Japan News for March 25, 2007
Today’s Japan-related news links:
The growing disparity between rich and poor is shaping up to be a key issue in the spate of gubernatorial elections to be held next month, according to the Asahi Shinbun. [Link]
The welfare ministry has decided to introduce a new eased license for nursing caregivers as part of measures to facilitate Japan’s acceptance of Filipino caregivers under a bilateral free trade agreement signed last year, ministry officials said Saturday. [Link]
A popular Nippon Television Network (NTV) program on legal issues used a photograph of traditional vegetables from a pickle producer’s Web site without permission when introducing another pickle store on the show. [Link]
The Tokyo District Court ordered the state and three drugmakers Friday to pay a combined 259 million yen in damages to 13 of 21 plaintiffs infected with the hepatitis C virus from tainted blood products. [Link]
The parents of a Saitama girl who died when she was sucked into a filter pipe at a swimming pool in July last year have reached an out of court settlement with the municipal government that runs the pool and a security company. [Link]
A health ministry affiliate has received 23 reports of antiviral drug Tamiflu causing neuropsychiatric disorders in children aged under 10, related sources said Saturday. This raises questions about the ministry’s recent actions taken only for older children and teenagers. [Link]
Something as simple as eating a bowl of genetically modified rice could bring relief to millions of Japanese hay fever sufferers each year — if that rice is ever allowed to hit the market. [Link]
amous kabuki actors Ichikawa Danjuro, Ichikawa Ebizo and other performers were given a warm reception at the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris on Friday as they launched a five-day show of kabuki in the French capital. [Link]
What products do Japanese convenience store shoppers most frequently buy? What Japan Thinks has the results of a survey conducted into the use of konbinis! [Link]
It was a banner day for the host country as Miki Ando captured the women’s title at the World Figure Skating Championships, while countrywoman Mao Asada took home the silver medal. [Link]
Grand champion Asashoryu gunned down ozeki Hakuho in an all-Mongolian battle on Saturday to ensure a dramatic climax to the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. Both men are tied for the lead at 12-2 and could square off in a repeat of the championship decider Asashoryu won at last year’s spring basho if they both win their final bouts today. [Link]
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