TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan PM vows to address foreign disinformation with planned intel body
TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Thursday her government's envisaged "national intelligence committee" will address foreign disinformation operations, as parliamentary deliberations began on a bill to establish the new body.
The bill is part of efforts to bolster the gathering of information related to security and foreign espionage and better utilize it in policymaking. But it is triggering concerns from opposition parties that excessive surveillance could infringe the freedom of expression.
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Japan to cooperate with Saudi Arabia on Iran conflict mediation
TOKYO - Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told his Saudi counterpart Thursday that Japan will further cooperate with the Middle Eastern country, which is seeking to mediate between Iran and the United States amid the ongoing war in the region.
Motegi was quoted by his ministry as telling Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud during their phone talks that Japan will cooperate toward an early end to the conflict, while expressing gratitude for Riyadh's efforts to supply energy to global markets.
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Japan, Britain, Italy award contract for development of new fighter jet
LONDON - An international organization created by Japan, Britain and Italy to collaborate on a next-generation fighter jet has awarded a 686 million pound ($907 million) contract to Edgewing, a joint venture tasked with designing and developing the aircraft, the organization said Thursday.
The contract awarded the previous day for work on the Global Combat Air Program marks the start of the aircraft's development phase in earnest. The move was initially expected by the end of December last year.
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Japan planning to send business delegation to Russia as early as May
TOKYO - Japan is planning to dispatch an economic delegation to Russia as early as May in anticipation of Japanese firms fully resuming operations in the country once the Ukraine war ends, sources close to the matter said Thursday.
The Japanese government has asked at least five major trading houses and shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines to join, according to the sources.
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Japan eyes more tariff-free amberjack imports as war hits fuel, shipping
TOKYO - Japan is considering allowing the tariff-free import of larger amberjack than currently permitted, as the country struggles to cope with shipping bottlenecks caused by fuel shortages triggered by the war in Iran, a source familiar with the matter said Thursday.
Heavy fuel shortages stemming from the Middle East conflict have begun to delay delivery of juvenile amberjack measuring between 15 and 30 centimeters that are eligible for tariff-free imports. The government is seeking to temporarily expand the limit to a maximum of 50 cm, the source added.
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Narita airport operator tells gov't land expropriation being considered
CHIBA, Japan - The head of the operator of Narita airport met with Japan's transport minister on Thursday to inform him that the company is considering starting the process for compulsory land acquisition to advance its stalled plan to build a new runway and extend an existing one amid booming inbound tourism.
Naoki Fujii, president of Narita International Airport Corp., also told Yasushi Kaneko that the new and extended runways' planned March 2029 opening is likely to be delayed due to land acquisition difficulties.
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Japan's imperial couple meet with French President Macron, wife in Tokyo
TOKYO - Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Thursday, marking the first meeting between the two couples since June 2019.
According to the Imperial Household Agency, the meeting lasted around 20 minutes and was followed by a luncheon. The French presidential couple was welcomed by the imperial couple at the entrance, where smiles and handshakes were exchanged.
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Baseball: Yamamoto takes his 1st loss of season as Dodgers fall to Guardians
LOS ANGELES - Yoshinobu Yamamoto tossed six solid innings of two-run ball but took his first loss of the season as the Los Angeles Dodgers fell 4-1 to the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday.
Yamamoto (1-1) worked two scoreless innings at Dodger Stadium before allowing outfielder Daniel Schneemann to double and steal third. Schneemann eventually scored on a throwing error by Dodgers catcher Will Smith.
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Video: Cherry trees in full bloom on Mt. Yoshino in Nara
