2003.10.29

Japanese Prisons (Kyodo) After many years of trying, Amnesty International has finally gotten a look inside a Japanese prison.   2003.10.29

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DPRK-Missile Site (Kyodo) Kyodo quotes a U.S. government source as saying there could be a North Korean missile test at any time.  (NGG note: Kyodo is not always the most reliable on source-based stories outside Japan.) 2003.10.29

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Seoul Protest Over Iraq Troop Move Turns Violent (Reuters). About 1,000 South Korean workers clashed with riot police today following a protest rally against a government decision to send additional troops to Iraq.   2003.10.29

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Solar Flare (AP) A huge solar flare, at least the third strongest ever recorded, hit the Earth around 1500-1600 JST today. Among the initial casualties is the Kodama data relay satellite (built by Mitsubishi Electric) and its JAXA controllers have now shut it down. (We have been told by informed sources that many Japanese-built satellites have inefficient shielding against solar radiation.) But any satellite is susceptible to getting zapped. Shortwave radio communications have been wiped out at times in many of the high frequency bands. Electrical power grids could also be damaged. This was an X17.2  -- in the mega flare category signalling an unprecedented event -- in which the sun in a coronal mass ejection, hurled two billion tons of plasma toward the Earth. On the bright side, even those south of Alaska can get a good aurora show. The aurora appears to be visible in most of Canada.       2003.10.29

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Dollar-Yen (Reuters) Despite intervention rumors, dollar slips below 108 yen -- a new three year low.   2003.10.29

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China Visit Fuels Prospect of New North Korea Talks (Reuters). A top Chinese leader arrived today in North Korea on a trip that diplomats say might jump start talks on Pyongyang's nuclear crisis and prefigure a new shot of aid from the hermit state's main economic benefactor.   2003.10.29

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Aum-Death Sentence (Kyodo) Death is the sentence for a doctor of the murderous Aum cult.   2003.10.29

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Korean Colonization-Ishihara (Mainichi) In another outburst, Tokyo's controversial and right-wing governor, Shintaro Ishihara, has apparently said that Koreans chose to be colonized by Japan in the early 20th century. Expect livid comments from both Seoul and Pyongyang within a day.   2003.10.29

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Yakuza vs. U.S. Navy (Kyodo) An update on a previous story concerning the shooting of a U.S. Navy Petty Officer  in Hiroshima. Turns out the gunman was a yakuza member.     2003.10.29

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China gains on Japan in age-old rivalry for Asia influence. [Christian Science Monitor ] Beijing's moves in and around Asia have begun to deepen China's strategic position.   2003.10.29

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Japan-Headlines (Kyodo) Here are the Wednesday morning front page newspaper headlines in Japan.   2003.10.29

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