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Japan’s Shoma Uno performs in the men’s free program at the figure skating world championships in Montpellier, France on March 26, 2022. Uno won the gold medal (Kyodo)
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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PM Kishida says Ukraine crisis may lead world to greatest postwar crisis
TOKYO – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatens to shake the very foundation of international order and could potentially lead the world to “the greatest crisis” since World War II, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Sunday.
Japan would not rule out any options to fundamentally strengthen its defense capabilities, as the government aims to revise the National Security Strategy, a long-term guideline, by the end of the year, and two other key documents on its defense buildup, Kishida said in a speech at a graduation ceremony of the National Defense Academy.
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Japan, Africa ministers to vow to boost relations in post-COVID era
TOKYO – Ministers from Japan and African nations are expected to pledge at the end of two-day online talks Sunday to boost their ties for further development cooperation in a post-coronavirus pandemic era in the continent, where China’s clout has been growing.
The agenda items for the ministerial gathering on a Japan-led initiative to assist African development, held to prepare for the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development slated for August, includes responses to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a Japanese official said.
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Baseball: Ohtani hits spring training home run but opts not to pitch
GLENDALE, Arizona – Shohei Ohtani blasted his first home run of spring training Saturday, but the two-way superstar decided not to make his scheduled pitching start in a 12-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.
Leading off as designated hitter, Ohtani went long on the first pitch of the game, clearing right-center field at Camelback Ranch outside Phoenix. He drew a walk and struck out in his other plate appearances.
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Sumo: Wakatakakage beats Takayasu in playoff to claim maiden title
OSAKA – Sekiwake Wakatakakage was crowned champion Sunday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, beating former ozeki Takayasu in a title playoff following losses by both joint overnight leaders on a sensational final day in Osaka.
With No. 7 maegashira Takayasu having fallen to sekiwake Abi (8-7), Wakatakakage had a chance to wrap up the Emperor’s Cup with a win over ozeki Shodai in the last scheduled bout of the 15-day tournament at Edion Arena Osaka.
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Biden slams Putin as he rallies free world to support Ukraine’s fight
WARSAW – U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine, while rallying countries to support Kyiv in what he believes to be part of a larger fight between democracies and autocracies.
“We must commit now to be in this fight for the long haul. We must remain unified today and tomorrow and the day after, and for the years and decades to come,” Biden said in a speech in Warsaw that wrapped up his four days in Europe to affirm with leaders of the West their unity in responding to Russia’s aggression.
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FOCUS: Japanese energy firms brace for possible supply cut from Russia
TOKYO – Japanese gas and energy firms are closely monitoring the developments of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, with some eyeing non-Russia players as alternative suppliers on concerns Moscow may reduce or suspend its natural gas supply in retaliation for Western sanctions on the country.
To prepare for potential supply disruptions from Russia and other emergencies, Hiroshima Gas Co. is considering purchasing liquefied natural gas from Malaysia and other producers, while Osaka Gas Co. plans to bring forward gas procurement from the United States or Australia.
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Figure skating: Shoma Uno leads Japan to 1-2 finish at worlds
MONTPELLIER, France – Japan’s Shoma Uno won his first figure skating world championship on Saturday, with compatriot Yuma Kagiyama earning men’s silver for the second straight year.
Uno, who led from the short program, overcame a pair of awkward landings in a free skate that included five quad jumps and earned him a career-best 202.85 points for a 312.48 total at the Sud de France Arena outside Montpellier, France.
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Honda’s Asimo robot to retire after 20-year career wowing public
TOKYO – Honda Motor Co.’s Asimo humanoid robot will retire on Thursday, ending its 20-year career of wowing the public with walking and dancing demonstrations at a showroom at the automaker’s Tokyo headquarters.
Since its debut in 2000, Asimo has become a symbol of Japan’s pioneering robot technology, mastering the abilities to run, hop on one leg, speak sign language using five fingers and pour coffee into a paper cup from a tumbler.
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