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Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs in the women’s free program at the NHK Trophy figure skating competition at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo on Nov. 9, 2024. (Kyodo)
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Britain remains on board next-gen fighter jet plan with Japan, Italy
LONDON – The British government has decided to remain on board a joint fighter jet development program with Japan and Italy following a review of defense expenditure, amid speculation the plan could be axed, a source close to the matter said Saturday.
The Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer now deems the plan an important defense project, significant for diplomatic relations with Japan and Italy and for creating many new jobs, the source said.
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Land minister Tetsuo Saito takes helm of Japan coalition partner Komeito
TOKYO – Komeito, the junior partner of Japan’s ruling coalition, formally endorsed land minister Tetsuo Saito as party leader on Saturday and pledged to restore its strength after setbacks in last month’s general election.
Saito, 72, succeeds Keiichi Ishii, who decided to step down just a month after becoming party chief after losing a seat in the Oct. 27 general election. The ruling coalition of Komeito and its senior partner, the Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, lost its majority in the powerful House of Representatives in the election.
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Baseball: Lotte to post flamethrower Roki Sasaki for MLB move
CHIBA, Japan – The Lotte Marines said Saturday they have decided to post Roki Sasaki, the hardest-throwing pitcher in Japan, for a move to Major League Baseball this offseason.
Many clubs are expected to join the sweepstakes for the talented but injury-prone 23-year-old right-hander, who threw a perfect game in April 2022 against the Orix Buffaloes.
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China’s Xi willing to cooperate with Indonesia under new leader
BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping, in talks Saturday with his Indonesian counterpart, Prabowo Subianto, expressed willingness to promote cooperation between the two countries, saying that their bilateral relationship has “great strategic significance and global influence,” according to state-run media.
In his meeting with Prabowo, who took office on Oct. 20, Xi said the two Asian countries are both key members of the “Global South” of emerging and developing economies and that their traditional friendship has grown stronger over time, China Central Television reported.
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Figure skating: Kagiyama, Sakamoto ease to NHK Trophy titles
TOKYO – Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama defended his ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating’s NHK Trophy men’s title on Saturday, while compatriot Kaori Sakamoto, a three-time world champion, won the women’s competition.
Kagiyama finished with a total of 300.09 points, finishing way ahead of Italian Daniel Grassl’s 264.85 in second.
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24 killed in Pakistan railway station suicide bombing
ISLAMABAD – At least 24 people were killed and 53 others injured in a suicide bombing at the Quetta Railway Station in southwestern Pakistan on Saturday, according to police and rescue officials.
Army personnel from the Infantry School were among the targets of the attack, which occurred shortly before the scheduled departure of a Peshawar-bound train, said Mouzzam Jah Ansari, inspector general of police for Balochistan province.
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Football: Machida overpower FC Tokyo to keep J1 title hopes alive
TOKYO – Third-placed Machida Zelvia kept their slim title hopes alive after easing to a 3-0 derby win over FC Tokyo in the J-League first division on Saturday, ending their five-game winless run in the process.
Ryohei Shirasaki struck in the 15th minute and Oh Se Hun four minutes into the second half before Yuki Soma completed the scoring with 11 minutes left at National Stadium as Machida moved up to 63 points, four behind leaders Vissel Kobe, who play Sunday.
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Japan to boost defense capabilities amid security concerns: Ishiba
TOKYO – Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday vowed to strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities in the face of a severe security environment amid the growing military activity of China, Russia and North Korea.
Ishiba, who took office on Oct. 1, said a recent violation of Japanese airspace by China and Russia was “utterly unacceptable,” adding the two countries along with repeated ballistic missile tests by North Korea pose complex security challenges.
Video: Mao Asada-inspired Mao Rink skating venue to open in Tokyo’s Tachikawa on Nov. 11
