[January 04, 2006]

Kyodo news summary -3-+

(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)TOKYO, Jan. 4_(Kyodo) _ ---------- Koizumi raps China, S. Korea for cutting off dialogue for Yasukuni

TOKYO - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Wednesday criticized China and South Korea for cutting off dialogue with Japan due to a dispute over his visits to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine and reiterated that the Japan-U.S. alliance is a diplomatic priority.

In a press conference on his first working day of 2006, Koizumi also vowed to do his best during his remaining nine months in office to further advance structural reforms and indicated his hope that his successor will be a person who is popular with the public.

---------- Australia experiences hottest year in 2005, heat on gov't to act

SYDNEY - The heat is on the Australian government to do more to prevent global warming after figures released Wednesday by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology showed the country experienced its hottest year on record in 2005.

David Jones from the bureau told Kyodo News that Australia experienced an average temperature of 22.9 C for 2005, up 1.09 degrees on the long term average of 21.81 C.

---------- Myanmar celebrates 58th Independence Anniversary

YANGON - In a message to the country read out at the 58th Independence Anniversary celebration in Yangon on Wednesday, Myanmar's junta chief Sr. Gen. Than Shwe urged all "national races" to strive for the implementation of the seven-stage "road map to democracy" to "realize the emergence of a peaceful, modern, prosperous and disciplined democratic state."

The ceremony at the People's Park in Yangon was attended by representatives of the country's various ethnic groups, government officials and the local nongovernmental organizations.

---------- U.S., Japan to discuss Japan's new role in Iraq: U.S. official

WASHINGTON - A senior U.S. official said Tuesday that Washington and Tokyo have agreed to hold consultations this spring on Japan's new role in Iraq, as Japanese ground troops are expected to complete their operations in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah in May.

The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to several news outlets, including Kyodo News, expressed hope that Japan would not disappoint the United States, alluding to Japan's continued contribution to sending its troops for Iraq's reconstruction.

---------- Osaka to open center for helping smaller firms' China businesses

OSAKA - The Osaka prefectural government will set up a new center on July 1 to assist smaller Osaka firms' business activities in China and help them entice investment from Chinese companies, Osaka Gov. Fusae Ota said Wednesday.

The operations at the new center, which will be opened inside the Osaka government's office in Shanghai, will enlist consulting firms to give advice on tax and legal matters to smaller companies. The new facility will also gather information on companies in Shanghai and offer promotional and translation services.

---------- Cambodia on path to 'Burmese model,' Human Rights Watch warns

PHNOM PENH - Following the arrest of two top human rights activists in Cambodia, Human Rights Watch warned Wednesday the move taken by Prime Minister Hun Sen's government appears to be following Myanmar in cracking down on dissent.

"Hun Sen appears to be following the Burmese model by imprisoning peaceful critics of his increasingly authoritarian government," Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

---------- Rush of returning travelers from overseas peaks at Kansai airport

OSAKA - A rush of returning travelers who spent the New Year's holiday season overseas peaked at Kansai airport in Osaka Prefecture on Wednesday.

Around 20,000 people are expected to return to Japan at the airport during the day, according to Kansai International Airport Co.

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