2006.05.18

Annan Wants Iran, DPRK Nuke 'Crises' Resolved. [VOA] U.N. secretary-general, in Tokyo, calls on both Iran and North Korea to return to international negotiations to resolve nuclear concerns. Japan's Emperor also tells Kofi Annan he is concerned, as well. 2006.05.18

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Mt Fuji's dangerous beauty. [Radio Australia] It might be one of the most recognizable images of Japan but it could also be deadly. There are fears that Japan's highest mountain, Mount Fuji, could be planning a return to its volcanic past. While scientists say it's difficult to say when, they do agree that Fuji-san may be nearing a peak in its volcanic cycle which could mean an eruption, either next year, in three decades' time, or a 100 years' time. 2006.05.18

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Japan-Cyberleak (Asahi) Sensitive documents on USN-MSDF exercise leaked on the internet. 2006.05.18

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Japan-Xenophobia (VOA) The U.N.'s racism specialist urges Japan to adopt anti-discrimination legislation. 2006.05.18

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Japan-PRC Sea Gas (Kyodo) Japan, China still trying to bridge gap over East China Sea gas dispute. 2006.05.18

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Japan sees jump in bankruptcies. [BBC] Japanese bankruptcies rose in April as the world's second-largest economy tries to keep on the road to recovery. 2006.05.18

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Korean military talks flounder over agenda (AFP). Military talks between North and South Korea bog down over whether to include discussions on redrawing a disputed maritime border and on resuming rail links. 2006.05.18

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Asia/Pacific-Tsunami Test (Reuters). Tsunami warning test reveals glitches. 2006.05.18

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Japan passes fingerprinting law. [BBC] Japan's parliament approves controversial plans to fingerprint and photograph foreign visitors. 2006.05.18

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Oldest Man Ever Reportedly Scales Everest (AP). A mountaineering company claims that a 70-year-old Japanese man on one of its expeditions has become the oldest person to scale Mount Everest, edging the record-holder by three days. 2006.05.18

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