Kicking off the second half of the show

On-Air : have you lost your faith in the Japan “brand” ?

Toyota president Akio Toyoda will be up in front of U.S politicians later today to talk about his firm’s safety problems.

We’ve discussed Toyota’s woes on this programme before but we’re seeing comments from some of you saying that this is undermining your faith in the “Made in Japan” label…

Should young poor people be allowed to get married ?

Taro Aso is the Japanese Prime Minister and is currently seeking re-election.

Questioned about the falling birth rate in his part of the world, the gaffe-prone PM replied :

Are you happy with the way your country is handling the recession?

Japan is the latest country to have come out of recession with reports of the economy growing by 0.9 % in the April to June quarter. It follows news from France and Germany last week each witnessing a growth of 0.3 % of their economy in the April to June quarter.

Talking Points for 4 March

Mourners lay wreaths at the site

The Sri Lankan cricketers have returned home and the hunt is on for the gunmen. A reward has been offered for more information. If urdu and cricket were what really united a country as diverse as Pakistan, what happens now?

 

William Dalrymple paints a grim picture of the year since the elections.

On air: Do you trust nuclear power?

About 100 staff at a nuclear plant in southern France have been exposed to a low dose of radiation. They were “slightly contaminated” by radioactive particles that escaped from a pipe at a reactor complex in Tricastin, according to power firm EDF who run the plant. The incident comes two weeks after a leak forced the temporary closure of a reactor at the Tricastin facility and is the fourth incident at a French nuclear site in recent weeks.