2005.05.25

DPRK unmoved despite USA contact--Czech leader (Reuters). North Korea remains unmoved in its refusal to return to six-country nuclear talks despite a recent contact with the United States, the Czech parliament chairman says after talks with leaders of the reclusive communist dictatorship. 2005.05.25

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Japan spokesman seeks to calm ties with PRC (Reuters). Japan's top government spokesman, seeking to calm ties with China, says he'll no longer comment on Beijing's cancellation of a meeting between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi. 2005.05.25

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Trade pact for Japan and Malaysia. [BBC News ] Japan and Malaysia say they have reached a basic deal on a free trade pact covering most economic sectors. 2005.05.25

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Japan-Saipan (Kyodo) JAL to say 'sayonara Saipan.' 2005.05.25

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Japan-JR (Kyodo) UPDATED Commuter confusion in Tokyo this morning as service on two major rail lines in the Kanto area are suspended for four hours due to "signal trouble." 2005.05.25

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Bush to meet with ROK's Roh to break DPRK nuclear impasse (AFP). President Bush is to meet with his South Korean counterpart next month in a bid to break the current deadlock over North Korea's nuclear weapons program. 2005.05.25

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Japan's birthrate falls to record-low 1.28 in 2004 (AFP). Japan's birthrate fell to a record low of 1.28 in 2004, the fourth straight year it has done so, despite government efforts to turn the tide around. 2005.05.25

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China-Japan ties hit 'new low'?. [Christian Science Monitor] Japan's PM shrugs off high-level snub from China, but press reports emphasize its importance. 2005.05.25

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DPRK Won't Rule Out Pre-Emptive Attack (AP). North Korea refuses to rule out a pre-emptive attack, even amid signs it may be willing to return to the nuclear bargaining table. 2005.05.25

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