Kyodo News Digest: Feb. 27, 2022

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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U.S., EU to exclude some Russian banks from key int’l payment system

WASHINGTON – The United States and the European Union said Saturday that selected Russian banks will be removed from a crucial global international payment system, the latest in a series of sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Some European countries such as Germany had been cautious about cutting Russia off from the so-called SWIFT system due to possible repercussions they may face if trade halts with Moscow, but they apparently feel the need to show a tougher stance against Russia’s chilling military aggression against its neighboring country.

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North Korea fires ballistic missile toward Sea of Japan

TOKYO – North Korea has fired a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, the Japanese government said Sunday, the latest in a series of missile launches by the North this year.

The missile is believed to have fallen outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone after flying about 300 kilometers and reaching an altitude of about 600 km, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters in Tokyo, adding no damage has been reported.

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Ex-Ghosn aide Greg Kelly confident of winning acquittal ahead of ruling

TOKYO – Former Nissan Motor Co. executive Greg Kelly is confident he can win an acquittal over his alleged involvement in underreporting compensation for his former boss and one-time corporate superstar Carlos Ghosn as a court is scheduled to hand down a ruling on Thursday.

“There was no need to report because Carlos Ghosn never got paid, and there was never an agreement to pay Carlos Ghosn,” Kelly said in a recent interview with Kyodo News. “This is not a criminal matter, and nobody should go to jail for anything.”

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Japan e-commerce giant Rakuten CEO Mikitani to donate 1 bil. yen to Ukraine

TOKYO – Hiroshi Mikitani, chairman and CEO of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten Group Inc., said Sunday he will donate 1 billion yen ($8.7 million) to the Ukrainian government for humanitarian assistance following Russia’s invasion of the country.

“I am deeply saddened by the news,” Mikitani said in an English letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on Twitter, referring to Russia’s launch of a military attack Thursday. “My thoughts are with you and Ukraine people.”

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Japan financial watchdog reviews compulsory quarterly disclosure rule

TOKYO – Japan’s financial watchdog has begun discussions as part of a review of compulsory quarterly company disclosures, a controversial move the regulator argues will encourage firms to think long-term but that critics say will erode transparency.

The Financial Services Agency is expected to show as early as this spring the direction of its review, a part of efforts to promote a “new capitalism” as advocated by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, following discussions at its Financial System Council.

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Japan, U.S. agree impact of Russia’s aggression goes beyond Europe

TOKYO – The foreign ministers of Japan and the United States on Saturday agreed that the impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has gone beyond Europe and that boosting their security alliance is a requisite for maintaining peace in Asia.

Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Thursday “aggression” and said he confirmed with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during phone talks that it has undermined “the very foundation of the international order that does not allow any unilateral change in the status quo by force.”

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2,000 Ukrainians, supporters in Japan rally over Russia invasion

TOKYO – Around 2,000 people including Ukrainian nationals living in Japan staged a rally on Saturday in front of the Shibuya crossing, a famed Tokyo landmark, protesting against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Protestors held Ukrainian flags and signs reading “Stop the war in Ukraine” and “Hands off Ukraine.” Russians and Japanese nationals also joined the rally that was organized via social media, as fighting persists in the former Soviet republic after Russia launched a large-scale attack on Thursday and Ukrainian forces continue to fight back.

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Japan begins COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-11

TOKYO – Vaccinations against the novel coronavirus for children aged 5 to 11 began Saturday in one area of Tokyo ahead of other municipalities in Japan with special government approval at a time when the country is still gripped by high infection numbers.

While vaccinations for the age group are expected to begin in wider parts of the country in March, some municipalities have been allowed to start earlier if they are already prepared.