Kyodo News Digest: March 15, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is pictured during a workout at Tokyo Dome on March 14, 2025, where he will play in Major League Baseball’s season-opening Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs next week. (Kyodo)
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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G7 adopts tough language on China, urges Russia to halt Ukraine war
LA MALBAIE, Canada – The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven democracies agreed Friday on tough language aimed at China’s aggressive maritime actions and warned Russia it will face additional sanctions if it does not accede to an immediate cease-fire on “equal terms” with Ukraine.
In a joint statement, released after their talks this week in the Canadian resort town of La Malbaie, the ministers also emphasized the need for “robust and credible security arrangements” for Ukraine to enable it to defend its territorial integrity from any acts of aggression in the future.
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Controversial Japan politician Tachibana slashed in central Tokyo
TOKYO – The leader of a Japanese political group, Takashi Tachibana, was slashed and attacked by a man on Friday while in Tokyo’s government district for a stump speech, although his injuries were not life-threatening.
Police arrested 30-year-old Shion Miyanishi at the scene on suspicion of attempting to murder Tachibana, the 57-year-old head of “NHK Party” that campaigns against Japan’s public broadcaster and known as a controversial figure with a strong social media following.
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No. of foreign residents in Japan hits record high for 3rd year
TOKYO – The number of foreign nationals residing in Japan reached over 3.7 million as of the end of 2024, up 10.5 percent from a year before and hitting a record high for the third straight year, government data showed Friday.
The number of people granted refugee status dropped by 113 to 190. But 1,661 — mainly Ukrainians — were given status under “complementary protection,” a new program that allows those fleeing conflict to stay in Japan, similarly to those granted refugee status, by in principle giving them long-term resident visas.
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Japan firms offer over 5% wage hike for 2nd straight year: survey
TOKYO – Japanese firms agreed to wage increases averaging 5.46 percent in this year’s negotiations with labor unions, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation said Friday in a preliminary survey, the second consecutive year for raises to exceed 5 percent.
The average wage hike, 0.18 percentage point higher from last year which saw the sharpest climb since 1991, translates to a 17,828 yen ($120) rise per month, according to the confederation known as Rengo, the largest labor union umbrella organization in Japan.
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Mark Carney sworn in as Canadian prime minister
NEW YORK – Former central banker Mark Carney was sworn in as Canadian prime minister on Friday, succeeding Justin Trudeau, with the country involved in a tariff-induced trade war against the United States under President Donald Trump.
Carney, 59, served as governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 and went on to become the first foreign chief of the Bank of England in 2013, but his experience in political circles has been limited.
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Ex-Philippine leader Duterte faces ICC over crime against humanity
MANILA – Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday faced the International Criminal Court over charges of murder as a crime against humanity in relation to his government’s crackdown on illegal drugs, the tribunal said.
Duterte, who was transferred to The Hague after being arrested at an airport in Manila on Tuesday, participated in the hearing via video link, during which his identity was verified and he was informed of his alleged crimes and rights.
Video: Dodgers practice at Tokyo Dome
