Japan Times :: Saturday, June 27, 2009

• 13. NATIONAL NEWS - AKIRA KAWAGUCHI
  Hereditary politician-led DPJ takes aim at Diet 'nepotism'
  June 27, 2009
  By AKIRA KAWAGUCHI, Kyodo News
  The question of whether the offspring of departing politicians should be allowed to run for their parents' Diet seats is gaining attention in the runup to the general election that must be held by fall. continued ...


• 22. NATIONAL NEWS
  Ties to Nikai net Nishimatsu boss fresh charge
  June 27, 2009
  Kyodo News
  Prosecutors slapped a fresh criminal charge Friday on a former head of contractor Nishimatsu Construction Co. over the purchase of fundraising party tickets for a Liberal Democratic Party faction led by Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai, the prosecutors said. continued ...


• 31. EDITORIAL
  Japan Post faces the music
  June 27, 2009
  Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Tsutomu Sato has approved the retention of Mr. Yoshifumi Nishikawa as president of Japan Post Holding Co. And now, with Prime Minister Taro Aso's endorsement of Mr. Sato's decision, the political turmoil over whether Mr. Nishikawa should remain in his position has ostensibly ended. But Japan Post will not easily gain people's trust. continued ...


• 33. NEWS BUSINESS
  Sato's call to freeze Japan Post IPOs challenges privatization
  June 27, 2009
  Kyodo News
  Internal affairs minister Tsutomu Sato urged Japan Post Holdings Co. on Friday to freeze its initial public offerings of shares in itself and two of its subsidiaries planned for fiscal 2010. continued ...


• 42. NATIONAL NEWS - MASAMI ITO
  Bill drafted for JCG, MSDF to inspect North vessels
  June 27, 2009
  Skippers who refuse to heave to for cargo checks face prison, fines
  By MASAMI ITO, Staff writer
  A project team of the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc endorsed the outline of a special bill to enable both the Japan Coast Guard and the Maritime Self-Defense Force to inspect vessels sailing to or from North Korea suspected of being involved in arms shipments. continued ...