Latest news with #TheYomiuriShimbun
Yomiuri Shimbun
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Emperor, Empress Visit Area Hit by 2014 Landslide in Hiroshima; Imperial Couple Pay Respects to Victims
Pool photo / The Yomiuri Shimbun The Emperor and Empress bow near a check dam in Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima, on Friday. HIROSHIMA — The Emperor and Empress observed an area devastated 11 years ago by massive landslides caused by heavy rain, in Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima, on Friday morning. The August 2014 landslides claimed the lives of 77 people, including those whose deaths occurred after the disaster but resulted from it. The Emperor and Empress made the visit as part of a trip to Hiroshima Prefecture. They observed a check dam, which was constructed to prevent disasters ***like the one in 2014***, in the Yagi district of the ward. They also listened to an official from the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry who explained that such dams are effective for flood control. The official also said that 23 people were killed near the site. The Imperial couple bowed silently twice, first toward the residential area where the victims perished and then upstream. The Imperial couple then went to the Hiroshima City Torrential Rain Disaster Memorial Center and looked at displays on the lessons learned from the disaster and on reconstruction efforts. They were to return to Tokyo on Friday afternoon. On Thursday, the Emperor and Empress paid their respects to the dead at the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb and met with hibakusha. In the evening, the Imperial couple released their written impressions of the first day of their Hiroshima trip, in which they expressed sympathy for the victims. 'Thinking of the pain felt by the people in Hiroshima until now, we have renewed our wish for peace,' they wrote. The text also described their deep respect for the hibakusha, who have overcome difficulties and are tirelessly speaking out about their experiences and the importance of peace. The Emperor and Empress also found young people's efforts to pass down the experiences of the hibakusha 'very meaningful.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
87 Japanese Leave Israel, Iran for Neighboring Countries
Toshiyuki Fukushima / The Yomiuri Shimbun Japanese nationals board a bus to evacuate to Jordan in front of the Japanese Embassy in Tel Aviv on Thursday A total of 87 Japanese nationals staying in Israel and Iran have left for neighboring countries by bus, following the intensification of fighting between the two countries, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said on Friday. According to the minister, 66 people left Iran and arrived in Azerbaijan on Friday, and 21 left Israel and arrived in Jordan on Thursday.
Yomiuri Shimbun
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Ishiba Strives to Bridge Divide Between U.S., Europe; Takes Neutral Stance to Avoid Impact on Tariff Negotiations
Masamine Kawaguchi / The Yomiuri Shimbun Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba holds a press conference for Japanese and foreign media in Calgary on Tuesday. BANFF, Canada — Throughout the latest Group of Seven meeting, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was trying to act as a bridge between Europe and the United States, offering support to U.S. President Donald Trump in order to avoid negative repercussions on Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations. Ishiba concluded his first G7 summit meeting in Canada and returned to Japan on a government-owned aircraft on Wednesday. 'The G7 has worked together despite differences in national positions, and its value is evident,' Ishiba said at a press conference with domestic and foreign reporters after the summit. According to government officials, several European countries expressed concerns about the United States' 'America First' policy during first-day discussions on international affairs and the economy, which Trump attended. However, Ishiba refrained from criticizing the United States and limited his comments to general issues, such as emphasizing the importance of free trade in relation to tariff issues. Regarding the conflict between Israel and Iran, Ishiba showed consideration for the pro-Israel United States and said that Iran's nuclear weapon development was behind the conflict. 'The division between the United States and Europe is deep-rooted,' Ishiba reportedly told those in his group. 'That's precisely why it's important to send a message to make Trump feel that 'Japan understands me.'' Avoiding rifts among G7 members is a top-priority for Japan, which as its only Asian member is pushing for its involvement in the Indo-Pacific region to be increased. During the discussions, Ishiba explained to his fellow G7 leaders the moves China is making in stepping up its hegemonic actions and about how North Korea is pushing ahead with its nuclear and missile development and called for a united response on the issues. Ishiba met with the current leaders of Germany and Canada for the first time and focused on building personal relationships with them, agreeing to strengthen security cooperation. In talks with some of the countries present, they are said to have agreed not to allow the United States to become isolated. Ishiba is scheduled to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in the Netherlands on Tuesday and Wednesday and is expected to stay in the tough position between the United States and Europe.
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Ishiba, Zelenskyy Agree to Cooperate on Ukrainian Situation in Their 1st Meeting; Japan Pledges Continued Support
Pool photo / The Yomiuri Shimbun Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, second from left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, meet in Kananaskis, Canada, on Tuesday. BANFF, Canada — Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to continue to work closely over the situation in Ukraine and strengthen bilateral relations, in their first face-to-face meeting that took place in Kananaskis, Western Canada, on Tuesday afternoon. The about-30-minute meeting was held on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit. 'A lasting peace in Ukraine should be brought about as soon as possible,' Ishiba said at the beginning of their meeting, conveying his intention to work closely with the G7 nations to support Ukraine, which is facing Russia's aggression. Japan has so far provided Ukraine with more than $12 billion (about \1.75 trillion) in financial aid, and Ishiba expressed his intention to continue to support the country. He also indicated that Japan will hold an international conference on dealing with landmines in Ukraine on Oct. 22. Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for Japan's support and explained the current situation of the war and future prospects.
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan PM Ishiba, S. Korea President Lee Agree on Reciprocal Visits; 1st Meeting for Leaders on Sidelines of G7 Summit
Pool photo / The Yomiuri Shimbun Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, left, shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung before their talks in Kananaskis, Canada, on Tuesday. KANANASKIS/BANFF, Canada — Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung agreed on Tuesday to develop stable bilateral relations through close communication, including reciprocal visits by leaders. They met for the first time on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada. The two leaders also confirmed their efforts to deepen cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea in dealing with issues including North Korea. At the outset of the about 30-minute talks, Ishiba told Lee, 'This is a memorable year as it marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties [between Japan and South Korea].' Ishiba added, 'I hope that collaboration and cooperation between Japan and South Korea will become a huge driving force for the benefit of the region and the world' through the strengthening of relations between leaders and exchanges in the private sector. In response, Lee said, 'As the trade environment and international relations are becoming increasingly difficult, I believe cooperation between South Korea and Japan as complementary partners will bring benefits in many areas for each other.' Lee apparently made the comment with the tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration in mind. Lee also told Ishiba, 'I hope that South Korea and Japan will develop better relations in a future-oriented manner.' According to an announcement by the South Korean government, Ishiba and Lee agreed on their efforts to strengthen cooperation to deal with geopolitical crises, including North Korean issues. At a press conference after the talks, Ishiba said, 'Under the current strategic environment, Japan-South Korea relations has become more important.'
