Home Blog Page 73

Miyazaki man, 75, stays lacking over every week after foraging for bamboo shoots – TokyoReporter

JapanNews24
-
0
Miyazaki man, 75, stays lacking over every week after foraging for bamboo shoots – TokyoReporter

MIYAZAKI (TR) – Miyazaki Prefectural Police are persevering with to seek for a 75-year-old man from Miyazaki City who stays lacking over every week after disappearing throughout a household journey to collect bamboo shoots, stories TBS News (Apr. 9).

According to native authorities, the person visited a mountainous space in neighboring Nichinan City together with his household on April 2. He ventured out into the mountains to forage for bamboo shoots however did not return, prompting a determined search.

Despite intensive efforts by police and native rescue groups over the previous week, searchers have but to uncover a single clue relating to his whereabouts.

With no hint of the person discovered and greater than every week having handed since his disappearance, authorities are actually actively interesting to the general public for any data that would result in his discovery.

Persons with data on the case are urged to name the Miyazaki-Minami Police Station at 0985-50-0110

Source

Opinion: Lessons in alignment? NATO envoys head to Japan

JapanNews24
-
0
Opinion: Lessons in alignment? NATO envoys head to Japan

As some 30 NATO ambassadors put together to go to Japan to check the artwork of preserving Washington comfy, the journey itself betrays a deeper unease inside the alliance.

Japan’s years of kneeling for American approval differs from Europe’s bid to face by itself. Such a posture, buying and selling dignity and nationwide curiosity for the shelter of patronage, is a lesson in self-abasement, not a mannequin to emulate.

When diplomacy is decreased to one thing to be “learned” in a classroom, uncomfortable questions inevitably observe. Can the NATO alignment ever be really equal? And how lengthy can strategic autonomy be deferred earlier than it ceases to be a alternative in any respect?

Produced by Xinhua Global Service

Source

Wife of late Finance Minister Nakagawa says he was drugged earlier than notorious ‘drunken’ press convention – TokyoReporter

JapanNews24
-
0
Wife of late Finance Minister Nakagawa says he was drugged earlier than notorious ‘drunken’ press convention – TokyoReporter

TOKYO (TR) – Almost 20 years after former Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa shocked the world with an notorious “drunken” press convention on the 2009 G7 summit in Rome, his widow has sparked a brand new firestorm by claiming he was drugged by a newspaper reporter, stories weekly tabloid Shukan Post (Apr. 17-24).

According to the tabloid, Ikuko Nakagawa, a former member of the House of Representatives, made the explosive allegations on social media earlier than abruptly deleting the submit beneath menace of authorized motion from the Yomiuri Shimbun.

In her Facebook submit, Ikuko claimed that shortly earlier than the disastrous press convention, her husband was invited to lunch by the then-Director of the International Bureau of the Ministry of Finance — a former highschool classmate of Nakagawa’s. Reporters from the Yomiuri Shimbun had been allegedly current on the gathering.

According to the widow’s deleted submit, a Yomiuri reporter handed Nakagawa a substance, telling him: “If the press conference is canceled, you should take this medicine, eat, and take a good rest.” Nakagawa reportedly ingested the drugs and drank a sip of wine. Hours later, he appeared earlier than the worldwide media severely impaired, slurring his phrases and struggling to maintain his eyes open.

Shukan Post Apr 17-24

“I will be killed by America”

Nakagawa was compelled to resign shortly after and died instantly at his Tokyo house in October 2009.

The Yomiuri Shimbun revealed an unprecedented rebuttal in its morning version on March 31, labeling the claims “groundless”. The publication cited earlier Diet testimonies the place Nakagawa himself admitted to taking an excessive amount of chilly medication, and warned it could contemplate authorized motion to demand the deletion of the “false information”.

However, the weekly’s investigation highlights deeper political machinations and paranoia main as much as the incident. According to the journal, Nakagawa had lived in worry of assassination.

Ikuko disclosed that for a decade main as much as his loss of life, Nakagawa repeatedly advised her, “I will be killed by America.” He additionally mentioned, “Take care of the children.”

