Page 58 - Japan

Japan to release Fukushima plant's treated water to sea as early as Thurs

The Japanese government announced Tuesday the treated and diluted radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant will be released into the ocean as early as Thursday. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gave the final go-ahead at a meeting of Cabinet ministers involved in the plan and instructed the operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, to be ready to start the release Thursday if weather permits. The water release begins nearly 12 and half years after the March 2011 nuclear meltdowns caused by a massive earthquake and tsunami. Japanese fisheries groups have opposed the plan out of worry of further damage to the reputation of their seafood. Groups in China and South Korea have also raised concern, making it a political and diplomatic issue. The government and TEPCO say the water must be released to make room for the plant's decommissioning and to prevent accidental leaks. They say the treatment and dilution will make the wastewater safer than internation

N Korea may launch spy satellite in coming days after earlier failure

North Korea told Japan on Tuesday it plans to launch a satellite in the coming days, possibly a second try to put a military spy satellite into orbit three months after its first effort failed, Japanese officials said. In late May, a North Korean rocket carrying a spy satellite plunged into the sea soon after liftoff, posing a setback to leader Kim Jong Un's push to establish a space-based surveillance system to better monitor the U.S. and South Korea. North Korea had vowed to make a second attempt after studying what went wrong with the first launch. Japan's coast guard said North Korean authorities notified it about a plan to launch a satellite from Aug. 24 and the end of Aug. 30. Coast guard spokesperson Hiromune Kikuchi said that the notice didn't specify what type of satellite North Korea intends to launch but that he believes it possibly refers to one similar to the spy satellite in the May launch. The North Korean notice mentioned three maritime zones that could be affected b

Japan pledges support to fisheries during Fukushima plant water release

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday promised his government's full support for fishing communities during the decades-long process to release treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea. Meeting with fisheries representatives, Kishida promised measures to protect the fishing industry's reputation until the release ends. Masanobu Sakamoto, head of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, reiterated his organisation's opposition to the release. He said members of the fishing community have gained some confidence about the safety of the move, but that they still fear damage to their industry, and welcomed the government pledge for support. Scientific safety and the sense of safety are different, Sakamoto said. Even if it's safe, reputational damage occurs." Kishida later told reporters that Sakamoto's response signalled improved understanding and that key Cabinet ministers will meet Tuesday to set a date to start the relea

Japan makes final plea to gain fisheries' understanding for Fukushima plant

Japanese government officials sought understanding from fisheries groups on Monday for the impending release of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea and pledged to support their livelihoods throughout the process that will take decades. Economy and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura met with the head of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives and promised that the government is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of the release and prepared measures to protect the fisheries industry's reputation. Nishimura told the fisheries official, Masanobu Sakamoto, that the water release is essential for the plant decommissioning and Fukushima's recovery and can't be postponed. He also said the government will stand by the concerns and needs of the fisheries community until the release ends decades later. Sakamoto, at the outset, stressed that his organization as a whole remains opposed to the release, but he said members of

US, Japan, Aus plan navy drills in South China Sea: Philippine official

The United States, Japan and Australia are planning a joint navy drill in the South China Sea off the western Philippines this week to underscore their commitment to the rule of law in the region after a recent show of Chinese aggression in the disputed waters, Filipino security officials said Sunday. On August 5, Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons against Philippine vessels in the contested waterway where disputes have long been regarded as a potential flashpoint and have become a fault line in the rivalry between the US and China in the region. The drill will include three aircraft and helicopter carriers sailing together in a show of force and undertaking joint drills. Their commanders are set to meet with Filipino counterparts in Manila after the offshore drills, two Philippine security officials told The Associated Press. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not allowed to publicly discuss details of the planned drills. The US plans to deploy an ...

Japanese PM Fumio Kishida visits Fukushima plant to highlight safety

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will make a brief visit to the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant on Sunday to highlight the safety of an impending release of treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, a divisive plan that his government wants to start soon despite protests at home and abroad. His trip comes hours after he returned home Saturday from a summit with U.S. and South Korean leaders at the American presidential retreat of Camp David. Before leaving Washington on Friday, Kishida said it is time to make a decision on the treated water's release date, which has not been set due to the controversy surrounding the plan. Since the government announced the release plan two years ago, it has faced strong opposition from Japanese fishing organizations, which worry about further damage to the reputation of their seafood as they struggle to recover from the accident. Groups in South Korea and China have also raised concerns, turning it into a political and ...

