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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

December

• Russia plans to open strategic dialogue with Japan next year-FM RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2006 -- Russia hopes its strategic dialogue with Japan will start next year, the Russian foreign minister said Saturday.
• Aso's Kurils proposal unrealistic, but may spur talks - experts RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2006 -- Russian experts believe the Japanese foreign minister's new proposal to divide the Kuril islands could reinvigorate talks on the long-standing territorial row with Russia, but doubt it is a realistic option.
• Tokyo refuses to back FM Aso's proposal over Kurils RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2006 -- Japan's government distanced itself Thursday from Foreign Minister Taro Aso's proposal to resolve a long-standing territorial row with Russia over four Kuril islands by dividing them down the middle.
• Japan's Attempt to Scuttle Six-Party Talks Blasted KCNA 12 Dec 2006 -- High-ranking officials of Japan including the chief executive vociferated that it "does not recognize north Korea's access to nukes" and "it can never allow north Korea to participate in the six-party talks with the status of a nuclear weapons state." This behavior is, in essence, little short of opposing the DPRK's participation in the above-said talks and nothing but an act of an imbecile unable to understand the trend of times as it lacks any elementary political view and judgment.
• Japan's Defense Chief Proposes Closer Cooperation with Chinese Military VOA 11 Dec 2006 -- The head of the Japanese Defense Agency says he would like to see military exchanges and joint exercises between China and Japan

November

• Japanese Lawmakers Endorse Upgrade for Defense Agency VOA 30 Nov 2006 -- Japan's Defense Agency is about to be upgraded to a full-fledged ministry
• Japanese Police Raid North Korea-Related Facilities VOA 27 Nov 2006 -- A special Japanese police unit has raided facilities connected to North Korea, the latest of a series of efforts to limit illegal exports to the country
• US, Japan, South Korea Agree Not to Recognize Nuclear North Korea VOA 15 Nov 2006 -- Officials of the United States, Japan and South Korea, meeting on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific gathering in Hanoi, say they are making progress in scheduling another round of six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear programs.
• Japan: No Legal Barrier to Having Nuclear Weapons VOA 14 Nov 2006 -- Japan's government is saying it is legal for it to possess nuclear weapons
• US, Japan, S. Korea Discuss Joint Stance Against N. Korea VOA 06 Nov 2006 -- The United States, Japanese and South Korean diplomats are working towards a joint strategy for confronting North Korea when multi-state talks on the North's nuclear weapons programs resume.
• Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry on Japan's Attitude toward Resumption of Six-Party Talks KCNA 06 Nov 2006 -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on Nov. 4 as regards Japan's senseless behavior regarding the resumption of the six-party talks
• S. Korea, Japan say North's Return to Nuclear Talks Must Produce Progress VOA 01 Nov 2006 -- South Korea and Japan have welcomed North Korea's confirmation that it will return to talks aimed at ending its nuclear weapons programs