“I will be killed by America”

At the time, Nakagawa was reportedly seen as a “person of interest” by the White House. The late finance minister had been aggressively pushing for impartial monetary insurance policies, together with leveraging Japan’s large holdings of U.S. Treasuries to say Japanese sovereignty. The transfer reportedly challenged the U.S. dollar’s dominance and angered worldwide monetary powers.

Political insiders additionally pointed to a tense relationship between Nakagawa and the Ministry of Finance. Bureaucrats reportedly sought to decrease the affect of meddling politicians from the primary Abe administration, and Nakagawa’s resignation conveniently paved the way in which for a finance minister extra compliant with the ministry’s agenda.

While the official narrative pins the 2009 incident on alcohol and chilly medication, the widow’s claims have reignited hypothesis over whether or not Nakagawa’s downfall was a self-inflicted embarrassment or a coordinated political hit.

Source

Woman’s corpse present in Saitama river – TokyoReporter

JapanNews24
-
0
Woman’s corpse present in Saitama river – TokyoReporter

SAITAMA (TR) – Saitama Prefectural Police launched an investigation after the invention of the physique of a lady in a river in Kawagoe City on Saturday, experiences TBS News (Apr. 12).

Around midday, a person fishing within the Iruma River within the Fukuda space referred to as police. “A person is floating in the river,” the caller mentioned.

Emergency responders arrived and located the girl floating within the river and pulled her out. However, she was pronounced lifeless on the scene.

According to police, the girl was estimated to be in her 30s to 50s. Standing roughly 160 centimeters tall, she had a slender construct. There had been no seen exterior accidents on her physique.

The girl was not sporting garments or footwear.

Police are actually working to determine her.

Source

Poll: Over 80% blame Japan completely for tense China-Japan relations

JapanNews24
-
0
Poll: Over 80% blame Japan completely for tense China-Japan relations

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at her workplace in Tokyo, April 8, 2026. /VCG

The 2026 version of Japan’s Diplomatic Bluebook downgraded its description of the China-Japan relationship from “one of the most important bilateral relationships” to “an important neighboring country,” pouring one other “bucket of cold water” on the already tense relations below the Takaichi administration.

According to a worldwide on-line survey carried out by CGTN, 82% of respondents identified that Japan’s latest collection of actions, equivalent to difficult the post-war system, distorting historic understanding and intensifying geopolitical confrontations, are the basis causes of the tensions in China-Japan relations and the broader regional scenario.

Japan’s latest collection of harmful strikes have drawn excessive consideration and raised alarm within the worldwide group. Japan’s Ministry of Defense deployed offensive missiles with a variety of roughly 1,000 kilometers in Kumamoto Prefecture, started receiving US Tomahawk cruise missiles, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force additionally formally participated within the US-Philippine army workouts for the primary time.

According to the survey, 86.4% of respondents believed that Japan has fully deserted the “exclusively defensive” precept, and that Article 9 of the “Peace Constitution” has grow to be merely nominal. 

Furthermore, 89.1% of respondents name on the Japanese authorities to abide by the 4 political paperwork between China and Japan in addition to its commitments to the worldwide group, and to take concrete actions to uphold the political basis of China-Japan relations.

Behind Japan’s intensive maneuvers lies the damaging ideology of “neo-militarism” advocated by Japanese right-wing forces, which is profoundly reshaping the nation’s political trajectory. 

Recently, an active-duty officer of the Japan Self-Defense Forces stormed the Chinese embassy in Japan with a knife and threatened to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel. In response to this surprising incident, the Japanese authorities merely expressed that it was “deeply regrettable.” 

According to the survey, 84.9% of respondents imagine that this displays the rising extremism of far-right ideologies and forces in Japan; 83% of respondents acknowledged that Japanese right-wing forces have advanced from ideological infiltration to violent spillover, a pattern that warrants excessive vigilance from the worldwide group. 

Moreover, 86.7% of respondents identified that this “neo-militarism” has penetrated Japan’s army, diplomatic and cultural spheres, that the Japanese political panorama has severely shifted towards right-leaning populism, and that right-wing forces might as soon as once more steer Japan towards turning into a “war state.”

