photo by Ben Hamamoto/Nichi Bei Times

By BEN HAMAMOTO
Nichi Bei Times

On Jan. 4, weathering torrential rains and in spite of a power outage caused by a ferocious storm, tenants of the historic San Francisco Flower Mart gathered to hold a press conference. The gloom and doom atmosphere caused by the storm outside seemed to mirror the emotions of the small business owners and their supporters huddled in the darkened Toscana Gardens shop.

OAKLAND (Bay City News Service) — Three suspects have now confessed to being involved in at least some of a string of armed robberies at Asian restaurants in Oakland, San Leandro, Berkeley and Albany, Oakland police said Jan. 2.

photo courtesy of Cedrick Shimo

Dear Editor,

A Happy New Year to you and to your staff.

I always look forward to receiving through the mail the Nichi Bei Times, and the other day I received the January 1, 2008 issue. As usual I enjoyed reading the many interesting articles.

A living memorial honoring Bill Hosokawa, a journalist, author and citizen diplomat, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Gates Concert Hall of the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, located on the University of Denver campus at 2344 East Iliff Ave. in Denver, Colo. Hosokawa passed away peacefully on Nov. 9, 2007, with family members around him at the home of his daughter Christine in Sequim, Wash., following an illness. He was 92 years old.

By NAOKO AOKI

BEIJING (Kyodo) — Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda told a Chinese audience on Friday his country will "look squarely" into its wartime militarism and pass it on to its children and grandchildren, saying he believes that is the only way to ensure mistakes are not repeated.

photo courtesy of THINKFilm

By BEN HAMAMOTO
Nichi Bei Times

"Nanking," a critical favorite at last year's Sundance Film Festival, is beginning its theatrical run this Friday. The documentary by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman, which tells the story of the Nanking Massacre, is engaging, enraging and surprisingly inspirational.

www.sportslogos.net

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Former Hanshin Tigers right-hander Keiichi Yabu, who played for the Oakland Athletics in 2005, has agreed on a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants, his management office said Dec. 25.

TOKYO (Kyodo) — The Kansas City Royals have signed Hideo Nomo to a minor league deal, the veteran Japanese right-hander said on his official website on Jan. 4.

Nomo will take part in the Royals' spring training next month as a non-roster invitee in his bid to return to the major leagues, where he has compiled a 123-109 record over 11 seasons.