Tokyo, 28 May, /AJMEDIA/
Toyota, Mazda, Subaru to develop new engines in hybrid push
TOKYO – Toyota Motor Corp., Mazda Motor Corp., and Subaru Corp. said Tuesday that they will each develop engines to enhance the performance of their electrified vehicles, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, as part of efforts to increase the competitiveness of their gasoline-electric line-ups.
With the shared goal of achieving carbon neutrality, the three Japanese automakers aim to develop smaller, more efficient engines with higher output than existing models while also collaborating on the use of carbon-neutral fuels, they said.
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Tokyo-Osaka bullet train services may be suspended due to heavy rain
TOKYO – Bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka may be suspended from Tuesday evening due to heavy rain forecasts in central Japan, operator Central Japan Railway Co. said.
Japan’s weather agency has warned of heavy rainfall in some prefectures, including Gifu, Shizuoka and Aichi, with downpours observed in southwestern Japan on Tuesday.
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Baseball: Ohtani eager for another WBC title with Japan
NEW YORK – Shohei Ohtani reiterated his desire Monday to lead Japan to back-to-back World Baseball Classic championships in 2026 as he continues his strong start to life at his new club the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“It’s important to do my best to stay among the top players first, in order to get picked,” said Ohtani, who had expressed his hope to defend the title after his MVP-winning performance propelled Samurai Japan to the title in March 2023.
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Japan personal data leaks hit record high 13,000 cases in FY 2023
TOKYO – Personal data leaks in Japan jumped some 70 percent to a record 13,279 cases in fiscal 2023, a draft annual report by a government panel showed Tuesday, underscoring poor data management in both the public and private sectors.
The total was boosted by municipal governments reporting nearly 1,000 cases after they were newly included among those required to report such leaks, while firms saw a sharp increase.
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Man held over cyanide stolen from Japan university, says aimed to kill dad
OSAKA – A man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of stealing sodium cyanide from the laboratory of a western Japanese university that he used to attend in August last year, police said.
Masashi Takebayashi, 30, has admitted to the charge, saying he stole the toxic substance from Osaka Metropolitan University to kill his father, who had nagged him about getting a job, according to the police.
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Japan’s 2023 net external assets hit record 471 tril. yen on weak yen
TOKYO – Japan’s net external assets hit a record 471.31 trillion yen ($3 trillion) in 2023, as a sharp drop in the yen inflated the value of foreign stocks, bonds and other holdings in yen terms, while increased direct investment overseas by Japanese firms also gave the total a boost, government data showed Tuesday.
The nation’s gross assets increased 51.31 trillion yen, or 12.2 percent from 2022, posting a record high for the fifth straight year. Japan was the world’s largest creditor for the 33rd straight year in yen terms, ahead of Germany and China, according to the International Monetary Fund and other sources.
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Holes found in black screen blocking viral Mt. Fuji photo spot
KOFU, Japan – Holes have been found in a large black screen set up by a central Japan town to block a scenic view of Mt. Fuji after criticism of tourists’ behavior at the viral photo spot, the town said Tuesday.
After setting up the screen on May 21 to prevent visitors from flocking to the site in front of a Lawson convenience store in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, the town confirmed the first hole the following day, and the number has since increased to roughly 10.
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Cambodia, China hold joint naval drill as U.S. eyes Beijing’s clout
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia conducted a maritime drill with China on Monday off its coast in the southwest, amid U.S. concerns that Beijing could use a Cambodian naval base to expand its influence in the region.
The maritime drill, conducted as part of a joint military exercise called “Golden Dragon 2024,” was joined by two Chinese ships that have been docked at the Ream Naval Base, which is being upgraded with Chinese financial assistance, since last December.
