The conservative politician also told reporters there was no clear evidence that the Japanese military coerced women to become what are euphemistically called 'comfort women'

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Wales scrum-half Lloyd Williams faces month out of action

Williams was hurt during Cardiff Blues' RaboDirect PRO12 defeat against the Ospreys

Wayne Rooney pictured training for United

Manchester United to begin summer tour in Thailand

United will take on the Singha All Star XI

Wayne Rooney

Manchester United announce friendly against J.League outfit Cerezo Osaka

United will go on tour in the summer

BOA welcome move to double ban for drugs cheats to four years

The BOA's lifetime ban was overturned in the Court or Arbitration for Sport in May

Heather Watson shows her delight as she triumphs

Heather Watson the warrior becomes first Briton to win WTA title in 24 years

Gutsy 20-year-old saves four match points to triumph at Japan Open and take place among the world's elite

Laura Robson pictured at the China Open

Heather Watson and Laura Robson progress at the Japan Open

Britain's Heather Watson and Laura Robson booked their places in the quarter-finals of the Japan Open with contrasting wins in Osaka today.

Shinji Kagawa

Shinji Kagawa learning the short route to goals and glory for Manchester United

Ferguson applies the finishing touches to Japanese midfielder's attacking game

London slips down rankings of world's most expensive cities

If you think the UK in general and London in particular are expensive locations for foreign businessmen – think again.

Protests against nuclear power in Tokyo

In Japan, the lights are already starting to go out...

Government accused of plotting to restart nuclear plants as it warns of power cuts

BOA expect defeat over lifetime ban for drugs cheats

British Olympic Association chiefs are increasingly resigned to defeat next week in their court battle to keep their lifetime ban for drugs cheats.

More than capable of taking over a film: Awashima with Isao Kimura in the 1958 film 'Nuages d'été'

Chikage Awashima: Versatile, adored Japanese actress of stage and screen

Chikage Awashima was a consummate performer of screen and stage in the post-war era, continuing up to the present. She had a strong, affectionate relationship with her public in Japan, particularly with regard her comedy performances, but she was remembered in the West for a few serious roles. The writer Donald Richie found "all of her characterisations, even the most superficially written, both believable and moving."

Earthquake jolts western Japan

An earthquake with preliminary magnitude 5.4 jolted Wakayama prefecture in western Japan today, the Meteorological Agency said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damages and no tsunami warning was issued.

Man admits strangling Lindsay Ann Hawker

A man has admitted raping and strangling British teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker - but said he did not intend to kill her.

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National archives: Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

Newly unearthed papers reveal a shocking extra dimension to the constitutional crisis over monarch’s abdication
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Sent down at the Old Bailey

A tour of the world's most famous court
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Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

The Hangover actor Zach Galifianakis’s date for his movie premieres isn’t arm candy  – it’s his 87-year-old friend who he saved from homelessness
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British football scores an own goal

Many managers barely survive a year in post. Martin Baker talks to experts who make a case for clubs using forensic business skills to find the best staff
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James Lawton

Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again
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Dylan Hartley talks tough

Northampton have spent the season proving all our critics wrong
Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

Plenty of sleaze

Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

The Freemasons’ Code

Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’: Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar

How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
Why clubs are keen to take a stand

Why clubs are keen to take a stand

There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death