TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
----------
Japan pitches frigate export to New Zealand in defense ministerial talks
SINGAPORE - Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi made a pitch for the possible export of the country's advanced Mogami-class frigate to New Zealand on Saturday during the first trilateral meeting with his New Zealand and Australian counterparts.
Koizumi, New Zealand's Chris Penk and Australia's Richard Marles met on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue regional security forum in Singapore, reaffirming their commitment to closer defense cooperation following Japan's recent easing of rules governing defense equipment exports.
----------
Japan PM vows "breakthrough" with N. Korea in abduction issue
TOKYO - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday expressed her determination to achieve a "breakthrough" in resolving the longstanding issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, vowing to weigh all options, including summit talks.
At a rally in Tokyo calling for the return of Japanese abductees, Takaichi urged North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to take a "courageous step" together for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
----------
Hegseth hails better ties with China but warns of its military rise
SINGAPORE - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Saturday that relations between his country and China are better than they have been in many years under President Donald Trump's leadership but warned of the Asian power's rapid military rise.
In his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's annual security forum, in Singapore, Hegseth said there is "rightful alarm" in the Indo-Pacific about "China's historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond."
----------
Japan ethylene plants' operating rate at record low amid Mideast disruption
TOKYO - The operating rate of plants in Japan producing ethylene, used widely to make detergents, pharmaceuticals and paints, hit a record low in April amid the disruption of supplies of its oil-derived feedstock naphtha due to the Middle East conflict, an industry group said.
The utilization rate sank to 67.3 percent, the lowest since comparable data became available in 1996 and below the previous low of 68.8 percent in March, the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association said earlier in May.
----------
Int'l group urges Japan to respect human rights under anti-espionage law
TOKYO - The international group Human Rights Watch has urged Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government to ensure its envisioned laws for counterespionage and foreign agents' registration be consistent with domestic and international provisions on human rights.
In an open letter to Takaichi in April, the body requested that the legislation not violate fundamental rights, including those to freedom of thought, conscience, speech, and other forms of expression, which are guaranteed by the nation's Constitution and international law.
----------
85-yr-old driver arrested over fatal hit-and-run accident in central Japan
NAGOYA - An 85-year-old driver was arrested Saturday on suspicion of fatally hitting a man and a woman at an intersection while driving a minibus in central Japan and fleeing the scene the previous day, police said.
The accident involving the minibus driven by Teruya Sakai in Nagoya's Minami Ward at around 5:35 p.m. Friday left Yuki Oishi, 36, and Arata Tanaka, 35, dead. Sakai admitted to the charge, according to the police.
----------
Resort town near Tokyo offers gondola with spatial audio system
YOKOHAMA - A gondola with a spatial audio system has been introduced on a scenic ropeway in a famous hot spring and resort town southwest of Tokyo, according to its operator.
Odakyu Hakone Co. said the gondola allows riders on the Hakone Ropeway to listen to music during a roughly 10-minute trip while enjoying views such as the Owakudani valley, a popular tourist site known for its sulfur vents and geothermal hot springs.
----------
Baseball: Murakami suffers hamstring injury as Okamoto, Ohtani go deep
CHICAGO - Munetaka Murakami was replaced after experiencing right hamstring tightness during the Chicago White Sox's 4-3 walk-off win over the Detroit Tigers in 10 innings, while the Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani both hit home runs Friday.
Murakami, in a joint American League lead with 20 homers, grounded into a force out while beating the double play in the third inning at Rate Field. He was then seen clutching the back of his right leg and exited the game after speaking to his team's staff member on the field.
Video: Kansai airport expands international area in 1st major renewal
