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G-8 ministers urge neighbors to help Afghanistan (AP)

AP - Foreign ministers from wealthy nations urged Afghanistan's neighbors Thursday to play "a constructive role" in stabilizing the war-wracked nation and help it overcome the challenges of terrorism, insecurity and drug production.

Man arrested for slashing policeman in Tokyo (AP)

AP - Police arrested a man for allegedly slashing a policeman with a knife Thursday in the same Tokyo neighborhood where a stabbing spree left seven people dead and 10 wounded earlier this month, a police spokesman said.

Japanese athletes begin chopstick-less "food camp" (Reuters)

Reuters - Japanese athletes have begun a spartan, chopstick-free Chinese food training program to help them acclimatize for this year's Beijing Olympics.

Japan court orders compensation for neighbours of US base (AFP)

AFP - A Japanese court on Thursday ordered the government to compensate local residents for noise pollution from a US air base on the southern island of Okinawa.

Earthquake jolts northern Japan (AFP)

AFP - A moderate 5.3-magnitude earthquake shook northern Japan on Thursday, the Meteorological Agency said, nearly two weeks after a powerful tremor killed 12 people in the country.

Thousands of peaches stolen from Japanese orchard (AP)
AP - Thousands of peaches popular as good luck gifts for newlyweds have been stolen from an orchard near Tokyo, police said Tuesday. About 5,000 of the so-called "hanayome," or "bride" peaches, disappeared from an orchard overnight at Ubaguchi just west of Tokyo, said Masaki Kanemaru, a police spokesman in Yamanashi prefecture (state).

Japan police arrest man accused of killing family (AP)
AP - Japanese police on Tuesday arrested a 77-year-old man suspected of killing his entire family with a hammer, including a 4-year-old granddaughter, a police official said.

White House: Bush may skip South Korea visit (AP)
AP - President Bush is traveling to Japan early next month for a summit of leading industrialized nations, but is skipping for now a widely expected stop in South Korea, the White House said Tuesday.

First Japanese warship since WW2 arrives in China (Reuters)

Reuters - A Japanese warship steamed into a Chinese port on Tuesday, the first such visit since World War Two, in a military exchange aimed at putting relations between the former bitter enemies on a firmer footing.

Toyota's US sales may fall for second year: executive (AFP)

AFP - Japan's Toyota Motor, in a close race with General Motors for the title of the world's top automaker, may suffer a decline in US sales for a second straight year, a top executive warned on Tuesday.

Japan seeks link over North Korea abductions (AP)

AP - Any U.S. decision to take North Korea off a list of terrorist nations should be linked to progress in solving the communist country's abductions of Japanese citizens, Japan's foreign minister said Tuesday.

Japanese navy destroyer arrives in China (AP)
AP - A Japanese destroyer sailed into southern China on Tuesday in the first port call by one of Japan's warships to China since World War II, the latest sign of improved ties between the rival Asian giants.

Japan searches for 13 missing as saved fishermen return (AFP)

AFP - Japan stepped up the search Tuesday for 13 fishermen whose boat capsized in the Pacific Ocean as three survivors returned safely to shore.

Rice says U.S. won't forget Japanese abductees (Reuters)

Reuters - The United States will continue to press for the release of Japanese citizens abducted decades ago by North Korea as it seeks the resumption of disarmament talks with Pyongyang, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday.

4 die as fishing boat capsizes off Japan coast (AP)
AP - A Japanese fishing boat capsized and sank off the country's eastern coast Monday, leaving four crew members dead and 13 missing, Coast Guard officials said.

Japan PM rejects calls for early election (AFP)

AFP - Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, holding a news conference at the end of a turbulent parliament session, on Monday rejected calls to hold an early election or reshuffle his cabinet.

Japan PM promises to lessen Okinawa US troop burden (AFP)

AFP - Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda promised Monday to reduce the burden of US troops on the people of Okinawa as the island commemorated the 63rd anniversary of the bloodiest battle of the Pacific war.

Greenpeace says Japanese members in custody (AFP)

AFP - A Japanese court decided on Sunday to keep two Greenpeace members in custody for stealing whale meat in a bid to uncover corruption in Japan's whaling programme, the environmental group said.

Japan's business bosses say expansion already over (AFP)

AFP - The majority of Japan's top executives have said an expanding phase of the nation's economy has already been over, a poll showed on Sunday.

Japan's Fukuda urged to reshuffle government (AFP)

AFP - Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda was urged by a party ally Saturday to reshuffle his government to break a political stalemate, a week after surviving a censure motion in parliament.