Tokyo, 2 March, /AJMEDIA
Japan to temporarily close embassy in Kyiv
TOKYO – Japan will temporarily close its embassy in Kyiv after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
The embassy’s operation will be transferred to a temporary liaison office set up in western Ukraine, according to the ministry.
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U.S., Japan, others to release oil reserves amid Russia invasion
WASHINGTON – The International Energy Agency said Tuesday its member countries, including the United States and Japan, agreed to release 60 million barrels of oil from their emergency reserves to ensure stability for oil markets amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Such a coordinated release of petroleum stocks, the first of its kind since 2011, is intended to “send a unified and strong message” to global markets that there will be no supply shortfalls as a result of the attack launched by Russia, the world’s third-largest oil producer and largest exporter, the IEA said in a press release.
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U.S. vows to counter China with allies over “distorted” global trade
WASHINGTON – The U.S. administration of President Joe Biden on Tuesday slammed China for having “distorted” global trade through its unfair economic practices, and vowed to work with allies and partners to confront moves that undermine market competition.
In its annual trade policy agenda released the same day, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative also underscored its efforts to beef up economic engagement with Asian countries through a planned “Indo-Pacific Economic Framework,” an idea initially announced by Biden in October amid China’s growing economic clout in the region.
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China urges Ukraine to resolve conflict with Russia through dialogue
BEIJING – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged his Ukraine counterpart to resolve its conflict with Russia through dialogue days after Moscow launched an invasion of the Eastern European nation.
Wang told Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba during their phone talks Tuesday that China “supports all constructive international efforts that are conducive to a political solution,” while voicing concern over the harm to civilians, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
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U.S. delegation arrives in Taiwan, angers China
TAIPEI – A delegation of former U.S. defense and security officials arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday, drawing ire from Beijing over interactions between the United States and the self-ruled island following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
U.S. President Joe Biden sent the delegation led by Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the island, showing that Taiwan-U.S. relations are “rock solid,” Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said at a press briefing.
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People in Japan donate $17 mil. to relief fund for Ukraine
TOKYO – Residents in Japan have donated around 2 billion yen ($17 million) to a relief fund for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country, Ukraine’s ambassador said Tuesday.
Ambassador Sergiy Korsunsky met with Kenta Izumi, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, thanking people in the country and its government for the support. More than 60,000 residents had made donations to a bank account set up by the Embassy of Ukraine.
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Toshiba CEO steps down amid controversy over plan to split firm
TOKYO – Toshiba Corp. President and CEO Satoshi Tsunakawa stepped down Tuesday after shareholders called for a shake-up in management amid instability and confusion caused by changes to the company’s controversial split-up plan.
Tsunakawa, 66, resigned following a board of directors’ meeting earlier in the day and Taro Shimada, a 55-year-old executive officer and corporate senior vice president, succeeded him, the Japanese industrial conglomerate said.
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Fire-hit Japanese transport vessel sinks in Atlantic Ocean
TOKYO – A Japanese-operated ship carrying thousands of vehicles that caught fire last month has sunk in the Atlantic Ocean, the vessel’s operator said Tuesday.
The Felicity Ace, operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. and carrying about 4,000 cars, including Porsches and other luxury vehicles made by German manufacturer Volkswagen Group, was being towed to safe waters near Portugal’s Azores islands when it began to tilt and sink into the ocean.
