Tokyo, 16 June, /AJMEDIA/
Dozens of leaders gather in Switzerland at critical time for Ukraine
BARI, Italy – Dozens of leaders from Europe and other regions, representing developed and developing countries, convened Saturday at a secluded Swiss resort to explore potential avenues for bringing about an end to the war in Ukraine, though Russia and its key partner China did not join.
The so-called peace summit, spearheaded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, comes at a critical time for Ukraine as Russia, which started a full-scale invasion of its neighboring country in February 2022, is ramping up its offensive.
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Over 50% in Japan uneasy about seeking satisfaction in shortest time
TOKYO – More than half of people in Japan are not comfortable with the recent trend of emphasizing “time performance” in leisure and other daily activities, such as watching movies at double speed, a recent survey by watchmaker Seiko Group Corp. showed.
In the online survey of 1,200 people aged 15 to 69, conducted in April, 52.9 percent gave the thumbs down to the idea of seeking satisfaction in the shortest time possible, while 40 percent felt they were being forced to do so themselves, Seiko said.
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Japan PM calls for global efforts to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine
BURGENSTOCK, Switzerland – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday called for global efforts to achieve a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine as the world’s major powers, the United States and China, are divided over how to deal with Russia’s invasion of its neighbor.
“Any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion must not be justified,” Kishida said in his speech at an international gathering for peace in Ukraine, held in the central Swiss resort of Burgenstock.
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88 Vietnamese hired by Japan confectionery were left idle without pay
KOFU, Japan – More than 80 Vietnamese who signed contracts to work for Japanese confectionery maker Chateraise Co. were left on standby without pay for about two-and-a-half months, the company said Saturday.
The company plans to offer compensation for loss of earnings from around early July to the 88 Vietnamese workers, many of whom hold a “Specified Skilled Worker” visa, a status of residence established in 2019 to attract more foreign workers to Japan amid an acute labor shortage.
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Athletics: Ambitious Sani Brown targets gold at Paris Olympics
TOKYO – Japan’s only sprinter to reach a 100-meter final at the world championships, Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, will gun for the top of the podium when he contests the distance for the first time in Olympic competition in Paris.
Simply making another final this summer will not be enough for the ambitious 25-year-old, who finished seventh at the 2022 athletics worlds and sixth the following year.
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Baseball: Cubs’ rookie Imanaga tames Cardinals for 7th win
CHICAGO – Shota Imanaga held the St. Louis Cardinals to a run on four hits over seven innings to earn his seventh win Saturday as the Chicago Cubs triumphed 5-1.
Imanaga (7-1) struck out six with a hit batsman in a strong 103-pitch outing at Wrigley Field, surrendering his only run in the fourth inning when Alec Burleson hit a leadoff double and came home on Nolan Arenado’s sacrifice fly to open the scoring.
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Football: Defiant Kuroda, Machida answer critics of their style
YOKOHAMA – After suffering a shock Emperor’s Cup exit at the hand of a university team during the week, J-League top-tier newcomers and leaders Machida Zelvia showed their mettle with a win against Yokohama F Marinos at a time when their physical playing style was also coming under heavy fire.
Manager Go Kuroda’s intense and clinical side have taken the J1 by storm this term, and they have deservedly been at the top of the table for the majority of the season that is nearing its midway point. However, their perceived “rough” approach has not necessarily been welcomed with open arms from those outside.
