Japanese & Asian news 14/12 2007

NATO wants Japan in Afghanistan

Evolutionary insights into plants

4 fishing boats seized by Russia

Australia navy may track whalers

Panel to propose 9-yr school system

Derailment survivor sues JR West

Cable car victims' kin reject ruling

Politics

Japan defends research whaling

Japan to give $10 mil to Palestinians

Japan protests seizure of 4 boats

Parliament OKs sex slave resolution

UAE foreign minister to visit

Japan to cut U.S. bases support

Crime

Man sentenced over 2channel threat

Drunk driver plows into Chiba house

Y3 mil reward for Setagaya killer

Law aids bank transfer scam victims

No. of reported crimes in 2007 to fall

Ex-M'bishi officials found guilty

MSDF officer arrested

Defense Ministry inspects contractor

Britain to ban Japanese swords

Ex-karaoke outlet owner gets 4 years

Business

New condo supply in Tokyo falls

S'tomo to make auto parts in India

Business leaders praise tax reform

Nichiro to raise frozen food prices

Sapporo to release low-carb beer

Technology

Microsoft to double Xbox 360 titles

New tower to be main transmitter

Japan leads in cell phone tech

Cell phone shipments down 30.4%

Sharp sues Samsung

Kansai to use plutonium-mixed fuel

Honda unveils new ASIMO robot

Asia

Bali draft text drops emissions goal

Gore blasts U.S. at Bali climate talks

Indonesian man dies of bird flu

7 killed in 2 bombings in Pakistan

China opens up financial markets

Malaysia detains ethnic Indians