TOKYO – The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
———-
Japan PM to hold “candid talks” on Iran at March summit with Trump
TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday she will hold “candid talks” with U.S. President Donald Trump on the strikes conducted by his nation and Israel on Iran when they meet for a summit in Washington later this month.
During a parliamentary committee session, Takaichi, who is expected to meet with Trump on March 19 at the White House, said the Japanese government cannot “make a legal assessment, as of now,” regarding the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran launched last weekend.
———-
Japan gov’t to craft guidelines on dual pricing at tourism facilities
TOKYO – Japan plans to develop guidelines on dual pricing at public tourism facilities, its transport minister said Tuesday, as setting different prices for local residents and tourists has been gathering steam as a strategy to address overtourism.
Although setting prices should primarily be left to each operator to weigh demand and other factors, transport minister Yasushi Kaneko said it is necessary for the government to provide guidance.
———-
Gov’t eyes Minamitori Island as candidate site for nuclear waste disposal
TOKYO – The Japanese government will approach a Tokyo municipality for consent to conduct a survey to determine the suitability of Minamitori Island, located on the eastern edge of the country’s territory in the Pacific, for an underground disposal site for high-level radioactive waste, the industry minister said Tuesday.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa will submit the request in writing to Ogasawara Mayor Masaaki Shibuya later in the day, according to the ministry. If the survey is realized, it will be the fourth such survey in the country.
———-
Trump says U.S. attacks on Iran could go beyond previous 5-week estimate
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday did not rule out the idea of extending the attacks on Iran beyond the four to five weeks he previously estimated, amid rising fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East and potential disruptions to the global economy.
In his first live address since the United States and Israel began striking Iran on Saturday, Trump also said, “We’re already substantially ahead of our time projections.”
———-
Nikkei stock index extends losses, plunges over 3%
TOKYO – The Nikkei stock index extended its losses in afternoon trading on Tuesday to stand over 3 percent down on surging oil prices amid the conflict in the Middle East.
At 2:47 p.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was down 1,759.50 points, or 3.03 percent, from Monday at 56,297.74. The broader Topix index was off 115.32 points, or 2.96 percent, at 3,783.10.
———-
Japan’s Jan. jobless rate rises to 2.7% as workers seek better positions
TOKYO – Japan’s unemployment rate in January rose to 2.7 percent from 2.6 percent in the previous month, climbing for the first time in five months, as more workers left their jobs to seek improved conditions, government data showed Tuesday.
The number of people with jobs edged down 0.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted 68.17 million, dropping for the first time in five months, while those without jobs rose 3.2 percent to 1.91 million, marking a second straight month of increase, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.
———-
Japan capital spending in Oct.-Dec. up 6.5% on real estate, data centers
TOKYO – Capital spending by Japanese companies in the October-December quarter increased 6.5 percent from a year earlier, rising for the fourth consecutive quarter, driven by strong demand for real estate due to urban development projects, government data showed Tuesday.
Investment by all nonfinancial sectors totaled 15.39 trillion yen ($97.9 billion), with the information and communications sector contributing to the rise amid the need to build data centers, the Finance Ministry said.
———-
INTERVIEW: Conflict-related sexual violence surges as tactic of war: U.N. expert
TOKYO – Conflict-related sexual violence has seen a sharp rise and is being used as a “tactic of war, torture, terrorism and political oppression,” a U.N. special representative has said, calling on Japan and other nations to continue funding and supporting victims.
Pramila Patten, special representative of the secretary general on sexual violence in conflict, said in a recent interview with Kyodo News that the United Nations’ support framework is at a “critical time” due to reduced funding from the United States and other major donors.
———-
Video: Kyoto Animation President Hatta dies at 76