21.  Behind the scenes, the tone has softened slightly, with Japanese officials now indicating some willingness to restart high-level talks prior to the deadline.

22.  Bonds fell after senior Japanese officials suggested they would oppose further declines in the yen.

23.  Bonds also fell as the dollar slid for a second day against the yen after senior Japanese officials suggested they would oppose further declines in their currency.

24.  A CALL FOR EXTENDING KOREAN LOANS Japanese officials pressured Japanese banks to support the international rescue package for South Korea by extending loans as they come due next week.

25.  A famous Japanese scientist and a Japanese official were in Washington when they heard that Mrs. Taft wanted to plant Japanese cherry trees.

26.  A day after a major radioactivity release from a uranium processing plant, Japanese officials moved Friday to reassure the public that the danger was over.

27.  A Finance Ministry official in Tokyo later denied Japanese officials had voiced doubt about their program.

28.  A final agreement is likely to be reached in these negotiations, the Japanese official said.

29.  A Japanese official halted the rally when he said a further decline in the yen was undesirable.

30.  A Japanese official asserted that the two governments should not be talking about extending the agreement, contending that the issue was instead the responsibility of private business.