Tokyo, 27 February, /AJMEDIA/
U.S., EU to exclude some Russian banks from key int’l payment system
WASHINGTON – The United States and the European Union said Saturday that selected Russian banks will be removed from a key international payment system known as SWIFT, the latest in a series of sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“This will ensure that these banks are disconnected from the international financial system and harm their ability to operate globally,” the White House said in a joint statement.
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Japan, U.S. agree impact of Russia’s aggression goes beyond Europe
TOKYO – The foreign ministers of Japan and the United States on Saturday agreed that the impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has gone beyond Europe and that boosting their security alliance is a requisite for maintaining peace in Asia.
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Thursday “aggression” and said he confirmed with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during phone talks that it has undermined “the very foundation of the international order that does not allow any unilateral change in the status quo by force.”
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North Korea fires what could be ballistic missile
TOKYO/SEOUL – North Korea has fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile, the Japanese government said Sunday.
The unidentified projectile is believed to have already fallen, according to the Japan Coast Guard.
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2,000 Ukrainians, supporters in Japan rally over Russia invasion
TOKYO – Around 2,000 people including Ukrainian nationals living in Japan staged a rally on Saturday in front of the Shibuya crossing, a famed Tokyo landmark, protesting against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Protestors held Ukrainian flags and signs reading “Stop the war in Ukraine” and “Hands off Ukraine.” Russians and Japanese nationals also joined the rally that was organized via social media, as fighting persists in the former Soviet republic after Russia launched a large-scale attack on Thursday and Ukrainian forces continue to fight back.
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Japan begins COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-11
TOKYO – Vaccinations against the novel coronavirus for children aged 5 to 11 began Saturday in one area of Tokyo ahead of other municipalities in Japan with special government approval at a time when the country is still gripped by high infection numbers.
While vaccinations for the age group are expected to begin in wider parts of the country in March, some municipalities have been allowed to start earlier if they are already prepared.
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Japan firm-owned cargo ship hit by missile off Ukraine, 1 hurt
MATSUYAMA, Japan – A cargo ship owned by a Japanese firm was hit by a missile off the coast of Ukraine in the Black Sea on Friday, injuring one crew member, the marine transportation firm in western Japan said Saturday, as heavy fighting ensued following the Russian invasion of its former Soviet neighbor.
The Panamanian-registered cargo ship Namura Queen was damaged and one of the 20 Filipino crew sustained a non-life threatening injury to his shoulder, according to the firm based in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture.