Japan PM Kishida to visit Fukushima before controversial water release

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he will visit the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant on Sunday before setting a release date for its treated radioactive wastewater, as his government continues working to promote understanding over the controversial plan at home and abroad. The government has reached the final stage where we should make a decision," Kishida told reporters in Washington on Friday after wrapping up his summit with US and South Korean leaders at the American presidential retreat of Camp David. Since the government announced the release plan two years ago, it has faced strong opposition from Japanese fishing organisations, which worry about further damage to the reputation of their seafood as they struggle to recover from the accident. Groups in South Korea and China have also raised concerns, turning it into a political and diplomatic issue. The government and the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co., say the water must be removed to make room for th

US, Japan, S Korea denounce 'dangerous and aggressive actions' by China

The three nations expressed commitment to expanding cooperation trilaterally and raising shared ambition to a new horizon across domains and across the Indo-Pacific and beyond

US, Japan and S Korea open summit to bolster security in Pacific region

President Joe Biden opened a historic summit with Japan and South Korea at Camp David on Friday focused on strengthening security and economic ties at a time of increasing concerns about North Korea's persistent nuclear threats and China's provocations in the Pacific. "Our countries are stronger and the world will be safer as we stand together. And I know this is a belief that all three share, Biden declared at the start of the meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the presidential retreat in Maryland. Addressing his fellow leaders at what he called the first standalone summit of the three nations, the American president said, "I want to thank you both for your political courage that brought you here. Yoon said as the three appeared before reporters that today will be remembered as a historic day, where we established a firm institutional basis and commitments to the trilateral partnership. And Kishida said before the private

US, Japan, S Korea agree on new security pledge ahead of Camp David summit

The United States, Japan and South Korea are set to sign on to a new security pledge, committing the three countries to consult with each other in the event of a security crisis or threat in the Pacific, according to Biden administration officials. Details about the new duty to consult commitment emerged as President Joe Biden prepared Friday to welcome South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a summit at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. The move is one of several joint efforts that the leaders are expected to announce at the daylong summit, as the three countries look to tighten security and economic ties amid increasing concerns about North Korea's persistent nuclear threats and Chinese provocations in the Pacific. Kishida, before departing Tokyo on Thursday, told reporters the summit would be a historic occasion to bolster trilateral strategic cooperation with Seoul and Washington. I believe it is extremely meaningful to

Biden to host trilateral summit with Japan, S Korea amid challenges

US President Joe Biden is using the presidential retreat at 'Camp David' by hosting the first-ever trilateral summit with Japan and South Korea in the face of shared security challenges, CNN reported.President Joe Biden is using the presidential retreat at Camp David to help with a diplomatic mission - hosting the first-ever trilateral summit with Japan and South Korea, two countries that are putting aside a fraught history in the face of shared security challenges.Biden's summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is meant to serve as a show of force as the countries grapple with persistent provocative behaviour from North Korea.It also comes as President Biden has sought to deepen ties with allies in the Indo-Pacific amid concerns about a rising China.On Friday, Biden will host the leaders at the secluded getaway in the Catoctin Mountains in Maryland where they are set to deepen defence, technology and economic cooperation between the .

Uniqlo India sees 15% of its sales come from online channels: CEO

Expands to West India after opening 10 stores in North

FM Sitharaman invites JBIC for engagement with NIIF, EXIM Bank of India

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday invited Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for an active engagement with National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), EXIM Bank of India and other financial institutions citing huge opportunity for investment in the country. During the meeting with JBIC Governor Hayashi Nobumitsu here, both exchanged views on JBIC's recent activities in India contributing towards Japan's investment target of five trillion yen over the next five years. "The Union Finance Minister observed that India has been ranked by the JBIC as one of the most attractive #investment destinations in recent years' survey of Japanese manufacturing companies and encouraged engagement of JBIC with Indian financial institutions such as Exim Bank @IndiaEximBank, NIIF and lending banks to leverage the strength and complementarities of both countries," the finance ministry said in a statement posted on X. Japan has agreed to provide 5 trillion yen in ...

