Tokyo, 18 February, /AJMEDIA/
North Korea fires ballistic missile into Japan’s EEZ
SEOUL/TOKYO – North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Saturday that fell into the Sea of Japan, Japanese and South Korean authorities said, in what could be the first such test conducted by Pyongyang in more than one month.
The Japanese Defense Ministry said the missile was fired at around 5:21 p.m. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the projectile is believed to have fallen within Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
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Top G-7 diplomats meet in Germany ahead of 1st anniv. of Ukraine war
MUNICH – The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven industrialized nations met in Germany on Saturday to reaffirm their continuing support for Ukraine ahead of marking one year since Russia invaded its neighbor.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of an international security conference in the southern German city of Munich, is the first in-person foreign ministerial talks to be chaired by Japan since the Asian nation assumed this year’s rotating G-7 presidency.
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No preconditions for Biden to speak with China’s Xi: White House
WASHINGTON – The United States will not set any preconditions for President Joe Biden to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House said Friday, amid heightened tensions over a suspected Chinese spy balloon.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said in a press briefing that Biden will hold a conversation with Xi “when the president believes it’s appropriate,” adding that Washington’s lines of communication with Beijing remain open.
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China naval helicopter flies near ship in Japan’s economic zone
TOKYO – A Chinese naval helicopter approached a Japanese research ship within the country’s exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea, the Fisheries Agency said Friday.
The Japanese government told the Chinese government through a diplomatic channel that the incident was regrettable and Beijing should prevent any similar occurrences in the future, the agency said.
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Rugby: Nakamura brace lifts Sungoliath to win over Black Rams
TOKYO – Hooker Shunta Nakamura powered Tokyo Sungoliath to an 18-7 victory over Black Rams Tokyo on Saturday, going over twice in the first half of their Japan Rugby League One clash at Komazawa Stadium.
Nakamura opened the scoring in the seventh minute, diving across from a ruck after Sungoliath quickly spread the ball wide off a free kick in front of the opposing 22.
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Football: Kagawa helps Cerezo earn draw in J-League return
OSAKA – Shinji Kagawa came off the bench to help Cerezo Osaka claim a 2-2 draw with promoted Albirex Niigata on Saturday in the former Japan star’s return to the J-League for the first time since the summer of 2010.
The 33-year-old former Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United attacker came on in the 70th minute with the score 1-1, his pass resulting in hosts Cerezo taking the lead five minutes later at Yodoko Sakura Stadium.
