Toyota, BMW tie up on green technologies
News On Japan via Japan Times -- Dec 02

Toyota Motor Corp. and Germany's BMW said Thursday they are teaming up in the field of hybrid vehicle technologies, aiming to speed up development and lower the costs of producing "green" vehicles amid a stricter regulatory environment. Under the agreement, the two carmakers will carry out joint research into next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies, among other projects, they told a joint news conference in Tokyo. BMW will also supply 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter diesel engines to Toyota's unit in Europe starting in 2014, which will help the Japanese automaker expand its lineup of low-emission vehicles in the region.

Source: Japan Times



May 24 AV amateurs perform in the comfort of their own homes
Always in search of a new wrinkle, Japan’s adult video (AV) industry is now taking applications from every Tom, Dick, and Harry to fulfill the dream in performing in porn pictures. (Tokyo Reporter)
May 24 Tokyo cops bust casino in Shibuya
Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Wednesday raided an Internet casino in Shibuya Ward for offering illegal gambling. (Tokyo Reporter)
May 23 Osaka court accepts losing horse racing bets as expenses
Osaka District Court accepted a claim on Thursday that losses on betting on horse racing should be deductible from payouts to calculate taxable income. (Jiji Press )
May 23 Youth arrested for hitting 16-year-old girl with baseball bat
An 18-year-old youth has been arrested on a charge of attempted murder after he allegedly hit a 16-year-old girl in the head with a baseball bat. (Japan Today )
May 22 X Japan waxes lyrical at Madame Tussauds debut
This Monday, members of the seminal metal band X Japan were in Odaiba rubbing shoulders with the likes of Brad Pitt, Lady Gaga and AKB48′s Yuko Oshima. The catch? They were all made out of wax. (Japan Times )
May 22 Transport ministry to unify rules for baby strollers on buses, trains
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has announced that it intends to draw up a set of unified rules for the use of baby strollers on buses and trains. (Japan Today )
May 21 Man stabs ex-wife, then crashes car during getaway
A man stabbed his ex-wife on a street in Isehara, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday morning, and then caused a car crash while he was fleeing from the scene. (Japan Today )
May 21 Japan Crown Prince to visit Spain
Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito will visit Spain for seven days from June 10, the government said Tuesday. (Jiji Press )
May 21 Tokyo broker for Thai hostesses busted for wrongful employment
Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Monday announced the arrest of a broker of Thai females for violating immigration laws by employing the women as masseuses. (Tokyo Reporter )
May 21 Claim filed against Yamaguchi-gumi top bosses for arson death in Nagoya
The parents of a nightclub worker killed in an arson fire three years ago filed a suit in the Nagoya District Court on Monday seeking damages against top members of the Yamaguchi-gumi organized crime group. (Tokyo Reporter )