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Spain Votes On Lowering Age Of Criminal Responsibility - Madrid

VOX deputy Blanca Armario speaks during a plenary session, in the Congress of Deputies, on November 18, 2025, in Madrid (Spain). The Plenary of the Congress debates and votes today the Proposition of Law of modification of the Organic Law 5/2000, of January 12, regulating the criminal responsibility of minors, to lower the criminal age and punish more firmly and effectively the crimes committed by minors. The initiative, which has been proposed by Vox, proposes to lower from 14 to 12 years the legal age limit to consider minors criminally responsible, among other issues, on November 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Photo by Matias Chiofalo/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Spain Votes On Lowering Age Of Criminal Responsibility - Madrid

VOX deputy Blanca Armario speaks during a plenary session, in the Congress of Deputies, on November 18, 2025, in Madrid (Spain). The Plenary of the Congress debates and votes today the Proposition of Law of modification of the Organic Law 5/2000, of January 12, regulating the criminal responsibility of minors, to lower the criminal age and punish more firmly and effectively the crimes committed by minors. The initiative, which has been proposed by Vox, proposes to lower from 14 to 12 years the legal age limit to consider minors criminally responsible, among other issues, on November 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Photo by Matias Chiofalo/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Spain Votes On Lowering Age Of Criminal Responsibility - Madrid

VOX spokeswoman in Congress, Pepa Millán, and VOX secretary general, Jose María Figaredo, during a plenary session, at the Congress of Deputies, on November 18, 2025, in Madrid (Spain). The Plenary of the Congress debates and votes today the Proposition of Law of modification of the Organic Law 5/2000, of January 12, regulating the criminal responsibility of minors, to lower the criminal age and punish more firmly and effectively the crimes committed by minors. The initiative, which has been proposed by Vox, proposes to lower from 14 to 12 years the legal age limit to consider minors criminally responsible, among other issues, on November 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Photo by Matias Chiofalo/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Spain Votes On Lowering Age Of Criminal Responsibility - Madrid

Minute of silence during a plenary session, at the Congress of Deputies, on November 18, 2025, in Madrid (Spain). The Plenary of the Congress debates and votes today the Bill to amend the Organic Law 5/2000, of January 12, regulating the criminal responsibility of minors, to lower the criminal age and punish more firmly and effectively the crimes committed by minors. The initiative, which has been proposed by Vox, proposes to lower from 14 to 12 years the legal age limit to consider minors criminally responsible, among other issues, on November 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Photo by Matias Chiofalo/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Tokyo police punish 19 over wrongful arrests

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 7 Kyodo - Yuji Sakoda, superintendent general of the Metropolitan Police Department, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2025, after the Tokyo police made public disciplinary measures against 19 high-ranking members over the wrongful arrests and indictments of three men in 2020 in connection with a case involving the suspected unauthorized export of sensitive equipment. (Kyodo)

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Tokyo police punish 19 over wrongful arrests

Yuji Sakoda, superintendent general of the Metropolitan Police Department, bows during a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2025, after the Tokyo police made public disciplinary measures against 19 high-ranking members over the wrongful arrests and indictments of three men in 2020 in connection with a case involving the suspected unauthorized export of sensitive equipment.

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Tokyo police punish 19 over wrongful arrests

Yuji Sakoda, superintendent general of the Metropolitan Police Department, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2025, after the Tokyo police made public disciplinary measures against 19 high-ranking members over the wrongful arrests and indictments of three men in 2020 in connection with a case involving the suspected unauthorized export of sensitive equipment.

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Watchdog accuses bank of sharing info with brokerage affiliates

Photo taken on June 7, 2024, shows Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.'s headquarters in Tokyo. Japan's securities watchdog is expected to call for the Financial Services Agency to punish a bank and two brokerage firms operating under the group over allegations they shared confidential information about client companies without obtaining permission.

