Asahi :: Saturday, August 1, 2009

• Ministry destroyed tons of sensitive records (8/1) ★
  BY NORIO YATSU, THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
  The Foreign Ministry raced to destroy more than 1,000 tons of records in the months before a disclosure law took effect in 2001, a study by a private body has found. continued ...


• Aso puts stress on party's strengths (8/1)
  THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
  Prime Minister Taro Aso unveiled his ruling party's campaign platform for the Aug. 30 Lower House election on Friday, saying it demonstrated its "sense of responsibility" to the public. continued ...


• EDITORIAL: Age of majority debate (8/1)
  Because the Civil Law sets the age of majority at 20, upon reaching that age a person may sign cellphone service contracts, order products by mail order or marry without parental consent, among other things. continued ...


• EDITORIAL: Size of government (8/1)
  Both the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the main opposition Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) are offering a variety of policy proposals to garner votes in the Aug. 30 Lower House election. continued ...