Suspected suicide by Japanese film-maker

Police in Japan say the noted Japanese film director, Juzo Itami, is thought to have committed suicide by jumping from the roof of a eight-storey building in Tokyo.

Mr Itami, who was sixty-four, was found in a pool of blood late on Saturday in front of the building where he had his office.

Known for his satirical films on the Japanese underworld and other social issues, Mr Itami was once stabbed in front of his house in 1992.

But the police said no foul play was suspected over his death.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service