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Support rate for Japan's Kishida cabinet hits fresh low: poll

STORY: Support rate for Japan's Kishida cabinet hits fresh low: poll SHOOTING TIME: Earlier footage DATELINE: April 12, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:04 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Kishida cabinet and prime minister's office of Japan (source: Prime minister's office of Japan) 2. various of the prime minister's office STORYLINE: The support rate for the cabinet led by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida dropped to 16.6 pct in April, marking a new low for the administration, according to the latest Jiji Press opinion poll. The approval rate dropped by 1.4 percentage points from the previous month, a fresh low for the administration since its launch in October 2021, while the disapproval rate climbed 2.0 percentage points to 59.4 percent, the survey showed Thursday. The reading breached the previous low of 16.9 percent marked in February, sinking to the worst level since the return of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to power in December 2012, Jiji Press said. Punish

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Farewell ceremony for deceased Chinese nationals held in Pakistan

STORY: Farewell ceremony for deceased Chinese nationals held in Pakistan SHOOTING TIME: March 31, 2024 DATELINE: April 1, 2024 LENGTH: 0:01:00 LOCATION: Islamabad CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the farewell ceremony STORYLINE: A farewell ceremony for the Chinese nationals killed in a terrorist attack was held on Sunday at Nur Khan airbase in Pakistan. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, Pakistani officials, diplomats from the Chinese Embassy, and representatives of Chinese enterprises in Pakistan attended the ceremony. Jiang said in a speech at the ceremony that the Chinese compatriots who were in the flower of their youth came to Pakistan from afar and have made important contributions to promoting Pakistan's development and advancing China-Pakistan friendship and cooperation. He added that the best consolation for the deceased is to find out the truth of the incident and severely punish the perpetrators. The most powerful response to the terrorists is to resolutely fight

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XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240325) -- BEIJING, March 25, 2024 (Xinhua) -- The flag flies at half-staff at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW TERRORIST ATTACK-MOURNING

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on March 24, 2024 shows a billboard displaying the image of a candle to mourn victims of a terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW TERRORIST ATTACK-MOURNING

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People lay flowers to mourn victims of a terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW TERRORIST ATTACK-MOURNING

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People lay flowers to mourn victims of a terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW TERRORIST ATTACK-MOURNING

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on March 24, 2024 shows a billboard displaying the image of a candle to mourn victims of a terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW TERRORIST ATTACK-MOURNING

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on March 24, 2024 shows flowers laid by people to mourn victims of a terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW TERRORIST ATTACK-MOURNING

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on March 24, 2024 shows flowers, candles and toys laid by people to mourn victims of a terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW TERRORIST ATTACK-MOURNING

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People lay flowers to mourn victims of a terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-VLADIVOSTOK-MOSCOW TERRORIST ATTACK-MOURNING

(240324) --VLADIVOSTOK, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on March 24, 2024 shows a billboard displaying the image of a candle to mourn victims of Moscow terrorist attack in Vladivostok, Russia. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-VLADIVOSTOK-MOSCOW TERRORIST ATTACK-MOURNING

(240324) -- VLADIVOSTOK, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A man mourns for victims of Moscow terrorist attack in Vladivostok, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW-TERRORIST ATTACK-NATIONAL MOURNING DAY

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- The Russian flag flies at half-staff at Alexander Garden in Moscow, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-VLADIVOSTOK-TERRORIST ATTACK-NATIONAL MOURNING DAY

(240324) -- VLADIVOSTOK, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- The Russian flag flies at half-staff at a harbor in Vladivostok, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW-TERRORIST ATTACK-NATIONAL MOURNING DAY

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- The Russian flag flies at half-staff at the top of the headquarters of State Duma in Moscow, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW-TERRORIST ATTACK-NATIONAL MOURNING DAY

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- The Russian flag flies at half-staff at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW-TERRORIST ATTACK-NATIONAL MOURNING DAY

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- The Russian flag flies at half-staff at the top of the headquarters of State Duma in Moscow, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-MOSCOW-TERRORIST ATTACK-NATIONAL MOURNING DAY

(240324) -- MOSCOW, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- The Russian flag flies at half-staff at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

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(FOCUS)RUSSIA-VLADIVOSTOK-TERRORIST ATTACK-NATIONAL MOURNING DAY

(240324) -- VLADIVOSTOK, March 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- The Russian flag flies at half-staff on a building in Vladivostok, Russia, March 24, 2024. On Friday night, unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at concert-goers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, causing substantial civilian casualties. In a televised national address on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua)

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Slovak PM pledges support for Hungary in EU

