The government of Japan has pushed back its goals of reaching a primary balance surplus by 2011 for 10 years, sources close to the discussions said Tuesday. The Tokyo government also revised its goal of cutting in half the ratio of the primary balance deficit to the country's gross domestic product, Kyodo News reported. The new goal is to halve the ratio by March 2014. The primary balance refers to government expenses excluding debt serving costs. The previous goals were set by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, Sept.

Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, Sept. 25 Kyodo - Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has expressed his intention to retire from politics when his current term as a lawmaker comes to an end, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday.

Text of report by Hong Kong-based news agency Zhongguo Tongxun She [Special article by Hong Kong ZTS reporter Kung Ch'ao-wen: "Aso Takes Up Post of Japanese Prime Minister, Sino-Japanese Relations Encounter New Test"] Beijing, 22 Sep (ZTS) - Taro Aso, secretary general of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, today expectedly won the party's presidential election.

By Martin Fackler Taro Aso, an outspoken conservative who has advocated a return to old-style government spending to stimulate Japan's economy, was chosen Monday by the governing Liberal Democratic Party to become the nation's next prime minister.