Japan

One Dead, 17 Injured In Blast In Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture

TOKYO, July 30 (NNN-NHK) – One person has died and at least 17 others have been injured, in an explosion this morning, at a restaurant in Koriyama City, in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, fire department officials said.

Investigators said, the explosion occurred shortly before 9:00 a.m. local time, at a “shabu shabu”-style hot pot restaurant.

Police and fire department officials, said that, one body was recovered from the site, with two people seriously injured in the explosion, while 15 others suffered slight injuries.

Japan court recognizes atomic bomb 'black rain' victims

Tokyo, Jul 30 (AP/PTI) A Japanese court on Wednesday for the first time recognized people exposed to radioactive "black rain" that fell after the 1945 US atomic attack on Hiroshima as atomic bomb survivors, ordering the city and the prefecture to provide the same government medical benefits as given to other survivors.

Japan unhappy after WTO panel set up to rule on curbs of exports to South Korea

TOKYO/SEOUL (Reuters) - Japan said on Thursday it was disappointed South Korea was proceeding with a complaint to the World Trade Organization, a day after the body set up a panel to rule on curbs imposed by Tokyo on exports of some key technology materials to its neighbour.

“We think it is extremely regrettable that South Korea has not honoured our agreement to resolve the matter through dialogue and communication,” Mitsuhiro Fukuyama, director of the International Legal Affairs Office at Japan’s trade ministry, said.

Asian shares mixed amid dismal earnings, Wall Street slump

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mixed Wednesday as reports of dismal company earnings add to pessimism over the widespread economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index lost 1.2% to 22,397.11 after Fitch Ratings downgraded its outlook for Japan to “negative” from “stable.”

“The coronavirus pandemic has caused a sharp economic contraction in Japan, despite the country’s early success in containing the virus,” Fitch said in announcing its decision.

Asian shares advance after Wall St rally; gold extends gains

MITO, Japan (AP) — Shares advanced in Asia on Tuesday after U.S. stocks resumed their upward march on Wall Street, while the price of gold pushed to nearly $1,970 per ounce.

Benchmarks climbed in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai after the S&P 500 rose 0.7% overnight.

Much attention will be focused on a two-day meeting for the Federal Reserve that begins Tuesday, while hopes for more help for the American economy are rising as Congress debates another stimulus package.

Japan, Britain to protect encryption keys in trade pact, Nikkei says

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan and Britain have agreed not to force their companies to disclose algorithms or set up local data servers, as part of talks aimed at a bilateral trade deal, the Nikkei said on Saturday.

A Japan-Britain agreement on advanced digital standards would pave the way for creating an international framework to protect intellectual property and the free flow of data, the business daily reported, without citing sources.

Shares mixed in Asia as China-US tensions cast shadow

MITO, Japan (AP) — Shares were mixed in Asia on Thursday, as flaring tensions between the U.S. and China added to uncertainties overhanging regional markets.

Benchmarks rose in Hong Kong and Sydney but fell in Shanghai, Seoul and Taiwan. Asia’s biggest market, Tokyo, was closed for a four-day weekend.

The Kospi in Seoul lost 0.9% to 2,209.02 after South Korea reported that its economy contracted 3.3% in April-June after shrinking 1.3% in the first quarter. In annual terms, the economy contracted at a 2.9% pace.

JAPAN: Postponed Tokyo Olympics hit 1-year-to-go mark -- again

TOKYO (AP) — The Tokyo Olympics have hit the one-year-to-go mark — again. But few are in a mood to celebrate.

Tokyo observed the original date a year ago. That was before the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the Olympics and pushed back the opening to July 23, 2021. Fireworks cascaded over Tokyo Bay back then, and local celebrities unveiled the medals in a highly choreographed show.

There’s none of that this time.

JAPAN: Coronavirus vaccine crucial for future of Tokyo Olympics, organizing committee says

TOKYO, July 22. /TASS/: The development of coronavirus vaccines and treatments will become a key factor in deciding whether to hold the Olympics and Paralympics next year, President of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee Yoshiro Mori said in an interview with NHK.

"Whether the coronavirus can be brought under control is the most important factor. This applies to progress in the development of vaccines or treatments," he said, adding that the final decision is to be made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Asian shares mixed as investors eye EU meeting on pandemic

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mixed in directionless trading Monday as investors cautiously eyed the summit of European leaders discussing the pandemic crisis, as coronavirus cases soared in the U.S.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 recouped earlier losses to finish less than 0.1% higher at 22,717.48. South Korea’s Kospi was little changed, dipping less than 0.1% to 2,199.89. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.5% to 6,001.60. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged 0.1% higher to 25,108.02, while the Shanghai Composite gained 3% to 3,311.52.

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