2005.05.12

Japan-BSE (Kyodo) Another mad cow in Japan -- if you're counting, this is #18. 2005.05.12

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NEW SAIPAN POWER OUTAGE HITS HOTELS SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, May 11) - There was a power outage on Saipan for the third straight day, this time affecting the island’s tourism district. Power in Garapan went out yesterday afternoon after a large tree transplanted at the Carolinian Utt Center fell on electrical lines and split a power pole, according to CUC spokeswoman Pamela Mathis. No one was reported hurt in the incident. Mathis said a crew was immediately dispatched to the area to fix the problem and restore the power supply. Today, Mathis said a power outage is scheduled in Tanapag area between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. She said the power supply will be cut off in the area to enable the CUC crew to replace termite-infested primary power poles. 2005.05.12

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Japan-Toys (Kyodo) Two more Japanese toymakers are set to merge. 2005.05.12

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USA Counting on PRC to Stop DPRK Nuke Programs (AP). The Bush administration is depending heavily on China to rescue a faltering diplomatic effort to negotiate an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons effort but has suggested no specific pressure tactics to Beijing. 2005.05.12

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Japan-Leash Girl [Mainichi] A Sapporo man kept a Hyogo teenager captive on a leash for months. It started as an online romance, of course. 2005.05.12

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Japan seeks clues to fate of Iraq captive (Reuters). The fate of a Japanese man missing in Iraq is still unknown, two days after a militant group claimed to have captured him, but his employer says he may have died of injuries. 2005.05.12

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Tokyo Tightens Cyber Defense After Protest (AP). Japan bolsters the defense of its computer systems in the face of a surge in cyber attacks believed linked to anti-Japanese sentiment in Asia, increasing staff and creating a new agency to coordinate its efforts. 2005.05.12

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Japan-Iraq (Kyodo) Japanese mercenary taken hostage in Iraq feared dead. 2005.05.12

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