By downgrading the outline of its relations with China and utilizing the chance to hype up the “China threat,” the Takaichi administration is looking for excuses to fully break free from the post-war peaceable system. 

According to the survey, 81.1% of respondents imagine that Japan’s downgrading of its description of bilateral ties with China might additional escalate tensions between the 2 international locations; 76.7% of respondents are involved that continued tensions in China-Japan relations may have a unfavorable affect on the Asia-Pacific scenario and even international strategic safety; and 90.8% of respondents name on the Japanese authorities to instantly retract its faulty remarks, cease its provocative actions and take concrete steps to earn the belief of the worldwide group.

The survey was launched on CGTN’s English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian platforms, with 7,387 netizens voting and expressing their opinions inside 24 hours.

Source: CGTN

Source

Taiwan detects 2 sorties of Chinese plane, 8 vessels, 4 ships round itself

JapanNews24
-
0
Taiwan detects 2 sorties of Chinese plane, 8 vessels, 4 ships round itself

Taipei [Taiwan], April 12 (ANI): Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence on Sunday detected the presence of 8 PLAN vessels, 2 PLA plane sorties, and 4 official ships working round its territory.

Sharing the main points on X, the MND famous that whereas 2 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern half ADIZ, it monitored the scenario and responded.

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2043131992192028886?s=20

‘2 sorties of PLA plane, 8 PLAN vessels and 4 official ships working round Taiwan detected up till 6 a.m. (UTC+8) as we speak. 1 out of two sorties entered Taiwan’s southeastern half ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the scenario and responded,’ MND mentioned.

Earlier on Saturday, the MND detected the presence of 17 sorties of Chinese army plane, seven naval vessels and an official ship working round its territorial waters as of 6 am (native time).

Of the 17, 15 crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern elements of the ADIZ.

In a put up on X, the MND mentioned, ’17 sorties of PLA plane, 7 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship working round Taiwan detected up till 6 a.m. (UTC+8) as we speak. 15 out of 17 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern a part of the ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the scenario and responded.’

China’s declare over Taiwan is a fancy concern rooted in historic, political, and authorized arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable a part of China, a viewpoint embedded in nationwide coverage and upheld by home legal guidelines and worldwide statements.

Taiwan, nonetheless, maintains a definite identification, functioning independently with its personal authorities, army, and financial system. Taiwan’s standing stays a major level of worldwide debate, testing the rules of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in worldwide legislation, as per the United Service Institution of India.

China’s declare to Taiwan originates from the Qing Dynasty’s annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating the Ming loyalist Koxinga.

However, Taiwan remained a peripheral area below restricted Qing management. The key shift got here in 1895, when the Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War, marking Taiwan as a Japanese colony for 50 years. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, Taiwan was returned to Chinese management, however the sovereignty switch was not formalised.

In 1949, the Chinese Civil War resulted within the institution of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, whereas the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan, asserting its declare to control all of China. This led to twin sovereignty claims: the PRC over the mainland and the ROC over Taiwan.

Taiwan has operated as a de facto unbiased state however has prevented declaring formal independence to forestall army battle with the PRC, United Service Institution of India. (ANI)

Source

Assembly of second TBM begins at Sawli for Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project

JapanNews24
-
0
Assembly of second TBM begins at Sawli for Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 12 (ANI): The meeting of the second tunnel boring machine has commenced at Sawli (close to Ghansoli) in Mumbai at a depth of 39 meters under floor as a part of the work for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail, officers mentioned. This TBM (tunnel boring machine) will start its journey from Sawli in direction of Vikhroli.

The gantry, weighing 190 metric tons, having a size of 18 meters, 10 meters in width and 9 meters in top was lowered on Saturday. There are 4 gantries in each the TBMs, which might be hooked up to the primary protect meeting and utterhead.

The gantries will journey the entire excavated size whereas supporting the important operations reminiscent of excavation, waterproofing, tunnel lining section set up, officers mentioned.

Due to the area restrictions within the Sawli shaft, meeting of the TBM at 39 meters under floor has been meticulously deliberate.

