Kyodo News Digest: Aug. 28, 2023

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

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Japan conveys concern to China over Fukushima water-linked harassment

TOKYO - Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Monday that Japan conveyed its concern to China over harassment by Chinese citizens following the start of the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant last week, calling such behavior "regrettable."

Earlier in the day, Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano summoned Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao and called on China to encourage its people to "react calmly" to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and facilities in the neighboring nation.

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Foxconn founder Gou to run for Taiwan presidency as independent

TAIPEI - Taiwanese business tycoon Terry Gou, founder of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. known by its trade name Foxconn, declared Monday his candidacy for the island's next presidential election in January as an independent.

The 72-year-old billionaire, who established a major supplier of Apple Inc. products, is the fourth major candidate in the race. The move is expected to work in favor of Vice President Lai Ching-te, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party, with Gou likely to further fragment votes among challengers to the ruling party.

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China tightens Japan food inspection at retailers, eateries

TOKYO - China has tightened inspections at local retailers and eateries to check whether they are strictly observing a ban on all marine product imports from Japan as well as food imports from 10 of its prefectures over the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident.

The strict checks, some of which are carried out without prior notice following Tokyo's release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant last week, have prompted some outlets in China to publicly declare they do not sell imports from Japan.

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Japanese F-35 fighter jets visit Australia in 1st deployment abroad

SYDNEY - Two Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's F-35A fighter jets have arrived at a military base in Australia for training, marking the first time Japan deployed the aircraft overseas, the Australian Defense Department said Monday.

The move comes as the two nations seek to boost security ties amid China's growing military assertiveness in the region and marks the first activity under a new agreement to facilitate reciprocal access and cooperation between their defense forces.

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Japan's lunar lander-carrying H2A rocket launch delayed due to winds

TOKYO - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. said Monday that the lift-off of a H2A rocket carrying the Japanese space agency's lunar lander was postponed due to strong winds over the launch point.

The domestically-produced rocket was to blast off Monday morning from Tanegashima Space Center on Tanegashima Island in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima. A new date will be decided within the launch window that runs until Sept. 15, a Mitsubishi official said.

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Japan retains economic view in Aug., warns of China risks

TOKYO - Japan on Monday retained its view that the economy is recovering moderately for August and sounded more upbeat about exports, though it also warned of downside risks from China's economic slowdown due to real estate woes.

In its monthly economic report, the government upgraded its view on exports for the first time in three months, noting there were "signs of picking up." The revision reflects robust auto shipments following the easing of a chip shortage and the revival of inbound tourism.

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External team to present findings on Johnny's abuse claims handling

TOKYO - An external investigative team set up by Japan's top male talent agency Johnny & Associates Inc. said Monday it will hold a press conference the following day to present the findings of its probe into the handling of sexual abuse allegations against the company's late founder.

The team, which has interviewed former agency members over accusations they have made against Johnny Kitagawa, said it will also unveil proposals for preventing such cases from happening at the company again.

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Tennis: Kei Nishikori withdraws from U.S. Open with knee problem

NEW YORK - Kei Nishikori, runner-up in the 2014 U.S. Open, has withdrawn from the Grand Slam tournament, organizers said Sunday.

Two days earlier, Nishikori, who is dealing with left knee pain, told a press conference in New York that it was fifty-fifty whether he would participate and that he was waiting for his inflammation to subside.

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Video: 30th anniv. of Tokyo's Rainbow Bridge

Aug 28, 2023 | KYODO NEWS