Today’s Japan-related news links:

• Fujiya Co, hit hard by its use of expired ingredients in cakes, is trying to resume full production of confectionery products as early as Thursday. [Link]
• Ampontan has posted analysis of Hisahiko Okazaki’s modifications of controversial museum exihibits at the Yasukuni Shrine. [Link]
• Kochi city assembly member Toshiyuki Shimazaki of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has called Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima and other female politicians “rusted machines” in relation to their criticism of the health minister’s remarks likening women to child-bearing machines. [Link]
• Japan refused to support the Oslo declaration adopted Friday that called for a treaty banning cluster bombs by the end of 2008, while 46 of the 49 nations attending the conference supported it. [Link]
• Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday opposed a contentious plan proposed by a Kumamoto hospital to set up a “baby hatch,” where infants can be left anonymously, even though the government has said it sees no legal reason to block plans for the baby hatch or baby post, as it is being called in Japan. [Link]
• Richard Lloyd Parry of the Times reports on the the frightening conditions British citizens are facing in Japan’s unheated prison cells. [Link]
• In related news, Stippy has posted the fourth part in a series about one foreigner’s experience of being put in a Japanese prison. [Link]
• Japanese doctors report a surge in the condition known as “karaoke polyp”, a growth on the vocal cords caused by excessive warbling in bars and parlours. Formerly an affliction of middle-aged businessmen, the malady has spread among housewives and young people because of the continuing popularity of karaoke. [Link]
• The head of an expert commission formed to investigate the now infamous “Hakkutsu! Aru Aru Daijiten II” TV program has stated that it aired “undesirable” contents in the past, but has not provided details. [Link]
• The American Anime Awards will be broadcasted live over the internet on March 23 starting at 9 AM EST. [Link]