The World Health Organisation said today it is “getting closer” to declaring a global outbreak of the swine flu virus.

THE number of worldwide swine flu cases passed 5,000, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as the virus spread to three more countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

The World Health Organisation began to ship 2.4 million treatments of anti-flu drugs to 72 needy countries today, and its flu chief said the swine flu epidemic was still spreading.

MEXICO was approved for $3 billion (€2.26bn) in international loans to fight the swine flu crisis, as the country began a five-day shutdown yesterday to try to halt the spread of the virus.

The World Health Organisation is working closely with Mexican officials to make sure drugs are available to fight the outbreak of swine flu, but warns other countries may need more as well if the disease spreads, a senior official said today.

Canada became the third country to confirm human cases of swine flu as global health officials considered whether to raise the global pandemic alert level.

Outspoken conservative Taro Aso took power as Japan's prime minister today after he overcame opposition forces in the split parliament, tasked with rejuvenating the ailing ruling party ahead of elections.

Brash, right-leaning former foreign minister Taro Aso announced today that he will run for ruling party president in a move that would put him on track to take over as Japan’s next prime minister.

Japan’s unpopular prime minister Yasuo Fukuda resigned suddenly today after less than a year in office, throwing the world’s second-largest economy into political confusion.

Climate change, soaring oil prices and possible steps against Zimbabwe were high on the agenda as leaders from the Group of Eight economic powers gathered in Japan for their annual summit.

Japan’s upper house of parliament approved an unprecedented no-confidence motion against embattled prime minister Yasuo Fukuda today.

Japan’s prime minister today called for measures to prevent a recurrence of crimes by American soldiers in the country after a US Marine was arrested on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl.

JAPAN took over the presidency of the Group of Eight club of the world’s leading economies yesterday, with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda vowing to put a focus on climate change and environmental issues.

Japan is set to inform the US and Britain later this week that it will withdraw its naval refuelling mission in support of US-led operations in Afghanistan on November 1, a news report said today.

Japan will press Burma for a full account of the death of a Japanese journalist during a violent crackdown on anti-government protests, officials said today.

The veteran politician selected by Japan's troubled ruling party as its pick for prime minister chose his right-hand men today.

VETERAN moderate Yasuo Fukuda easily won election as Japan’s ruling party president yesterday, pledging to keep a pro-US foreign policy and improve ties with Asia after he almost certainly becomes prime minister later this week.

Moderate veteran Yasuo Fukuda easily won election as president of Japan's struggling ruling party today, assuring his selection as the new prime minister in a parliamentary vote later this week.

Yasuo Fukuda appeared destined to become Japan’s new prime minister as his sole challenger admitted today he was likely to lose the ruling party’s upcoming leadership election.

There are continuing calls for a snap election in Japan, as the ruling party prepares for a ballot to replace outgoing Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe.

Former Foreign Minister Taro Aso declared his candidacy today to replace Japan’s prime minister, running as the conservative choice against dovish former Cabinet secretary Yasuo Fukuda.

Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi today said party elections to choose his successor will kick off on September 8, with the vote possibly taking place on September 20.

Japan’s top government spokesman, Yasuo Fukuda, said today he would resign after admitting that he failed to pay into the country’s troubled pension system.

Optimism that three Japanese civilians held hostage in Iraq would be quickly released evaporated today, when Tokyo’s top government spokesman backtracked on an earlier statement and said authorities were no longer confident about their safety.

A top Japanese government official has expressed support for legal changes needed to allow women to assume the throne of the world’s oldest monarchy, but suggested the process could take decades.

Tokyo stocks have closed sharply lower, with the market's main index extending its 17-year-low amid worries about the global economy.

US deputy secretary of defence Richard Armitage met senior Japanese officials today to discuss President George W Bush’s plans to build a defence against missile attack.

The Japanese Government suspects "grave negligence", by the crew of a US submarine, caused a Japanese fishing boat to sink near Hawaii.