Russia released 24 Japanese fishermen and their vessels on Tuesday, after detaining them for allegedly exceeding the octopus catch quota off a chain of disputed Pacific islands, Japan's foreign ministry said.

The five boats departed a port in Kunashiri island, one of the four southern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/are-japan-and-russia-ready-to-resolve-the-kuril-islands-dispute-190414">Kuril islands disputed</a> by Tokyo and Moscow, a foreign ministry official in charge of Russian affairs confirmed.

The fishermen are in good health, top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga later told reporters.

The Soviet Union seized the strategically located volcanic archipelago north of Japan's Hokkaido in the final days of World War II and Russia has continued to maintain&nbsp;a military presence there ever since.

The five ships were detained last week after a Russian inspection deemed they had exceeded their quota for octopus allowed under a 1998 agreement.

Foreign ministers discussed the incident at talks last Thursday, which also tried to find a breakthrough in the long-lagging dispute between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-abe-talks-fail-to-break-island-impasse-192098">Moscow and Tokyo</a> over the islands.

Details about the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-pms-visit-to-disputed-island-irks-japan-240205">Russian</a> allegation "will be probed by relevant organisations", the Japanese ministry official added.

A Russian court ordered the fishermen to pay an 11 million yen ($100,000) fine, which was paid before leaving for Japan, sources said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have met more than two dozen times since 2013 over the territorial dispute, which prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty to formally end World War II.

Tokyo maintains its claim over the four southernmost islands of the Kuril chain, known as the Northern Territories in Japan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-says-talks-with-japan-over-territorial-dispute-could-take-years-202872">Nationalist sentiment</a> on both sides makes both governments wary of considering concessions.

Russia released 24 Japanese fishermen and their vessels on Tuesday, after detaining them for allegedly exceeding the octopus catch quota off a chain of disputed Pacific islands, Japan's foreign ministry said.

Russia released 24 Japanese fishermen and their vessels on Tuesday, after detaining them for allegedly exceeding the octopus catch quota off a chain of disputed Pacific islands, Japan's foreign ministry said. The five boats departed a port in Kunashiri island, one of the four southern Kuril islands disputed by Tokyo and Moscow, a foreign ministry official in charge of Russian affairs confirmed. The fishermen are in good health, top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga later told reporters. The Soviet Union seized the strategically located volcanic archipelago north of Japan's Hokkaido in the final days of World War II and Russia has continued to maintain a military presence there ever since. The five ships were detained last week after a Russian inspection deemed they had exceeded their quota for octopus allowed under a 1998 agreement. Foreign ministers discussed the incident at talks last Thursday, which also tried to find a breakthrough in the long-lagging dispute between Moscow and Tokyo over the islands. Details about the Russian allegation "will be probed by relevant organisations", the Japanese ministry official added. A Russian court ordered the fishermen to pay an 11 million yen ($100,000) fine, which was paid before leaving for Japan, sources said. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have met more than two dozen times since 2013 over the territorial dispute, which prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty to formally end World War II. Tokyo maintains its claim over the four southernmost islands of the Kuril chain, known as the Northern Territories in Japan. Nationalist sentiment on both sides makes both governments wary of considering concessions.

Russia releases Japanese fishermen, boats held near disputed Pacific islands

The trilateral summit between South Korea, Japan and China has come to an end. The summit saw some major commitments made on free trade and North Korea. Free trade and economic cooperation were also at the forefront of the meetings between the leaders. #TrilateralSummit #China #SouthKorea #Japan

WION Dispatch: China-Japan-South Korea trilateral summit ends

The number of babies born in Japan fell by 5.9 per cent this year, with fewer than 900,000 births. According to the Welfare Ministry, this is a first in the history of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-south-korea-committed-to-dialogue-to-resolve-north-korea-issue-china-269879">Japan</a> since the government started compiling data in 1899.

Japan has a humongous ageing population, and this development might increase the strain on welfare finances for the elderly. This, according to analysts might undermine economic growth.

Additionally, there were 512,000 more deaths than births in Japan this year.

As per figures provided by Reuters, this is the first time that the number of deaths is more than 500,000, with the approximate figure of new babies at 864,000 this year.&nbsp;

Last year alone, 918,400 babies were born.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-meets-japans-abe-in-beijing-calls-for-advancing-bilateral-ties-269799">government of Japan</a> announced hopes for a birth rate of 1.8 per cent, which might be difficult to achieve considering the rate was 1.42 per cent in 2018.

