TOKYO, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - Toyota Motor is holding talks with Fuji Heavy on enhancing business ties, an official said Wednesday following reports that the auto giant plans to double its stake in the maker of Subaru cars.

'We are holding consultations in various areas' with Fuji Heavy, Toyota spokeswoman Shiori Hashimoto said.

TOKYO, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - Japan will study whether to allow meat and dairy products from cloned animals to be served at homes and restaurants, the government said Wednesday.

TOKYO, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - Toyota Motor Corp. on Wednesday denied a media report that the Japanese government had funded development of the gas-electric hybrid system for its popular Prius vehicle.

TOKYO, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - Japan's Emperor Akihito and other members of the royal family are unlikely to attend the Beijing Olympics amid concerns here about China's crackdown in Tibet and other issues, a report said Wednesday.

TOKYO, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - Japanese newspapers warned Wednesday that freedom of expression was at stake after cinemas pulled a documentary about a Tokyo shrine honouring war dead amid pressure from nationalists.

CHICAGO, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Japanese auto giant Toyota on Tuesday said its sales in the United States slipped 3.4 percent in March, dragged down by falling demand for its luxury Lexus vehicles.

The US subsidiary Toyota Motor Sales announced March sales of 217,730 vehicles, a decrease of 3.4 percent from a year earlier.

LJUBLJANA, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, whose country holds the European Union's rotating presidency, will visit Japan from April 21 to 24 for an EU-Japan summit, his office said Tuesday.

Slovenia will co-chair the summit in Tokyo on April 23.

MUMBAI, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Two top Indian vehicle makers Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors reported record annual sales on Tuesday in one of the world's fastest growing motoring markets, driven by strong economic growth and fatter salaries.

TOKYO, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Japan on Tuesday began recruiting astronauts for the first time in a decade in the wake of a successful mission to carry Japan's maiden space laboratory to the International Space Station.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will pick three candidates using screening procedures such as aptitude tests, medical checks and interviews.

TOKYO, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - A controversial documentary on a Tokyo war shrine looks unlikely to be screened in Japan amid pressure from right-wingers, prompting the government and media groups to cry foul on Tuesday.