Tokyo, 17 June, /AJMEDIA/
Bloc backing Okinawa’s anti-U.S. base governor fails to win majority
NAHA, Japan – Candidates backing Okinawa’s governor, a staunch opponent of a key U.S military base relocation plan within the prefecture, failed to secure a majority in Sunday’s local assembly election, in a blow to his struggling strategy to stop the project.
The result came as the central government pushes ahead with its plan to move U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from a densely populated area in Ginowan to a new facility being built in a coastal area in Nago, both on Okinawa’s main island.
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China’s nuclear arsenal reached 500 warheads in 2024, think tank says
LONDON – China likely increased its nuclear arsenal by 90 warheads to 500 in the 12 months to January 2024, an international security think tank said Monday, pointing out that Beijing is “expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country.”
The total number of warheads stockpiled for potential use among the five recognized nuclear powers of the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain plus the defacto nuclear states of India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel increased by nine to 9,585, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said.
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Chinese, Philippine vessels collide in South China Sea: Beijing
BEIJING – Chinese and Philippine vessels had a minor collision Monday morning near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the China Coast Guard said, blaming Manila for an “illegal intrusion” of a supply ship amid heightened tensions in the sea area.
The coast guard said in a statement the Philippine vessel “deliberately and dangerously approached” Chinese vessels navigating normally in adjacent waters of the Manila-controlled Second Thomas Shoal despite “repeated stern warnings” from China, prompting it to take control measures under its law against the ship.
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Japan’s Himeji Castle entry fees could increase for overseas visitors
KOBE – The mayor of Himeji, western Japan, has said he is contemplating “quadrupling” entry fees exclusively for foreign tourists visiting Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in response to increasing inbound tourism.
The city government acknowledged Monday that Mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto made the remark the previous day at an international symposium in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture.
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Australia, China leaders agree to manage differences by dialogue
SYDNEY – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed the importance of managing bilateral differences through dialogue after talks in Canberra on Monday amid improved ties between the two countries.
“There is much that remains to be done, but it is clear that our nations are making progress in stabilizing and rebuilding that crucial dialogue,” Albanese said at a luncheon with Li following their talks, which both described as “candid.”
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Tokyo’s Shibuya to ban street drinking at night in some areas
TOKYO – Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward will ban drinking on the street at night in some areas starting in October, expanding restrictions currently applied during limited periods such as Halloween and the New Year’s holidays, the ward office said Monday.
The local assembly unanimously enacted a revised ordinance to that end. The hours and locations where the prohibition will be enforced will be determined later, with the ward saying it is considering imposing the ban between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m.
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Equestrian: Taizo Sugitani set for Japanese record 7th Summer Olympics
TOKYO – Equestrian rider Taizo Sugitani is set for his seventh Summer Olympic appearance in Paris, the most by a Japanese athlete.
The Japan Equestrian Federation said Monday the 47-year-old Sugitani has qualified for the jumping event at the Paris Games, along with Eiken Sato and Takashi Haase Shibayama.
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Baseball: Ohtani hits back-to-back HRs in win, Betts fractures hand
LOS ANGELES – Shohei Ohtani crushed a pair of solo home runs, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
The win, however, was overshadowed by Mookie Betts leaving the game with a fractured left hand after being hit by a pitch in the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium.
