Low-cost experimental rocket lifts off in Hokkaido

Low-cost experimental rocket lifts off in Hokkaido

TAIKI, Japan - An experimental rocket that uses liquid oxygen and polyethylene as composite propellant lifts off from Taichi, Hokkaido, on Dec. 23. The 2.8-meter rocket soared to an altitude of about 1,000 meters in 10 seconds. Developers say the rocket, developed by Harunori Nagata, professor of space engineering at Hokkaido University, takes just about one-10th of the launch cost for a conventional solid-fuel rocket.

Soga receives donations from abductees support group

Soga receives donations from abductees support group

MANO, Japan - Hitomi Soga (L), one of five Japanese repatriated in October 2002 after being kidnapped to North Korea in 1978, receives donations on April 12 from Harunori Kojima (R), of a support group for abductees in Niigata Prefecture, at the town hall in her hometown of Mano, Niigata.

Ex-real estate tycoon dies at 59 during trial

Ex-real estate tycoon dies at 59 during trial

TOKYO, Japan - Harunori Takahashi (in a file photo taken in October 1999), once dubbed the king of resort development projects in the South Pacific, died of a brain hemorrhage at a Tokyo hospital on July 18 while facing trial over a loan scandal involving two now-defunct credit associations, his family said July 19. He was 59. Takahashi purchased overseas hotels and domestic golf courses during Japan's ''bubble'' economy boom when he was president of resort developer EIE International Corp., leading the EIE group to total assets of around 1 trillion yen at its peak. (Kyodo)

Low-cost experimental rocket lifts off in Hokkaido

Low-cost experimental rocket lifts off in Hokkaido

TAIKI, Japan - An experimental rocket that uses liquid oxygen and polyethylene as composite propellant lifts off from Taichi, Hokkaido, on Dec. 23. The 2.8-meter rocket soared to an altitude of about 1,000 meters in 10 seconds. Developers say the rocket, developed by Harunori Nagata, professor of space engineering at Hokkaido University, takes just about one-10th of the launch cost for a conventional solid-fuel rocket. (Kyodo)

Soga receives donations from abductees support group

Soga receives donations from abductees support group

MANO, Japan - Hitomi Soga (L), one of five Japanese repatriated in October 2002 after being kidnapped to North Korea in 1978, receives donations on April 12 from Harunori Kojima (R), of a support group for abductees in Niigata Prefecture, at the town hall in her hometown of Mano, Niigata. (Kyodo)