STORY: Slovak PM pledges support for Hungary in EU SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 16, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 17, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:43 LOCATION: Budapest CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the press conference STORYLINE: Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico on Tuesday pledged his support for Hungary in various fields in the European Union (EU). "I will never agree to punish a country for fighting for its sovereignty. I will never agree with such an attack against Hungary," Fico said during a joint press conference in Budapest alongside his Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orban. Fico's support for Hungary comes amidst growing tensions within the EU over immigration, governance, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the role of Brussels in the internal affairs of member states. Fico indicated that Orban could count on his support in Brussels, suggesting a unified front against initiatives that may undermine the sovereignty of their nations. Both the Hungarian and Slovak leaders have expressed reservations about the

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Mass funeral held in Jenin to mourn Palestinians killed in Israeli military operation

STORY: Mass funeral held in Jenin to mourn Palestinians killed in Israeli military operation DATELINE: July 6, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:59 LOCATION: JENIN, Palestine CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the funeral in Jenin STORYLINE: Thousands of Palestinian mourners participated on Wednesday in a mass funeral of Palestinians killed by the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Jenin during a large-scale military operation. The mourners raised the Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against the Israeli army, calling on the Palestinian armed factions to punish the Israeli army over its "violations" against the Jenin refugee camp. The Israeli army withdrew on Tuesday night from Jenin, ending a two-day large-scale military operation there, Israeli and Palestinian sources said. Palestinian security sources said the Israeli army had left Jenin but remained stationed at two Israeli checkpoints north and west of Jenin. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the Israeli military operation in Jeni

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Cabinet approves contentious anti-conspiracy bill

TOKYO, Japan, March 21 Kyodo - Protesters stage a rally in front of the prime minister's office in Tokyo on March 21, 2017, when the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a controversial bill that would punish people planning to carry out serious crimes, ostensibly in an effort to combat terrorism. Critics have warned that the legislation could lead to invasive state surveillance and arbitrary punishment of civic groups and labor unions.

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Lebanese PM vows to punish perpetrators of UN peacekeeper's murder

STORY: Lebanese PM vows to punish perpetrators of UN peacekeeper's murder DATELINE: Dec. 18, 2022 LENGTH: 00:04:23 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Lebanese PM Najib Mikati arriving by helicopter to the UNIFIL headquarters in southern Lebanon 2. various of Mikati shaking hands with Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, chief of the UNIFIL and Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun 3. various of officials inside the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura 4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NAJIB MIKATI, Lebanese Prime Minister 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NAJIB MIKATI, Lebanese Prime Minister 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): AROLDO LAZARO SAENZ, Chief of the UNIFIL 7. various of Mikati shaking hands with officials following the visit 8. various of Mikati going to the helicopter STORYLINE: Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday vowed punishment for those involved in the killing of an Irish UN peacekeeper in southern Lebanon. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NAJIB MIKATI, Lebanese Prime Minister "I assured during the meeting that the Leb

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Japan reaction to Crimea crisis

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida answers reporters' questions at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on March 18, 2014. Japan announced a set of measures to punish Russia for intervening in Ukraine over the independence of its Crimea region, including suspension of talks for easing visa issuance conditions.

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Punishment for lawmaker Inoki

TOKYO, Japan - Antonio Inoki leaves the House of Councillors at the Diet building in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2013, after the upper house passed a resolution to punish the opposition lawmaker for visiting North Korea without the chamber's permission.

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G-20 summit

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - U.S. President Barack Obama addresses a press conference after the summit of Group of 20 economies in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Sept. 6, 2013. Obama stressed the need for military action against Syria to punish the government for its alleged use of chemical weapons.

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Punishment for dissident lawmakers

TOKYO, Japan - Koichiro Watanabe (2nd from L) and other lower house members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan hold a press conference in the Diet building in Tokyo on March 1, 2011, after the party leadership decided to punish them for skipping voting on the budget plan for fiscal 2011 during a plenary session of the House of Representatives earlier in the day. Watanabe, who led the rebellion, had his party membership suspended for six months while the 15 other dissident lawmakers were reprimanded.

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Journalists in Italy go on strike

ROME, Italy - A man looks out of a kiosk window with a sign listing available newspapers in Rome on July 9, 2010. Almost no news was reported in Italy the same day as the country's federation of journalist unions went on strike to protest against a bill that would punish journalists reporting wiretap transcripts.

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Stablemasters punished over gangster involvement

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association chief Musashigawa speaks to reporters at the Ryogoku Kokugikan hall in Tokyo on May 27, 2010. The association decided that day to punish two stablemasters for giving senior members of an organized crime gang group tickets for grand sumo tournaments.

