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

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G7 leaders begin summit in France with U.S.-Iran deal in spotlight

GENEVA - Leaders of the Group of Seven countries began a three-day summit in France on Monday, with the tentative U.S.-Iran agreement expected to dominate early discussions as they assess whether it can ease tensions in the Middle East and help prevent a broader regional conflict.

The agreement, aimed at ending hostilities, was announced Sunday on U.S. President Donald Trump's 80th birthday and is expected to be officially signed Friday. French President Emmanuel Macron, chair of this year's summit, said the leaders will discuss the long-term reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Japan, Italy leaders vow to boost tech, critical minerals cooperation

ROME - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni agreed Monday to deepen cooperation in advanced technologies, including semiconductors, while strengthening coordination on economic security and defense.

During a meeting in Rome ahead of a Group of Seven summit in France that started later in the day, the two leaders also welcomed a preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran intended to end their war, which has triggered global oil supply disruptions.

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Trump expects Strait of Hormuz to "completely" reopen on Friday

GENEVA - U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he has already signed a preliminary peace deal with Iran and expects the Strait of Hormuz to be "completely" reopened to commercial shipping on Friday.

"I think a lot of great things are going to happen in the Middle East," Trump said while sitting with his host, French President Emmanuel Macron, at the outset of their bilateral meeting in Evian-les-Bains before the start of a Group of Seven summit.

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Japan drone company to turn 2 Ukrainian drone firms into subsidiaries

TOKYO - Japanese drone technology company Terra Drone Corp. said Monday it will turn two Ukrainian drone firms into subsidiaries, expanding its foray into the frontier defense technology for which Ukraine has become known amid the ongoing war with Russia.

The Tokyo-based company will acquire 50 percent of the shares of both Amazing Drones LLC, which develops and makes short-range interceptor drones, and WinnyLab LLC, which develops long-range unmanned fixed-wing interceptor aircraft. It had previously taken stakes in both firms.

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Japan PM Takaichi hails U.S.-Iran deal toward ending war as "big step"

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday hailed a U.S.-Iranian deal aimed at ending their monthslong war as a "big step" to de-escalating the conflict that has brought uncertainty to the global economy and roiled her resource-poor country.

Takaichi, who stopped by Italy before attending the Group of Seven summit in France, also told reporters Japan will take part in a joint statement issued by four European nations that welcomed the development and touched on minesweeping operations toward achieving the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Japan mulls minting commemorative anime, character coins

TOKYO - Japan's Finance Ministry is considering minting commemorative coins featuring anime and manga characters, as well as national treasures, to promote Japanese culture and create alternative sources of revenue, ministry officials said Monday.

The ministry may revise the currency law, which currently only permits the use of images pertaining to national interests such as imperial events and the Olympics when minting commemorative coins.

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Former Giants manager Abe not indicted over alleged assault on daughter

TOKYO - Shinnosuke Abe, the former manager of the Yomiuri Giants, has not been indicted over an alleged assault on his daughter, prosecutors said Monday.

Abe's case was referred to prosecutors last week, around two weeks after he was arrested by police.

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FEATURE: Japan's 1st public observatory to mark 100 years

KURASHIKI, Japan - In November, the Kurashiki Observatory will mark 100 years as Japan's first astronomical observatory open to the public and one that has inspired some 300 similar facilities used by professionals and lay stargazers alike.

The observatory in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, has served as a vehicle for "people's longing for the starry sky and the universe," an official in the western city said.