Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, April 20

A new economic dialogue setting out parameters to enhance economic ties between Japan and the United States recently while on the one hand purports to chart a rosy bilateral trade understanding between both countries has also underscored some long-standing gulfs in economic objectives.

On Tuesday, visiting U.S. Vice President Mike Pence held talks with Japan's Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and launched the U.S.-Japan Economic Dialogue, which will ostensibly act as means to deepen bilateral economic cooperation through an ongoing forum.(Japan-U.S.-ties)

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JAKARTA -- Indonesian prosecutors on Thursday sought two years probation for Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama who is on trial over blasphemy charges.

Basuki was declared as suspect in a legal case related to the blasphemous statement against the Koran that he made in September last year during his official visit in northern Jakarta.(Indonesia-Blasphemy charges)

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TOKYO -- The Japanese government's recent approval of the use of Adolf Hitler's notorious autobiography "Mein Kampf" ("My Struggle") as teaching material in schools has raised widespread controversy.

According to Japan's Jiji Press, the government said in a written answer to an opposition lawmaker's questions that the German war criminal's book could be used "in a way that adheres to the spirit of the basic education law, among other conditions."(Japan-"Mein Kampf") Enditem