Tokyo, 13 November, /AJMEDIA/
Japan PM Kishida seeks ASEAN cooperation in addressing North Korean threats
PHNOM PENH – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday sought stronger cooperation from ASEAN members in dealing with North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats, as he kicked off his eight-day Southeast Asia tour for a series of leaders’ meetings.
At a summit of “ASEAN-plus-three” — the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan, China and South Korea — in Phnom Penh, Kishida told his counterparts that Pyongyang’s recent barrage of ballistic missile launches are a “clear and serious challenge to the international community and can never be overlooked,” according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
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Japan, South Korea to hold 1st leaders’ talks in 3 years on Sunday
PHNOM PENH – Japan and South Korea will hold the first official talks in about three years between their leaders on Sunday in Cambodia, officials said, as both countries have shown willingness to improve bilateral ties damaged significantly by wartime labor issues.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will meet on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations-related summits running through Sunday in Phnom Penh, the two governments said.
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Japan, China arranging for Kishida-Xi talks, Thailand eyed as venue
PHNOM PENH – Japan and China are working to arrange talks between Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Xi Jinping, with Thailand envisioned for their venue but Indonesia remaining a possibility, according to sources familiar with the move.
Kishida told reporters early Saturday that Japan was making arrangements with China and South Korea with a view to his holding summit meetings with their respective leaders on the fringes of international gatherings in the days ahead.
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Rugby: England steamroll Japan in World Cup preview at Twickenham
LONDON – Japan were overpowered and outmaneuvered by England in a 52-13 loss Saturday that underscored the daunting task ahead of the Brave Blossoms at next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The two sides are due to meet again in Pool D at the tournament kicking off next September in France, where Jamie Joseph’s men must also battle heavyweights Argentina in their bid to advance to the quarterfinals.
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U.S., ASEAN upgrade ties amid China rise, eye maritime cooperation
PHNOM PENH – U.S. President Joe Biden and the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Saturday formally elevated their ties to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” and agreed to advance maritime and economic cooperation, underscoring Washington’s deeper commitment to the region amid China’s growing clout.
Attending the annual U.S.-ASEAN summit in Cambodia, Biden hailed the upgrading of their relationship from the “strategic partnership” status, saying it marks “a new era” in their cooperation.
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Kishida welcomes Cambodia’s help for land mine detection in Ukraine
PHNOM PENH – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday welcomed Cambodia’s offer to help Ukraine detect land mines, as Russia’s war on the Eastern European nation continues.
At a joint press event with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen after their talks in Phnom Penh, Kishida said training Ukrainian people to use land mine detectors will be a “strong message for the international community.”
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Speed skating: Miho Takagi wins 1,500m at World Cup opener
STAVANGER, Norway – Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi won the women’s 1,500 meters Saturday, the second day of the World Cup season opener in Stavanger, Norway.
Takagi clocked 1 minute, 56.55 seconds for her 14th career World Cup win in the event in which she holds the world record, 0.94 ahead of Norwegian runner-up Ragne Wiklund.
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China stresses role in efforts to denuclearize Korean Peninsula
PHNOM PENH – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed in his meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Cambodia on Saturday that Beijing will play a constructive role for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, a senior South Korean official said.
Yoon expressed his hope that relations between Seoul and Beijing will develop based on the principle of mutual respect and reciprocity, the official said.