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.