OSAKA, Japan _ The Group of Eight finance ministers meeting closed here Saturday with the adoption of a joint statement in which the nations agreed to make efforts to secure the stability and growth of the global economy amid increasing inflationary pressure caused by soaring oil and food prices.

By Makiko Yamazaki Osaka, June 13 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga and U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson on Friday confirmed that the two countries will work closely to address global inflation and ensure stability in the world economy.

Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Osaka, June 13 Kyodo - Japanese Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga and US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson are set to hold talks Friday before the start of a two-day gathering of Group of Eight finance ministers in Osaka.

Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo ["Japan, China Ministers Reaffirm Efforts To Solve Dumplings Case" - Kyodo headline] Tokyo, March 23 Kyodo - Japanese Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga and his Chinese counterpart Xie Xuren reaffirmed Sunday the two countries will seek to clarify the cause of the food-poisoning incidents in Japan involving Chinese-made frozen dumplings.

By Martin Fackler A political showdown that intensified Wednesday is blocking Japan from selecting the next leader of its central bank, increasing the chances that the post could sit vacant at a time of increasing financial turmoil.