Tokyo, 23 November, /AJMEDIA/
U.S. “closely monitoring” situation of Chinese tennis star Peng
WASHINTON – The U.S. State Department said Monday it is “closely monitoring” developments regarding Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, whose whereabouts have been in question after she accused one of China’s former vice premiers of sexual impropriety.
“We share the concern that has been expressed around the world as we all want her of course to be safe,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told a press conference, adding, “Rest assured we are closely following her and the situation.”
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Gov’t to nix Shinsei Bank’s defensive steps against SBI takeover bid
TOKYO – The Japanese government is considering using its stake in Shinsei Bank to vote against its launch of a defense against a hostile takeover by online financial group SBI Holdings Inc., sources familiar with the matter said Monday.
As the combined stake held by SBI and the government amount to around 40 percent, it appears unlikely that Shinsei Bank can win approval for the steps with majority backing at an extraordinary shareholders meeting on Friday, the sources said.
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Biden to reappoint Jerome Powell as U.S. Fed chair
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden said Monday he will keep Jerome Powell as chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve for a second term, expecting that he will put the world’s largest economy on a recovery track in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The president also announced his intent to appoint Lael Brainard, a Fed board member who was seen as a leading candidate to replace Powell, to serve as vice chair of the central bank.
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U.S., Britain, Australia sign AUKUS information-sharing agreement
SYDNEY – Australia on Monday signed an agreement with the United States and Britain formalizing access to classified nuclear submarine information under their so-called AUKUS security partnership.
The Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement is the first embodiment of the three-way arrangement announced in September under which Australia looks to acquire nuclear-powered submarines amid China’s growing maritime power.
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China, ASEAN hold summit, upgrade ties amid tensions with U.S.
BEIJING/SINGAPORE – China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have upgraded their ties to a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” President Xi Jinping said in a rare appearance at a special online summit on Monday.
The meeting commemorating the 30th anniversary of dialogue between China and ASEAN this year was held with Beijing eager to boost its clout in the region with security tensions with the United States escalating in nearby waters.
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Tokyo logs 6 daily COVID-19 cases, fewest since May last year
TOKYO – Tokyo reported six new COVID-19 cases Monday, the fewest since May 31 last year, reflecting the continued downtrend in infections across Japan.
With more than 76 percent of the country’s population now fully vaccinated, new cases nationwide fell to 50, the lowest level this year.
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Japan’s Kishida, Thai PM affirm close ties in phone talks
TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke by phone with his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday, voicing his desire to boost cooperation to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Prayut congratulated Kishida on taking office and expressed hope for stronger bilateral relations during the roughly 30-minute call, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.
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Baseball: Buffaloes’ Yamamoto wins 1st Sawamura Award
TOKYO – Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 23-year-old ace pitcher of the Pacific League champion Orix Buffaloes and the Olympic gold medal-winning Japan national team, won the Eiji Sawamura Award as Japan’s most impressive starting pitcher for the first time on Monday.
“It really is a historic award. I’ve always thought it would be great to win it at some point in my career,” Yamamoto told a press conference.
