Gemba said that he had visited Myanmar last December and was convinced that the country was taking genuine steps towards democracy and national reconciliation. (moneycontrol.com)
Japan to resume full-fledged development aid to Myanmar
Japan police police raid pro-North Korea group's offices
It is part of a range of sanctions over North Korea's nuclear programme and its abduction of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 80s. Earlier this month police arrested a businessman accused of exporting PCs to North Korea through China. (BBC)
Scientists to discuss latest Japan tsunami debris forecast
One to 5 percent of the 1 million to 2 million tons of debris still in the ocean may reach Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon and Washington and British Columbia, said University of Hawaii senior researcher and ocean current expert Nikolai Maximenko. That's only a portion of the 20 million to 25 million tons of debris the tsunamis generated altogether, including what was left on land. (Fox News)
Facebook disaster message board being tested in Japan
Japan's rubble economy
Clinton says Japan, EU working to comply with Iran sanctions
Draft gives Japan right to defend itself
'Ghosts' stalk Japan's tsunami city
"People died everywhere, here and there. The city is full of such stories," he said. In some parts of this once vibrant fishing port, signs of life are returning - houses are being rebuilt, businesses are re-opening and children are back at school. But with around a fifth of the 19 000 who died across the northeast having lost their lives in this small city alone, few think it can ever be normal again. (IOL)
Tepco to pay Y600,000 to pregnant voluntary evacuees
Many people who have voluntarily evacuated had been hoping Tepco would pay the actual costs incurred, but the utility has said that would entail a laborious application process and delay payments. (Japan Times)
Okada to pursue casino project in Philippines
The Las Vegas-based casino company has accused Okada of giving more than $110,000 in payments and gifts to Philippines officials, including chief gambling regulator Cristino Naguiat. (Japan Times)
Judo: Nanjing cancels out on judo event
Retirement age plan to be axed
The retirement age for national government employees is 60. However, the eligibility age for mutual pension payments for all employees will become 65 by fiscal 2025. For this reason, the government had to secure jobs and incomes for national government officials affected by the change. (Yomiuri)
Elpida lost trust of banks in tie-up bids
The chip maker had been facing severe difficulties in raising funds due to the yen's appreciation and worsening market conditions. Elpida put its last hope in tie-up negotiations with foreign and domestic companies, but the semiconductor maker had to turn to bankruptcy as the talks ended in failure. (Yomiuri)
Snow blankets Kanto-Koshin regions
Tokyo Sky Tree construction work finished
Ridley Scott to join Japan quake project
Japan struggles with tainted reactor water
Water is crucial to the continued safety and stability of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, even after reactor temperatures fell at the end of last year to a level at which little radioactivity is being emitted. (Wall Street Journal)