2003.09.05

Koizumi vs. Three Losers (Kyodo)   Although the AP story previously posted below attempts to extract some drama out of the upcoming LDP race -- there will be little. We make Koizumi a 1:3 favorite. 2003.09.05

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Stumbling Economy May Hurt Japanese PM (AP). AP - For more than two years, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has ridden high on his reputation for being a little different from Japan's old-guard politicians, with the courage to break from pork-barrel policies, a love for opera and his trademark puffy hair. [Yahoo! News - World] 2003.09.05

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N.Korea Ferry Leaves Japan, Can Return Regularly (Reuters). Photo: AP via Mainichi Reuters - A North Korean ferry suspected of smuggling drugs and missile parts in the past left Japan for home on Friday after passing safety checks that cleared the way for the controversial vessel to resume regular voyages. [Yahoo! News - World] 2003.09.05

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Mangyongbong-92 Departs (Kyodo)   With today's departure of the North Korean ship from Niigata, it lookslike the Pyongyng elite will have their caviar, musk melons and Asahi Beer  in time for their Indpendence Day celebrations next week. 2003.09.05

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Japanese Female Tourist Slain in Big Easy (AP via Times-Picayune)   Authorities still trying to find family of Japanese young woman (Kanako Ohyama, 21) killed in or near New Orleans. Interesting to see that her name has been released before next of kin notified. But maybe they have released the name in a desperate attempt to locate next of kin. 2003.09.05

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U-S Marines Rescue on Mt. Fuji (Stars & Stripes)   Have not seen this in Japanese media which, of course, always give play to even most minor incidents when U-S service personnel in Japan do something wrong. 2003.09.05

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DPRK Threats (Knight Ridder)   More details about how the North Koreans behaved at the recent Beijing talks. 2003.09.05

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