Tokyo, 22 September, /AJMEDIA/
Japan, South Korea leaders agree to restore sound ties, address North Korea
NEW YORK – The leaders of Japan and South Korea agreed Wednesday that the two nations need to restore sound bilateral ties, according to Japan’s government, amid expectations for improvement in the relations frayed over wartime labor and territorial issues.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol also shared serious concerns over North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats and pledged to enhance their cooperation further to deal with them, the Japanese and South Korean governments said of the first in-person, sit-down meeting between the leaders since Yoon took office in May.
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Fed continues aggressive interest rate hikes to fight inflation
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday decided to carry on with its aggressive interest rate hikes amid stubbornly high inflation, a move that could further weaken the yen against the U.S. dollar.
Upon concluding a two-day meeting of the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank said it will lift its target range for the federal funds rate by 0.75 percentage point, the same as increases decided in its previous two meetings, to reach a level of 3.00 to 3.25 percent.
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Japan, Philippines vow to beef up security cooperation
NEW YORK – The leaders of Japan and the Philippines agreed Wednesday their countries will further strengthen cooperation in sectors such as security, energy and infrastructure, according to the Japanese government.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also discussed regional issues including those related to the East and South China seas in their talks in New York, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said, amid China’s growing maritime assertiveness.
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G-7 foreign ministers meet in N.Y. to discuss Ukraine war
NEW YORK – Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized nations met Wednesday in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly’s annual gathering, expected to show their commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.
The top G-7 diplomats may also talk about their efforts to realize a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” a vision promoted by Japan and the United States, according to a Japanese government official, amid China’s intensifying military activities in the region.
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Biden calls for U.N. reform with world body paralyzed over Russia war
NEW YORK – U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday called for expanding the U.N. Security Council among other reforms as the world body tasked with advancing peace struggles to address its veto-wielding member Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine.
Speaking at an annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Biden slammed Moscow for “shamelessly” violating the core tenets of the U.N. Charter, which enshrines sovereignty and territorial integrity, and making “overt” threats to use nuclear weapons.
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Forever 21 to re-enter Japan apparel market, go online at first
TOKYO – U.S. fast fashion retailer Forever 21 Inc. will re-enter the Japanese market, planning to sell its products online from February before opening stores after April, its Japanese partner said Wednesday.
The Los Angeles-based firm filed for bankruptcy protection in September 2019 due to intensifying competition with online clothing retailers. It pulled out of Japan the following month.
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Kishida, Harris to hold meeting, dinner on eve of Abe funeral
TOKYO – Final arrangements are being made for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to hold talks and dine together in Tokyo Monday, the eve of a state funeral for slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, government sources said Wednesday.
About 700 attendees are expected to be from overseas, offering the Japanese prime minister an opportunity to hold one-on-one meetings with more than 30 national leaders, including from Canada and Cambodia, over three days through next Wednesday.
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Friend of mother who starved son to death sentenced to 15 years
FUKUOKA – A 49-year-old woman was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday after a Japanese court found that she had manipulated her friend to starve her 5-year-old son to death.
Emiko Akahori psychologically controlled the friend, Rie Ikari, 40, with lies, according to the ruling by the Fukuoka District Court. Akahori directed Ikari to severely reduce her son’s meals, resulting in his death in April 2020.
