Rice futures trading restarted in Japan

Rice futures trading restarted in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Grain Exchange chief Yoshiaki Watanabe answers questions from reporters during a press conference on the start of rice futures trading on the exchange in Chuo Ward, Tokyo on Aug. 8, 2011. The rice futures trading was restarted for the first time in 72 years in Japan.

Rice futures trading restarted in Japan

Rice futures trading restarted in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Grain Exchange chief Yoshiaki Watanabe rings the opening bell at a ceremony to start rice futures trading on the exchange in Chuo Ward, Tokyo on Aug. 8, 2011. The rice futures trading was restarted for the first time in 72 years in Japan.

Koizumi launches preparatory office for postal privatization

Koizumi launches preparatory office for postal privatization

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (C) holds up a signboard showing a newly-opened office to prepare the privatization of Japan's postal services in Tokyo on April 26. At right is office head Yoshiaki Watanabe, and at left is Financial Services Minister Heizo Takenaka. (Pool photo)

Vice farm minister Kumazawa to resign over mad cow

Vice farm minister Kumazawa to resign over mad cow

TOKYO, Japan - Hideaki Kumazawa (L in file photo), vice minister of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry, will resign and be replaced by Yoshiaki Watanabe (R in file photo), director general of the Fisheries Agency, agriculture minister Tsutomu Takebe said on Dec. 25. Kumazawa is apparently resigning over the outbreak of mad cow disease in Japan.

Rice futures trading restarted in Japan

Rice futures trading restarted in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Grain Exchange chief Yoshiaki Watanabe answers questions from reporters during a press conference on the start of rice futures trading on the exchange in Chuo Ward, Tokyo on Aug. 8, 2011. The rice futures trading was restarted for the first time in 72 years in Japan. (Kyodo)

Rice futures trading restarted in Japan

Rice futures trading restarted in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Grain Exchange chief Yoshiaki Watanabe rings the opening bell at a ceremony to start rice futures trading on the exchange in Chuo Ward, Tokyo on Aug. 8, 2011. The rice futures trading was restarted for the first time in 72 years in Japan. (Kyodo)

Koizumi launches preparatory office for postal privatization

Koizumi launches preparatory office for postal privatization

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (C) holds up a signboard showing a newly-opened office to prepare the privatization of Japan's postal services in Tokyo on April 26. At right is office head Yoshiaki Watanabe, and at left is Financial Services Minister Heizo Takenaka. (Pool photo)(Kyodo)