91.   Hashimoto criticised the United States on Tuesday for maintaining obstacles that prevented the resumption of the auto talks.

92.   Hashimoto has come to be known as a tough negotiator in auto trade talks with US Trade Representative Mickey Kantor.

93.   He also said the Philippines stands to gain from the conclusion of the auto talks since the United States and Japan are its two biggest trading partners.

94.   He said the short-term key for dollar sentiment was likely to be the Japan-US auto trade talks which resume later Wednesday.

95.   Investors were waiting for the outcome of Japan-US auto trade talks in Geneva, market sources said.

96.   Investors were waiting for the outcome of two-day auto trade talks between Japan and the United States opening in Geneva on Thursday, market sources said.

97.   Access to Japanese auto dealerships is one of the most contentious issues in the present auto talks between Japan and the United States.

98.   Another factor Thursday was a statement by Trade Representative Mickey Kantor acknowledging a lack of progress in US-Japan auto talks, analysts said.

99.   Australia is to be invited to observe annual auto talks between Japan and the United States, it was reported Wednesday.

100.   Auto talks have also made little progress, with the two sides meeting in Beijing late last month and simply agreeing to meet again some time in September.