Award-winning novelist Tomiko Miyao dies at 88

Award-winning novelist Tomiko Miyao dies at 88

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken in July 2008 shows award-winning novelist Tomiko Miyao. Miyao, who is known for her autobiographical and historical novels, died of natural causes on Dec. 30, 2014, her family said on Jan. 7, 2015. She was 88.

Prince Mikasa's heart function deteriorates

Prince Mikasa's heart function deteriorates

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in October 2008 shows Prince Mikasa, uncle of Emperor Akihito. The 96-year-old prince, the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito, experienced a deterioration of heart function on July 7, 2012, at a hospital in Tokyo and was moved to the intensive care unit, the Imperial Household Agency said early on July 8.

Ogasawara Islands to be World Heritage sites

Ogasawara Islands to be World Heritage sites

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in July 2008 shows Minamijima Island, part of the Ogasawara Islands off Tokyo. An advisory panel to UNESCO has recommended registering the islands and the Hiraizumi area in northeastern Japan as World Heritage sites, the Japanese government said May 7, 2011.

Sake increasing presence at diplomatic banquet

Sake increasing presence at diplomatic banquet

TOKYO, Japan - Then Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (3rd from back left) raises a sake cup with U.S. President George W. Bush and other Group of Eight leaders at a welcome dinner at the Windsor Hotel Toya in Hokkaido, the summit venue, on July 7, 2008.

Ex-sumo stablemaster given 6-yr prison over wrestler's death

Ex-sumo stablemaster given 6-yr prison over wrestler's death

NAGOYA, Japan - This Feb. 7, 2008 file photo shows the ring in the building in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, that the Tokitsukaze sumo stable used as a temporary lodging before a July 2007 tournament in Nagoya. The Nagoya District Court ruled May 29 that a former stablemaster was involved in fatal violence against a 17-year-old wrestler in the ring in June 2007.