Kyodo News (Crime/Accidents)

M5.7 quake occurs in northeastern Japan

A fairly strong earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 5.7 occurred Saturday night in northeastern Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The epicenter of the 9:46 p.m. quake was off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, the agency said.

Deer in Nara struck by arrow, police launch probe

One of the wild deer in Nara Park, which are designated national natural treasures, was found Saturday with a bow-gun arrow stuck in its abdomen, prompting local police to launch an investigation on suspicion of a person having violated the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, they said. A local group protecting the deer removed the 52-centimeter iron arrow from the female deer after anesthetizing it, but the animal is not well due to the serious injuries, group members said.

Prosecutors question DPJ lawmaker Kobayashi over fund scandal

Prosecutors questioned ruling Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Chiyomi Kobayashi on a voluntary basis Saturday in Tokyo in connection with a fund scandal involving her election campaign, sources familiar with the case said. During the questioning that lasted about four hours at a hotel, the House of Representatives member said she did not know about 16 million yen allegedly provided from a teachers' union to her election office, they said.

Widow's film on 1995 subway sarin attack screened

By Sayo Sasaki
A film showing a widow's interviews with key persons involved in the 1995 subway sarin attack was screened at a gathering in Tokyo on Saturday, a week ahead of the 15th anniversary of the attack. By sharing with the public the experiences of 11 people, including former police and prosecutor chiefs, a doctor and victims, interviewer Shizue Takahashi said she hopes to pass down memories of the AUM Shinrikyo cult's attack that killed her husband and 11 others, and injured more than 6,000.

Prosecutors question DPJ lawmaker Kobayashi over fund scandal

Prosecutors questioned ruling Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Chiyomi Kobayashi on a voluntary basis Saturday in Tokyo in connection with a fund scandal involving her election campaign, sources familiar with the case said. The prosecutors likely asked if the House of Representatives member knew about 16 million yen allegedly provided from a teachers' union to her election office, they said.

7 die in nursing home fire in Hokkaido

Seven residents of a nursing home for the elderly with dementia in Sapporo, Hokkaido, died in a fire early Saturday morning, police said. Another resident, an 83-year-old woman, was not injured and a 24-year-old female worker sustained injuries in the 2:30 a.m. fire. The seven residents who died are believed to be four women and three men in their 60s to 90s, the police said.

7 die in nursing home fire in Hokkaido

Prosecutors to question DPJ lawmaker Kobayashi over fund scandal

Prosecutors plan to question ruling Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Chiyomi Kobayashi on a voluntary basis Saturday in Tokyo in connection with a fund scandal involving her election campaign, sources familiar with the case said. The prosecutors apparently plan to ask if the House of Representatives member knew about 16 million yen allegedly provided from a teachers' union to her election office, they said.

Coast guard inspects whaling vessel with arrested activist

The Japan Coast Guard inspected a whaling ship Saturday at Yokohama port in the presence of a New Zealand antiwhaling activist who is under arrest for trespass after boarding the vessel in the Antarctic Ocean last month. The coast guard wants to confirm how Pete Bethune, 44, of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society got on board the whaling fleet security vessel, the Shonan Maru No. 2.

7 die in nursing home fire in Hokkaido

Seven of the eight residents of a nursing home for the elderly in Sapporo, Hokkaido, died in a fire early Saturday morning, police said. The remaining resident, a woman, and a female worker were injured in the 2:25 a.m. fire. The seven residents who died are believed to be four women and three men in their 60s to 80s, the police said.