Blaze at home of politician critical of Japan’s PM

THE house and office of a politician critical of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s controversial visit to a war shrine burned down yesterday.

The fire broke out at the home and office of Koichi Kato in Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan, destroying the buildings, according to local police official Koji Suzuki.

An unidentified man was found collapsed on the premises with wounds to his abdomen. He was rushed to a hospital. There were no other injuries.