Keirin ‘Grand Prix 2011′ in Hiratsuka

(Photo by Tokyo Reporter, December 30, 2011) Read more

Support group of Diet member Kusuo Oshima utilized political funds at Shinjuku gay bar

TOKYO (TR) – The support group representing House of Councillors member Kusuo Oshima spent political funds at a gay bar in Tokyo, it was revealed on Monday, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Dec. 27). Read more

Anti-whaling boat trailing Japanese fleet damaged in rough seas, AFP says

TOKYO (TR) – One of the three anti-whaling ships tracking Japan’s whaling fleet has been put out of action after its hull cracked in rough seas, Agence France-Presse said.

The Sea Shepard Conservation Society said a second vessel, the Steve Irwin, is trying to reach the Brigitte Bardot, which was damaged in 20-foot (six meter) swells 1,500 miles southwest of Australia; a journey that is expected to take 20 hours, AFP reported. Read more

Mainichi: Okinawan anti-base protestors blockade prefectural office to stop delivery of environment report

TOKYO (TR) – Protestors in Okinawa opposed to the relocation of a U.S. Marine Corps air station have blocked the delivery of an environmental impact assessment needed before construction on the new facility can begin, Japan’s Mainichi Daily News said.

As many 100 protestors determined to prevent the assessment from reaching its destination surrounded the Okinawa Prefectural Office in Naha and forced the delivery truck to turn back Tuesday, the Mainichi reported. The protestors began their blockade a day earlier and only let delivery trucks through after inspecting their cargo. Read more

Japanese Olympic judo champion and national hero charged with rape, AFP says

TOKYO (TR) – Prosecutors formally indicted Japanese judo champion Masato Uchishiba on charges he raped a teenage student who was a member of the judo team at the school where he coached, Agence France-Presse reported.

Uchishiba, 33, who won two gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, was fired from his visiting professorship at Kyushu University of Nursing and Social Welfare last month after the school accused him of sexually harassing the girl after they had been drinking together at a Japanese-style pub, AFP said. Read more

AV producer: One in 200 Japanese women performed in porn

Shukan Post (Dec. 23) closes the year out with a bang, so to speak. Citing an adult video production company employee, the weekly tabloid says that it is common knowledge in the industry that one Japanese woman in 200 has performed in a porn film.

To establish its bearings, the magazine says that in days past one porn actress per 400 female high school and university students was a standard assumption — a figure that represents roughly one woman per graduating class.

To then make the jump to encompass all women, the tabloid breaks down some numbers provided by the production company employee.

“If one considers all AV productions, including those distributed on the Internet and underground DVDs, there are 35,000 productions released each year,” the explains.

That converts to approximately 100 films a day.

“In one year,” the source continues, “between 2,000 and 3,000 new actresses will debut in conventional AV films. All told (including amateurs), the industry has 150,000 experienced women. Now, if one considers that between the ages of 19 and 55 Japan has 30 million women then…” Read more

Public support for Noda falls sharply in December, AFP says

TOKYO (TR) – The number of voters who actively disapprove of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s leadership rose sharply in December amid questions over turmoil in his ruling DPJ party and the handling of the nation’s nuclear crisis, Agence France-Presse said, citing a poll conducted by the Nikkei business daily.

The survey showed 53 percent of those questioned now disapprove of his leadership, according to AFP. That is a 14 point increase from a month earlier, the news agency said. Read more

Heavy snow disrupts Japan’s bullet train, air services, the Daily Yomiuri says

TOKYO (TR) – Heavy snow in Japan temporarily halted bullet train operations in parts of the country, Japan’s Daily Yomiuri newspaper reported.

A strong low-pressure system Monday caused heavy snow in many parts of the country, particularly along the Sea of Japan from the northern island of Hokkaido to the nation’s Kinki region which includes the second most populated city, Osaka, according to the Yomiuri. Read more

Former gang boss arrested in Tokyo for possession of three guns

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of a former boss of the Kyokudo-kai criminal organization in Machida City for gun possession, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Dec. 27). Read more

Japan to ease its ban on exporting weapons technology, Kyodo says

TOKYO (TR) – The Japanese government has decided to ease its ban on exporting military technology, according to Kyodo.

The decision was made by the nation’s security council to allow Japan to participate with other countries in the joint development of weapons systems and allow it to provide equipment for humanitarian purposes, Kyodo reported. Japan’s defense minister last week called for such joint development, citing the increasing costs associated with the development of advanced military technology. Read more

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