Tokyo, 30 December, /AJMEDIA/
Japan logs over 500 daily COVID-19 cases, 1st time in 2 months
TOKYO – Japan confirmed a total of 502 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, exceeding the 500 mark for the first time in over two months and creating a source of concern among the public as people travel across the country during the year-end and New Year’s holiday period.
Of the total, Tokyo reported 76, the highest level since Oct. 16, and Osaka Prefecture logged 61, the highest since Nov. 11. Of Osaka’s cases, 11 were infected with the heavily mutated Omicron variant.
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South Korea conducted military drills for defense of disputed islets
SEOUL – South Korea conducted a regular military exercise last week for the defense of a disputed pair of islets it controls in the Sea of Japan, Yonhap News Agency reported Wednesday.
The Defense Ministry has withheld information regarding the reported drills, apparently to avoid heightening tensions with Japan, which regards the islets as part of its territory and calls them Takeshima. South Korea calls the outcroppings Dokdo.
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FOCUS: Election year puts Kishida’s ability to deliver in focus
TOKYO – Prime Minister Fumio Kishida safely navigated a general election in 2021 as new leader of Japan’s ruling party, but when he faces voters again in the 2022 upper house election, he is likely to be judged on his diplomatic skills and ability to realize his vision of narrowing the gap between rich and poor.
Three months into his tenure, Kishida has been building a new leadership image by repeatedly stressing his “ability to listen” to people and trying to differentiate himself from his predecessors Yoshihide Suga and Shinzo Abe, who were both known for their top-down approaches.
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Hong Kong pro-democracy outlet Stand News shuts after raid, arrests
HONG KONG – Hong Kong pro-democracy online media outlet Stand News announced its closure on Wednesday after police raided its offices and arrested seven people connected to it on suspicion of conspiracy to publish seditious publications.
The day’s developments mark the latest blow to Hong Kong’s press, which has earlier seen pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily shutter as Beijing continues its efforts to crack down on dissent in the former British colony.
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China complains to U.N. of “close encounters” with SpaceX satellites
BEIJING – China has complained to the United Nations that satellites from SpaceX, a U.S. space firm founded by Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk, had “close encounters” with its space station, urging Washington to respect the international order of outer space.
Tesla, a U.S. electric vehicle maker, has been trying to boost its business in China with a population of 1.4 billion. Following the Chinese claim, Musk and his companies have come under a barrage of criticism on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo.
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Woman arrested for pushing son to death from Tokyo hotel
TOKYO – A woman was arrested Wednesday for allegedly pushing her 9-year-old son to death from a Tokyo hotel, police said.
The police believe the 47-year-old woman attempted to commit murder-suicide involving herself, her son and her 7-year-old daughter by jumping from the emergency stairs on the 23rd floor of the hotel in Kabukicho in the capital’s Shinjuku Ward.
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Football: 54-year-old “King Kazu” Miura set to join 4th-tier club Suzuka
NAGOYA – Fifty-four-year-old former Japan international forward Kazuyoshi Miura has reached an agreement in principle to play next season for Suzuka Point Getters, multiple sources with knowledge of the matter said Wednesday.
Suzuka are managed by Miura’s older brother, 56-year-old Yasutoshi, who is also the general manager. Suzuka play in the Japan Football League, one tier below the pro soccer’s J-League third division.
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Golf: Quarantine breaker Ishikawa tests positive for COVID-19
TOKYO – Professional golfer Ryo Ishikawa, who was suspended for violating quarantine rules in October after returning from abroad, has tested positive for the coronavirus, his management company revealed Wednesday.
The 30-year-old had a fever on Tuesday, underwent a PCR test, and is resting at his home in Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo. The doctor who examined Ishikawa said it was highly unlikely the golfer was infected with the Omicron variant but that is not yet known for certain.