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Stablemasters punished over gangster involvement

TOKYO, Japan - Stablemaster Kiyomigata (L) and stablemaster Kise head for an executive meeting of the Japan Sumo Association at the Ryogoku Kokugikan hall in Tokyo on May 27, 2010. The association decided that day to punish the two stablemasters for giving senior members of an organized crime gang group tickets for grand sumo tournaments.

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JR West slaps execs with pay cuts over fatal 2005 derailment

OSAKA, Japan - Seiji Manabe, vice president of West Japan Railway Co., speaks during a news conference in Osaka on July 23. He said the company will punish 26 executives with pay cuts of as much as 30 percent over the 2005 train derailment in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, which left 107 people dead and 562 injured.

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N. Koreans rally in Pyongyang to protest against U.N. resolution

PYONGYANG, North Korea - North Korean participants raise their fists during a rally at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on June 15. Some 100,000 North Koreans attended the rally to protest against the U.N. Security Council resolution to punish North Korea over its second nuclear test.

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N. Koreans rally in Pyongyang to protest against U.N. resolution

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Some 100,000 North Koreans take part in a rally at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on June 15 to protest against the U.N. Security Council resolution to punish North Korea over its second nuclear test.

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N. Koreans rally in Pyongyang to protest against U.N. resolution

PYONGYANG, North Korea - North Korean participants raise their fists during a rally at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on June 15. Some 100,000 North Koreans attended the rally to protest against the U.N. Security Council resolution to punish North Korea over its second nuclear test.

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Farm ministry to punish 25 top officials for tainted rice scandal

TOKYO, Japan - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a news conference at the farm ministry on Nov. 28 at which he announced that 25 senior officials will be punished for a scandal over the sale of tainted rice. Ishiba also said he will return his pay to the government for two months.

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Nonlife insurers punish execs over failures to pay benefits

TOKYO, Japan - Nipponkoa Insurance Co. Chairman Ken Matsuzawa (C), President Makoto Hyodo (2nd R), and other Nipponkoa executives bow in apology at a news conference in Tokyo on April 13 where the insurer said it will punish senior executives over failure to pay due insurance benefits. Matsuzawa will take a 50 percent executive pay cut over six months and Hyodo 30 percent, starting in May.

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Nonlife insurers punish execs over failures to pay benefits

TOKYO, Japan - President Kunio Ishihara (L) and Senior Managing Director Shuzo Sumi (R) of Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. bow in apology at a news conference in Tokyo on April 13 where the insurer said it will punish senior executives over failure to pay due insurance benefits. Ishihara is stepping down and will be replaced by Sumi.

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Osaka gov't to punish 163 over slush-fund scandals

OSAKA, Japan - Osaka Governor Fusae Ota bows in apology during a press conference at the Osaka prefectural government office in Osaka on Feb. 20. The prefectural government announced the punishment of 163 officials in connection with slush funds, dismissing three in disgrace for embezzling public money and withholding Ota's pay for one month.

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Lender Aiful halts operations at all outlets as penalty

KYOTO, Japan - A customer reads a notice on suspension of business at an outlet of consumer loan company Aiful Corp. in Kyoto on May 8. Aiful suspended part of its operations at all of its nearly 1,900 outlets nationwide in accordance with an order from the Financial Services Agency to punish it for illegal lending practices.

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Toyota to punish executives for leaking mechanic exam questions

TOKYO, Japan - Kazushi Iwatsuki, vice president of Toyota Motor Corp., bows to show apology during a press conference at the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry in Tokyo on Dec. 12. Iwatsuki announced disciplinary measures on 13 top executives in connection with the leakage by company employees of a national mechanics licensing test.

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Justice minister proposes introducing conspiracy charge

TOKYO, Japan - Justice Minister Mayumi Moriyama addresses a meeting of the Legislative Council, her advisory panel, on Sept. 3. She proposed revising the law on organized crime to enable investigative authorities to file charges against people who conspire to commit such crimes. The proposal is in line with the Japanese government's intention to ratify a treaty on international organized crimes, which obliges signatory nations to punish conspirators even if they do not commit actual crimes.

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GSDF col. fired, 2 generals punished over shooting cover-up

TOKYO, Japan - Defense Agency chief Tsutomu Kawara speaks at a news conference April 27 on his agency's decision to dismiss a colonel and punish 23 other Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) officers for covering up alleged illegal shooting on a military firing range.