Tokyo, 7 March, /AJMEDIA
Paralympics: Momoka Muraoka wins sitting super-G for 2nd gold in Beijing
BEIJING – Japan’s Momoka Muraoka went two for two at the Beijing Paralympics on Sunday when she added the women’s sitting super-G Alpine skiing gold to the downhill she won a day earlier.
The 25-year-old once again finished just ahead of Anna-Lena Forster, with the German taking her second straight silver. Zhang Wenjing of China won bronze.
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U.S. tells China “the world” is united against Russia invasion
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Saturday that “the world” is acting against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, indicating that Beijing should also be part of the response.
“The world is acting in unison to repudiate and respond to the Russian aggression, ensuring that Moscow will pay a high price,” Blinken was quoted as saying during a phone call, according to the U.S. State Department.
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North Korea says it conducted test for reconnaissance satellite on March 5
BEIJING – North Korea’s latest launch was conducted to develop a reconnaissance satellite, state-run media reported Sunday, a day after what was described by neighboring countries as a ballistic missile launch toward the Sea of Japan.
Saturday’s test indicated that North Korea is seeking to develop its weapons capabilities while the United States is focused on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some foreign affairs experts said.
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Memorial service held for Sri Lankan 1 year after death in detention
NAGOYA – A memorial service was held Sunday to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of a Sri Lankan woman who died while in custody at an immigration center in central Japan last year amid calls nationwide to review Japan’s detention system for those facing deportation.
Around 50 people braved the rain and wind to attend the Buddhist service in Aichi Prefecture for Ratnayake Liyanage Wishma, including her 27-year-old sister Poornima, as well as some who had previously been held at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau, where Wishma had been detained.
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Athletics: Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge wins Tokyo Marathon in race record time
TOKYO – Kenya’s two-time defending Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge won the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday in a race record 2 hours, 2 minutes and 40 seconds, finishing roughly a minute outside his own world record.
The race was the first to allow local residents to apply for general entry since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Both the 2020 marathon and last year’s event were limited to elite runners and invitees to contain the spread of COVID-19.
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FEATURE: Ukrainian musician appeals for peace from Japan
TOKYO – For Kateryna Gudzii, the Ukrainian traditional instrument she plays has been her way of sharing the culture and music of her homeland with Japan — and this more than decade-long personal mission takes on a deeper meaning now Ukraine has been thrust into the global spotlight following Russia’s invasion.
“When I perform, I do so with thoughts that the war would end and there will be peace in the world,” said Gudzii, who is only one of two “bandura” players actively performing in Japan where she began living in 2006.
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Batman’s hometown Gotham, Japanese castle site become friends
HIROSHIMA – Superhero Batman’s hometown Gotham City has for the first time concluded a friendship city agreement with Fukuyama, a castle town in western Japan, as the fictional and real cities share a connection — their love for bats.
The unique agreement was struck in late February, just before the Warner Bros. movie “The Batman” comes out on Friday in Japan, and as Fukuyama celebrates the 400th year of its castle’s history.
