Mazda cutback sends temps on the street, adds to local economic gloom

Mazda cutback sends temps on the street, adds to local economic gloom

HIROSHIMA, Japan - A former temp staffer with Mazda Motor Corp. watches TV in at home after his employment contract was terminated by the company on Dec. 5 even though it was valid until February 2009.

Hitachi head suggests more wage cuts at annual wage talks

Hitachi head suggests more wage cuts at annual wage talks

TOKYO, Japan - Hitachi Ltd. President Etsuhiko Shoyama speaks in an interview with Kyodo News on Dec. 17. He suggested the electronics titan may try to persuade its labor union to accept yet another wage cut during next spring's ''shunto'' annual wage talks. ''It may be a matter of course to conduct a wage cutback since the economy is going through deflation,'' Shoyama said.

Okinawa city assembly demands curfew

Okinawa city assembly demands curfew

NAHA, Japan - The Okinawa city assembly, angered by a string of incidents involving U.S. military personnel in Okinawa Prefecture, unanimously passes a resolution and a written opinion Feb. 21 calling for a curfew on U.S. military personnel, a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement and a drastic cutback in U.S. forces in the prefecture.

Hitachi head suggests more wage cuts at annual wage talks

Hitachi head suggests more wage cuts at annual wage talks

TOKYO, Japan - Hitachi Ltd. President Etsuhiko Shoyama speaks in an interview with Kyodo News on Dec. 17. He suggested the electronics titan may try to persuade its labor union to accept yet another wage cut during next spring's ''shunto'' annual wage talks. ''It may be a matter of course to conduct a wage cutback since the economy is going through deflation,'' Shoyama said. (Kyodo)

Okinawa city assembly demands curfew

Okinawa city assembly demands curfew

NAHA, Japan - The Okinawa city assembly, angered by a string of incidents involving U.S. military personnel in Okinawa Prefecture, unanimously passes a resolution and a written opinion Feb. 21 calling for a curfew on U.S. military personnel, a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement and a drastic cutback in U.S. forces in the prefecture.