Tokyo, 27 September, /AJMEDIA/
Japanese ex-PM Abe’s state funeral to begin despite public opposition
TOKYO – A state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to be held in Tokyo later Tuesday, with more than 4,000 mourners in attendance, despite mounting opposition to the controversial ceremony for the country’s longest-serving leader.
Ahead of the state-funded event, costing more than 1.6 billion yen ($11.2 million) in taxpayer money, calls have grown to cancel the ceremony as the legal basis is lacking to hold such a funeral, as well as due to Abe’s complicated political legacy.
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Japan consul held in Vladivostok for allegedly having classified info
TOKYO – A Japanese diplomat has been detained in Vladivostok for allegedly obtaining classified information, Russia’s Tass news agency said, citing an announcement from the country’s Federal Security Service on Monday.
Tatsunori Motoki, a consul at the Japanese Consulate General in the Russian city, has been declared persona non grata, the report said, noting he admitted to having violated Russian laws.
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U.N. chief calls for end of nuclear weapon threats
NEW YORK – U.N. chief Antonio Guterres urged the world Monday to stop the practice of countries threatening others through the possible use of nuclear weapons, after Russian President Vladimir Putin recently signaled that nuclear options remain on the table.
“Let me be clear, the era of nuclear blackmail must end,” the secretary general said at a session to commemorate and promote the U.N.-designated International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
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Japan’s Kishida kicks off “condolence diplomacy” around Abe funeral
TOKYO – Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday kicked off “condolence diplomacy” with foreign dignitaries scheduled to attend the state funeral for former leader Shinzo Abe, trying to boost ties with other countries amid an unstable regional security environment.
On the first of three days of talks with overseas delegations, Kishida received a pledge from Vice President Kamala Harris that the United States would work with Japan if the Asian nation faced security threats.
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Japan to run new domestic travel subsidy program to late Dec.: gov’t
TOKYO – Japan will run a new domestic tourism subsidy program from Oct. 11 to late December as part of efforts to spur domestic tourism and revive the coronavirus-hit economy, tourism minister Tetsuo Saito said Monday.
The “National Travel Discount” will provide the equivalent of up to 11,000 yen ($77) in discounts and coupons per traveler per day, which can be used for meals, shopping and accommodation expenses.
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Japan vigilant about speculative yen moves, ready to act if needed
TOKYO – Japan is on alert against speculative yen moves against the U.S. dollar and is ready to act again in the currency market if needed, the finance minister said Monday, after what is estimated to be the largest-ever daily yen-buying intervention had a “certain effect.”
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said the government is “strongly concerned” about one-sided, rapid yen moves. Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda also said such currency fluctuations are not desirable and backed Japan’s first intervention to prop up the currency since 1998 as “appropriate.”
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Asia, Middle East ministers vow to enhance decarbonization technology
TOKYO – Ministers from Asia and the Middle East agreed Monday the introduction of decarbonization technologies such as those involving hydrogen and carbon capturing is essential in realizing balanced energy transitions toward carbon neutrality considering diverse energy situations in the regions.
Japan hosted the meeting as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida aims to achieve net zero emissions and economic growth. He has seen green transformation of economy and society as a critical component of his vision for a new version of capitalism.
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Search continues for girl, 7, missing for 4 days in eastern Japan
CHIBA, Japan – Police on Monday continued searching for a 7-year-old girl who went missing after she left her home in an eastern Japan city to go to a nearby park four days ago.
The family of Saya Minami, a first grader residing in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, on the same day released a message, pleading for the girl to come home.
