http://www.gotjapan.com/blog babblings! Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:46:54 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 Yasuo Fukuda receives applause in the Lower House on Tuesday after winning the chamber's backing to become the new prime minister. http://www.gotjapan.com/blog/index.php?p=60 Call it cheeseburger diplomacy. Japan's prime minister says he and President Bush eased their way to a relaxed relationship over a meal of burgers during his first visit to the United States as premier. "President Bush and I were able to deepen our friendship and trust — in fact, we are now ... http://www.gotjapan.com/blog/index.php?p=59 A whirlpool forms in the Naruto Straits between Shikoku and Awaji island. The phenomenon occurs each spring and has become a major tourist attraction. http://www.gotjapan.com/blog/index.php?p=58 The Bank of Japan's policy panel decided Tuesday to leave its key short-term interest rate unchanged at 0.5%, as market participants had widely expected, after doubling the rate to 0.5% in February. The BOJ "will encourage the uncollateralized overnight call rate to remain at around 0.5%," the central bank said in ... http://www.gotjapan.com/blog/index.php?p=57 Shinzo Abe, a conservative who favors hardline diplomacy and traditional values, is elected the 21st president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, paving the way for him to become Japan's youngest postwar prime minister. Gift Certificate Gift Certificate http://www.gotjapan.com/blog/index.php?p=56 The city of Hiroshima holds a memorial ceremony to mark the 61st anniversary of the Aug. 6, 1945, U.S. atomic bombing, with Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba calling on all nations to "faithfully" engage in nuclear disarmament negotiations. http://www.gotjapan.com/blog/index.php?p=55 Workers ready the season's first shipment of cubed watermelons Thursday at a farm co-op here. Demand for the cubic fruit is high despite the 13,000 yen price tag, but they're usually used only for display since they aren't considered tasty. http://www.gotjapan.com/blog/index.php?p=54 TOKYO — Convenience chain operator Seven-Eleven Japan Co said Thursday it will start marketing two types of canned oxygen designed to help consumers alleviate or soften fatigue and stress. The 3.2-liter canned supplements, named O2 Supli, provide an oxygen density ratio of 95% in relation to the container's volume, the ... http://www.gotjapan.com/blog/index.php?p=53 Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at 13:46 EDT NARITA — A former Imperial Japanese Army soldier who was recently confirmed to be alive in Ukraine after going missing in Russia's Far East after World War II returned to Japan on Wednesday for the first time in 63 years. Ishinosuke Uwano, 83, and ... http://www.gotjapan.com/blog/index.php?p=52 TOKYO — A new type of digital terrestrial broadcasting started Saturday in Japan, enabling people to watch television programs in high-definition on their portable terminals like mobile phones and car navigation equipment. For the new service, popularly known as "One Seg," broadcasters are using the remaining one of 13 segments ... http://www.gotjapan.com/blog/index.php?p=51