TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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Japanese companies tackle tungsten shortage amid rift with supplier China

TOKYO - Japan is facing a tungsten shortage amid a sharp deterioration in ties with China, prompting companies to seek alternative suppliers and recover the metal from recycled materials, according to industry officials.

China, which accounts for around 80 percent of global tungsten production, has halted exports of some tungsten products, with its Commerce Ministry saying shipments to Japan fell to zero between February and April.

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UNESCO body recommends Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites for heritage list

TOKYO - A UNESCO advisory body has recommended adding a group of ancient sites in Nara Prefecture that show the formation of Japan's centralized state to the World Cultural Heritage list, the cultural affairs agency said Saturday.

A formal decision on the "Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological sites of Japan's Ancient Capitals and Related Properties" is expected to be made at a meeting of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Committee to be held in South Korea from July 19 to 29.

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Suzuki eyes Africa as next key market, targets 20% sales rise by FY 2030

TOKYO - Japanese carmaker Suzuki Motor Corp. is tapping into markets in Africa, aiming to increase sales on the continent by roughly 20 percent from the previous business year through March to 150,000 units in fiscal 2030.

The automaker sees Africa as the "next India," its key market, where low-priced vehicles capable of withstanding rough roads are popular. Population growth and economic expansion are also expected to broaden its customer base and help boost exports.

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At least 112 non-native species found in Japanese waters, study shows

TOKYO - At least 112 non-native species have entered Japanese waters since the late 1800s, with some spreading northward apparently due to global warming, a team of marine biologists has found.

The species include crustaceans such as crabs, mollusks, pathogens and parasites that can damage farmed fish and shellfish, sometimes causing mass deaths, according to the team, which stressed the need to promote efforts to tackle global warming.

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Anime-themed gold accessories captivating young women in China

SHENZHEN, China - Anime character-themed gold accessories known as "tongjin" are captivating young women in China, with the bean-sized ingots sometimes selling for double or triple the price of other gold jewelry, according to local media.

The appeal of these accessories, which are typically worn as charm bracelets, lies in the emotional comfort of keeping one's favorite characters close at hand. But some of these products appear to use unlicensed Japanese intellectual property.

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Over 60% of Japanese firms with more than 1,000 workers use generative AI

TOKYO - More than 60 percent of Japanese firms with over 1,000 employees use generative artificial intelligence, a survey has found, with overall adoption at 34.5 percent and many companies reporting efficiency gains while citing accuracy concerns.

The survey conducted by a private research firm in March, which received valid responses from 10,312 businesses, showed 63.6 percent adoption at companies with over 1,000 employees versus 29.6 percent at those with five or fewer.

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Football: Kobe claim one-off J1 "100 Year Vision League" title

KASHIMA, Japan - Vissel Kobe were crowned champions of the J-League first-division's one-off "100 Year Vision League" on Saturday with a 5-2 aggregate win over Kashima Antlers.

Vissel came into the second leg at Kashima's Mercari Stadium with a commanding 5-0 aggregate lead from last week's first leg at Noevir Stadium in Kobe.

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Baseball: Sasaki hurls 7 shutout innings in Dodgers' walk-off win

LOS ANGELES - Roki Sasaki threw seven shutout innings and struck out a Major League Baseball career-high 10 in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 1-0 walk-off win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

The 24-year-old right-hander allowed two hits and two walks in a 98-pitch outing at Dodger Stadium.

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Mass coral spawning in Amami