TOKYO – The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan big manufacturers’ confidence rises in March but Middle East weighs
TOKYO – Business confidence among major Japanese manufacturers improved to 17 in March from 16 three months earlier, but the outlook is overshadowed by the Middle East conflict that has been driving up crude oil prices, the Bank of Japan’s Tankan survey showed Wednesday.
The index measuring confidence among companies such as those in the auto and electronics sectors rose for the fourth straight quarter. It is projected to decline to 14, with a wide range of industries citing the negative impact of the war against Iran launched by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28, a BOJ official said.
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ANA, JAL to raise fuel surcharges from June amid Middle East conflict
TOKYO – ANA Holdings Inc. and Japan Airlines Co. are expected to raise fuel surcharges significantly on international flights from June, as aviation fuel prices surge amid the Middle East conflict, a source familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
The move is likely to hit the summer holiday season and raise concerns over the impact on travel demand.
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20 local gov’ts including Hokkaido introduce new lodging tax
TOKYO – Twenty local governments including Hokkaido and Hiroshima prefectures on Wednesday introduced a new lodging tax for people staying in hotels and other accommodations.
The move more than doubles the number of local governments adopting the tax system from 19 previously, highlighting a growing effort to improve tourism infrastructure and address overtourism as the number of foreign visitors rises.
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M5.0 quake jolts eastern Japan, no tsunami warning issued
TOKYO – An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.0 rattled eastern Japan on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued, according to the weather agency.
The 10:06 a.m. quake struck southern Ibaraki Prefecture, with the temblor measuring lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in nearby Tochigi Prefecture. It measured 3 in central Tokyo.
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Japan, France leaders to affirm cooperation for early Mideast deescalation
TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to agree Wednesday to maintain close communication toward an early deescalation of the Middle East conflict at their meeting in Tokyo.
Takaichi and Macron are also likely to confirm that their nations will further advance cooperation in defense, critical minerals, nuclear power, artificial intelligence and other fields, Japanese government sources said.
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Japan drone company invests in Ukrainian unmanned interceptor firm
KYIV – A Japanese drone technology company on Tuesday announced it has invested in a Ukrainian firm manufacturing and developing unmanned interceptor drones as their demand grows amid the Russian war in Ukraine and the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran.
Tokyo-based Terra Drone Corp. aims to speed up production by leveraging the Ukrainian firm’s expertise.
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Narita airport operator considers land expropriation for runway development
CHIBA, Japan – The operator of Narita airport, east of Tokyo, is considering compulsory land acquisition to advance its stalled plan to build a new runway and extend an existing one amid booming inbound tourism, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
The operator of the airport, one of the country’s major international gateways, had planned to start using the runways in March 2029, but it is expected to be delayed as around 90 percent of the land has been acquired, with the remaining landowners dissatisfied with the compensation offered, according to the sources.
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Trump says Iran does not need to reach deal with U.S. to end war
WASHINGTON – Iran does not need to reach a deal with the United States to end the ongoing war between the countries, President Donald Trump said Tuesday, after Tehran denied that any formal bilateral negotiations were under way.
Trump also told reporters in the Oval Office that the United States could conclude its military operation against Iran within two to three weeks. Later, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on social media that Trump will address the nation Wednesday night to provide an “important update on Iran.”
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Video: JR Rumoi Line’s last run after 115 years of service
AloJapan.com