Japan

Americans stand trial in Japan, accused in Ghosn’s escape

TOKYO (AP) — Two Americans who are charged with helping former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn flee Japan while facing accusations of financial misconduct agreed Monday they took part in a scheme in which Ghosn hid in luggage and was flown out of the country.

The statements by Michael Taylor and his son, Peter, on the opening day of their trial suggested the pair don’t plan to fight charges of assisting a criminal. They carry a possible penalty of up to three years in prison.

Detained Japanese citizen handed over US tech data to Russian trade mission — agency

TOKYO, June 11. /TASS/: Kazuo Miyasaka, former head of a Japanese tech research company detained in Japan, allegedly handed over US military technology data to an employee of the Russian trade mission, the Kyodo news agency informed on Friday, citing sources close to the investigation.

It is noted that the handover of this data is banned by the US anti-Russian sanctions. The police searched Miyasaka’s house and car, seizing his phone and personal computer.

Japan: Advisory firm ISS recommends vote against Toshiba chairman

(Reuters) --- Toshiba Corp (6502.T) shareholders should vote against the re-appointment of board chairman Osamu Nagayama and four other directors, shareholder advisory firm ISS recommended on Saturday.

The recommendation by Institutional Shareholder Services Inc (ISS) follows an explosive, shareholder-commissioned investigation that accused Toshiba of colluding with the Japanese government to pressure foreign investors.

Japan's key economic index in April surpasses pre-pandemic level

TOKYO, June 7 (Xinhua) -- A key index indicating the condition of Japanese economy in April surpassed its pre-COVID-19 level, underpinned by brisk shipments of capital goods, government statistics showed Monday.

The coincident index of economic conditions increased 2.6 points from March to 95.5 against the 2015 base of 100, rising for the second straight month and reaching the highest level after 95.8 was logged in November 2019, according to preliminary data from the Cabinet Office.

Japan to start administering COVID-19 vaccines at workplaces, universities

TOKYO, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Japan will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines at workplaces and universities in a bid to speed up its inoculation campaign, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Tuesday.

According to Kato, the top government spokesman, the new round of inoculation campaign slated to begin on June 21 is aimed at speeding up the country's vaccination rollout and helping reduce the burden on local municipalities.

One crew feared dead after Japanese cargo ship collision - media

(Reuters) --- A crew member of a Japanese cargo ship was feared dead on Sunday after he was recovered near a vessel that had capsized and sunk following a collision in domestic waters, local media reported.

Japanese coast guard ships and aircraft have been searching since Friday for three missing crew members of the cargo ship after the collision with a Marshall Islands-registered tanker in the Seto Inland Sea.

Japan extends virus emergency with safe Olympics at stake

TOKYO (AP) — Japan extended a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas for 20 more days on Friday, with infections still not slowing as it prepares to host the Olympics in just over 50 days.

Cases remain high and medical systems in Osaka, the hardest-hit area in western Japan, are still overburdened, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in announcing the decision.

Japan: Physician warns Tokyo Olympics could spread variants

TOKYO (AP) — A physician representing a Japanese medical body warned Thursday that holding the postponed Tokyo Olympics in two months could lead to the spread of variants of the coronavirus.

Dr. Naoto Ueyama, chairman of the Japan Doctors Union, said the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government had underestimated the risks of bringing 15,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes into the country, joined by tens of thousands of officials, judges, media and broadcasters from more than 200 countries and territories.

Japan: Tokyo, other regions to request extension of virus emergency period

TOKYO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said Wednesday the COVID-19 situation in the capital remains severe and she will ask the Japanese government to extend its virus state of emergency beyond the May 31 deadline, local media said Wednesday.

Nine prefectures currently under the state of emergency declaration, including Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka, are set to see emergency virus measures lifted at the end of this month.

Major Japan newspaper Asahi calls for Olympic cancellation

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Asahi Shimbun newspaper on Wednesday called for the Tokyo Olympics to be canceled with the games set to open in less than two months.

It is the first of Japan’s major newspapers to make the move and joins some regional newspapers that have recently added to the growing opposition to holding the Olympics.

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