The odds ought to favour a double election: opinion polls suggest that Mr Koizumi's reform-minded cabinet enjoys the support of almost every voter in Japan.

ECONOMIST: Japanese politics

"The Bank of Japan has been under continuous pressure from the cabinet and the finance minister to combat deflation, " said David Cohen at Action Economics in Singapore.

BBC: Japan keeps interest rates on hold

Yoshihide Suga, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, has confirmed the deaths of the two Japanese tourists.

BBC: Knifeman kills two in Guam attack

But South Korea said it will test airline passengers arriving from the United States, and Japan will convene a Cabinet meeting Monday to come up with measures to block the entry of the virus into the country.

CNN: U.S. prepares for possible swine flu epidemic as global cases rise

Created through exhaustive processes testing countless samples and configurations, the AR1 and AR2 loudspeakers feature a final front cabinet baffle laminated to a thickness of 50 mm and 40 mm respectively from hand-selected maple cultivated from Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, whose cold climate produces maple of a tight grain, contributing markedly to the R's beautiful sound.

ENGADGET: Sony reveals SS-AR2 loudspeaker, wants an invite to your next house party

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, expressed "deep regret" at the actions of the Algerian security forces and its foreign ministry summoned the Algerian ambassador.

BBC: Hostage siege at Algeria gas plant not over