Tokyo  - Millions of Japanese flock to the country's temples in the night of December 31 to ask the gods for their blessings for the New Year.

Tokyo  - The Japanese car maker Honda has announced that it will develop an electric motorcycle as part of its programme to develop more efficient vehicles with lower emissions over the next two years.

Details of the plans have not been revealed yet, but the motorcycle is expected to go on sale in 2010. Vectrix Corp., based in the United States, claims to be the world leader in zero emission electric scooters and high-performance bikes, building its Electric Vx1 and Vx1e scooters in Poland.

London, December 30 : Japanese authorities have warned tourists against "harassing" the country's famous kimono-clad geisha - meaning "person of the arts" - in the streets of the ancient city of Kyoto.

The move follows complaints from a large number of geisha that tourists keen to click their pictures often pursue them down the street, and tug them on the sleeves of heir kimonos

Local residents and businesses are said to have joined forces to prevent the geisha from harassment, launching patrols of the streets of the Gion entertainment district of the city so that tourists cannot pester them.

Tokyo  - Japan'

Tokyo - Japan's markets shed value Monday mo

Tokyo - Japan's markets shed value Monday morn