2003.12.07

Japan-U.S. Embassy (Kyodo)   It appears that the United States has not paid the rent for its embassy in Tokyo since 1998. The U.S. State Department contends it owns the land. Japan says the property belongs to the Foreign Ministry. No plans, so far, to evict the Yanks. 2003.12.07

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Volunteers in Japan Give Mount Fuji a Makeover [New York Times] The Japanese have been stung by criticism that their most sacred mountain has been despoiled by the roughly 5,000 tourists and pilgrims who climbed the 12,388-foot peak daily in the summer. When Japan withdrew "Fuji-san" as a candidate for listing as a World Heritage site by Unesco, many felt stung by the omission. Since then, volunteers have spent months scrubbing what was once a symbol of Japanese purity.   2003.12.07

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U.S., Asia Allies Agree on DPRK Talks (AP). The United States, Japan and South Korea have worked out a joint proposal on how to ease tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons program and will ask China to relay it to the communist North.   2003.12.07

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Korean fish joins malaria fight.  [BBC News ] Scientists say the muddy loach, which eats mosquito larvae, could help control the spread of malaria.   2003.12.07

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Bush-Pearl Harbor Day (Kyodo) President Bush fails to mention Japan in Pearl Harbor Day statement.     2003.12.07

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Japan-Snowstorm (Kyodo) A big snowstorm forecast to hit northern Japan today with up to 40cm of the white stuff expected to fall on Hokkaido.   2003.12.07

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ROK Says Joint Proposal Ready for DPRK [VOANews] A top South Korean diplomat says Washington, Tokyo and Seoul have worked out a joint proposal on how to ease tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons program.   2003.12.07

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ROK Taekwondo chief held. [BBC News ] The head of South Korea's Taekwondo Association has been arrested on charges of rigging his election last year.   2003.12.07

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