Japan

Japan resumes development assistance to Vietnam

Hanoi  - Japan is to resume its aid to Vietnam, after cutting it in December due to a corruption scandal, a Vietnamese minister said Monday.

Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc, who is on a week-long visit to Japan, told Vietnam Television Monday that Japan had decided to restore official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam for the rest of 2009.

"Japan's resumption of ODA to Vietnam will contribute to boosting foreign investment and trade relations between the two countries," Phuc said.

Vietnam Television reported that Japan had committed 83.2 billion Yen (900 million dollars) in ODA to Vietnam this year, making it the country's top aid donor.

No serious offers for Honda F1 team, says company CEO

Honda plant in Britain prepares for temporary shutdownTokyo - There have been no serious buyers for the Honda Formula One team, the company's CEO told a press conference in Tokyo Monday.

"There are various offers for the team but we have not seen any serious buyer yet," Takeo Fukui said. "We find the sale process difficult."

The second-largest Japanese carmaker announced its withdrawal from the sport last December because of the global economic crisis, sending shockwaves through the sport.

Japan, US ready to cooperate in tackling global downturn

Japan FlagTokyo - Japan and the United States are ready to work together to tackle the global economic slowdown when the leaders of the two nations meet Tuesday at the White House, a senior Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry official said Monday.

The heads of the world's two largest economies were expected to agree to fight protectionism as Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso becomes the first foreign leader to visit US President Barack Obama in Washington, the official said.

Japan had earlier conveyed its opposition to a "buy American" provision in a 787- billion-dollar US economic stimulus package signed into law last week.

Honda to appoint new president in June to revive business

Honda to appoint new president in June to revive business Tokyo - Honda Motor Co announced Monday that it would appoint a new president in June to deal with a sales slowdown caused by the yen's surge against other major currencies and the dwindling consumer appetite amid the global economic downturn.

Japan's second-largest carmaker plans to promote Senior Managing Director Takanobu Ito to president. The decision was expected to be approved at a shareholders' meeting in June, Honda said.

Win for Japanese film offers biggest surprise of Oscar night

Japan, Departures Los Angeles - On a night when most Oscar winners followed expectations, the crowning of Departures as the best foreign film marked the biggest surprise of the Academy Awards.

The drama directed by Yojiro Takita stars Masahiro Motoki as a devoted cellist in an orchestra. But as soon as he spends most of his savings on a new cello, the ensemble is disbanded. Finding himself without a job, he moves back to his hometown with his wife to look for work and start over.

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito celebrates 49th birthday

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito celebrates 49th birthday Tokyo - Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito celebrated his 49th birthday Monday, saying he and his wife Crown Princess Masako would do all they could to help his father, Emperor Akihito, with his royal duties.

Celebrating his birthday at his Tokyo palace, the prince expressed concern over his 75-year-old father, who recently suffered from stress-induced illnesses.

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