Kyodo News Digest: Nov. 9

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Japan PM vows breakthrough on N. Korea abduction issue

TOKYO - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sunday reaffirmed her determination to secure the return of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea decades ago, saying her administration has continued to press Pyongyang for their release.

At a gathering in Tokyo on the abduction issue, Takaichi expressed frustration over the lack of tangible progress since taking office but added, "There is no change in my resolve to find a breakthrough at any cost while I am in office."

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M5.7 quake strikes central Japan, over 20 injured

TOKYO - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 hit central Japan early Sunday, leaving over 20 people injured in Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures, authorities said.

The 1:04 a.m. temblor originated in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture at a depth of about 40 kilometers and registered upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale in Chita, Aichi, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. No tsunami warning was issued.

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Nocchi of popular Japanese techno-pop group Perfume gets married

TOKYO - Nocchi of Japanese all-female techno-pop group Perfume has married actor Kento Shibuya, according to an announcement Sunday on the official website of her talent agency.

Nocchi, whose real name is Ayano Omoto, 38, said in a press release, "I will continue to take on new challenges and grow so that I can keep creating enjoyable moments with all of you."

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2 bodies recovered after fire guts house in eastern Japan

MITO, Japan - Two bodies, believed to be of a man and a child, were found Sunday after a fire engulfed a house in Ibaraki Prefecture northeast of Tokyo, police said.

The house had six residents with another six residing in an adjacent house on the premises in Yuki, the police said, adding they were all Pakistani.

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Football: J1 title rivals Hiroshima, Machida settle for scoreless draw

MACHIDA, Japan - J.League first-division title rivals Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Machida Zelvia played out a scoreless draw on Sunday.

Hiroshima remained third on 30 points, three behind leaders FC Tokyo, while Machida were fourth on 29.

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Sumo: Onosato loses to bogey opponent Yoshinofuji on Day 1 in Kyushu

FUKUOKA - Yokozuna Onosato lost to one of his most troublesome adversaries Sunday as he started his campaign for back-to-back championships at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Komusubi Yoshinofuji once again proved to be a thorn in the side of the six-time Emperor's Cup winner, thrusting him down at the edge and improving to 5-1 in their head-to-head series on the opening day of the 15-day meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

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Figure skating: Japan's Miura wins Cup of China, earns berth at GP Final

SHENZHEN, China - Japan's Kao Miura won the men's title at the figure skating Cup of China on Sunday, earning a berth in next month's Grand Prix Final.

Standing top after Friday's short program, Miura recorded personal-best scores of 190.35 points in the free skate and 293.25 overall in Shenzhen, where the third event of this season's Grand Prix Series was staged.

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Golf: Sakuma wins Toto Japan Classic title

OMITAMA, Japan - Japan's Shuri Sakuma won the Toto Japan Classic on Sunday, giving Japanese players a third consecutive victory on the U.S. LPGA Tour.

The tournament at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Ibaraki Prefecture is jointly sanctioned by the U.S. LPGA Tour and the Japan LPGA Tour.