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JAPAN
May 8, 1997

Ex-Komeito lawmakers form faction in Shinshinto

Shinshinto lawmakers who once belonged to the now-defunct Komeito set up a faction May 8 within the largest opposition party to maintain unity at a time when speculation is rife over whether Shinshinto will form an alliance with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
JAPAN
May 8, 1997

Protesters pack gallery for waste-site hearing

Nearly 1,000 landowners and environmental activists crammed into the the gallery May 8 for the first deliberations by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's land expropriation committee on the controversial construction of a waste dump in Hinode, western Tokyo.
JAPAN
May 8, 1997

Banks must gear up for the Asian economic era

Asia, with its huge thirst for capital and infrastructure investment, will be an area of increasing importance for Japanese financial institutions in the years ahead, according to the chairman of Fuji Bank.
JAPAN
May 8, 1997

Submit your own reform plan, Muto says

Management and Coordination Agency chief Kabun Muto dealt with spotted resistance to change May 8 by instructing each state ministry and agency to submit individual proposals for administrative reform, according to top government spokesman Seiroku Kajiyama.
JAPAN
May 7, 1997

Attending the Nagano Games will be no easy feat

As opening day of the 18th Winter Olympics in Nagano Prefecture draws closer, many sports enthusiasts are beginning to wonder how they will be able to experience the Games.
JAPAN
May 7, 1997

Japan Red Cross reveals details of quake funds

OSAKA -- The American Red Cross was unaware that some of the 800 million yen it sent to help survivors of the Great Hanshin Earthquake was set aside for other uses until the Japan Red Cross was specifically asked to translate its reports into English.
JAPAN
May 7, 1997

Aboriginal leaders hit Asian Development Bank projects

Three leaders of Asian indigenous peoples said at a news conference May 7 that their human rights and environment are being violated because of development projects partially funded by Japan.
JAPAN
May 7, 1997

Japan restates reluctance to give food to North Korea

Tokyo reiterated its reluctance to extend food aid to North Korea at a senior officials' meeting May 7 among Japan, South Korea and the United States, Foreign Ministry officials said.
JAPAN
May 7, 1997

Pentium II processor debuts in Japan

Personal computers featuring the new Pentium II processor went on sale May 7 in Japan, immediately after Intel Corp. formally announced the release of its fastest microprocessor to date.
JAPAN
May 7, 1997

Mitake mayor to conduct waste dump plebiscite

MITAKE, Gifu Pref. -- The mayor of Mitake plans to conduct on June 22 the nation's first local plebiscite on whether to allow construction of an industrial waste dumping facility, officials said May 7.
JAPAN
May 7, 1997

Tokyo ready to set up non-Japanese advisory council

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will launch this fall a council of about 25 foreign residents.
JAPAN
May 6, 1997

Dow surge sends Nikkei through 20,000 barrier

The Tokyo stock market forged past the 20,000 mark May 6 amid ringing reports that Wall Street's Dow Jones industrial average hit a record closing high in heavy trading overnight.
JAPAN
May 6, 1997

Asian Development Bank to meet in Fukuoka

The Asian Development Bank will hold its 30th annual governors' meeting in Fukuoka beginning May 4 to discuss such issues as drawing on private-sector funds to develop infrastructure in the region.
JAPAN
May 6, 1997

Japanese firms catching on to stock options

An increasing number of Japanese corporations are introducing de facto "stock option" arrangements so their executives and employees can take advantage of a highly lucrative system available to many U.S. corporate executives.
JAPAN
May 6, 1997

Lower House approves environmental impact bill

The Lower House approved a bill May 6 to create Japan's first law to assess the environmental impact of construction projects.
JAPAN
May 6, 1997

Key LDP members wary of cost of 2008 Olympics

Several senior lawmakers in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said May 6 they are concerned over the financial burden of hosting the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
JAPAN
May 6, 1997

Coalition allies reach agreement on health insurance reform

The Liberal Democratic Party scored a political victory May 6 when it reached an agreement with its two non-Cabinet allies on a bill that would at least double medical bills, starting Sept. 1.
JAPAN
May 6, 1997

Politician joins activists in landing on Senkaku Islands

An opposition lawmaker and three other activists landed early May 6 on one of the Senkaku Islands, which are claimed by Japan, China and Taiwan, Maritime Safety Agency officials said.
JAPAN
May 2, 1997

Osaka unveils guideline for hiring non-Japanese

OSAKA -- The Osaka Municipal Government introduced a new guideline May 2 allowing foreigners with permanent residency to engage in virtually all municipal jobs except posts involving policymaking or unilateral decision-making in matters concerning local residents' rights.
JAPAN
May 2, 1997

U.S.-Japan defense review sparks debate on Constitution

The areas of defense and security are the key modern-day controversies revolving around the Constitution, which took effect 50 years ago May 3.
JAPAN
May 2, 1997

Top court upholds sentence on LDP man for vote-buying

The Supreme Court dismissed on May 2 an appeal by a former Liberal Democratic Party candidate who had been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison and fined 2 million yen for vote-buying in 1993.
JAPAN
May 2, 1997

Hashimoto to visit Lima May 9 to voice thanks

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto plans to visit Peru between May 9 and 12 to personally express his gratitude to President Alberto Fujimori for the rescue of all 24 Japanese held in captivity by leftist rebels, government and Liberal Democratic Party sources said May 2.
JAPAN
May 1, 1997

Detainee who lost fetus plans maltreatment suit

A 34-year-old Chinese woman indicted on charges of violating the immigration law suffered a miscarriage at the detention facility, it was learned May 1.
JAPAN
May 1, 1997

Authorities to act on forex fluctuation

Authorities will closely monitor foreign exchange markets and take appropriate action in line with the latest statement by the Group of Seven industrialized nations calling for exchange rates that will not lead to huge external surpluses, a top Finance Ministry official said May 1.
JAPAN
May 1, 1997

Shinjuku homeless march on city hall

More than 250 homeless people living at JR Shinjuku Station and their supporters held a demonstration parade late May 1, claiming they are laborers living outside their homes.
JAPAN
May 1, 1997

Kansai airport adds late-night flight

OSAKA -- Kansai International Airport was expected to launch the nation's first after-midnight passenger flight early May 2, taking a step toward its goal of becoming a 24-hour regional hub.
JAPAN
May 1, 1997

Dollar rises above 127 yen

The dollar surged above 127 yen May 1 in Tokyo to hit its highest level in nearly five years, in response to a report on a strong U.S. economy.
JAPAN
May 1, 1997

May Day events sidestep thorny politics

An estimated 2 million people gathered for May Day celebrations May 1 at about 1,000 locations throughout the country, according to sponsors of the events.
JAPAN
Apr 30, 1997

Two die in company dormitory fire

OSAKA -- Two people were killed early April 30 in a fire that destroyed a wooden dormitory for employees of a construction company in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture.
JAPAN
Apr 30, 1997

Fukui disbands oil-spill task force

FUKUI -- The Fukui Prefectural Government disbanded its special oil-spill task force on April 30 as the clean-up of crude oil spilled from a Russian oil tanker in the Sea of Japan is nearly complete and the bow of the ship removed.

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