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Japans worsening ties with its neighbors

Japans worsening ties with its neighbors Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi grabbed international attention on Tuesday by visiting a war shrine in Tokyo on the anniversary of the end of World War II, once again sparking uproar from other Asian nations amid Japans already chilled relations with its closest neighbors. China and South Korea, the most vocal in expressing their opposition over Yasukuni Shrine, immediately lodged strong protests. Beijing called the visit a challenge to international justice and Seoul expressed deep disappointment and indignation. Koizumis repeated visits to the Shinto shrine, which honors Class-A war criminals along with 2.5 million war dead, have been

South Korea Expands Role in East Asia

South Korea Expands Role in East Asia President Roh Moo-hyun returned home Friday after wrapping up a Southeast Asian tour in which he tried to strengthen South Korea’s economic ties with nations in the region and expand the nation’s role in building an East Asian community. While seeking ways of improving the country’s relations with Malaysia and the Philippines, Roh tried to play a leading role in the ASEAN+3 Summit and the first East Asian Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur. ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ``The tour has largely contributed to the promotion of the nation’s interests and

ANZ embarks on new Asia push

ANZ embarks on new Asia push ANZ Bank is stepping up its push into Asia, with plans to begin exporting staff and technology to markets as far afield as Cambodia and Vietnam, while also eyeing a return to the potentially lucrative Indian market. Barely two weeks into his new role as ANZ Asia chief, Bob Edgar said he wanted to ramp up the bank's "post-investment phase" across the region. He told The Australian that the nation's third-largest bank was about to begin a new chapter of its regional push. The blueprint will see ANZ shift its priority from making exploratory investments in

First bird flu deaths outside Asia

First bird flu deaths outside Asia A teenage brother and sister who died of bird flu were infected with the H5N1 strain of the virus, said the UN's health agency. It confirmed the first human fatalities from the deadly strain outside east Asia. A laboratory in Britain had detected H5N1 in samples from the 14-year-old boy and his 15-year-old sister, said World Health Organisation spokeswoman Maria Cheng. Tests have yet to be completed on samples from their 11-year-old sister, who died of suspected bird flu on Friday. Their doctor said they probably contracted the illness by playing with dead chickens. Cheng said the spread of

Africa: World Bank Study Urges Africa Trade With Asia

Africa: World Bank Study Urges Africa Trade With Asia Africa should embrace growing trade relations between the continent and Asian giants China and India, the World Bank says. In a new study, the Bank notes the growing Asian investment in Africa, saying it holds growth potential for the continent. The study, Africas Silk Road: China and Indias New Economic Frontier, recommends an array of trade and investment reforms within and between these regions to deepen the growing South-South ties. This new Silk Road potentially presents to sub-Saharan Africa -- home to 300 million of the globes poorest people -- a significant and rare opportunity