October

• Japanese Foreign Minister Rejects Pyongyang's Conditions to Return to Disarmament Talks VOA 24 Oct 2006 -- Japan's foreign minister is rejecting North Korea's demand that the United States drop financial sanctions in return for Pyongyang's resumption of nuclear disarmament talks.
• Japan Pledges Loan to Repair Iraq Refinery VOA 24 Oct 2006 -- Japan has agreed to lend Iraq money to repair an oil refinery. Japan sees Iraq as a future source for its oil and gas.
• Japan Considers Military Role in Possible North Korean Ship Inspections VOA 20 Oct 2006 -- Japan's government appears split over what role it legally can take in any inspections of North Korean ships in international waters
• Japan's Lower House Approves Extension of Afghan Naval Mission VOA 19 Oct 2006 -- Japan's lower house has approved a one-year extension of the country's naval mission to support U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan.
• New Japanese Sanctions Against North Korea Approved VOA 13 Oct 2006 -- Japan's Cabinet has approved a package of economic sanctions against North Korea
• Japan Imposes Further Sanctions on North Korea VOA 11 Oct 2006 -- Japan has moved to impose additional economic sanctions against North Korea in response to its claimed nuclear test earlier this week
• Japan may impose more sanctions against N. Korea-PM Abe RIA Novosti 10 Oct 2006 -- Japan may introduce further sanctions against North Korea without waiting for confirmation that Pyongyang has indeed conducted a nuclear test, the Japanese prime minister said Tuesday.
• Japanese lower house protests N. Korean nuclear test RIA Novosti 10 Oct 2006 -- Japan's lower house of parliament adopted a statement Tuesday protesting North Korea's nuclear test.
• Japan has no plans to create nukes after N.Korean tests - PM RIA Novosti 10 Oct 2006 -- Japan does not plan to create its own nuclear weapons following North Korea's tests, the country's new prime minister said Tuesday.
• Japan Mulling Harsh Sanctions Against North Korea in Response to Claimed Nuclear Test VOA 10 Oct 2006 -- While Japan awaits confirmation on whether North Korea actually carried out a nuclear test, government ministers in Tokyo are considering what additional sanctions to impose on the communist state.
• Experts: N. Korean Nuclear Test Unlikely to Lead to North Asian Nuclear Arms Race VOA 09 Oct 2006 -- North Korea's claimed test of a nuclear device has raised fears that North Korea's non-nuclear neighbors will be compelled to develop their own such weapons.
• South Korea, Japan Condemn North Korean Nuclear Test VOA 09 Oct 2006 -- The leaders of South Korea and Japan are joining a chorus of condemnation around the world following North Korea's apparent entry into the nuclear weapons club
• China, Japan Say Korean Nuclear Test Cannot Be Tolerated VOA 08 Oct 2006 -- Japan's new prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has wrapped up a summit with Chinese leaders in Beijing, saying the two countries have agreed that a North Korean nuclear test cannot be tolerated.
• South Korea, Japan Applaud UN Warning to North Korea About Possible Nuclear Test VOA 07 Oct 2006 -- South Korea and Japan have applauded the U.N. Security Council's expression of "deep concern" about North Korea's threat to conduct a nuclear test, and Japan called for "severely punitive measures," if a test does take place
• Russia, Japan conduct naval exercise off Japanese coast RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2006 -- Russian and Japanese naval vessels conducted a joint exercise Friday near the Japanese port of Maidzuru, the Russian Pacific Fleet press service said.
• North Korea Tops Agenda for Japan's Summits with China, South Korea VOA 06 Oct 2006 -- A pair of one-day summits in Beijing and Seoul will give Japan's new prime minister an opportunity to repair relations with Tokyo's neighbors
• Japan, US Step Up Efforts to Prevent North Korean Nuclear Test VOA 05 Oct 2006 -- Japan and the United States are stepping up efforts to dissuade North Korea from carrying out a nuclear weapons test.

September

• Japan's Cabinet to Tackle North Korean Abduction Issue VOA 29 Sep 2006 -- In one of his first significant actions as Japan's new prime minister, Shinzo Abe has established a special team to deal with the lingering issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean agents.
• Rodong Sinmun Comments on Japan's Launch of Spy Satellite KCNA 27 Sep 2006 -- Rodong Sinmun Tuesday in a signed commentary denounces Japan's recent launch of a military spy satellite as part of preparations for reinvasion of the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Asia, a criminal action of seriously threatening peace and stability in the region.
• Japan Slaps Financial Sanctions on North Korea VOA 19 Sep 2006 -- Japan has imposed financial sanctions on North Korea to punish the communist state for its provocative missile tests two months ago.
• Japan Poised to Increase Sanctions on North Korea VOA 15 Sep 2006 -- Japan appears ready to impose additional sanctions on North Korea in the wake of Pyongyang's July test firing of several missiles.
• Japan Launches Third Spy Satellite to Watch Over North Korea VOA 11 Sep 2006 -- Japan has launched its third spy satellite into orbit. Like the first two, this one is intended primarily to monitor activities in North Korea.
• PRESIDENT CALLS FOR JAPAN-TAIWAN 'MILITARY PARTNERSHIP' CNA 10 Sep 2006 -- President Chen Shui-bian expressed hope during an interview with a Japanese television channel Sunday that Japan and Taiwan can enter a military partnership to help bolster security in East Asia.
• Japan Transport Aircraft Load Up On U.N. Mission AFPS 08 Sep 2006 -- For the first time in its 52-year history, the Japan Air Self Defense Force began its first United Nations mission over the skies of Iraq Sept. 6.
• Japan, US Vow to Implement UN Resolution Against N. Korean Missiles VOA 05 Sep 2006 -- Envoy Christopher Hill is on a mission to confer with Japanese and Chinese officials as concerns are rising in Tokyo that North Korea will carry out an explosive nuclear test.

