Japan to help Asian states

Japan to help Asian states

TOKYO (AFP): Japan is to "study" measures to assist Asian
countries implement reforms required by the IMF in return for
massive economic bailouts, a high-ranking finance ministry
official said yesterday.

"We will study what Japan can do to assist" Asian countries
implement the agreed International Monetary Fund programs, Vice
Finance Minister Takeshi Komura told a news conference.

It was important that Asian countries comply with IMF
programs, Komura said, adding that his ministry "will monitor
carefully the Asian currency situation."

Asked about the sharp fall of the rupiah yesterday, Komura
said it was "an issue of how the market regards" Indonesia's
economic fundamentals.