TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Chinese leader condemned Japan PM as militaristic during U.S.-China summit
TOKYO - Chinese President Xi Jinping condemned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during the two-day summit earlier this month with U.S. President Donald Trump, criticizing her push to boost Japan's defense capabilities as neo-militaristic, diplomatic sources said Sunday.
Xi and Trump met for the first time in Beijing between May 14 and 15 since Takaichi suggested in parliament last November that Japan could deploy its defense forces in the event of a conflict over Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing, escalating tensions between the two Asian neighbors whose diplomatic ties have long been strained by Japan's wartime aggression.
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China launches new spaceship, eyes longer space stay amid race with U.S.
JIUQUAN, China - China launched its Shenzhou-23 manned spaceship Sunday night, aiming to have one astronaut stay for a year-long mission instead of the usual six-month stint, amid a continuing space development race between Beijing and Washington.
The Long March 2F rocket, carrying three astronauts in the spaceship, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province.
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Okinawa governor receives death threat ahead of supporters' meeting
NAHA, Japan - Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki said Sunday that he had received a death threat before his meeting with supporters held in the prefecture's capital city earlier in the day.
The message sent to the meeting's venue on Friday said that the sender would go to the meeting to "kill Denny Tamaki who will run (in September's gubernatorial election) hiding his ties to the Japanese Communist Party," according to sources close to the matter.
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Nissan drops plan to build drive units for EVs in Britain
TOKYO - Nissan Motor Co. has withdrawn a plan to manufacture powertrains for electric vehicles in Britain, a source familiar with the matter said Sunday, as the struggling Japanese automaker reviews its production and factory numbers.
Jacto Ltd., a Nissan subsidiary that has been jointly developing drive units for EV models, had planned to build a factory in Sunderland in 2026 and supply its parts to a Nissan assembly plant.
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Philippines to receive Japan's security aid for 4th straight yr
TOKYO - The Filipino military will continue to be a recipient of Japan's official security assistance framework for the fourth straight year, strengthening their defense partnership amid an increasingly assertive China, Japanese government sources said Sunday.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will convey the decision to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during their meeting in Tokyo on Thursday, the sources said.
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Horse racing: Female jockey Imamura makes history by winning Japanese Oaks
TOKYO - Seina Imamura became the first female jockey from the Japan Racing Association to win a Grade 1 race on Sunday by triumphing in the Yushun Himba, better known as the Japanese Oaks.
The 22-year-old from Shiga Prefecture steered fifth-favorite Juryoku Pierrot from the back of the pack to the front in the final stretch of the 2,400-meter race at Tokyo Racecourse, crossing in 2 minutes, 25.6 seconds in a stunning finish.
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Sumo: Wakatakakage beats Kirishima in tiebreaker, claims 2nd Emperor's Cup
TOKYO - Komusubi Wakatakakage clinched his second top-division championship with a tie-breaking victory over ozeki Kirishima at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday after both finished with 12 wins and three losses.
The former sekiwake from Fukushima Prefecture spoiled Kirishima's bid for back-to-back titles at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan after the Mongolian-born technician earned promotion back to sumo's second-highest rank with his championship in March.
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Rugby: Spears roll over 2-time holders Brave Lupus to reach playoff semis
TOKYO - Spears Tokyo Bay cruised past two-time defending champions Brave Lupus Tokyo 26-3 on Sunday to book a place in the semifinals of the Japan Rugby League One playoffs.
The Spears racked up four tries while conceding none to the Brave Lupus at Tokyo's Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, getting payback after losing last season's final to the same opponents 18-13.
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VIDEO: Wakatakakage claims 2nd sumo Emperor's Cup
