Tokyo - The Japanese government filed a protest with the Netherlands after an anti-whaling group crashed into a Japanese whaling ship Friday morning in the Antarctic Ocean, media reports said.

Japan summoned Dutch Ambassador Philip de Heer to the Foreign Ministry to demand the Netherlands take appropriate measures against its vessel for violently harassing and obstructing Japan's research whaling, Kyodo News Agency quoted Japanese officials as saying.

Tokyo - Visiting Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday invited Japan to seek new investment opportunities in Thailand's industrial and agricultural sectors now that the political situation in the country has returned to normalcy.

Calling Japan "the most important trade and investment partner and important origin of tourists for Thailand," Abhisit said at a Tokyo press conference that he chose Japan as his first destination for an official visit since he assumed office on December 15.

Washington, Feb 6 : Scientists in Japan are reporting development of an improved "biomass charcoal combustion heater" that they say could open a new era in sustainable and ultra-high efficiency home heating.

In the study, researchers Amit Suri, Masayuki Horio and colleagues note that about 67 percent of Japan is covered with forests, with that biomass the nation's most abundant renewable energy source.

Wider use of biomass could tap that sustainable source of fuel and by their calculations cut annual carbon dioxide emissions by 4.46 million tons.

Tokyo