2001 fatal stampede

2001 fatal stampede

KOBE, Japan - (From front) Kiyoshi Miki, Seiji Shimomura and Masaharu Arima, who lost relatives in a 2001 stampede in Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, attend a press conference in Kobe on Feb. 20, 2013. The Kobe District Court earlier the same day dismissed a case against a former senior police officer over the stampede on a bridge that was overcrowded with fireworks spectators on July 21, 2001, in which 11 people died and 247 were injured. The court ruled the statute of limitations had expired.

Japan's oldest nuclear reactor set to pass 40-year mark

Japan's oldest nuclear reactor set to pass 40-year mark

TOKYO, Japan - This file photo, taken in July, 2006, shows the No. 1 reactor at the Tsuruga nuclear power plant in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, operated by Japan Atomic Power Co. Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa and Tsuruga Mayor Kazuharu Kawase on Feb. 21, 2001, approved the company's plan to continue operating the nation's oldest commercial nuclear reactor, which started commercial operations in 1970.

Opposition leaders to call for Mori's resignation

Opposition leaders to call for Mori's resignation

TOKYO, Japan - The leaders of four main opposition parties sign documents Feb. 21 on their agreement to seek a 510 billion yen reduction in the government-sponsored budget for fiscal 2001. (From L to R) Social Democratic Party leader Takako Doi, Liberal Party leader Ichiro Ozawa, Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama and Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii. The leaders also agreed to call for embattled Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's resignation.

Kabuki actor Nakamura Matagoro dies at 94

Kabuki actor Nakamura Matagoro dies at 94

TOKYO, Japan - Traditional Japanese Kabuki performer Nakamura Matagoro (in file photo taken in March 2001) died of natural causes at his home in Tokyo on Feb. 21, after establishing a reputation as a skilled supporting actor. He was 94. Nakamura, whose real name was Yukio Nakamura, was recognized as a living national treasure in 1997. (Kyodo)

Japan's oldest nuclear reactor set to pass 40-year mark

Japan's oldest nuclear reactor set to pass 40-year mark

TOKYO, Japan - This file photo, taken in July, 2006, shows the No. 1 reactor at the Tsuruga nuclear power plant in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, operated by Japan Atomic Power Co. Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa and Tsuruga Mayor Kazuharu Kawase on Feb. 21, 2001, approved the company's plan to continue operating the nation's oldest commercial nuclear reactor, which started commercial operations in 1970. (Kyodo)