Kyodo News Digest: May 28, 2025

Kyodo News

28-05-2025

KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 23:00 | All, World, Japan
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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High court orders Tokyo gov't, state to compensate for illicit probe
TOKYO - A Japanese high court on Wednesday ordered the Tokyo metropolitan government and the state to compensate a company president and others for an unlawful investigation into the alleged unauthorized export of goods capable of producing biological weapons.
The Tokyo High Court ruled the investigation on Masaaki Okawara, 76, president of machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki Co., and two other men was illegal.
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U.S. halts scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students
WASHINGTON - The U.S. government has paused the scheduling of foreign student visa interviews at all diplomatic missions, a senior official said Tuesday, clouding the hopes of many who aspire to study in the country.
As people wishing to study in the United States, a popular destination for Japanese students, are worried about any impact on their plans, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan's top government spokesman, said in Tokyo the government will seek more information from Washington and respond "appropriately."
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Japan's 1st law to promote safe AI use, development enacted
TOKYO - Japan's parliament on Wednesday enacted its first legislation to promote the safe use and development of artificial intelligence technology to address concerns over risks such as the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
The legislation allows the government to require businesses to cooperate in investigations into the misuse of AI but does not stipulate any penalties.
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Japan gov't vows reserve rice supply to countryside amid price spike
TOKYO - The government on Wednesday vowed to deliver lower-priced stockpiled rice it releases as a counter to surging prices more broadly and stably to consumers in rural areas, after it suspended taking orders from major retailers to make room for smaller ones.
About 70 major retailors made requests to buy reserve rice from the farm ministry, bringing the total to over 200,000 tons, or about two-thirds of the 300,000 tons up for sale, a day after the launch of a new release scheme on Monday.
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U.S. gov't to have say in makeup of U.S. Steel board, senator reveals
WASHINGTON - Nippon Steel Corp. has agreed to invest $14 billion in United States Steel Corp. and pledged to ensure most board members will come from the United States, a senator from Pennsylvania, where the American firm is headquartered, said Tuesday.
As a condition for allowing the Japanese steelmaker to partner with U.S. Steel, Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick told CNBC that the U.S. government is poised to receive a so-called golden share in the iconic but struggling American producer.
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ASEAN leaders urge dialogue, extension of cease-fire in Myanmar
KUALA LUMPUR - Southeast Asian leaders on Tuesday urged all parties in war-torn Myanmar to immediately halt violence against civilians and extend the cease-fire declared following a powerful earthquake in March as a step toward establishing an inclusive national dialogue to resolve the crisis.
In a joint statement on Myanmar issued by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations following their summit in Kuala Lumpur, the leaders expressed deep concern over the "escalation of conflicts" and the "deteriorating humanitarian situation" in the country.
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Japan enacts law obliging firms to join CO2 emissions trading scheme
TOKYO - Japan's parliament on Wednesday enacted a law obliging 300 to 400 major firms to participate in a carbon emissions trading system that will be introduced in the fiscal year starting April 2026.
The revised law, designed to advance the country's green transformation and decarbonization, targets companies producing 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide or more a year across a broad range of industries including the production of steel and cars.
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Japan to allow visa-free visits from Montenegro to boost exchanges
TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday told his Montenegrin counterpart Milojko Spajic about a plan to start visa exemptions for short-term visitors from the Balkan nation to boost bilateral exchanges.
Calling Montenegro "an extremely important partner that share values and principles," Ishiba also agreed with Spajic to work together to uphold a "free and open" international order based on the rule of law, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
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