[Biography of the Day] from [Britannica]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Hubert Humphrey
Born this day in 1911, Hubert Humphrey was the 38th U.S. vice president (1965–69), a presidential candidate (1968), and a liberal Senate leader (1949–65; 1971–78) whose political base was a Democrat-Farmer-Labor coalition.
[On This Day] from [Britannica]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
1703: Founding of St. Petersburg
Founded this day in 1703 by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg has played a vital role in Russian history and is especially known as the scene of the 1917 revolutions and as a fiercely defended city during World War II.
1905: The final conflict of the Russo-Japanese War, the Battle of Tsushima, commenced.
[TODAY'S TOP STORIES] from [The Japan Times]
[NATIONAL NEWS]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Japan scrambles for right response
By MASAMI ITO and JUN HONGO
Staff writers
The government Tuesday welcomed the U.N. Security Council's quick opposition to North Korea's nuclear test but continued to scramble for a fresh response to Pyongyang's latest provocation.
Prime Minister Taro Aso and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed during a phone conference in the morning that Pyongyang's nuclear test was "a serious threat to the peace and stability of Northeast Asia and the international community," and that a swift adoption of a U.N. resolution against the reclusive state is necessary.
They also confirmed that Japan, the U.S. and South Korea will cooperate more closely over North Korea and stressed the importance of coordinating with China and Russia.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said the government plans to hold phone conferences with the Chinese and Russian leaders.
He said he had not received word of whether Japan would draft a U.N. resolution but refused to rule out the possibility.
"I have not received a clear report on whether Japan will draft the resolution or not," Kawamura said. "But considering that we asked for a Security Council (meeting), I believe that Japan is fully capable of playing a central role in the discussions."
The government's top spokesman added that Japan would focus on crafting an effective resolution, rather than becoming preoccupied with slapping additional sanctions on the North.
"Discussions must be made on how to make the resolution effective because the fact is North Korea did not follow the presidential statement nor the statement issued by the six-party talks," Kawamura said. "Also, what needs to be discussed is the future of North Korea and how it is going to step into the international community."
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone reiterated that there "needs to be a strong resolution this time," referring to the nonbinding statement the Security Council settled on after Pyongyang's missile launch in April.
The council has so far acted swiftly and its members share a strong opposition to the nuclear test, Nakasone said, adding they will proceed to discuss measures to be included in the new resolution.
Penalties, including economic sanctions, must be the result of a global effort to be truly effective, Nakasone said.
He spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday night and was reminded of Washington's commitment to the region's security. Clinton reportedly reassured Nakasone that the U.S. is determined to carry out its duties under the bilateral security treaty.
[NATIONAL NEWS]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Welfare ministry official arrested over postage discount
OSAKA (Kyodo) Osaka prosecutors arrested a 39-year-old welfare ministry official Tuesday on suspicion of falsifying public documents and using them to abuse the postal system's discount for disabled people.
The arrest of Tsutomu Kamimura, in charge of administration concerning the disabled, adds a new twist to a case that has already spurred a series of arrests in the private sector.
Kamimura allegedly fabricated a ministry document around April 2004 that is required for organizations to get permission to use the postage discount for disabled people.
Hakusan-kai, an organization for the disabled headed by Kunio Kurasawa, 73, tied up with companies such as Osaka-based Shinsei Kigyo to send direct mail from multiple companies, including electronics discount store Best Denki Co., by wrongfully using the postage discount system.
Under Japan Post's discount for the disabled, postage is sharply discounted to around 8 per item instead of the regular 120.
Also arrested Tuesday for alleged conspiracy with Kamimura was former Hakusan-kai member Tadashi Kono, 68, the prosecutors said.
They believe Kurasawa, who is already under arrest, initially tried to get access to the discount system by using the ministry document to seek membership in a nonprofit association dealing with periodicals aimed at disabled people.
But the association declined Hakusan-kai's request.
Hakusan-kai later decided not to join the association and instead submitted another Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry document to Japan Post Service Co. to obtain permission to use the discount system.
This document is also suspected to have been fabricated.
Prior to being questioned by prosecutors, Kamimura said, "I have not met anyone from the organization and I had never even heard of it." He also denied fabricating documents.
The welfare ministry has claimed it has no record of a certificate or any other documents issued for Hakusan-kai to apply for the special discount system.
The prosecutors suspect ministry officials falsified the document because its format closely resembles that of internal documents of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
[NATIONAL NEWS]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
As flu fears ease, most Kyoto schools reopen
KYOTO (Kyodo) Most of the kindergartens, elementary schools and junior high schools in Kyoto reopened Tuesday after students were asked to stay home for nearly a week to contain the swine flu outbreak.
