Archive for the 'Other Sites' Category

Brief: Japan In ASEAN+3 Logistics Push

Friday, August 18th, 2006

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 — Japan will push for a joint study with Asean on an efficient regional logistic network which includes a future logistic map between Asean and China, Japan and South Korea in efforts to expedite and enhance the movement of goods within the region.

Japan, a key dialogue partner of Asean with extensive trade and business involvement in the region’s economies, wants a significant enhancement in logistic capabilities in the region so as to reap maximum benefits from the increasing free trade pacts with the 10-member organisation, an Asean diplomat said Thursday. [more | Bernama]

This may not be huge, but it shows that Japan continues to work on its regional influence even as relations with China and South Korea are tense over Koizumi’s public actions.

Brief: Taiwanese Protesters Warned Off Islands

Friday, August 18th, 2006

Japanese authorities told a Taiwanese fishing boat approaching the Pinnacle Islands* to turn back and mobilized security forces to prevent its approach. The boat is thought to be carrying a dozen activists on a trip to protest Koizumi’s Aug. 15 Yasukuni Shrine visit. Some anti-Japan activists in Hong Kong had planned a similar trip, but delayed their departure to get their boats ready. [AFP via Yahoo!]

*The islands are known as Senkaku Shotō (尖閣諸島) in Japanese and Diàoyútái Qúndǎo (钓鱼台群岛) in Chinese. I use the name Pinnacle Islands for neutrality.