The Tokyo Stock Exchange suffered its worst-ever technical failure when a programming bug in the computerized trading system shut down the entire system throughout early August 1.
JAPAN
Jul 31, 1997

Transport Ministry says Nakhodka was unseaworthy

The Russian tanker Nakhodka, which broke apart and sank off the Sea of Japan coast in January, was too old and worn out to weather the rough seas, a Transport Ministry panel concluded July 31.
JAPAN
Jul 30, 1997

Analysis: Bank's penalty an attempt to assuage public

Finance Ministry's decision July 30 to order Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank to refrain from extending loans to new customers until the end of the calendar year was an attempt to show that it is seriously trying to tackle wrongdoing in the financial markets.
JAPAN
Jul 30, 1997

Nomura, DKB hit with harsh penalties

The Finance Ministry slapped administrative penalties July 30 on Nomura Securities Co. and Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank lasting from five months to a year for their roles in one of the biggest financial scandals to hit the nation this decade.
JAPAN
Jul 30, 1997

DKB president accepts fate

Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank President Katsuyuki Sugita said July 30 his bank solemnly accepts the administrative punishment meted out for its payoffs and dubious loans to a "sokaiya" racketeer.
JAPAN
Jul 30, 1997

Top brokerage to cut pay of board members, punish others

Following the announcement of administrative penalties against Nomura Securities Co. for its illegal dealings with a "sokaiya" corporate extortionist, Nomura will cut the salaries of its board members and punish 25 of its employees, President Junichi Ujiie said July 30.
JAPAN
Jul 29, 1997

U.N. in need of $1 billion to reform itself

The United Nations needs $1 billion to stabilize its financial situation as it undergoes reform, the undersecretary general for administration and management at the U.N. said July 29.
JAPAN
Jul 29, 1997

Tokyo praises Thai approach to IMF; offers help on baht

Japanese authorities July 29 welcomed Thailand's decision to begin talks with the International Monetary Fund for help in restoring stability to its weakened baht, adding that Tokyo would seriously consider any Thai request for aid from Japan.
JAPAN
Jul 28, 1997

Finance Ministry wary of Okinawa trade zone

A top Finance Ministry official indicated caution July 28 on the idea of making Okinawa Prefecture a free-trade zone, saying the effects on local industry should be considered.
JAPAN
Jul 28, 1997

U.S. swipe at FTC has MITI irked

Osamu Watanabe, vice minister for international trade and industry, on July 28 criticized Washington for going too far in its attack on the Fair Trade Commission.

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