Aso: Urgent need to focus on efforts to boost the economy; China and Japan to resume security talks; Aso warns DPRK on rocket launch; Tokyo orders two naval vessels to join anti-piracy patrols off Somalia
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    • In domestic developments, leading opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa indicated that he might quit if his continuation affected the electoral image of the Democratic Party of Japan1. Prime Minister Taro Aso meanwhile indicated that he is unlikely to dissolve the House of Representatives for an election. Aso stated that there was an urgent need to focus on efforts to boost the economy and improve the difficult employment situation2.

    Reports noted that China and Japan will resume their security talks, suspended in 2006, by the end of March3. Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso also warned the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) that it should cancel its planned rocket launch, even if it was intended for a satellite program4. After months of deliberations on measures to help protect cargo ships without breaching its pacifist constitution, Tokyo ordered two naval vessels to join international patrols aimed at curbing pirate attacks off Somalia5.

    In other developments, reports noted that an Israeli Foreign Ministry delegation which visited Tokyo was told by Japanese officials that they were considering imposing sanctions, delaying and even freezing new trade deals with Israel. This was in the backdrop of the Israeli decision to freeze a special budget allotted to encourage exports to Japan6. Kenya is to get $5 million from a new fund approved by Japanese Parliament to help feed the hungry in 21 countries7.

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