Kyodo News Digest: April 19, 2022

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

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Yen falls to nearly 20-year low at 127 line against U.S. dollar

NEW YORK – The Japanese yen fell to the 127 line against the U.S. dollar in New York on Monday, marking a nearly 20-year low as it continued to draw selling on the prospect of a widening policy gap between the Bank of Japan and the U.S. Federal Reserve.

At 5 p.m., the dollar traded at 126.93-127.03 yen, compared with 126.63-65 yen at 5 p.m. Friday in Tokyo.

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M5.3 quake hits Ibaraki, Fukushima, other parts of Japan

TOKYO – An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 struck Ibaraki and Fukushima prefectures as well as other parts of Japan on Tuesday morning, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The 8:16 a.m. quake registered a lower 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale of 7 in northern Ibaraki, while parts of Ibaraki, Fukushima, Tochigi and Saitama prefectures registered 4. No tsunami warning was issued.

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Japan expert panel OKs use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine

TOKYO – A panel of experts at Japan’s health ministry approved Monday the use of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the U.S. biotechnology firm Novavax Inc.

The ministry plans to give the green light at an early date for the use of what will be the fourth COVID-19 vaccine available in Japan. It will be produced and distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.

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U.S., South Korea warn of harsh response if North conducts nuclear test

SEOUL – The United States and South Korea will respond strongly if North Korea conducts another nuclear test, their special envoys warned Monday, as the two countries began joint military exercises despite protests from the North that they should be canceled.

Sung Kim, U.S. special representative for North Korean affairs, met with his South Korean counterpart Noh Kyu Duk in Seoul in light of North Korea’s recent provocative acts including the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

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U.S.’s Yellen to attend only part of G-20 meeting amid tension with Russia

WASHINGTON – Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will only attend part of the upcoming meeting of the Group of 20 finance chiefs in Washington, the U.S. government said Monday, in a show of protest against Russia as it appears to be seeking to join the talks virtually despite tension over its war in Ukraine.

President Joe Biden said in March that Russia should be removed from the G-20 in the wake of the invasion, and Yellen recently said the United States is poised to boycott some G-20 meetings should Russian officials turn up.

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Japan, Switzerland agree to keep strong sanctions on Russia

TOKYO – Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Swiss President Ignazio Cassis agreed Monday to maintain “strong” sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said, as the war shows no signs of easing.

Kishida and Cassis, who doubles as foreign minister, also agreed in Tokyo that Russia should be held responsible for its killing of Ukrainian civilians, urging Moscow to heed the voice of the global community and stop the invasion, according to the ministry.

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2025 World Expo in Osaka to feature 8 main pavilions

TOKYO – The 2025 World Exposition in Osaka will feature eight high-tech pavilions, showcasing a future society that highlights the importance of life, the organizing body said Monday.

Eight prominent professionals from various fields, including Cannes Film Festival award-winning filmmaker Naomi Kawase, will produce the so-called signature pavilions based on their interpretations of the expo’s central theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition said.

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Python thought missing found inside car, was likely never on loose

OKAYAMA, Japan – A two-meter-long pet ball python was found Monday in the car it was last seen in, with police saying it had likely never escaped in the first place after being reported missing by its owner and prompting a search by authorities in a western Japan city.

The snake was found after its owner noticed that the wire covering under the storage compartment opposite the passenger’s seat was unusually raised and asked the police to chec