TBMs preliminary drive is predicted to start in July 2026.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project (508 km) is below execution with technical and monetary help from Japan authorities. The Project is passing via the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli with 12 stations deliberate at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.

Entire land (1389.5 Ha.) for the MAHSR venture has been acquired. All Statutory Clearances have been obtained. All 1651 utilities have been shifted.

Officials mentioned that delay in land acquisition within the State of Maharashtra has impacted the venture until 2021. The land acquisition picked up in 2022 in Maharashtra, they mentioned. (ANI)

Source

China secures qualification for FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup

JapanNews24
-
0
China secures qualification for FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup

BANGKOK, April 12 (Xinhua) — China edged Uzbekistan 2-1 on the 2026 AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup on Saturday at Thailand’s Thammasat Stadium to advance to the semifinals, securing qualification for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup to be held in Poland.

Facing the third-placed workforce from Group B, China, the highest finisher in Group A, dominated the primary half. In the twenty ninth minute, China’s defender Zeng Yujia headed residence from shut vary assisted by Yu Jiaqi’s cross to place China 1-0 forward. China doubled their lead with Yu’s effort within the forty second minute.

Uzbekistan’s objective was scored by Mehribon Egamberdieva with a left-footed strike on the suitable facet of the six-yard field within the 69th minute.

China will face Japan within the semifinals on April 15.

Source

China’s bike trade shifts up a gear

JapanNews24
-
0
China’s bike trade shifts up a gear

CHONGQING, April 12 (Xinhua) — When Zhang Xue’s eponymous ZXMOTO secured two victories on the Portuguese spherical of the Superbike World Championship (WSBK) about two weeks in the past, toppling many years of European and Japanese dominance, trade insiders noticed it as a telling signal: Chinese bikes are shifting from “going global” to “competing at the highest level.”

The nation’s bike trade, with an annual export of over 18 million items, is experiencing a structural shift.

China is the world’s largest bike producer and exporter. According to the China Chamber of Commerce for Motorcycle, the trade’s output and gross sales reached 22.11 million and 21.97 million items in 2025, up 10.6 p.c and 10.2 p.c 12 months on 12 months, respectively. Additionally, exports hit 13.37 million items in the identical 12 months, marking a 21.3-percent improve.

Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa stay the primary markets for Chinese bikes. “In many African nations, a motorcycle is directly linked to a family’s livelihood,” mentioned Liu Huixiang, who’s accountable for the abroad markets at Hanlin Africa New Energy Technology Company Limited.

Chinese bikes, that are sturdy, simple to keep up and fairly priced, have grow to be their most popular selection of transport, Liu mentioned.

Meanwhile, the export construction is altering. Models under the engine capability of 150 cc nonetheless account for over 60 p.c, but the quickest progress is in mid-to-high-end merchandise.

“In recent years, exports of motorcycles with larger engines have grown over 50 percent annually,” mentioned Wang Yao, vp of strategic funding at Zongshen Industrial Group, a decades-old trade chief. Compared with world manufacturers like BMW and Yamaha, Chinese merchandise are priced at about 70 p.c of their rivals, Wang mentioned, including that price benefit is popping into actual competitiveness.

The development can also be seen in Western markets. Zhang Xue, founding father of ZXMOTO, famous that elevated R&D spending is paying off within the design and efficiency of made-in-China merchandise. ZXMOTO bought over 25,000 items in 2025, producing 750 million yuan (109.24 million U.S. {dollars}) in output worth, with practically 70 million yuan plowed into R&D. However, he acknowledged that Chinese firms are nonetheless within the early phases of name constructing and world enlargement.

The trade’s improve may be traced again to 2002, when a Chinese crew received the World Endurance Championship however relied on imported shock absorbers from Italy and brakes from Japan — a worldwide meeting mannequin that exposed an incomplete provide chain.

Nowadays, the state of affairs has basically modified. “Today, core systems for Chinese motorcycles can largely be developed independently,” Zhang mentioned. From engines and frames to digital controls, home firms now have full-chain manufacturing capabilities.

This is most evident in trade clusters. Centered on Chongqing, China has constructed a whole ecosystem of auto and part makers. The municipality is house to over 50 main bike producers and greater than 400 components suppliers, with native sourcing for fuel-powered motorbikes exceeding 80 p.c.