August

• Japanese Companies Linked to Illegal Exports of Goods Used to Make Nuclear Weapons VOA 02 Sep 2006 -- An investigation in Japan is revealing more details about domestic manufacturers that exported equipment that can be used to make nuclear weapons.
• Japanese Authorities Accused of Disallowing DPRK Delegation's Entry KCNA 28 Aug 2006 -- A spokesman for the Korean Council of Religionists issued a statement on August 26 to accuse the Japanese authorities of disallowing the entry of a delegation of the council to participate in the 8th regular meeting of the World Conference of Religions for Peace now under way in Kyoto.
• Japanese Patrol Boats Warn Taiwanese Protesters Away From Disputed Islands VOA 17 Aug 2006 -- A showdown appears to have been averted in the East China Sea between Japan's coast guard and a Taiwanese fishing boat, which was on course to approach a disputed group of islands under Japanese control.
• KCNA Blasts Japanese PM's Visit to "Yasukuni Shrine" KCNA 17 Aug 2006 -- Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Tuesday visited the "Yasukuni Shrine" despite strong protest at home and abroad.
• Japan Calls for Chinese Military Transparency VOA 01 Aug 2006 -- The Japanese government's annual defense report is calling for China to disclose more data about its military expansion and also concludes North Korea has ballistic missiles that could hit Japan.

July

• Japan Pushes for Friday Vote on UN Sanctions Against North Korea VOA 14 Jul 2006 -- Japan is pushing the United Nations Security Council to time a vote on a resolution about North Korea's missile tests to coincide with the start of the Group of Eight summit of leading industrialized countries.
• Japan Insists on North Korea Sanctions VOA 13 Jul 2006 -- Japan is expressing optimism that the international community will impose sanctions on North Korea for its July 5 missile tests
• Japan Mulls Missile Defense Capability VOA 11 Jul 2006 -- In wake of the missile tests by North Korea last week, Japanese politicians have begun discussing whether the country should have the capability to counter-attack foreign bases if it is threatened
• China and Japan Agree to Keep Talking on Drilling for Gas in Disputed Seabed VOA 09 Jul 2006 -- China and Japan have ended talks in Beijing on a dispute over exploring gas fields in the East China Sea
• Japan Remains Firm on Call for UN Sanctions on N. Korea VOA 09 Jul 2006 -- Japan is urging the United Nations to send a strong message to North Korea and vote Monday for its U.S.-backed resolution to sanction Pyongyang for Wednesday's missile tests.
• US Envoy Seeks 'One Voice' on North Korea, But Japan Says No Compromise on Sanctions VOA 08 Jul 2006 -- Washington's chief diplomat on North Korea's weapons programs continues his search in Asia for a unified response to Pyongyang's recent missile launches, and has indicated some flexibility in dealing with Pyongyang
• N. Korea Says Japanese Sanctions Will Bring 'Disastrous' Response VOA 07 Jul 2006 -- North Korea is demanding Japan to drop sanctions that Tokyo imposed after Pyongyang launched a series of missiles this week
• Japan Discusses N. Korean Missiles with China, US VOA 07 Jul 2006 -- Japanese diplomats are meeting with Chinese and U.S. officials to try building a unified response to North Korea's missile launches earlier this week
• Japan Urges UN Sanctions Against North Korea VOA 05 Jul 2006 -- Japan is urging the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on North Korea for its barrage of missile launches.