The Kyoto prefectural and municipal governments decided to resume classes two days earlier than scheduled because the infection rate of the new H1N1 virus appeared to be slowing.
On Tuesday, kids at 40 schools and kindergartens in the ancient capital resumed classes.
However, a boy in Nakagyoku Ward was confirmed Thursday to have H1N1, while a girl who goes to a vocational school in Shimogyo Ward tested positive Saturday.
Some schools — including the one attended by the infected boy — decided to stay closed until Wednesday.
In Yao, Osaka Prefecture, students resumed classes Tuesday, a day after the rest of the prefecture.
Shiga Prefecture decided to resume classes in and around Otsu on Wednesday.
Two from U.S. positive
Two people from the United States tested positive for swine flu after arriving at Narita airport on a flight from Los Angeles, the health ministry said Tuesday.
The two — a father in his 30s and his son, who is under 10 — were admitted to a hospital in Chiba Prefecture after arriving at 5:39 p.m. Monday on Singapore Airlines Flight 11, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said.
Officials said there were 260 people on the flight.
[BUSINESS NEWS]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Nissan, Europcar to sell, lease electric cars
(Kyodo News) Nissan Motor Co. and Europcar Groupe, a European leader in the passenger car and utility vehicle rental business, have agreed to form a partnership to sell and lease electric vehicles starting next year in a bid to promote zero emission mobility worldwide, officials from the two companies said Tuesday.
Nissan will sell electric vehicles to Europcar, which will then lease the cars to its clients, thus serving a broader reach of customers, a Nissan official said. It has yet to be determined whether the vehicles will carry the Nissan brand.
The vehicles will be introduced in various parts of Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, including France, Germany, Spain and Australia, and eventually spread to more countries, the companies said.
Rafael Girona, chief operating officer of Europcar, said the partnership gives customers "the option of exploring a new means of mobility by giving them the unique experience of using an electric vehicle in order to encourage them to become better eco-citizens."
The agreement with Europcar is the latest among Nissan's joint efforts with ally Renault S.A. to promote the use of electric vehicles globally.
Nissan has said it plans to introduce the zero-emission vehicle in Japan, the United States and Europe next year, and that it will begin mass-marketing electric vehicles worldwide in 2012.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Hubert Humphrey
Born this day in 1911, Hubert Humphrey was the 38th U.S. vice president (1965–69), a presidential candidate (1968), and a liberal Senate leader (1949–65; 1971–78) whose political base was a Democrat-Farmer-Labor coalition.
[On This Day] from [Britannica]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
1703: Founding of St. Petersburg
Founded this day in 1703 by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg has played a vital role in Russian history and is especially known as the scene of the 1917 revolutions and as a fiercely defended city during World War II.
1905: The final conflict of the Russo-Japanese War, the Battle of Tsushima, commenced.
[TODAY'S TOP STORIES] from [The Japan Times]
[NATIONAL NEWS]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Japan scrambles for right response
By MASAMI ITO and JUN HONGO
Staff writers
The government Tuesday welcomed the U.N. Security Council's quick opposition to North Korea's nuclear test but continued to scramble for a fresh response to Pyongyang's latest provocation.
Prime Minister Taro Aso and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed during a phone conference in the morning that Pyongyang's nuclear test was "a serious threat to the peace and stability of Northeast Asia and the international community," and that a swift adoption of a U.N. resolution against the reclusive state is necessary.
They also confirmed that Japan, the U.S. and South Korea will cooperate more closely over North Korea and stressed the importance of coordinating with China and Russia.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said the government plans to hold phone conferences with the Chinese and Russian leaders.
He said he had not received word of whether Japan would draft a U.N. resolution but refused to rule out the possibility.
"I have not received a clear report on whether Japan will draft the resolution or not," Kawamura said. "But considering that we asked for a Security Council (meeting), I believe that Japan is fully capable of playing a central role in the discussions."
The government's top spokesman added that Japan would focus on crafting an effective resolution, rather than becoming preoccupied with slapping additional sanctions on the North.
"Discussions must be made on how to make the resolution effective because the fact is North Korea did not follow the presidential statement nor the statement issued by the six-party talks," Kawamura said. "Also, what needs to be discussed is the future of North Korea and how it is going to step into the international community."
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone reiterated that there "needs to be a strong resolution this time," referring to the nonbinding statement the Security Council settled on after Pyongyang's missile launch in April.
The council has so far acted swiftly and its members share a strong opposition to the nuclear test, Nakasone said, adding they will proceed to discuss measures to be included in the new resolution.
