Kyodo News Digest: May 28, 2025

Kyodo News

28-05-2025

KYODO NEWS - 29 minutes ago - 10:00 | All, World, Japan
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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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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Half of Japan's stockpiled rice sought by retailers under new scheme
TOKYO - More than 30 companies have applied to purchase over half of the 300,000 tons of stockpiled rice Japan plans to release through direct sales contracts with major retailers, the farm ministry said Tuesday, just a day after launching a new scheme to curb elevated rice prices.
Applicants, including supermarket giant Aeon Co., discount store chain Don Quijote, and e-commerce operator Rakuten Group Inc., will gain access to rice stockpiles produced in 2021 and 2022 at roughly half the price compared to the previous auction-based method.
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Japan ruling bloc accepts opposition demand over pension before poll
TOKYO - Japan's ruling coalition on Tuesday formally accepted a revision to the government's proposed pension reform plan, agreeing to an opposition demand to facilitate smooth Diet deliberations ahead of a key national election this summer.
The agreement came as the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan threatened to submit a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet, with only a month remaining in the 150-day regular Diet session.
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U.S. gov't eyes "golden share" in U.S. Steel amid Nippon Steel buyout
TOKYO - The U.S. government is considering acquiring a stake in United States Steel Corp. that would give it veto power over major decisions amid plans by Japan's Nippon Steel Corp. to acquire the U.S. steelmaker, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday.
Washington apparently sees getting a "golden share" in the U.S. steelmaker, providing special rights to block certain actions by Nippon Steel such as slashing production capacity, as a way to assuage concerns over national security risks.
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Japan calls on colleges to accept students in U.S. after Harvard ban
TOKYO - The Japanese government on Tuesday called on domestic universities to consider temporarily accepting students enrolled at U.S. schools after Washington's move to bar foreign students from Harvard University.
The move to support Japanese and other foreign students studying in the United States came after the University of Tokyo said the previous day it is considering accepting international students from Harvard if they are affected by the U.S. policy.
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Japan pledges backing for UNRWA to address Gaza humanitarian crisis
TOKYO - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tuesday Japan will support the U.N. agency in charge of assisting Palestinian refugees in its efforts to improve the dire humanitarian situation facing residents of the Gaza Strip.
During a meeting at the prime minister's office, Ishiba and Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, or UNRWA, agreed to coordinate closely over extending assistance to refugees facing a "severe crisis," the Japanese government said.
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Japan, Iceland leaders agree to deepen ties to tackle climate change
TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed with Icelandic President Halla Tomasdottir on Tuesday to advance their bilateral cooperation on climate change, issues related to the Arctic as well as security, his government said.
The two affirmed in a meeting in Tokyo that their governments will explore potential future collaboration on geothermal power generation, saying the technology contributes to "achieving carbon neutrality," according to a press release. The Nordic country is known for its advanced efforts in harnessing geothermal energy.
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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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