Tokyo - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso apologized to a group of doctors on Thursday after he made an "inappropriate remark that drew misunderstandings."

Aso withdrew his previous day's remark that many doctors lack common sense in a meeting with Yoshihito Karasawa, president of the Japan Medical Association.

Karasawa visited the premier at his residence Thursday to file a protest against Wednesday's comment made by Aso at a meeting with prefecture governors.

Aso said: "I understand that hospitals in rural areas are having trouble getting doctors. There are many who lack a fair degree of common sense. Their values are very different."

Tokyo, Nov. 20, 2008 -- UAE Ambassador to Japan, Saeed Ali Yusuf Al-Nuwais, has held here a reception for Minister of State Dr. Meitha Salim Al Shamsi, on the occasion of her visit to Japan at the invitation of the Japan Cooperation Centre, Petroleum (JCCP).

The reception, which was held at the UAE Embassy premises, was attended by dignitaries, including former Japanese Defence Minister, Yoriko Kwiko, member of the parliament of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, a number of officials and Arab ambassadors in Japan.

Tokyo - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average plummeted nearly 7 per cent, below the 8,000 level, Thursday as investors' concerns mounted over the US economy, particularly the Big Three automakers' financial fate.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average tumbled 570.18 points, or 6.89 per cent, to close at 7,703.04.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also fell 45.15 points, or 5.46 per cent, to 782.28.

Tokyo - Japanese naval destroyer Choukai failed to intercept a mock test missile over Hawaii, the Japanese Defence Ministry said Thursday.

Tokyo - Japan posted a trade deficit of 63.9 billion yen (661 million dollars) in October as Japanese exports fell with the global financial crisis and the yen's continued strength against other currencies, the Finance Ministry said.

Exports in October declined 7.7 per cent to 6.92 trillion yen from the same month a year before, posting the largest fall since December 2001, when exports fell 14.5 per cent.

Imports rose 7.4 per cent to 6.99 trillion yen on rises in crude oil, coal and liquefied natural gas prices.

Tokyo  - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell below the 8,000 line on Thursday on concerns over the US economy.

The Nikkei index tumbled 357.59 points, or 4.32 per cent, to 7,915.63.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also lost 31.55 points, or 3.81 per cent, to 795.88.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 95.92-97 yen, down from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 96.73-75 yen.