U.S. reports failure in inspection for beef exports to Japan
February 17, 2006U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns released Friday an investigation report admitting a flaw in the U.S. inspection system for beef exports to Japan and vowing to take various preventive measures. In a press conference, Johanns reiterated his regret and apology for failing to comply with an agreement with Japan, but again stressed the shipped beef had no safety risk under the U.S. safeguard standards on mad cow disease.
Japan's economy grows annualized 5.5% in October-December qtr
February 17, 2006Japan's economy grew a stronger-than-expected annualized 5.5 percent in real terms in the October-December period for the fourth straight quarterly expansion on brisk exports and steady personal spending, the government said Friday. The growth corresponds to a 1.4 percent rise in gross domestic product from the previous quarter, the Cabinet Office said in a preliminary report.
U.S. to ask Japan, other nations for nuclear fuel program funding
February 17, 2006The United States said Thursday it will seek technical and financial contributions from Japan and other countries taking part in a new U.S.-initiated international nuclear fuel program. ''I think we will ask for all of these countries to participate, hopefully financially and hopefully to participate in the technical work,'' Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman told reporters after testifying at a congressional hearing.
UNSC should agree on next secretary general nominee by fall: China
February 17, 2006Guangya Wang, China's ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters Thursday that the Security Council should agree to a candidate to replace U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, whose term expires Dec. 31, by September or October, rather than by the summer as was earlier suggested by the United States. ''As far as the formal process is concerned I think that we informally looked at dates like September, October,'' said Wang after meeting with members of the permanent five, which includes Britain, France, the United States and Russia, as well as China.
LDP wants stricter immigration law revision
February 17, 2006The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's judicial panel did not endorse a government draft bill Friday to tighten the immigration law by such means as fingerprinting foreigners upon their arrival in Japan, saying stricter amendment is necessary in order to fight terrorism, party members said. The LDP Judicial Affairs Division's decision may affect the government's plan to endorse the bill at a Cabinet meeting Feb. 24 for submission to the Diet as well as the contents of the bill.