Kyodo News Digest: June 29, 2025
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 22:00 | All, Japan, World
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
----------
50% want Japan ruling bloc to lose upper house majority: Kyodo poll
TOKYO - Half of Japanese voters want Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalition to lose its majority in the House of Councillors in next month's election, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday.
The nationwide telephone poll conducted Saturday and Sunday found that 50.2 percent of respondents want the Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito party to lose their upper house majority, while 38.1 percent want them to retain control following the July 20 election.
----------
Japan tariff negotiator in Washington holds talks twice with Lutnick
WASHINGTON - Japan's top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, spoke with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick by phone twice on Saturday, an official said, as they try to iron out some of the most difficult issues in pursuit of a deal that will be beneficial to both countries.
Akazawa, who has extended his stay in Washington, spoke to Lutnick for about 15 minutes in the morning and about 20 minutes in the evening, the Japanese government said, adding Tokyo will continue to work "strenuously" with Washington toward an agreement.
----------
Japan's final H2A rocket successfully lifts off, ends 24-yr career
TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan successfully launched its 50th and final H2A liquid-fuel rocket from a southwestern Japan island on Sunday, drawing the curtain on the series' 24-year career in support of the country's space development program.
The H2A rocket, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, has been replaced as the country's mainstay space vehicle by the H3 rocket, which offers a lower launch service price.
----------
Retaining upper house majority crucial for ruling bloc: Japan PM
TOKYO - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Sunday that retaining majority control of the House of Councillors is a "must-attain, crucial goal" for his ruling coalition in the upcoming national election.
In an interview with Kyodo News, Ishiba said he will consider "the most appropriate" governing framework after taking into account the political landscape following the July 20 upper house election.
He acknowledged that the goal set for the upper house election is not easy to achieve, but declined to say how he intends to take responsibility should the ruling coalition fall short.
----------
Japan Akita dog facility goes viral amid inbound surge
AKITA, Japan - A facility for Akita dogs in northeastern Japan has gone viral for its videos and photos of the fluffy breed on social media, drawing fans from abroad amid a boom in inbound tourism.
Since its social media posts gained traction during the coronavirus pandemic, the facility in Odate, Akita Prefecture, has amassed over 230,000 followers across X, Instagram and YouTube.
----------
Israel envoy to attend Nagasaki A-bomb ceremony after 2024 snub
TOKYO - Israel will attend the peace ceremony marking the anniversary of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki in August, the country's ambassador has said, after the Middle Eastern nation was not invited last year.
Ambassador of Israel to Japan Gilad Cohen revealed he had received an invitation from the mayor of Nagasaki during a press conference Friday. He said he will show Israel's "respect to the Japanese people" and "mutual understanding of the importance of peace."
Video: Warnings remain in place 1 week after Mt. Shinmoe eruption
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Nikkei Asia
an hour ago
- Nikkei Asia
LDP widens lead heading into Japan's upper house race
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on June 28. (Photo by Naoya Takahashi) RUKA SHINOZAKI, NAOYA TAKAHASHI and KOUTA OHYAMA TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party may be gaining traction about three weeks before the July 20 upper house election, with those planning to vote for the LDP increasing 3 percentage points on the month to 29% in a new Nikkei/TV Tokyo poll. The Constitutional Democratic Party and the Democratic Party for the People each held steady at 12%. They were followed by the right-leaning Sanseito, whose support rose to 7% from 3%, and the Japan Innovation Party, whose support fell to 6% from 7%.
Nikkei Asia
2 hours ago
- Nikkei Asia
Harley-Davidson to be fined $1.4m in Japan for excessive quotas
Harley-Davidsons stand side by side at a 2022 event for riders and fans of the American motorcycle brand in Hamburg, Germany. © Reuters KYONOSUKE KIKUCHI TOKYO -- The Japanese antitrust watchdog is set to fine U.S. motorcycle giant Harley-Davidson's local unit about 200 million yen ($1.38 million) for imposing excessive sales quotas on dealers, Nikkei has learned from a source familiar with the matter. The Japan Fair Trade Commission will also issue a cease-and-desist order to prevent a recurrence. The JFTC is thought to have already informed the company and will finalize its decision after hearing its views.
Nikkei Asia
3 hours ago
- Nikkei Asia
LDP builds momentum heading into Japan's upper house race
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on June 28. (Photo by Naoya Takahashi) RUKA SHINOZAKI, NAOYA TAKAHASHI and KOUTA OHYAMA TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party is gaining traction as the July 20 upper house election nears, with those planning to vote for the LDP increasing 3 percentage points on the month to 29% in a new Nikkei/TV Tokyo poll. The Constitutional Democratic Party and the Democratic Party for the People each held steady at 12%. They were followed by the right-leaning Sanseito party, whose support rose to 7% from 3%, and the the Japan Innovation Party, whose support fell to 6% from 7%.
