Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, Oct. 18

TOKYO -- Japan's industry minister on Tuesday said restarting Japan's idled nuclear reactors would help prop up the economy as the yen's recent weakness is further inflating energy imports.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a press conference that pressure to sell the yen for the U.S. dollar could be eased as the rebooting of each reactor would mean 1 million tons less of liquified na