TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan PM sends monetary offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine
TOKYO - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a monetary offering to the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on Monday, a senior ruling party member said, as it marks its autumn festival.
Takaichi, as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, paid for the offering out of her own pocket, according to Hiroshi Kajiyama, who heads the party's General Council. The prime minister also sent a "masakaki" ritual offering of evergreen twigs on Saturday.
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Newcomer Harasawa defeats ex-mayor accused of abuse in Yokohama
YOKOHAMA - Newcomer Atsumi Harasawa won the Yokohama mayoral election Sunday with the backing of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and other parties, defeating six other candidates, including a former mayor who resigned over verbal abuse of subordinates.
"I will think from the perspective of our city's citizens, not be swayed by others. I will restore the dignity of our city employees," Harasawa, a 59-year-old lawyer, said after news broke of her victory Sunday night.
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Takaichi Cabinet approval rate hits record low at 49.1%: Kyodo poll
TOKYO - The approval rating for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet fell to a record low of 49.1 percent, down 4.3 percentage points from last month, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday.
The plunge in the support rate comes as Takaichi effectively dismissed her scandal-hit farm minister Kazuo Yana earlier this month amid mounting pressure from opposition parties for his removal.
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Gov't warns of lightning, wind gusts in east, west Japan through Tues.
TOKYO - Japan's weather agency has warned of lightning, violent wind gusts and sudden heavy rain in eastern and western Japan through Tuesday due to a weather front.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said Sunday that a low-pressure system accompanied by a front is expected to move from the Sea of Japan toward the Sea of Okhotsk, with the front lingering near eastern and western Japan.
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Japan's Defense Minister Koizumi hails troops back from Indonesia fires
TOKYO - Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Sunday praised Self-Defense Forces personnel who had returned from fighting forest fires in Indonesia, saying, "I am truly delighted that you completed your mission admirably."
Koizumi was quoted by the Defense Ministry as saying at a homecoming ceremony it was an "unprecedented firefighting mission carried out under harsh conditions overseas" and he is "truly delighted that you have returned home safely."
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Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games kick off with record 45 countries, regions
NAGOYA - The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games got underway Sunday with an opening ceremony, with around 4,000 athletes and officials from a record 45 countries and regions set to participate in the continental sporting event.
Emperor Naruhito officially declared the games open during the ceremony at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, with Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko also in attendance.
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Princess Kako calls for greater understanding of hearing loss
TOKYO - Princess Kako on Sunday called for greater understanding of hearing loss at a national welfare convention in Kyoto, expressing hope for a society where everyone can communicate with confidence.
At the ceremony, the second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito, also known as Crown Prince Akishino, said, "I hope everyone can access a wide range of information, communicate their thoughts to one another with peace of mind and live together."
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Football: Osako nets brace as Kobe overpower Okayama 3-0
OKAYAMA, Japan - Yuya Osako scored twice as Vissel Kobe eased to a 3-0 win over Fagiano Okayama in the J.League top-flight on Sunday.
The former Japan striker opened the scoring four minutes into the second half with a left-footed finish before doubling Kobe's advantage in the 56th minute, heading home a floated cross from Yoshinori Muto.
