Kyodo News Digest: March 8, 2022

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

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No deal after 3rd round of Ukraine-Russia cease-fire talks: report

LVIV, Ukraine – Representatives from Ukraine and Russia failed to reach any agreement after holding a third round of cease-fire talks Monday, Russia’s Interfax news agency said, as Russian aggression continued in the East European country.

While both sides said they will continue negotiating, it remained uncertain whether humanitarian corridors would be opened to allow civilians in Ukrainian cities to evacuate. In their second round of talks, the two sides agreed to create such corridors, but they have not been implemented so far, with the countries accusing each other of violations.

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Japan embassy staff to leave Ukraine as Russia’s attacks intensify

TOKYO – All staff members of the Japanese Embassy in Ukraine will temporarily move out of the country, the government said Monday, citing security reasons as Russia’s invasion intensifies.

The officials who were originally working in Kyiv will leave from Japan’s liaison office in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, according to the Foreign Ministry.

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Japan logs 1.2 tril. yen current account deficit in Jan.

TOKYO – Japan logged a current account deficit of 1.2 trillion yen ($10.3 billion) in January, marking the second consecutive month of red ink, the Finance Ministry said Tuesday.

Among key components, the country had a goods trade deficit of 1.6 trillion yen and a services trade deficit of 737.9 billion yen, according to the ministry’s preliminary report.

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U.S. lawmakers unveil bipartisan plan to ban Russian energy imports

WASHINGTON – Key U.S. lawmakers on trade issues announced a bipartisan agreement Monday for legislation to ban the import of energy products from Russia and suspend normal trade relations in response to Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The U.S. government, meanwhile, is talking with countries in Europe and elsewhere about imposing a ban on Russian oil imports, possibly as the latest in a series of sanctions against Moscow. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that no decision had been made so far by President Joe Biden.

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Japan to send defense supplies to Ukraine as early as Tues.

TOKYO – Japan is planning to send bulletproof vests and other defense supplies to Ukraine as early as Tuesday following the Russian invasion of the country, government sources said Monday.

Helmets, tents and winter clothing will be also among the first items to be sent by Self-Defense Forces aircraft to an airport in a country near Ukraine, the sources said.

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Japan airs strong concern about China’s military buildup

TOKYO – Japan on Monday urged China to be more transparent in its growing defense spending, saying its rapid military buildup and increased activities at sea and in the air are a “strong concern.”

China’s military spending has been closely watched as its assertive moves have raised tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. China said Saturday it will increase its defense spending by 7.1 percent in 2022 from a year earlier to 1.45 trillion yuan ($229 billion).

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Toyota orders staff in Russia back to Japan amid Ukraine crisis

NAGOYA – Japanese carmakers, including Toyota Motor Corp., have ordered their employees based in Russia to return home to secure their safety amid the Ukraine crisis, they said Monday.

Toyota is evacuating around 30 employees and their 20 family members. Nissan Motor Co., Subaru Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. have also made similar arrangements.

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China vows to maintain partnership with Russia despite war in Ukraine

BEIJING – China will maintain its “strategic” and “comprehensive” partnership with Russia no matter how sinister the international situation is, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday despite Moscow’s war with Ukraine intensifying.

At a press conference on the sidelines of this year’s session of the National People’s Congress, Wang also urged other nations including the United States not to “add fuel to the fire,” repeating China’s opposition to tough sanctions on Russia for its attack of Ukraine.