TOKYO, Jan. 7, 2010 (Kyodo News International) -- ----------
Gov't in final stages of discussions over JAL's restructuring

TOKYO - The Japanese government held discussions Friday aimed at determining whether the struggling Japan Airlines Corp. should be restructured through court-backed bankruptcy proceedings or an out-of-court plan favored by private creditor banks.

In a morning meeting of related Cabinet members including Finance Minister Naoto Kan and transport minister Seiji Maehara, the government continued talks to figure out which option would be more effective for turning around Japan's top carrier, officials said.

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JAL unlikely to decide foreign airline partner this month: Maehara

TOKYO - Transport minister Seiji Maehara said Friday that struggling Japan Airlines Corp. is unlikely to conclude talks on its capital tie-up with foreign carriers within this month.

U.S. carriers American Airlines (NYSE:AMR) Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL) , along with their respective global airline alliance partners, have both offered a financial package of more than $1 billion to JAL with an eye to gaining access to lucrative Asian routes.

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Kan hints at currency intervention, says weaker yen helps business

TOKYO - Finance Minister Naoto Kan on Friday reiterated that a weaker yen is preferable for the Japanese economy and hinted that Japan is ready to intervene in the market if necessary.

Speaking at a news conference, Kan, who became Japan's top finance leader Thursday, said he has the right to take ''some sort of action'' on foreign exchange rates.

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Gov't should not comment on forex, sharp flux undesirable: Hatoyama

TOKYO - Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Friday he does not think government officials should comment on foreign exchange, adding that he sees sharp fluctuations in the yen's rate as not desirable.

Hatoyama made the remarks to reporters in front of his official residence, a day after new Finance Minister Naoto Kan expressed hope that the yen will weaken from the current level to help the economy recover and prompted the U.S. dollar to rise against the Japanese currency.

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Toyota Prius becomes 1st hybrid to rank top in annual sales

TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius gas-electric hybrid car topped the list of Japan's best-selling vehicles in 2009, becoming the first hybrid to capture the No.