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United States, where a boom in natural gas production has driven down the price.
• U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas to Japan would require approval by the federal Energy Department.
• "It's the United States to decide if there will be (a) chance," the Japanese ambassador said. "Also, Japanese companies have to weigh which is the most cost-efficient source. I cannot say that we will (import liquefied natural gas from America), but I think there is a possibility."
• Dalrymple said the natural gas price difference between the U.S. and Japan was "very interesting."
• "Whether it goes out as (liquefied natural gas), or it is somehow converted into

other products that Asia wants to buy, I think eventually that will become our opportunity," Dalrymple said. "That will become the marketplace that we look at."
• North Dakota's natural gas production has risen sharply with its oil output, and roughly a third of the gas produced is now burned off and wasted because of the lack of pipeline networks to bring the fuel to processing plants. Dalrymple has pushed the idea of converting some of the fuel to farm fertilizer.
• Fujisaki visited South Dakota on Monday, where he said he discussed trade issues with South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard.
• The ambassador's Tuesday appearance at the North Dakota Capitol had its moments of levity. He joked that his first North Dakota impressions came from the movie "Fargo," which caricatured the speech patterns that prevail in parts of the state, and attempted to sing the country folk standard "Red River Valley," saying he was inspired by Dalrymple's eastern North Dakota roots.
• Said Dalrymple to the ambassador: "I shouldn't have told you I was from the Red River Valley."
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• HARRISBURG, S.D. (AP) -- A school board member in the South Dakota city of Harrisburg has been charged after police busted an underage drinking party at her home.
• Michelle Schirado (shur-AH'-doh) and her husband Bryan face charges of contributing to a child in need of supervision and maintaining a place used for the violation of beverage laws. Both are misdemeanors. The Argus Leader reports that the couple remains free on a personal recognizance bond. KELO-TV reports that the charges carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail.

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