Penalties, including economic sanctions, must be the result of a global effort to be truly effective, Nakasone said.
He spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday night and was reminded of Washington's commitment to the region's security. Clinton reportedly reassured Nakasone that the U.S. is determined to carry out its duties under the bilateral security treaty.
[NATIONAL NEWS]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Welfare ministry official arrested over postage discount
OSAKA (Kyodo) Osaka prosecutors arrested a 39-year-old welfare ministry official Tuesday on suspicion of falsifying public documents and using them to abuse the postal system's discount for disabled people.
The arrest of Tsutomu Kamimura, in charge of administration concerning the disabled, adds a new twist to a case that has already spurred a series of arrests in the private sector.
Kamimura allegedly fabricated a ministry document around April 2004 that is required for organizations to get permission to use the postage discount for disabled people.
Hakusan-kai, an organization for the disabled headed by Kunio Kurasawa, 73, tied up with companies such as Osaka-based Shinsei Kigyo to send direct mail from multiple companies, including electronics discount store Best Denki Co., by wrongfully using the postage discount system.
Under Japan Post's discount for the disabled, postage is sharply discounted to around 8 per item instead of the regular 120.
Also arrested Tuesday for alleged conspiracy with Kamimura was former Hakusan-kai member Tadashi Kono, 68, the prosecutors said.
They believe Kurasawa, who is already under arrest, initially tried to get access to the discount system by using the ministry document to seek membership in a nonprofit association dealing with periodicals aimed at disabled people.
But the association declined Hakusan-kai's request.
Hakusan-kai later decided not to join the association and instead submitted another Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry document to Japan Post Service Co. to obtain permission to use the discount system.
This document is also suspected to have been fabricated.
Prior to being questioned by prosecutors, Kamimura said, "I have not met anyone from the organization and I had never even heard of it." He also denied fabricating documents.
The welfare ministry has claimed it has no record of a certificate or any other documents issued for Hakusan-kai to apply for the special discount system.
The prosecutors suspect ministry officials falsified the document because its format closely resembles that of internal documents of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
[NATIONAL NEWS]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
As flu fears ease, most Kyoto schools reopen
KYOTO (Kyodo) Most of the kindergartens, elementary schools and junior high schools in Kyoto reopened Tuesday after students were asked to stay home for nearly a week to contain the swine flu outbreak.
The Kyoto prefectural and municipal governments decided to resume classes two days earlier than scheduled because the infection rate of the new H1N1 virus appeared to be slowing.
On Tuesday, kids at 40 schools and kindergartens in the ancient capital resumed classes.
However, a boy in Nakagyoku Ward was confirmed Thursday to have H1N1, while a girl who goes to a vocational school in Shimogyo Ward tested positive Saturday.
Some schools — including the one attended by the infected boy — decided to stay closed until Wednesday.
In Yao, Osaka Prefecture, students resumed classes Tuesday, a day after the rest of the prefecture.
Shiga Prefecture decided to resume classes in and around Otsu on Wednesday.
Two from U.S. positive
Two people from the United States tested positive for swine flu after arriving at Narita airport on a flight from Los Angeles, the health ministry said Tuesday.
The two — a father in his 30s and his son, who is under 10 — were admitted to a hospital in Chiba Prefecture after arriving at 5:39 p.m. Monday on Singapore Airlines Flight 11, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said.
Officials said there were 260 people on the flight.
[BUSINESS NEWS]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Nissan, Europcar to sell, lease electric cars
(Kyodo News) Nissan Motor Co. and Europcar Groupe, a European leader in the passenger car and utility vehicle rental business, have agreed to form a partnership to sell and lease electric vehicles starting next year in a bid to promote zero emission mobility worldwide, officials from the two companies said Tuesday.
Nissan will sell electric vehicles to Europcar, which will then lease the cars to its clients, thus serving a broader reach of customers, a Nissan official said. It has yet to be determined whether the vehicles will carry the Nissan brand.
The vehicles will be introduced in various parts of Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, including France, Germany, Spain and Australia, and eventually spread to more countries, the companies said.
Rafael Girona, chief operating officer of Europcar, said the partnership gives customers "the option of exploring a new means of mobility by giving them the unique experience of using an electric vehicle in order to encourage them to become better eco-citizens."
The agreement with Europcar is the latest among Nissan's joint efforts with ally Renault S.A. to promote the use of electric vehicles globally.
Nissan has said it plans to introduce the zero-emission vehicle in Japan, the United States and Europe next year, and that it will begin mass-marketing electric vehicles worldwide in 2012.
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