2003.11.17

DPRK-Nuke Talks (VOA) UPDATED As first reported here earlier, there is now word from a South Korean official confirming that the next round of six-way talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons programs are likely to be held in Beijing Dec. 17-18.     2003.11.17

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Rumsfeld renews call on N Korea. [BBC News ] The US and South Korea tell the North to end its nuclear plans, as hopes rise for new talks on the issue.   2003.11.17

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Rumsfeld Assures S. Korea Over Pullback (AP). Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld assured longtime ally South Korea today that a planned pullback of U.S. troops from the border area with communist North Korea will strengthen the ability of the American military to respond to an invasion from the north.   2003.11.17

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Exports underpin growth in Japan. [BBC News] Japan's economy grows 0.6% in the third quarter, making 21 straight months of expansion and lifting hopes of recovery.   2003.11.17

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DPRK-Nuke Talks Sources say six-way talks on North Korean's nuclear weapons program will be held Dec. 17-18 in Beijing. Developing   2003.11.17

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Japan-Markets UPDATED Stock prices in Japan plunged today as selling of banking and tech shares sparked across-the-board selling. Concerns about terrorism as well as the pace of the U-S economy recovery were factors. A purported threat from an Al Qaeda-linked group to set off car bombs in Tokyo contributed to the Monday stock exchange plunge here. The benchmark Nikkei dropped 380 points, some 3.75% to below 9787. That's its lowest closing level since mid-August. The broadbased TOPIX was off 3.5%. First section losers overwhelmed gainers by nearly a 25:1 ratio with volume at 1,171 million shares. The Nikkei index volume leader was the troubled Resona banking group, falling about 7.75%percent. Trading company Nissho Iwai-Nichimen plummeted some 17.5%. The greenback surged in Asian trading amid the plunge for Japanese stocks. Fears that Al-Qaeda may have it sights on Tokyo for a terrorist attack also prompted buying of the dollar. North American and European funds were also said to be cashing in Japanese equities ahead of their fiscal year-ends. Late in the session, the dollar was near 109.50 yen, more than 1.1  yen above its late Friday New York quote and 1.5 yen higher than its end-of-last week Tokyo position.   2003.11.17

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Japan-Foreigners (Mainichi) Police target sex shops, internet cafes to crack down on illegal aliens. Meanwhile, authorities claim that 43% of Tokyo crimes are committed by supposed foreign students.   2003.11.17

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Al Qaeda-Japan (VOA) UPDATED Prime Minister Koizumi says Japan will not be intimidated by Al-Qaeda linked threat against Tokyo.   2003.11.17

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Rumsfeld met with Korea protests. [BBC News ] Protesters greet the US defense secretary as he starts a visit to South Korea to discuss US bases.   2003.11.17

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DPRK-Nuke Talks (Reuters) U.S. envoy, visiting Tokyo, silent on possible date for resumption of six-way talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons programs.     2003.11.17

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Al Qaeda-Japan (AFP) Al Qaeda threatens attack in heart of Tokyo if Japan sends troops to Iraq.     2003.11.17

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Japan-Markets (Kyodo) Nikkei plunges at start of Monday trading. Down 370 points at mid-day break to below 9,800. Al Qaeda threat to Tokyo said to be among reasons investors are jittery. JASDAQ trading halted for 90 minutes due to "computer malfunction." Dollar claws its way back to upper-108 yen range.   2003.11.17

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Bill outline defines duties in event of military attack [The Japan Times] Japan has drafted the outline of a bill stipulating how it and local governments should protect the public in foreign attacks on it.   2003.11.17

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