Tokyo, 03 May, /AJMEDIA/
U.S. defense firms want deeper partnership with Taiwan: ex-commander
TAIPEI – A retired United States Marine commander said Wednesday a delegation of U.S. defense industry representatives is in Taiwan seeking deeper defense cooperation with the country to help the island better defend itself against potential Chinese invasion and promote regional security in the Indo-Pacific.
Steven Rudder, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general, said during a Taiwan-U.S. defense industry forum in Taipei that he and the delegation share a vision of a free, open, resilient, and inclusive relationship between the United States, Taiwan and the region.
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FOCUS: LDP resistance imperils passage of Japan LGBT law before G-7
TOKYO – Prospects that legislation addressing LGBT issues will be introduced before the Group of Seven summit is held in Japan later this month have dimmed due to division within the nation’s ruling party.
After his former close aide made discriminatory remarks against sexual minorities earlier this year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been under mounting pressure to pass a law to protect Japan’s LGBT community, with the Asian country lagging behind other G-7 members on the issue.
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Japan, Kenya leaders agree to boost economic, energy cooperation
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Kenyan President William Ruto agreed Wednesday to strengthen their countries’ cooperation in areas related to decarbonization, infrastructure development and bolstering economic ties.
Meeting in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, the two leaders condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine while affirming the importance of the rule of law. They also agreed on promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said.
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FEATURE: Fukushima seafood businesses adapt as treated water release looms
FUKUSHIMA, Japan – With the release of treated water from the crippled nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture looming, embattled seafood businesses in the region fear fresh reputational damage to their products.
In April, discharge facilities were being rapidly constructed at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, with the operator aiming to complete them by the end of June in the first quarter of the new fiscal year.
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Son of imprisoned H.K. media mogul Lai calls for father’s release
NEW YORK – A son of the imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai on Tuesday called for international help to quickly secure the release of his father.
“The Hong Kong government has essentially destroyed press freedom in the region,” Sebastien Lai, the 28-year-old son of the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, told Kyodo News in New York.
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Shiga Pref. hoping Austria-shaped Lake Biwa makes tourism splash
VIENNA – Japan’s western prefecture of Shiga is looking to attract patriotic Austrian tourists who may be interested in visiting Lake Biwa, given the revelation on social media that the spectacular body of water bears a resemblance to the European nation.
The Shiga prefectural government decided to set its promotional sights on Austria, spurred on by a Twitter post by the Austrian National Tourist Office’s Japanese-language account that pointed out Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, and Austria “are to say the least, like two peas in a pod.”
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Price hikes decided on over 20,000 items in Japan so far this year
TOKYO – Price hikes have been decided for over 20,000 food and beverage items in Japan for this year so far, with the number crossing the threshold at a faster clip than last year, hitting a public already struggling with inflation, according to a credit research company.
A recent survey by Teikoku Databank Ltd. said that the price increases of products for household consumption are partly due to bird influenza that boosted egg prices and poor seaweed harvests.
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China foreign minister visits Myanmar, meets with military chief
YANGON – Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with the chief of Myanmar’s junta in Naypyitaw on Tuesday and confirmed Beijing’s unity with the military-led government of the Southeast Asian country, it said.
Qin became the first Chinese foreign minister to meet with Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in the Myanmar capital since the coup occurred in February 2021.