June

• US, Japan Move to Bolster Japan's Missile Defense VOA 26 Jun 2006 -- The United States and Japan have taken steps in recent days to move forward with plans to bolster Japan's missile defense, amid growing concern North Korea may launch a long-range test missile
• Japan FM: Could Impose Sanctions on N. Korea if Missile Launched VOA 25 Jun 2006 -- Japan's foreign minister says Tokyo could impose sanctions on North Korea if it launches a long-range missile.
• Japan Begins Withdrawal from Iraq VOA 25 Jun 2006 -- Japanese transport trucks lugging military vehicles and equipment have left Iraq, marking the start of Japan's withdrawal from the war-torn country.
• Japan Dispatches Ships, Planes to Monitor North Korea VOA 22 Jun 2006 -- Japan has dispatched ships and planes to monitor North Korea amid concerns it is preparing to test-fire a long range missile.
• Japanese Parliament Paves Way for Sanctions Against North Korea VOA 16 Jun 2006 -- Japan's parliament has passed a law that would impose sanctions on North Korea if the country's human rights situation does not improve
• Japanese Mayor Drops Opposition to US Carrier VOA 14 Jun 2006 -- After initially expressing strong opposition to the U.S. Navy's plan to base a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in their community, leaders of the city of Yokosuka have reversed course, to the relief of the U.S. and Japanese governments.
• No Agreement in Japan-South Korea Maritime Talks VOA 13 Jun 2006 -- No progress was made during the first talks in six years between Japan and South Korea concerning a disputed maritime boundary.
Japan to Upgrade Defense Agency to Ministry VOA 09 Jun 2004 -- Japan is preparing to upgrade its defense agency to a full-fledged ministry.
• East China Sea Joint Development Proposals Being Discussed VOA 07 Jun 2006 -- Diplomats involved in Sino-Japanese negotiations on their maritime border dispute say the neighbors have traded proposals to cooperate in developing resources in the East China Sea.
• Putin dismisses idea of giving Kuril Islands to Japan RIA Novosti 02 Jun 2006 -- Russia has never thought that it should give any of the Kuril Islands to Japan, President Vladimir Putin said Friday.

May

• Japan's Cabinet Approves US Military Realignment Plan VOA 30 May 2006 -- Japan's Cabinet has approved an agreement with Washington for a major realignment of U.S. forces based in the country.
• Japan, S. Korea Say No Sign of Missle Test By North Korea VOA 19 May 2006 -- Japanese officials say they have been anticipating for some time a test of the latest-generation North Korean ballistic missile, which could be capable of reaching the United States.
• U.S., Japanese Defense Leaders Focus on Realignment Plans AFPS 03 May 2006 -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Fukushiro Nukaga, Japan's minister of state for defense, met at the Pentagon today to continue discussions about realigning U.S. forces in Japan, including moving 8,000 Marines from Okinawa.
• United States-Japan Roadmap for Realignment Implementation 01 May 2006 [PDF]
• Joint Statement By Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary Of Defense Rumsfeld, Japanese Minister Of Foreign Affairs Taro Aso, Japanese Minister Of State For Defense Fukushiro Nukaga 01 May 2006 [PDF]
• Transcript: Press Availability with Secretary Rumsfeld and Secretary Rice 01 May 2006 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and Japanese Minister of State for Defense Fukushiro Nukaga
• US and Japan Finalize Force Realignment Deal VOA 01 May 2006 -- The United States and Japan Monday finalized an agreement to reshape their military alliance, including a reduction of the U.S. Marine presence on Okinawa

