Kyodo News Digest: June 2, 2025

Kyodo News

2 days ago

KYODO NEWS - 17 minutes ago - 09:00 | All, Japan, World
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Trump's steel tariff hike not raised in Japan-U.S. talks: negotiator
TOKYO - Japan's chief tariff negotiator said Sunday that his U.S. counterpart had not touched on President Donald Trump's decision to double tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50 percent during their talks in Washington late last week.
Trump's announcement came on social media on Friday, the same day that Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's minister in charge of economic policy, met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other officials for the fourth round of bilateral tariff negotiations.
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Japan, Philippines agree to reinforce ties between defense forces
SINGAPORE - The Japanese and Philippine defense ministers agreed in Singapore on Sunday to step up collaboration between their forces in the face of China's maritime assertiveness in the East and South China seas.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, meeting on the sidelines of an annual Asia security forum, also agreed to promote cooperation on arms exports and maintain close communication between the countries' defense authorities.
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North Korea no longer bans military use of space for defense purposes
TOKYO - North Korea lifted a ban on the military use of space for national defense purposes by amending its space development law in 2022, analysis by 38 North, a U.S.-based organization monitoring the nuclear-armed nation revealed Sunday.
Language opposing the militarization of space and limiting its use to peaceful purposes was removed, while the revised law includes a warning that countermeasures will be taken against any country attempting unfriendly acts, the analysis said.
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Defense tech subsidies for Japan universities totaled 2.7 bil. yen
TOKYO - Japanese universities have obtained a total of around 2.7 billion yen ($19 million) over nine years since the Defense Ministry started subsidizing security-related technology in fiscal 2015, a Kyodo News tally showed Sunday.
The result suggests that domestic universities, particularly those outside Tokyo, are seeking research funds amid budget constraints, despite growing criticism of the government's eagerness to expand defense spending to strengthen its capabilities.
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Japan, South Korea open tourist fast-track entry system for ties anniv.
TOKYO - Japan and South Korea on Sunday opened dedicated entry lanes for tourists visiting each other's countries at four airports, marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties.
The lanes were implemented to improve convenience for inbound travelers by speeding up the immigration process. They will remain in use through June 30 at four airports -- Haneda in Tokyo, Fukuoka in southwestern Japan, Gimpo in Seoul and Gimhae in Busan.
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Japan prisons to place more focus on rehabilitation than punishment
TOKYO - An amendment to the Penal Code placing greater emphasis on rehabilitation efforts in prison took effect Sunday, marking the first time changes have been made to the forms of punishment under Japan's more than a century-old crime laws.
Imprisonment is no longer divided into the categories of with and without labor, and prison work is no longer mandatory for inmates, allowing more time to be allocated for rehabilitative guidance and education to reduce recidivism, according to the Justice Ministry.
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Man held for upskirt video at popular spot, police warn foreigners
NARA, Japan - A 59-year-old Japanese man was arrested Saturday for allegedly taking an upskirt video of a woman at Nara Park, a popular tourist spot, police said, warning that foreign visitors may be targeted in similar incidents.
The man, who claims to be unemployed and resides in Osaka Prefecture, has admitted to the charges, saying that posting such videos on YouTube increases views and boosts revenue, according to the police.
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Baseball: Reyes' homer gives Nippon Ham 2nd straight walk-off win
KITAHIROSHIMA, Japan - Franmil Reyes hit a walk-off solo home run as the Nippon Ham Fighters completed a three-game sweep of the Lotte Marines with a 1-0 victory Sunday.
The Pacific League-leading Fighters celebrated their second consecutive "sayonara" win after the slugger from the Dominican Republic belted the opposite-field shot to right leading off the bottom of the ninth inning at Es Con Field Hokkaido.
Video: Ceremony held to celebrate opening of Nagoya's IG Arena