1.   In Japan, there had been criticism that Japanese officials were not adequately consulted during the Gulf crisis.

2.   Aldercine Hodson in October welcomed a party of Japanese officials to watch her Luton Active Retirement Club in action.

3.   Already Japanese officials are fanning out elsewhere in the world, trying to elicit similar critiques.

4.   Also depressing the currency is concern that the yen could gain when Rubin discusses the U.S. trade gap with Japanese officials tomorrow in Tokyo.

5.   Also, Reuters reported he said yesterday that exchange rates and intervention were not discussed at his meetings with Japanese officials last week.

6.   Although Japanese officials say Hashimoto has called Fujimori regularly since the crisis began, a gap appeared between the leaders of the two countries last week.

7.   Always on the defensive where trade is concerned, Japanese officials are breathing a little easier.

8.   Although the dollar slipped against the yen, it remained just about where top Japanese officials indicated they wanted it.

9.   And on Monday, Japanese officials hinted that they may be preparing a list of American products that would be subject to retaliation.

10.   And some Japanese officials are threatening to pull Japan out of the treaty entirely.