TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Suzuki Motor overtakes Honda as Japan's No. 2 automaker by global sales
NAGOYA - Suzuki Motor Corp. overtook Honda Motor Co. to rank second among Japanese automakers in global vehicle sales in the April-September period, behind Toyota Motor Corp., according to data released Thursday by the country's eight major automakers.
Toyota, the world's largest automaker by sales volume, reported its first fiscal first-half declines in global sales and production in two years amid weaker demand in China. Sales, including Lexus vehicles, fell 4.0 percent to 5,059,014 units, while production dropped 1.9 percent to 4,895,406.
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N. Korea fires around 10 short-range ballistic missiles: Seoul
TOKYO/SEOUL - North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea off its eastern coast on Thursday, the South Korean military said, following two rounds of firings earlier this month.
Japan also said North Korea launched a ballistic missile and that it fell outside its exclusive economic zone. Japan lodged a stern protest with North Korea through diplomatic channels at its embassy in Beijing, condemning the launch as violation of related U.N. Security Council resolutions.
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Japan vows at ASEAN forum to uphold exclusively defense-oriented policy
CEBU, Philippines - Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi pledged Thursday at a regional defense forum to uphold the country's exclusively defense-oriented policy, in an apparent response to China's claims that Japan's defense buildup plans mark a revival of its past militarism.
Koizumi said at an expanded meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations defense ministers in the Philippines that Japan will "lead by example in transparency" as it works to update its key security documents by year-end in response to the severe security environment it faces.
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Japan ruling bloc, major opposition party agree to cut 31 lower house seats
TOKYO - Japan's ruling coalition and a major opposition party agreed Thursday on a plan to cut 31 proportional representation seats in the House of Representatives, raising the likelihood of the bill's passage during the current parliamentary session.
The proposal by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party calls for a smaller reduction than the 45-seat cut strongly advocated by its junior coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party.
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Japan PM offers to help Mongolia with recovery of wildfire-hit area
TOKYO - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Thursday that Japan will cooperate with Mongolia to support the recovery of an area affected by a large-scale grassland fire in Mongolia earlier this month that broke out during activities by a subsidiary of a Japanese telecom firm.
During phone talks with Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral, Takaichi said Japan will assist the recovery efforts by providing the necessary equipment and personnel training, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.
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Sanrio ends tie-up with Japan drama "Vivant" after criticism in China
SHANGHAI - Character licensing company Sanrio Co. said Thursday it has decided to end a tie-up campaign with the hit Japanese spy thriller "Vivant," after the drama triggered criticism in China over its portrayal of Chinese agents brutally torturing Japanese operatives.
Sanrio's China unit offered an apology over the collaboration with "Vivant" in a statement posted Wednesday night on social media platforms. Plush toys featuring Hello Kitty, My Melody and other Sanrio characters dressed as the drama's "spy figures" were released in July, according to Chinese media.
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Mitsubishi Motors' revived Pajero model posts strong orders
TOKYO - Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said Thursday it has received about 5,500 pre-orders for its first new Pajero sport utility vehicle in seven years, exceeding its initial sales target for the fiscal year.
The automaker began taking pre-orders on Oct. 1. Having set the target at 4,000 units for the four months through March, it will begin sales on Dec. 17, hoping the return of the iconic SUV line will help power a business recovery.
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Tennis: Osaka suffers Pan Pacific Open upset against 18-yr-old Pohankova
TOKYO - Japan's former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka made a surprise second-round exit at the Pan Pacific Open on Thursday after losing to 18-year-old Mia Pohankova of Slovakia 6-3, 7-5.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka, currently 18th in the world, suffered an upset against the 144th-ranked youngster who outhit the home favorite 7-3 in both winners and aces at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo.