April

• Japan, US Increase Pressure on North Korea Over Abductions VOA 28 Apr 2006 -- Japan and the United States are trying to increase pressure on North Korea to provide full details about the fate of Japanese abducted by Pyongyang during the Cold War.
• Plan Calls for 8,000 U.S. Marines To Move from Okinawa to Guam Washington File 26 Apr 2006 -- The United States and Japan are working on a plan that will result in the relocation of 8,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa to the island of Guam.
• Eight Thousand U.S. Marines to Move From Okinawa to Guam AFPS 26 Apr 2006 -- The United States will move 8,000 Marines from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam by 2012, Defense Department officials said here yesterday.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Deputy Undersecretary Lawless and Deputy Undersecretary Grone 25 Apr 2006 -- Presenter: Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Asia and Pacific Affairs Richard Lawless and Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Installations and Environment Philip Grone
• South Korean President Warns Japan Over Island Dispute VOA 25 Apr 2006 -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has accused Japan of clinging to what he called a "dark nostalgia" for its imperial past
• Japan, US Clear Last Big Hurdle for Defense Realignment VOA 24 Apr 2006 -- The last major stumbling block has been cleared for the United States and Japan to initiate a realignment of American forces in Japan.
• Last Minute Diplomacy Averts Standoff Between South Korea, Japan VOA 22 Apr 2006 -- Senior envoys from Japan and South Korea have resolved the latest flare-up in a decades-long dispute over islands that both nations claim
• Japan Sends Envoy to South Korea to Discuss Island Dispute VOA 21 Apr 2006 -- A senior Japanese envoy is meeting South Korean officials in Seoul in an attempt to resolve a worsening dispute over an island chain both countries claim
• S. Korea, Japan Explore Diplomatic Exit From Tense Island Dispute VOA 20 Apr 2006 -- South Korea and Japan are working to prevent a diplomatic confrontation over disputed islands from escalating
• South Korea Preparing for 'All Scenarios' in Island Dispute With Japan VOA 19 Apr 2006 -- South Korea is using unusually stern language to warn Japan against conducting a scientific survey near islands that both countries claim as their own
• Japan, China Defuse Flare-Up in Maritime Territorial Tiff VOA 18 Apr 2006 -- Another flare-up in a maritime boundary dispute between China and Japan appears to have quickly subsided.
• Japan Citizens' Coalition Vows to Fight US Forces Realignment VOA 18 Apr 2006 -- A coalition of Japanese groups say it opposes a plan to realign U.S. forces in Japan.
• S. Korea Warns of 'Stern Measures' to Prevent Japanese Survey of Disputed Islands VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- South Korean authorities are vowing to use all legal measures to stop Japan from carrying out a survey in what they view as South Korean territorial waters
• Japan Asks China for Clarification of Reported Ban on East China Sea Traffic VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- Japan has asked China to explain reports that the Chinese have banned ships from entering a disputed area of the East China Sea while they lay a pipeline and cables under the sea
• Japan, US Fail Again to Conclude Forces Realignment Pact VOA 14 Apr 2006 -- The latest set of talks between U.S. and Japanese officials on realigning the American forces in Japan made progress, but failed to reach an agreement
• North Korean Nuclear Talks to Resume Unofficially in Tokyo VOA 07 Apr 2006 -- North Korea's top nuclear negotiator and other high-ranking officials from the communist state have arrived in Japan for a rare visit

March

• DPRK FM. Spokesman Urges Japan to Stop Suppression of Chongryon KCNA 29 Mar 2006 -- Japanese authorities mobilized dozens of the Osaka Prefectural riot police force on Mar. 23 to search six places including the Osaka Prefectural Association of Koreans in Commerce in Japan, shops run by Koreans and their dwelling houses on the initiative of the public security department of the Tokyo Police Agency.
• Japan Government Urged to Extradite Those Wanted to DPRK KCNA 28 Mar 2006 -- A spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of People's Security Monday answered a question raised by the KCNA as regards the issue of warrants for the arrest of those who were involved in the abduction of DPRK citizens.
• Japan Raids Sites Believed Connected to North Korean Abduction Dispute VOA 23 Mar 2006 -- Officials in Japan say police have raided several sites believed to be connected to the alleged 1980 kidnapping of a Japanese man by North Korean agents.
• Marine Air Station Key Issue in US-Japan Forces Realignment Plan VOA 09 Mar 2006 -- The United States pledges to move eight thousand of its Marines off the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.
• Japan Turns Down Chinese Proposal Over Gas Dispute VOA 08 Mar 2006 -- Japan has turned down a Chinese proposal to jointly develop gas and oil fields near a disputed island group in the East China Sea.
• US, Japan Disagree Over Military Realignment Agreement Issues VOA 06 Mar 2006 -- The United States and Japan are about to start five days of talks in Honolulu Tuesday to finalize a sweeping agreement on realigning and downsizing U.S. forces in Japan

