TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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M6.9 quake hits northeastern Japan, no tsunami warning
TOKYO - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 struck northeastern Japan on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, the weather agency said.
The 07:30 a.m. quake occurred off the Pacific coast of Iwate Prefecture at a depth of 50 kilometers. It measured upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in Hashikami and lower 6 in Hachinohe, both in Aomori Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
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Japan's Fuji Electric workers detained in China, possibly over rare earths
TOKYO/BEIJING - Two Japanese employees of Fuji Electric Co. have been detained in China since last month, possibly over attempts to take rare earth-related products overseas, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday, as Beijing has tightened export controls on such items.
The Japanese government confirmed that they were both detained in May in the northeastern port city of Dalian for allegedly violating a law regarding the smuggling of prohibited imports or exports, without disclosing further details for privacy reasons.
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Thailand bolstering measures against scams in the country, neighbors
BANGKOK - Thai authorities are claiming a measure of success in cracking down on transnational scams in border areas, saying the number of such crimes and the financial damage they cause has dropped sharply, though they warn that international cooperation is vital to eradicate the problem.
The Royal Thai Police said Monday the number of reported scam cases this month in centers operating mostly on Thailand's borders with Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos dropped 69.2 percent from October last year, with financial damage declining 87.3 percent. It said it arrested or issued arrests for over 29,300 scammers, comprising both Thai and foreign nationals, over that nine-month period.
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Japan, Canada defense chiefs agree to deepen security cooperation
TOKYO - Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Canadian counterpart, David McGuinty, agreed Wednesday to step up security cooperation, the Japanese Defense Ministry said.
McGuinty said during their meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo that both countries share "the same values and face the same challenges" and that bilateral ties have been deepening. He also expressed expectations for the development of Japan's defense industry.
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Japan eyes 370 tril. yen public-private investment by 2040, focus on chips
TOKYO - The Japanese government said Wednesday it will target 370 trillion yen ($2.3 trillion) in combined public and private investment by fiscal 2040, with a clear emphasis on semiconductors as part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's strategy to spur growth and protect national security.
The sweeping long-term strategy from fiscal 2026, which began in April, covers 17 sectors including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, energy, medicine and entertainment, and is intended to help private-sector firms plan investments by providing a government benchmark.
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Japan ruling parties make proposals to PM on revising security documents
TOKYO - Japan's ruling parties on Wednesday submitted to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi their respective proposals on the government's revision of three key security documents planned for this year, with attention focused on whether to hike the current numerical goal for defense spending.
The Liberal Democratic Party, led by Takaichi, proposed having no specific spending target, but urged Japan to demonstrate a "clear commitment to self-defense," citing the defense outlay goals of 3.5 percent of gross domestic product among NATO members and South Korea and 3 percent in Australia.
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Japan ruling parties submit bill to Diet to create 2nd capital
TOKYO - Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner submitted Wednesday a bill to parliament to establish a "second capital" to serve as a backup for Tokyo's core functions in times of disasters or other emergencies, and to decentralize power.
The LDP and the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party aim for the bill's enactment by the current Diet session's end on July 17. It would add impetus to the JIP's drive to reorganize the western Japan city into a metropolis like Tokyo by introducing special wards.
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Football: Moriyasu wants Japan to top group, praises Sweden manager Potter
ARLINGTON, Texas - Manager Hajime Moriyasu is aiming for Japan to finish at the top of Group F when they take on Sweden at the World Cup on Thursday.
Japan are level on four points with the Netherlands, who lead the group on goals scored and will face already-eliminated Tunisia in their final match at the same time. A draw with Sweden, who have three points, would secure a spot in the last 32 for Japan.
