TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan OKs rules on social media in elections to maintain fairness
TOKYO - Japan's parliament on Monday enacted a law tightening rules on social media use in elections, seeking to maintain fairness by prohibiting the spread of false information about candidates and obligating platform operators to limit its impact.
With the increasing use of social media in politics, concerns remain about the effectiveness of the measures, as platform operators will not face any penalties for failing to comply with the new measures outlined by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
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Japan mulls "voice rights" to protect against unauthorized AI use
TOKYO - The government on Monday began discussing legal responses to the unauthorized use of images and voices of Japanese celebrities and voice actors, proposing to extend protection to voices to stem the proliferation of artificial intelligence-created fake videos.
An initial draft presented by the Justice Ministry to an expert panel proposed that voices of public figures, as well as their likenesses, should be protected by "a right not to be used arbitrarily." The guidelines, aimed at clarifying protections for voices, are likely to be approved without opposition.
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MUFG becomes 1st financial firm in 39 yrs to top Japan market cap ranking
TOKYO - Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. became the country's most valuable listed company Monday, making it the first financial institution in about 39 years to top the market capitalization rankings.
MUFG shares rose around 3 percent from Friday's close to an intraday record of 3,564 yen ($22) amid a strong earnings outlook for the business year ending March 2027. The stock closed Monday at 3,541 yen, lifting the group's market capitalization above 42 trillion yen.
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Sumo: Yokozuna Onosato slumps to 0-2 with upset loss to Fujinokawa
NAGOYA - Grand champion Onosato suffered his second straight defeat to start the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday, losing to tricky No. 1 maegashira Fujinokawa by thrust down.
Coming off an upset loss to komusubi Yoshinofuji, five-time Emperor's Cup winner Onosato dropped to 0-2 courtesy of the fast-moving Fujinokawa (1-1), winner of their previous meeting in March, who withstood the injury-affected yokozuna's strong initial charge before executing the devastating reversal.
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Japan enacts law to establish disaster management agency
TOKYO - Japan's parliament on Monday enacted a law to establish a disaster management agency that will oversee crisis response and prepare measures to reduce damage.
The new agency, eyed for launch in November, will be under direct Cabinet supervision, with the post of disaster management minister to be created to assist the prime minister.
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Japan to launch new body to protect premium crop seedlings amid leaks
TOKYO - The Japanese government will establish a new organization by August to manage plant variety rights, aiming to curb overseas leakage of branded fruits and other crops by monitoring unauthorized cultivation and pursuing lawsuits abroad, according to officials.
A farm ministry survey conducted last year revealed suspicions that seedlings of about 50 varieties of Japanese-developed farm products, including the highly prized citrus Beni Princess, have leaked to China and South Korea and had been sold online without permission.
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At least 27 killed in pub fire in Bangkok
BANGKOK - At least 27 people were killed and over 60 others injured after a fire broke out at a pub in northern Bangkok late Sunday, police said.
The fire erupted before midnight at the packed pub in Bangkok's Chatuchak district and rapidly engulfed the building. Eighteen women and 9 men, aged 20 to 35 years old, died.
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Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing to visit Thailand in August: sources
BANGKOK - Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing will make an official visit to Thailand in early August, ASEAN sources said Monday, in what would be his second trip to an ASEAN member since the former junta chief took the presidency in April.
Min Aung Hlaing went to Laos earlier this month in his first official visit to a fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations after he became leader of Myanmar's military-backed government following a general election held in December and January.
