'Mr Walkman' retires after stroke

TOKYO - Akio Morita, chairman of Sony and Japan's best-known businessman, is retiring from all business responsibilities after suffering a stroke, Terry McCarthy reports. Mr Morita, 72, who gave the world the Walkman and co-wrote the book The Japan that can say No, is in intensive care in a Tokyo hospital after a four-hour operation for a brain tumour on Tuesday. The news of Mr Morita's illness was kept quiet for two days, but the stock market reacted calmly and Sony's shares rose slightly.

Japan's Defence Minister, Keisuke Nakanishi, resigned yesterday after sparking a furore in parliament by calling for amendments to the country's 'peace constitution'.

that would allow Japanese troops to assume combat roles under UN command.