Tokyo, 12 February, /AJMEDIA/
Figure skating: Japan’s Miura, Kihara win Four Continents pairs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara won the pairs competition at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships on Saturday, raising expectations of a breakthrough world title next month.
The first Japanese pair to win the Grand Prix Final in December, they are likewise the first to take out the Four Continents, which is contested by skaters from outside Europe.
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FOCUS: Japan PM’s pick for new BOJ chief a calculated surprise
TOKYO – The choice of former Bank of Japan board member Kazuo Ueda for the next central bank governor is a well-calibrated decision by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at one of the biggest make-or-break moments of his time in office.
Kishida has been caught in a bind between financial markets anticipating a pivot by the BOJ to a tighter monetary policy and some quarters of ruling party lawmakers who are urging him — directly or indirectly — to stick with the “Abenomics” economy-boosting program that has become synonymous with monetary easing.
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2 Japan firms to join hands with Britain in new network technology
TOKYO – Two major Japanese telecom companies are expected to join hands with British organizations to promote a new communications network amid economic security concerns over China’s growing share of the field, a source close to the case said Saturday.
NTT Docomo Inc., Japan’s leading mobile operator, and Rakuten Mobile Inc. are likely to share information about research and development on Open RAN, or Open Radio Access Network, with British enterprises and institutions, the source added.
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Japan’s PM undergoes surgery for chronic sinusitis
TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida underwent endoscopic surgery for chronic sinusitis at a Tokyo hospital on Saturday, a government official said.
He was in good condition following the surgery, which began at around 12:05 p.m. and lasted about 3 hours and 40 minutes, the official said. As Kishida was placed under general anesthetic, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stepped in for the prime minister.
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China mulls tripling nuclear warheads to 900 by 2035: sources
TOKYO – China is considering tripling its stockpile of nuclear warheads to 900 by 2035, as tensions with the United States are expected to escalate further over Taiwan, sources close to the matter said Saturday.
The blueprint, mapped out by the People’s Liberation Army, has already been approved by President Xi Jinping, head of the military, who has been eager to bolster Beijing’s deterrence against Washington, the Chinese sources said.
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Chinese navy vessel enters Japan waters near Kagoshima Pref. islands
TOKYO – A Chinese navy survey vessel on Sunday entered Japan’s territorial waters near islands close to the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima, the latest confirmed sighting of Chinese ships in the area since December, the Defense Ministry said.
A survey ship crossed into Japanese waters from southwest of Yakushima Island in the prefecture at around 2:30 a.m., the ministry said, marking the seventh entry by a Chinese survey vessel into waters off Kagoshima since November 2021.
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Japan eyes stockpiling disaster supplies at post offices
TOKYO – The Japanese government is considering using post offices to stockpile disaster supplies, such as food, water and bedding, with an eye to delivering them to evacuation areas in the event of a disaster, government sources said.
The government is seeking to utilize post offices’ nationwide delivery network, which also reaches underpopulated areas, to help maintain services for residents at a time when many municipalities are struggling with shrinking populations.
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Football: Ex-Japan boss Zaccheroni reportedly conscious in hospital
TOKYO – Former Japan men’s football manager Alberto Zaccheroni has regained consciousness after suffering a head injury at his home in Italy, local media reported Saturday.
The 69-year-old was unconscious when he was admitted to an intensive care unit after falling and hitting his head Friday, according to Italy’s ANSA news agency.
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FOCUS: Higher prices test Valentine’s Day chocolate-buying Japan consumers
TOKYO – The rising cost of everyday items in Japan is making many consumers anxious amid stagnant wage growth. But chocolates may be an exception as Valentine’s Day approaches.
Like many other food items, chocolates are pricier this year, with ingredients for producing them such as cacao and sugar more expensive amid the global inflationary trend.
