PRESS DIGEST - Japan - March 11

Following are some of the leading stories in the Tuesday morning editions of Japanese newspapers, as compiled by Kyodo news agency:

-- Two senior North Korean agents suspected of involvement in abduction of two Japanese couples (Asahi)

-- Japanese diplomats were spies: China (Yomiuri)

-- Yen's rise, stock price fall trigger concerns over account settlement of Japanese companies (Asahi); Nikkei index closes at lowest level since September 2005, dollar falls to 101 yen level (Mainichi, Nikkei)

-- Ex-CEO cited for Shinginko Tokyo mess (Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri)

-- South Korean president to visit Japan on April 20 (Mainichi)

-- Diet to hold hearings on candidates for BOJ chief, deputy heads (Nikkei)