2006.05.19

ROK-DPRK Defectors (VOA) Important North Koreans said to have defected to South Korea. 2006.05.19

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USA confident on reopening Japanese market to its beef soon (AFP). The United States voices optimism that Japan would decide next month to resume imports of US beef, whose ban due to fears of mad cow disease has become a major irritant between the allies. 2006.05.19

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Moves afoot to prosecute Hyundai chairman. [Radio Australia] Moves to prosecute one of South Korea's most senior business figures is being seen as yet more proof of a growing level of intolerance towards corruption. 2006.05.19

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Sushi-Mercury (KSDK) St. Louis sushi found to be mercury-free. 2006.05.19

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Market jitters outdo Japan growth (BBC) Nikkei index drops 0.6%, as worries continued over falling US stocks, which like elsewhere, have been volatile since Wednesday. 2006.05.19

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DPRK-Missile (VOA) Updated Japan puts on calm face amid reports of a possible Taepodong-2 missile launch by North Korea. South Korea says it is vigilant but does not consider the information trustworthy. 2006.05.19

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Okinawa-Guam (Pacific Daily News). A Okinawan member of Japan's House of Representatives is telling the virtual world he felt snubbed by Guam Gov. Felix Camacho. 2006.05.19

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USA puts condition on DPRK treaty talks (Reuters). The United States is open to discussions with North Korea on a peace treaty at the same time as six-country talks on dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear programs, but it must first come back to the negotiating table. 2006.05.19

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Japan-USMC vs. Spiders (Stars & Stripes). U.S. Marines battling spiders at Iwakuni. 2006.05.19

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Japan growth beats forecasts (Reuters). Japan's economy grew faster than expected in the first three months of the year on resilient capital spending and consumption, fuelling expectations that the Bank of Japan may soon end an era of zero interest rates. 2006.05.19

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Japan-Peru (Kyodo) Former Peruvian president and Japanese citizen Alberto Fujimori released on bail in Chile. 2006.05.19

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