People visit Asakusa in Tokyo under the scorching sun on July 18, 2023. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
———-
Japan seeks experts’ dialogue with China on Fukushima water release
TOKYO – Japan has proposed to China setting up a dialogue involving nuclear experts from both countries to discuss Tokyo’s plan to release treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear complex into the sea, government sources said Wednesday.
China, which remains opposed to the plan, has yet to respond to the call for a working-level consultation, the sources said. Japan, which had received reassurance from the International Atomic Energy Agency over the plan’s safety, aims to start the water release around this summer.
———-
U.S., China agree to intensive discussions on climate change
BEIJING – U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Wednesday he agreed with senior Chinese officials during his visit to Beijing that the world’s two largest greenhouse gas emitters will “meet intensively” in the weeks to come to address climate change.
Despite bilateral tensions over a host of issues, Kerry called for cooperation as the two countries accelerate talks with an eye toward holding a summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden later this year.
———-
Japan gov’t begins probe into Digital Agency over “My Number” issues
TOKYO – A Japanese government commission began Wednesday its on-site investigation of the Digital Agency after numerous IDs in the “My Number” national identification system were erroneously registered with the information of other people.
The government’s Personal Information Protection Commission could issue administrative guidance to the agency following its investigation in a rare move that would call the personal information management system of the entire country into question.
———-
Thai parliament rejects Pita’s renomination for prime minister vote
BANGKOK – Thai parliament on Wednesday voted down the renomination of Pita Limjaroenrat, the head of an alliance of liberal parties in Thailand, as his political rivals argued the second nomination violates a parliament meeting regulation.
The joint parliamentary meeting rejected Pita’s renomination with a majority vote after eight hours of debate. The rejection paves the way for the other key party in the coalition, Pheu Thai, to take a leading role in the government formation process and to nominate its candidate for the prime minister vote expected next Thursday.
———-
Japan crime rises in 1st half of 2023 as COVID restrictions ease
TOKYO – The number of crimes recorded in Japan in the first six months of 2023 increased by more than 20 percent compared to the same period the previous year, due in part to an increase in street crime and break-ins amid an easing of COVID-19 restrictions, police data showed Wednesday.
A total of 333,003 cases were reported in the first half of the year, up by 21.1 percent from the previous year, rising for the first time in 21 years on a January-June basis, according to the National Police Agency.
———-
Disabled author wins prestigious Japanese literary award in 1st
TOKYO – An author with a physical disability on Wednesday won Japan’s prestigious Akutagawa literary award for the first time for her work about a disabled woman’s anger and desires.
Saou Ichikawa, who has congenital myopathy, won the Akutagawa Prize for up-and-coming authors for her novel “Hunchback,” a humorous debut that also acts as a commentary on the privileges of non-disabled people.
———-
Nissan EVs to adopt Tesla recharger in N. America from 2025
NEW YORK – Nissan Motor Co. said Wednesday it will equip its electric vehicles to connect to Tesla Inc.’s quick recharging system in the North American market starting in 2025.
Nissan is the first Japanese automaker to announce it will make its EVs rechargeable with the North American Charging Standard system, joining other major car manufacturers such as Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. that have already committed to adopting the technology in the coming years.
———-
Tsai urges deeper Taiwan-Japan friendship in talks with Abe’s widow
TAIPEI – Taiwan’s leader Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday called for the continued deepening of friendship between the self-ruled democratic island and Japan during a meeting in Taipei with Akie Abe, the widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Tsai expressed the island’s appreciation for the late Japanese premier’s supportive stance, including his claim that “any emergency surrounding Taiwan would also be an emergency for Japan.”
———-
Video: Fire on pleasure boat in Tokyo Bay
