Daily Yomiuri Online :: Friday, April 24, 2009

• Company knew rivals' names before tender (Apr 24)
  CHIBA--A senior executive from a construction firm that gave Chiba Mayor Kiichi Tsuruoka a bribe in return for favorable treatment in connection with a public works project tender allegedly contacted the other bidders prior to the start of the bidding process, the Metropolitan Police Department and other sources said. continued ...


• Ishihara facing tough test in 11th year (Apr.24)
  Taro Takihana and Junnosuke Yamasaki / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers
  Thursday marked 10 years since Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara took office with a pledge to transform Tokyo into a metropolis that "can bring about change in Japan."
  Popular support for Ishihara has been a major driving force behind his successful efforts to hammer out a series of innovative policies.
  However, dark clouds are beginning to gather over the metropolitan headquarters, as Ishihara's appeal as governor appears to wane. continued ...


• POLITICAL PULSE / Will Aso seek return of '3-1/2' isles? /PM eyes dropping conventional approach on northern territories (Apr.24)
  Tetsuya Harada
  Shotaro Yachi, a government envoy on diplomatic issues, has made controversial remarks about four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, proposing to settle the territorial dispute by seeking to achieve the return of "3-1/2" islands instead of the four islands that are referred to as the northern territories in Japan. continued ...


• China to put squeeze on foreign firms / IT companies must reveal product secrets (Apr 24)
  The Chinese government has decided to launch a system next month to force foreign manufacturers of digital household appliances and other items equipped with computing devices to disclose key information, The Yomiuri Shimbun learned Thursday. continued ...


• Speedy antipiracy debate needed in upper house (Apr 24)
  Piracy in waters off Somalia has been getting worse. It is now more imperative than ever to pass a bill that would expand the Maritime Self-Defense Force's antipiracy activities to enhance the effectiveness of operations. continued ...