Inside Japan - Britain, Japan at

Britain, Japan at
odds on face mask merit

Japan's factories showing signs of life

Key U.K. medical official calls Asia's mainstay protective wear merely a false reassurance

Britain appears to be at odds with Japan over the usefulness of face masks to help combat the spread of swine flu.

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's struggling manufacturers are showing signs of life as the government said Thursday that industrial production rose for the first time in six months in March.

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Statute of limitations on civil cases called into question

While Japan is advising the use of masks to help stem the spread of any potential outbreak of the virus, Britain doubts their effectiveness for the general population and has omitted their use from any public health advisories.

Indeed, a senior doctor who advises the British government claimed Tuesday that the masks are merely providing "false reassurance."

Surgical face masks are a common sight in Japan and other parts of Asia for sufferers of colds and flu, and Europeans are often surprised when they first see them being worn on subways and in public places.

(The Japan Times) // FULL ARTICLE

The Supreme Court has acknowledged that a man who confessed to a murder after the 20-year statute of limitations had expired still bore civil responsibility for the death, finalizing a Tokyo High Court decision that he pay 42.55 million yen in damages to the victim's bereaved family.

(YOMIURI) // FULL ARTICLE

Job-training camps for rejected graduates

Britain, Japan at odds on face mask merit

JAL in world-first Bio-fuel flight

Mice spines improved with iPS cells

Japan scientists identify cancer -

suppressing enzyme

Sumo wrestler submits resignation

Sewage yields more gold than mines

Paint made in Japan blocks Wi-Fi

MORE

Finance company concealed 500 mil. yen in income

Skimpy skiing takes off in Russia
(Source: Reuters / SBS World News)

Ski-lovers in northern Russia say good-bye to winter and welcome spring by taking part in an unsual race.

Keen cross-country skiers race in skimpy clothing to mark the end of the ski season.

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A Tokyo-based finance company that advances funds to companies listed on emerging equity markets and speculative brokers concealed more than 500 million yen in taxable income in the seven years to 2008, sources said.

(YOMIURI) // FULL ARTICLE