Tokyo, 14 December, /AJMEDIA/
U.S. makes nuclear fusion breakthrough in quest for clean energy
WASHINGTON – A U.S. national laboratory has achieved a major breakthrough in nuclear fusion technology by producing more energy than was used to derive it, the government said Tuesday, raising hopes for its potential as a clean power source.
Fusion energy is produced when light atomic nuclei are merged to form a heavier nucleus. Fusion powers the sun, and scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California have sought for decades to induce fusion in a lab setting using lasers.
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Japanese boxer Inoue becomes undisputed bantamweight champ
TOKYO – Japanese boxer Naoya “the Monster” Inoue became the world’s undisputed bantamweight champion with an 11th-round knockout of Britain’s Paul Butler on Tuesday night.
The crowning accomplishment at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena improved the 29-year-old’s record to 24-0 as he added Butler’s WBO title to his own WBA, WBC and IBF belts. The 34-year-old Butler fell to 34-3.
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Japan, U.S., S. Korea pledge close cooperation amid N. Korea threat
JAKARTA – Senior diplomats from Japan, the United States and South Korea pledged to continue their close cooperation in coping with the threat of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missiles as they met in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The meeting came after the three countries tightened sanctions against North Korea earlier this month, targeting its officials and organizations following its latest intercontinental ballistic missile test in November.
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LDP lawmaker questioned over underreporting political funds
TOKYO – Prosecutors have questioned ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Kentaro Sonoura on a voluntary basis on suspicion of underreporting some 40 million yen ($296,000) in political funds, sources close to the matter said Tuesday.
The latest in a recent series of scandals involving LDP lawmakers comes as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who heads the party, has been struggling with falling public support for his Cabinet.
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PM urges stable, responsible funding for more Japan defense spending
TOKYO – Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday stressed the need to secure stable funding sources for an expected increase in Japan’s defense spending that would mark a historic policy shift, saying that the responsibility lies with the current generation.
His stepped-up rhetoric comes as his plan to impose higher tax burdens has met opposition from some ruling party lawmakers and Cabinet members.
U.S. seeks stronger ties with Africa in 3-day summit amid China clout
WASHINGTON – A three-day U.S.-Africa summit began on Tuesday in Washington, with President Joe Biden’s administration planning to commit $55 billion over the next three years to support the continent where China is increasing its economic clout.
A total of 49 countries and the African Union have been invited to the event for talks on cooperation on a range of issues such as trade and investment, security, health and climate, as well as space.
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Japan to phase in carbon pricing from FY 2028 in decarbonization push
TOKYO – Japan is set to phase in carbon pricing from fiscal 2028, with the funds collected from carbon dioxide emitters under the scheme to be used to support corporate decarbonization efforts, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday.
The proposal, which involves imposing a levy on fossil-fuel importers such as oil wholesalers and power companies, will be presented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry at a meeting of experts on Wednesday.
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Panasonic to supply batteries to U.S. EV startup Lucid
OSAKA – Panasonic Energy Co. said Tuesday it will supply lithium-ion batteries to U.S. electric vehicle startup Lucid Group Inc. from next year as a new contract for the product already in use by major EV maker Tesla Inc.
The automotive batteries will be provided for the Lucid Air sedan and the Gravity SUV, the Osaka Prefecture-based company under Panasonic Holdings Corp. said.
