Mainichi Daily News

New condominiums equipped to protect residents during earthquakes and other natural disasters are starting to appear in major cities across Japan.

A Tokyo hospital at the center of a deadly superbug outbreak did not report the disease for several months after infections started increasing and failed to take immediate measures to curb its spread, it has emerged.

In a victory for local residents, K Project, a front company for Kodo-kai, the organization that governs Japan's largest organized crime syndicate, the Yamaguchi-gumi, moved out of its location in a luxury apartment in Tokyo's Azabu Juban district three years after it moved in.

The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) invited fans to watch the general training session for wrestlers on Sept.

Toyota Motor Corp.

The scorching summer heat is keeping tourists away from the "Yagiri-no-Watashi" boat service across the Edo River -- normally a popular tourist attraction in downtown Tokyo.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku has ruffled supporters of Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa ahead of the election of a new party leader by suggesting that a no-confidence motion could be passed against the Cabinet if Ozawa became prime minister and was later indicted over a political funding scandal.

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa is holding the lead over Prime Minister Naoto Kan, according to the latest Mainichi Shimbun poll on the upcoming DPJ leadership election.

KISHIWADA, Osaka -- The skeletal remains of a body believed to belong to an 83-year-old woman have been found at a private house here, sparking a police investigation into possible illegal pension payments to her family.

I was rather shocked by the book, "Trick or Treatment?: Alternative Medicine on Trial." One of the authors of the book, Simon Singh, is the science writer I trust the most.

eyelinerfor scarecrowfirst breeze--Reza Aerabi (Semnan, Iran)

Overseas mergers and acquisitions by Japanese companies surged to their highest level in a decade between January and August, highlighting a positive side to Japan's strong yen.

MIYAZAKI -- Local farmers here have been relieved to learn that a cow showing symptoms similar to those of foot-and-mouth disease tested negative for the disorder.

Brazilian filmmaker Vicente Amorim's new film "Coracoes Sujos" (Dirty Hearts) sheds light on the unspoken history of Japanese immigrants in Brazil.

A neighbor of two elderly sisters who were found dead in their Tokyo apartment apparently due to heatstroke regrets that she should have taken more care of them before they met their fate.

A debate between Prime Minister Naoto Kan and ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa, who are running in the party presidential race, has highlighted both their common ground and differences over policies.

NAGOYA -- Two men forced their way into a hostess club here early on Sept.

HIROSHIMA -- Researchers here have developed new impact-absorbing car body panels with inflated airbags equipped on their outside for the first time in the world.

TAIJI, Wakayama -- Local fishermen captured some 20 dolphins off the coast of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, as an annual hunting season began amid concerns over possible protests in the town.

Apple Inc. announced a refresh of almost its entire line of iPod media players on Sept.