Tokyo, 25 July, /AJMEDIA/
Sakurajima volcano in Japan erupts, alert level raised to highest
TOKYO – Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, erupted Sunday, causing the eruption alert to be raised to its highest level, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Volcanic stones fell up to 2.5 kilometers from the volcano, but there were no immediate reports of injuries following the eruption that occurred around 8:05 p.m., the agency and local police said.
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Japan sees 176,554 new COVID cases, ends 4-day streak of record highs
TOKYO – Japan’s daily COVID-19 cases stood at 176,554 on Sunday, according to a Kyodo News tally, ending a four-day streak of record highs amid a seventh wave of infections linked to the spread of the BA.5 Omicron subvariant.
The figure, which marks the highest number of cases recorded for a Sunday, was down from a record 200,975 logged a day earlier.
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FOCUS: Unification Church ties to lawmakers emerges as major political issue
TOKYO – The Unification Church’s links to Japanese lawmakers has emerged as a major political issue ahead of an extraordinary parliamentary session in the fall, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with opposition parties moving to probe such ties including within their own ranks.
Abe’s assailant has said he held a grudge against the religious group because large donations his mother had made to it ruined his family, and he thought Abe was linked to the group, according to investigative sources.
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Russia attacks Ukraine’s Odesa port day after grain deal
KYIV – Russian missiles struck Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa on Saturday, the Ukrainian military said, a day after the two countries agreed on a deal to allow the resumption of grain shipments blocked by the conflict.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said the strikes on the key grain-exporting port were a “spit in the face” of Turkey and the United Nations, which mediated the deal that could ease a food crisis triggered by soaring commodity prices.
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Football: Japan unable to turn possession into goals in draw with China
TOKYO – Japan were held to a goalless draw with China after failing to capitalize on the lion’s share of possession in their East Asian Football Federation E-1 Championship clash on Sunday.
Hajime Moriyasu’s team of domestically based players had the run of play throughout the contest at Toyota Stadium but were toothless in front of goal.
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Sumo: Ichinojo wins first Emperor’s Cup following loss by Terunofuji
NAGOYA – Ichinojo claimed his maiden Emperor’s Cup at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, winning his final match against fellow rank-and-filer Ura before the joint overnight leader, lone yokozuna Terunofuji, lost to ozeki Takakeisho.
The two Mongolian-born contenders were deadlocked at 11-3 entering the final day of the 15-day tournament at Dolphins Arena, where a succession of wrestlers had been forced to withdraw from competition by the coronavirus.
