Japan News for April 01, 2007
Today’s Japan-related news links:
- A Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter burst into flames after crashing into a mountain on Tokunoshima island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Friday night, killing four crew members, according to the Defense Ministry. [Link]
- The number of people moving into Tokyo exceeded that of people moving out by 90,079 in 2006, topping the 90,000 level for the first time in 43 years. [Link]
- The House of Representatives invited reporters to a newly completed residence for legislators in central Tokyo Friday, amid public criticism that Lower House politicians are living in over-subsidized luxury. [Link]
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger shared views Friday on the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations and agreed on the need to persuade North Korea to fulfill its promises to abolish its nuclear arms and development programs. [Link]
- A Japanese navy sailor is under investigation after a computer disc containing top-secret data on the Aegis destroyer was found at his home. [Link]
- The Tokyo metropolitan board of education on Friday punished 35 public school teachers for refusing to stand up and sing the “Kimigayo” national anthem in front of the “Hinomaru” flag during graduation ceremonies this month, board officials said. [Link]
- A pro-Pyongyang organization in Japan filed a lawsuit against the Japanese government and Tokyo provincial government seeking compensation for damages it claims were caused by a police raid on its office. [Link]
- Japanese musicians overcame fatigue and a major earthquake to set the record for the world’s longest concert on Saturday, playing 184 hours non-stop in a program that ranged from The Beatles’ classics to Japanese traditional harp music. [Link]
- The number of homeless people in the country who sleep outdoors, including parks, came to about 18,600 as of January, a fall of 26 percent, or about 6,700, from four years ago, according to preliminary findings of a nationwide survey by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry. [Link]
