2006.01.04

Japan-Banking (AP). Systems glitch mars opening of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. 2006.01.04

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Sony-Lawsuits The U.S. State of Florida preparing to sue Sony BMG Entertainment over spy music software. 2006.01.04

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A Battle For Japan's Boomers (Business Week). When Japan's Financial Services Agency ordered Citigroup to close its private banking division a year ago, rivals in Tokyo were in no position to gloat. Sure, Citi's exit caused more than a bit of schadenfreude -- the shutdown followed FSA accusations of legal and regulatory violations, such as misleading some clients about their investments and giving loans to others that were used to manipulate stocks. But despite the troubles, at least Citi had a private banking business to lose. Others had barely made a dent in what should have been a booming trade. 2006.01.04

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ROK-Cloning (Reuters) Shamed South Korean stem cell scientist reportedly coerced female researchers into donating their eggs. 2006.01.04

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CNMI-Terrorism (Saipan Tribune) Former member of Islamic terrorist group arrested after manhunt on Saipan. 2006.01.04

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Japan-Year of the Dog (Kyodo) Japan's prime minister tells reporters that the country's women need to be more like bitches. 2006.01.04

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Noodles down, crime up, and butts beat boobs in 2006 (Mainichi Daily News). One of Japan's raunchy weeklies has issued  its forecast  for Japan's trends this year. 2006.01.04

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Japan-Stock Market (Reuters) Japan's benchmark stock index starts new year by surging to its highest close in more than 63 months. 2006.01.04

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DPRK-USA (AP). The White House does not appear inclined to reverse sanctions against North Korea as Pyongyang demands as a prerequisite to resumption of multi-lateral talks on its illegal nuclear weapons programs. 2006.01.04

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Japan-Killer Mochi (Mainichi) Only four mochi deaths reported in the Tokyo area this New Year's. 2006.01.04

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Japan-Asia (VOA) Updated Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi raps China and South Korea for severing dialogue because of his annual visits to controversial war shrine. 2006.01.04

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Earthquake shakes Guam. [Pacific Daily News] Guam wobbled late last night in another quake. About 10:28 p.m., preliminary reports showed an earthquake of 5.5 magnitude with an epicenter about 50 miles southeast of Hagåtña. 2006.01.04

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