PRESS DIGEST - Japan - March 12

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

-- Japan's space laboratory components lifted off into space (Asahi)

-- Appointment of Muto as central bank chief to be voted down Wednesday (Mainichi)

-- Upper house to vote against appointment of Muto as central bank chief (Yomiuri)

-- Five U.S., European central banks to pump more credit to ease concerns in financial markets (Nikkei)