A drill for transporting injured personnel is carried out using a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft at Ishigaki airport on Ishigaki Island in the southern Japan prefecture of Okinawa on Oct. 24, 2023, as part of a joint exercise between the GSDF and the U.S. Marine Corps. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
———-
Next-gen EVs, flying cars on display at rebranded Tokyo auto show
TOKYO – Next-generation electric vehicles, flying cars and futuristic robots went on display at the rebranded Tokyo auto show on Wednesday, as automakers joined hands with wide-ranging industries to shine a light on the future of transportation.
The Japan Mobility Show, which opened to the media for a two-day run, features advanced transport technologies ranging from delivery machines to drones and robots. The event has evolved from the biennial Tokyo Motor Show and is being held for the first time in four years after a pandemic-induced hiatus.
———-
China removes defense minister Li after nearly 2-month absence
BEIJING – Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has been removed from his post, the country’s state media said Tuesday without providing the reason and the name of his successor, nearly two months after he disappeared from public view.
Li’s dismissal, which was approved the same day at a Standing Committee session of the National People’s Congress or China’s parliament, follows the removal of Qin Gang as foreign minister in July after he was mysteriously absent from public duties for one month.
———-
Japan ministry orders Bigmotor to halt operations at 34 shops
TOKYO – Japan’s transport ministry on Tuesday ordered major used car dealer Bigmotor Co. to halt operations at a quarter of its vehicle maintenance outlets after finding that the firm had charged excessive repair and inspection fees.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism urged the 34 shops located in 24 prefectures to suspend vehicle maintenance operations for a period of between 10 and 90 days.
———-
Gov’t floats 40,000 yen income tax cut to ease inflation pain
TOKYO – The Japanese government is considering an income tax cut of 40,000 yen ($268) per person and cash handouts of 70,000 yen to low-income households as part of temporary inflation-relief measures, sources familiar with the plan said Tuesday.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who places priority on wealth redistribution, has instructed ruling coalition executives to work out details of the economic package that he hopes to formalize on Nov. 2, including how to realize the income tax cut.
———-
M’bishi Motors to withdraw from China, invest in Renault’s EV venture
TOKYO – Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said Tuesday it will withdraw from the Chinese market amid a sales slump while investing up to 200 million euros ($212 million) in Renault SA’s electric vehicle venture in an effort to speed up the development of zero-emission vehicles.
The Japanese automaker halted production in China in March amid stiff competition with local brands, and it will stop selling cars as soon as the inventory runs out.
———-
PM Kishida cautious on same-sex marriage, separate spouse surnames
TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday remained cautious about legally recognizing same-sex marriage and allowing married couples to take separate surnames, as opposition lawmakers grilled him on issues ranging from the economy to gender equality at the start of an extraordinary parliamentary session.
Same-sex marriage is a matter “that largely depends on individual views of what constitutes family,” Kishida said, responding to a lawmaker of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan who urged the swift legalization of such a system.
———-
IAEA conducts 1st safety review on Fukushima water since discharge
TOKYO – The International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday began its first safety review on Japan’s discharge of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea since it began in August.
The IAEA task force involves experts from 11 countries, including China and Russia, which have severely criticized the discharge and imposed bans on Japanese seafood imports.
———-
Japan emperor to watch prestigious horse race at venue
TOKYO – Japanese Emperor Naruhito is scheduled to watch the autumn Tenno-sho horse race at Tokyo Racecourse this weekend, the sport’s governing body said Tuesday.
It will be the first visit to a horse racing venue by a reigning emperor since the previous emperor, Akihito, attended the same race in October 2012.
———-
Video: GSDF Osprey takes part in drill on Ishigaki Island