“When overseas customers request a custom new model, we can go from design to mass production in as fast as three months,” mentioned Wang Yao. “That’s the efficiency advantage of a complete industrial chain.”

Beyond scale enlargement, the trade is accelerating towards premium degree. Demand for large-displacement and sport fashions is rising shortly as bikes shift from utilitarian transport to leisure items.

Chongqing has designated high-end bikes as one in every of its six main specialty industries, pushing for premium, electrical and good upgrades. Supported by each authorities coverage and market demand, a rising variety of new bike producers are coming into the market.

Feng Xingwei, govt deputy basic supervisor of China Surron Technology, one in every of such new bike producers, mentioned that in off-road niches, home merchandise can match 80 p.c or extra of world manufacturers’ efficiency at far friendlier costs — giving Chinese manufacturers distinctive competitiveness worldwide.

Meanwhile, electrification is reshaping the trade. “Electric motorcycles will become a key part of urban transport systems,” mentioned Li Bin, govt vp of the China Chamber of Commerce for Motorcycle. With coverage help and technological advances, the trade is shifting towards greener, smarter options whereas exploring hydrogen and different new tech paths.

Market researchers anticipate the worldwide electrical two-wheeler market to exceed 100 billion U.S. {dollars} by 2030. In that market, made-in-China bikes are anticipated to dominate.

“In the next five years, Chinese motorcycles are poised to gain a much bigger share of the global large-displacement market,” Zhang Xue mentioned. For world consumers, Chinese bikes are not simply “cheaper choices.” They have gotten “more competitive options,” based on Zhang.

Source

“Cannot secure through diplomacy what failed through military aggression”: Iran

JapanNews24
-
0
“Cannot secure through diplomacy what failed through military aggression”: Iran

Tokyo [Japan], April 12 (ANI): Iranian Embassy in Japan on Sunday highlighted that Iran can’t safe by diplomacy what failed by navy aggression.

Iran additional mentioned that the ‘greatest and closing supply” that US Vice President JD Vance raised can’t be seen as a unilateral mandate.

The Embassy mentioned in a submit on X, ‘A few factors on the most recent in Islamabad: You can’t safe by diplomacy what you failed to realize by navy aggression; The assertion of a ‘greatest and closing supply’ that JD Vance raised in his press convention is inherently reciprocal; it can’t be a unilateral mandate or a weapon for use by one facet.’

https://x.com/IraninJapan/status/2043166708375163083?s=20

Iran identified that Vance’s assertion that ‘they’ve chosen to not settle for our phrases,’ is coercive logic.

‘JD Vance’s assertion that ‘they’ve chosen to not settle for our phrases,’ which makes an attempt to pressure the opposite occasion to simply accept calls for they efficiently resisted on the battlefield, is coercive logic; It must be famous that all through this course of, the provocations have been initiated by the opposite facet, not by Iran,’ the Embassy continued.

The embassy mentioned that Vance’s remarks name for crucial scrutiny.

‘JD Vance’s comment relating to an final result ‘that’s dangerous news for Iran’ warrants crucial scrutiny. Regardless, credit score is because of the brotherly nation of Pakistan for its honest function in internet hosting and facilitating these negotiations.’

Meanwhile, the US Central Command mentioned that two of its ships have begun setting situations for clearing mines within the Strait of Hormuz, and the declare was denied instantly by Iran, Al Jazeera reported.

CENTCOM mentioned that USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated within the Arabian Gulf as a part of a broader mission to make sure the strait is absolutely away from sea mines beforehand laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2043005033600479516?s=20

On Saturday, a spokesperson for the Iranian navy’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters swiftly denied the US assertion, as reported by Al Jazeera.

‘The declare by the CENTCOM commander relating to the strategy and entry of American vessels into the Strait of Hormuz is strongly denied,’ Al Jazeera quoted the spokesperson as saying. ‘The initiative for the passage and motion of any vessel is within the arms of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.’ (ANI)

Source

1...727374...5,400Page 73 of 5,400