In addition, Japanese defensive efforts were becoming more effective.

But in neither case has this been done on a scale comparable to that of the Japanese effort.

Dr. Lawrence said he found the strong reaction to the Japanese efforts puzzling.

Up close, the Japanese effort appears less mystical.

A senior American official said of the various Japanese efforts today, "We're pleased."

The basic answer to the mystery of Japanese anti-drug efforts is not simply jails.

Instead, what is emerging is a Japanese effort to recalibrate its economic policies to insure greater growth.

Traders said they saw signs yesterday that the Japanese effort was receiving help abroad.

The group concluded that lack of uranium ore and low priority had doomed the Japanese effort.

They added that the Japanese effort had a good chance of succeeding.