AJMEDIA News Digest: Jan. 13, 2023

Tokyo, 13 January, /AJMEDIA/

Man indicted for fatally shooting ex-Japan PM Abe during speech

NARA, Japan – A man was indicted on charges of murder and violating the firearms control law for fatally shooting former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during an election campaign speech in July, prosecutors said Friday after months of a psychiatric evaluation.

The prosecutors concluded that Tetsuya Yamagami, 42, is competent to stand trial following mental examinations undertaken since late July. His detention period for the examination expired on Tuesday.

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Fukushima treated water likely to be discharged in spring or summer

TOKYO – A planned discharge of treated water from the crippled nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture into the sea will start around this spring or summer, some two years after a decision on its release was made, the Japanese government said Friday.

A revised policy on the disposal of the treated water containing low-level concentrations of tritium as well as financial support for affected fishing communities was endorsed during a meeting of relevant Cabinet ministers on Friday. The communities and neighboring China remain opposed to the release of water about 1 kilometer off the Pacific coast.

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Sluggers Alex Ramirez, Randy Bass to enter Japan’s Baseball Hall of Fame

TOKYO – Sluggers Alex Ramirez and Randy Bass have been voted into Japan’s Baseball Hall of Fame, the body announced Friday, making them the first imported players to receive the rare honor since 1994.

Ramirez, who played his final season in 2013, won two Central League MVP awards and is the only import to reach the iconic 2,000-hit milestone in Japan. He was named on 81.7 percent of ballots cast in the hall’s player’s division.

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Japan gov’t bond yield tops BOJ cap for 1st time since policy tweak

TOKYO – The key yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds on Friday topped the upper limit of 0.50 percent set by the Bank of Japan for the first time since the trading band was widened last month, as the market reacts to expectations the central bank will again tweak policy.

The move came despite the BOJ’s attempts to keep the yield below the threshold by offering to buy unlimited amounts of 10-year bonds at that level.

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Japan, South Korea vow to maintain communication on wartime labor issue

TOKYO – Japan and South Korea agreed Friday to continue close communication in a bid to resolve a dispute over wartime labor, according to the Japanese government, a day after Seoul suggested a solution to the issue that has worsened bilateral ties.

Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his South Korean counterpart Park Jin pledged to restore healthy bilateral relations and further develop them by resolving the pending issue, when they spoke over the phone, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

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Japan parliament to convene 150-day regular session Jan. 23

TOKYO – The government on Friday approved a plan to convene Japan’s parliament for a 150-day ordinary session from Jan. 23, with ruling and opposition parties expected to clash in debates over policies such as boosting defense spending and extending the life of nuclear reactors ahead of nationwide local elections in spring.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno conveyed the schedule to senior members of the steering committees of both chambers before the Cabinet’s approval. Unless extended, the regular session will run through June 21.

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Japan supports TSMC’s intention to build another chip plant

TOKYO – Japan’s industry minister said Friday the government supports Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s intention to build another chip fabrication plant in the country after the one currently under construction in Kumamoto Prefecture.

As the automobile and other industries in Japan grapple with a protracted global semiconductor shortage, there are increasing calls for a more geographically diverse and resilient supply chain as well as an increase in domestic production.

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Tokyo to make child care free for all 2nd children from Oct. 2023

TOKYO – The Tokyo Metropolitan government said Thursday it plans to make child care services free for all second-born children living in the capital starting October 2023, as part of an effort to address the rapidly falling birthrate in Japan.

The measure will be applicable for those aged zero to two years without setting conditions, such as being within a certain household income bracket, as the local government aims to provide an incentive for families to have more than one child.

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