41.   Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Thursday he wished for the early recovery of South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung in hospital, the foreign ministry said.

42.   Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto said Thursday he had sent a letter of sympathy to ailing Russian President Boris Yeltsin, wishing him an early recovery.

43.   Singapore share prices rose for a fourth straight day, finishing one percent higher Monday on hopes of an early economic recovery, dealers said.