Mainichi rejoins Kyodo news network after 57 years

The Mainichi Newspapers Co., citing bulging news-gathering costs, said Thursday it is reviving its alliance with Kyodo News service after a 57-year hiatus.

It said the move was crucial to its efforts to survive.

The development will provide The Mainichi with much-needed access to regional reports from newspapers that have ties to the Kyodo network, as well as Kyodo's own reports, company officials said.

Through the tie-up, The Mainichi will have access to local stories submitted by more than 10 regional newspapers that file to Kyodo in areas where the national daily has no bureaus.

The Mainichi will become the 57th member to the Kyodo network, which comprises mainly regional dailies.

In fiscal 2008, The Mainichi posted its first operating and pretax losses in 15 years.

Yutaka Asahina, president of Mainichi Newspapers, told a news conference the alliance will not translate into further job cuts.(IHT/Asahi: November 27,2009)