February

• Japan Reportedly Fails to Obtain Concessions on Nuclear Programs From Iranian Official VOA 28 Feb 2006 -- Iran's foreign minister has rejected calls by Japan to end its uranium enrichment program, despite international suspicion that the Islamic Republic may be secretly attempting to produce nuclear weapons.
• EU-Japan sign agreement on peaceful use of nuclear energy IRNA 27 Feb 2006 -- The European Commission and Japan signed Monday an Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.
• Diplomacy About Iran's Nuclear Program Shifts from Moscow to Tokyo VOA 27 Feb 2006 -- Iran's foreign minister has arrived in Japan for talks expected to focus on easing concerns over the Islamic republic's nuclear ambitions
• KCNA Blasts Aso's Assertion for Settlement of "Abduction Issue" KCNA 24 Feb 2006 -- Before and after the recent DPRK-Japan talks in Beijing, the Japanese authorities insisted that the "abduction issue" is a core issue to be settled at the talks.
• Japan Issues Arrest Warrants for North Koreans Over Abduction Issue VOA 23 Feb 2006 -- In the latest move in an escalating dispute between Japan and North Korea, police in Tokyo have obtained arrest warrants for two North Koreans who allegedly kidnapped four Japanese citizens in the 1970s.
• International Forum To Collaborate on New Reactors Washington File 21 Feb 2006 -- The United States signed an agreement about sodium-cooled fast reactor systems with France and Japan February 16, providing the framework for collaboration among these countries on the research and development of advanced nuclear reactors.
• Japanese Police Raid Trading Firms Suspected of Weapons-Related Exports to N. Korea VOA 17 Feb 2006 -- In the latest crackdown on Japanese companies illegally exporting equipment that can be used to produce weapons, police have raided two small trading companies in Tokyo.
• Head of Japanese Company Suspected of Nuclear Trafficking Denies Wrongdoing VOA 14 Feb 2006 -- The head of a Japanese company suspected of illegally exporting instruments that could be used in the production of nuclear weapons has defended his company's actions.
• DPRK-Japan Inter-governmental Talks Held KCNA 10 Feb 2006 -- The DPRK-Japan inter-governmental talks for the normalization of their relations took place in Beijing from Feb. 4 to 8, 2006.
• Japan, North Korea End Talks with No Agreement on Kidnappings Issue VOA 08 Feb 2006 -- Japan and North Korea have wrapped up their latest round of talks on normalizing relations without an agreement on the emotional issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the North.
• North Korea, Japan Still far Apart on Issue of Abducted Japanese VOA 07 Feb 2006 -- Japan and North Korea say their talks in Beijing this week are making little progress in resolving an impasse over North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals during the Cold War.
• KCNA Urges Japan to Honestly Approach DPRK-Japan Inter-governmental Talks KCNA 04 Feb 2006 -- We draw attention to the fact that the conservatives within the Japanese government are making remarks getting on the nerves of the DPRK in the run-up to the DPRK-Japan inter-governmental talks for the normalization of their relations.
• Japan, North Korea Reopen Talks on Normalizing Relations VOA 04 Feb 2006 -- After a four-year gap, Japan and North Korea have reopened negotiations on normalizing diplomatic ties.

January

• Japan's Quest for Regional Military Supremacy Blasted KCNA 25 Jan 2006 -- Japan decided to launch two spy satellites this year in a bid to use them and those two already on orbit for putting the DPRK under its intensive watch and additionally deploy even an unmanned U.S.-made reconnaissance plane in Japan.
• Kazakhs, Japanese Team Up On Uranium Venture RFE/RL 23 Jan 2006 -- Kazakhstan's national atomic-energy company and two Japanese firms have signed a multimillion-dollar deal on the joint operation of a uranium mine in southern Kazakhstan, according to a company news release.
• Japanese Police Raid Yamaha Over Helicopter Sales to China VOA 23 Jan 2006 -- A police raid on Japan's second-largest motorcycle manufacturer Monday had nothing to do with two-wheeled vehicles. The authorities were looking for evidence that Yamaha Motor exported remote-controlled helicopters to China, in violation of Japanese law.
• Japan's Vicious Moves against Chongryon under Fire KCNA 20 Jan 2006 -- One of hideous crimes Japan has committed against the Korean people after the liberation of Korea is that it has pursued vicious hostile policy toward the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), says Rodong Sinmun
• Japan Takes Diplomatic Role in Iran Nuclear Issue VOA 17 Jan 2006 -- Japan says it hopes to use a long-standing relationship with Iran to help avert a crisis over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
• Koizumi Baffled By Attitude of China, S. Korea to War Shrine Visits VOA 04 Jan 2006 -- Koizumi says he is baffled as to why some foreign governments insist on interfering with a spiritual matter and try to twist it into a diplomatic issue. The prime minister insists his visits to the Tokyo shrine are meant to honor all of Japan's war dead and says he goes there to pray for world peace.
• Japan Looks to Improve Regional Ties in 2006 VOA 02 Jan 2006 -- Both Japan's Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi ushered in 2006 with messages that touch on the frosty relations the country has with some its neighbors.