Tokyo, 13 December, /AJMEDIA/
G-7 concerned about China’s “coercive” economic policies: statement
TOKYO – The Group of Seven foreign ministers expressed concern Sunday about China’s “coercive” economic policies in what critics call “debt-trap” diplomacy toward developing countries, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said.
The ministers also discussed “the situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang,” where Beijing has been accused of human rights abuses, and the “importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” according to a statement issued by Britain, the G-7 chair, after their two-day talks in Liverpool, England.
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Japan urges “appropriate response” from S. Korea over wartime issues
LIVERPOOL, England – Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi has called for an “appropriate response” from Seoul to resolve bilateral disputes over wartime compensation and the issue of “comfort women” in his first contact with his South Korean counterpart, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
Hayashi agreed with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui Yong on the need to speed up diplomatic dialogue to restore “healthy” bilateral ties when they briefly chatted on Saturday at an informal dinner party of a Group of Seven foreign ministerial meeting in Liverpool, England, the ministry said.
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Japan big manufacturers’ confidence flat at 18 in Dec.: BOJ Tankan
TOKYO – Business confidence among major Japanese manufacturers remained unchanged from three months earlier at 18 in December, the Bank of Japan’s Tankan survey showed Monday.
The key index measuring confidence among companies such as makers of automobiles and electronics was in line with the average market forecast of 18 in a Kyodo News survey.
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New Caledonia votes to remain part of France for 3rd, final time
SYDNEY – The French territory of New Caledonia voted against independence on Sunday in a third and final referendum on the issue, amid a big drop in turnout due to a call by the independence movement to boycott the vote.
The final count showed an overwhelming 96.5 percent of voters in the Pacific island territory supported remaining with France, while only 3.5 percent favored independence.
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Strong quake jolts Tokyo area, no tsunami warning issued
TOKYO – A strong earthquake jolted Tokyo and surrounding areas in eastern Japan on Sunday, but no tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage to infrastructure.
The magnitude-5.0 quake, which occurred around 12:30 p.m., measured 4 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in Ibaraki Prefecture northeast of the capital and other areas, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
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Japan, Australia vow to step up Quad cooperation with China in sight
LIVERPOOL, England – Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his Australian counterpart Marise Payne have pledged to promote security cooperation of the Quad group, also including the United States and India, in response to China’s rising assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a meeting Saturday in Liverpool, England, Hayashi and Payne agreed to elevate the two countries’ “special strategic partnership” to a higher level as part of efforts to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
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Over 100 feared dead as dozens of tornadoes hit U.S. states
NEW YORK – Over 100 people are feared dead as dozens of tornadoes ripped through six states in the U.S. Midwest and Southern regions from Friday night into Saturday, local media said.
Damage from tornadoes was reported in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee, with Kentucky appearing to be hit hardest.
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Japan’s Hayashi plays “Imagine” on piano at Liverpool G-7 dinner
LIVERPOOL, England – Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi gave an impromptu piano rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine” during Saturday’s dinner party of the Group of Seven ministerial talks in Liverpool, England.
A pool photo taken at the “The Beatles Story” museum in the legendary rock band’s hometown of Liverpool showed ministers from the G-7 nations and guest countries, including South Korea, smiling and clapping their hands while Hayashi sat in front of a white piano.