Tokyo, 27 October, /AJMEDIA/
Japan PM pledges heating aid to war-hit Ukraine ahead of winter
BERLIN – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday pledged to provide heating equipment and other protection against the cold to Ukraine, as the country’s war with Russia heads into the winter months.
“Japan has been providing support to Ukraine in preparation for the coming harsh winter…Furthermore, Japan will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine based on our country’s unique knowledge and strengths,” Kishida said in a video message to an international conference on aid for Ukraine held in Berlin.
———-
Japan to cut household electricity bills by 20% to fight inflation
TOKYO – Japan will cut household electricity bills by about 20 percent early next year as an inflation-relief step under a broader economic package that will entail nearly 30 trillion yen ($204 billion) in government spending, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
The size of the package, which is scheduled to be unveiled Friday, will likely exceed 67 trillion yen, including spending by municipal governments and companies, the sources said.
———-
Japanese consortium unlikely to secure loan for Toshiba buyout
TOKYO – A consortium led by Tokyo-based fund Japan Industrial Partners Inc., the preferred bidder for a potential buyout of Toshiba Corp., is unlikely to secure a bank loan needed to finance the takeover by the Nov. 7 deadline, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
A group of banks, including Mitsui Sumitomo Banking Corp., have been in discussions with JIP on a loan of over 1 trillion yen ($6.8 billion) sought by the consortium as part of its Toshiba turnaround plan, but the banks did not give the nod due to the risks involved in the deal, the sources said.
———-
Japan, Lithuania to set up bilateral framework on security issues
TOKYO – Japan and Lithuania said Wednesday they will set up a bilateral framework to discuss security issues, amid Russia’s prolonged war in Ukraine as well as China’s growing military and economic clout in the Indo-Pacific region.
After their meeting in Tokyo, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Lithuanian counterpart Ingrida Simonyte issued a joint statement in which they vowed to strengthen ties between the two nations by sharing knowledge of international security issues under the new dialogue framework, although without showing any time frame.
———-
U.N. urges Malaysia to stop forced return of refugees to Myanmar
GENEVA – The U.N. human rights chief urged Malaysia on Wednesday to stop forcing refugees to return to Myanmar, expressing concern over the continued deportation of more than a hundred Myanmar nationals despite some being at risk of persecution in their home country.
“With rising levels of violence and instability, and the collapse of the Myanmar economy and social protection systems, this is simply not the time to be returning anyone to Myanmar,” U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement.
———-
Qatar to lift COVID test entry requirement ahead of soccer World Cup
ISTANBUL – Qatar will no longer require visitors to present evidence of a negative COVID-19 test as part of traveling to the country, the government said Wednesday, ahead of hosting the soccer World Cup finals starting next month.
The country’s health ministry said it made the decision, which will take effect on Tuesday, as the number of infection cases with the novel coronavirus has continued to fall around the world and in Qatar.
———-
Japan to allow wage payments to digital wallets from April
TOKYO – Japan is planning to start allowing companies to pay wages to digital payment apps like PayPay and Rakuten Pay from April, the labor ministry said Wednesday, in a bid to promote cashless payments as a way to stimulate the economy.
The maximum balance of such digital wallets will be set to 1 million yen ($6,800), with employees able to use the funds to make purchases or remittances directly.
———-
Biden, new British leader Sunak agree to support Ukraine, address China
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Joe Biden and new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed Tuesday to enhance bilateral cooperation on issues critical to global security and prosperity, touching on the need to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia and address China’s growing assertiveness.
According to the White House, Biden spoke with Sunak by phone to congratulate the new British prime minister, who has taken over from Liz Truss following a political crisis caused by her economic plan.
