Main events scheduled in Japan for Thursday, Jan. 5:
-- Consumer sentiment data for December to be released by Cabinet Office at 2 p.m.
-- Domestic auto sales for December to be released by Japan Automobile Dealers Association.
-- Law to ban organizations from maliciously soliciting donations, enacted following criticism of fundraising practices of Unification Church, to take effect.
-- Campaigning to start for gubernatorial election in Yamanashi Prefecture.
-- Joint New Year press conference to be held by Japan Business Federation, Japan Association of Corporate Executives and Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.