IAF postpones October's mega multilateral air exercise to next year

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will host a mega multilateral military exercise next year that was originally planned for October. The exercise, 'Tarang Shakti', is likely to be held in the middle of 2024 as a number of participating air forces conveyed to the IAF that they will not be able to join the wargame if it is held this year, sources in the defence and military establishment said on Wednesday. The exercise is expected to witness participation of around 12 air forces and the focus of the wargame will be to improve military cooperation and enhance interoperability, they said. It will be the biggest air exercise being organised in India. It is learnt that air forces of France, the UK, Australia, the US and Japan would participate in the exercise. Six countries will participate in the Tarang Shakti with their aerial assets like fighter jets, military transport aircraft and mid-air refuellers while six other nations were invited as observers, the sources said. In the last few mont

Roaring back from pandemic, Japan's economy grows by 6% in April-June

Japan's economic growth jumped at an annual pace of 6% in the April-June period, marking the third straight quarter of growth as exports and inbound tourism recovered. Real gross domestic product, which measures the sum value of a nation's products and services, grew 1.5% in the fiscal first quarter for the world's third largest economy, the Cabinet Office said Tuesday. The annualized pace shows what the growth would have been if what was marked during the quarter had continued for a year. The rate outpaced what analysts had forecast at 3.1% growth. The latest quarter showed the strongest growth since October-December 2020, when Japan's GDP grew 1.9% on-quarter, and 7.9% annualized rate. Exports grew 3.2% in the three months through June, according to the government. Auto exports have grown lately, after a period in which they had stalled on the shortage of computer chips and other parts. Production was crimped because of social restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also

Earthquake of magnitude 6 strikes Japan's Hokkaido region, no casualties

An earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck the Hokkaido region in Japan on Friday at 5.44 am (local time), according to GFZ, a German Research Centre for Geosciences. According to GFZ, a German Research Centre for Geosciences, the earthquake occurred at 5.44 am, local time, in the Hokkaido region of Japan. The depth of the earthquake is recorded to be 46 Kilometers. So far, no casualties have been reported. More details awaited.Similarly, on Thursday, an earthquake of magnitude 5.2 jolted eastern Turkey, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. The earthquake occurred at 10 kilometres South South West (SSW) of Turkey's Malatya at 17:48 (UTC) on Thursday, according to EMSC. The depth of the earthquake was registered at a depth of 10.9 kilometres. Taking to its Twitter handle, EMSC stated, "#Earthquake 10 km SW of #Malatya (#Turkey) 19 min ago (local time 20:48:00). Updated map - Colored dots represent local shaking & damage level reported by eyewitnesses.

Profit at Japan's Honda doubles on healthy global cars, motorcycle sales

Honda reported Wednesday that its April-June profit more than doubled on healthy sales of its motorcycles and cars, as the Japanese company also received a perk from favorable exchange rates. Honda Motor Co. said its fiscal first quarter profit totaled 363 billion yen ($2.5 billion), up from 149 billion yen. Quarterly sales jumped 21% to 4.6 trillion yen ($32 billion). Honda's financial service division also reported growing sales. Honda, which makes the Fit subcompact, Honda e electric car and Gold Wing motorcycle, said its profitability improved, especially in North America, where production recovered. Automakers around the world were slammed by supply shortages because of production delays related to social restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But such restrictions have eased, allowing production to pick up again. Auto sales were about the same in Japan in the latest quarter as in the previous year, while dropping significantly in China because of intense competition f

Flights and ferries halted in SK ahead of storm that's dumped rain on Japan

Dozens of flights and ferry services were grounded in South Korea on Wednesday ahead of a tropical storm that has dumped rain on Japan's southwestern islands for more than a week. Khanun's heavy rains and winds were expected to arrive in South Korea's southern and eastern regions Wednesday afternoon, South Korea's weather agency said. It is expected to reach the southern resort island of Jeju hours later and then make landfall near the mainland port of Tongyeong early Thursday. The agency says Khanun could have a punishing impact as it will likely slice through the centre of the country over several hours, with the storm's eye brushing the capital city of Seoul, while packing winds blowing at 90 to 154 kph (56 to 97 mph). The storm was expected to weaken by the time it blows into North Korea early Friday. The Korean Meteorological Administration measured Khanun at typhoon strength with maximum winds of 126 kph (78 mph) as of 9 am Wednesday, as it passed through waters 360 kilometr

Cannot confirm leakage: Japan as report of Chinese hacking surfaces

Japan's slow response to improve its cyber network could impede greater intelligence sharing between the Pentagon and Japan's Defence Ministry, the Washington Post said

SoftBank Group logs surprise loss but Vision Fund unit returns to profit

Overall, SoftBank reported a third consecutive quarterly loss, hit by declines in valuations for major investments such Alibaba Group, Deutsche Telekom, and T-Mobile US