This momentous decline in births may be attributed to fewer women aged 25 to 39.

Since 1975, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-releases-japan-fishing-boats-held-near-disputed-islands-269911">Japan</a> hasn't witnessed a decline this big.

(With inputs from agencies)

The number of babies born in Japan fell by 5.9 per cent this year, with fewer than 900,000 births. According to the Welfare Ministry, this is a first in the history of Japan since the government started compiling data in 1899.

The number of babies born in Japan fell by 5.9 per cent this year, with fewer than 900,000 births. According to the Welfare Ministry, this is a first in the history of Japan since the government started compiling data in 1899. Japan has a humongous ageing population, and this development might increase the strain on welfare finances for the elderly. This, according to analysts might undermine economic growth. Additionally, there were 512,000 more deaths than births in Japan this year. As per figures provided by Reuters, this is the first time that the number of deaths is more than 500,000, with the approximate figure of new babies at 864,000 this year. Last year alone, 918,400 babies were born. The government of Japan announced hopes for a birth rate of 1.8 per cent, which might be difficult to achieve considering the rate was 1.42 per cent in 2018. This momentous decline in births may be attributed to fewer women aged 25 to 39. Since 1975, Japan hasn't witnessed a decline this big. (With inputs from agencies)

Number of babies born falls by 5.9% for first time in Japan's history

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True Royalty TV is like a Netflix for all things royal programming

A Japanese government agency has proposed releasing radioactive water from the stricken&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-court-acquits-energy-bosses-over-fukushima-disaster-250636">Fukushima </a>nuclear plant into the environment, as storage space runs out.

The plant suffered a meltdown about nine years ago after it was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami. About a million tonnes of contaminated water has built up since then and the tanks that hold it are almost full.

Watch: Namei after Fukushima 2011

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/360-wion-namei-after-fukushima-2011-3046/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The government's Agency for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-voices-concern-over-future-energy-as-he-comforts-victims-of-fukushima-disaster-264290">Natural Resources and Energy</a> on Monday proposed three ways to deal with the water releasing it into the sea, into the air using vaporisation or a combination of the two.

"There is no option (any longer) of simply storing the water for a long period of time," an agency official told AFP on Tuesday.

An extensive pumping and filtration system is in place at the plant, which each day brings up tonnes of newly contaminated water and filters out almost all radioactive elements.

The process leaves only tritium, which experts say is only harmful to humans in&nbsp;very large doses.&nbsp;

No decision was taken at Monday's meeting but "no members voiced opposition to the view that a technically realistic way is discharging the water into the sea or the air," according to the agency official.

The panel has been discussing how to dispose of the liquid for years and no deadline has been set for it to report to the government.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-fukushima-plant-a-million-tonne-headache-radioactive-water-253979">radioactive water </a>comes from several different sources, including water used for cooling at the plant groundwater that seeps into the plant daily and rainwater.

Properly filtered Fukushima water could be diluted with seawater and safely released into the ocean without causing environmental problems, the International Atomic Energy Agency argues.

Discharging it into the environment could trigger protests however not only from local fishermen and farmers but also from neighbouring countries.

The treated water is currently kept in a thousand huge tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi site.

Plant operator TEPCO is building more tanks but all will be full by the summer of 2022.

A Japanese government agency has proposed releasing radioactive water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the environment, as storage space runs out. The plant suffered a meltdown about nine years ago after it was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami.

A Japanese government agency has proposed releasing radioactive water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the environment, as storage space runs out. The plant suffered a meltdown about nine years ago after it was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami. About a million tonnes of contaminated water has built up since then and the tanks that hold it are almost full. Watch: Namei after Fukushima 2011 The government's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy on Monday proposed three ways to deal with the water releasing it into the sea, into the air using vaporisation or a combination of the two. "There is no option (any longer) of simply storing the water for a long period of time," an agency official told AFP on Tuesday. An extensive pumping and filtration system is in place at the plant, which each day brings up tonnes of newly contaminated water and filters out almost all radioactive elements. The process leaves only tritium, which experts say is only harmful to humans in very large doses. No decision was taken at Monday's meeting but "no members voiced opposition to the view that a technically realistic way is discharging the water into the sea or the air," according to the agency official. The panel has been discussing how to dispose of the liquid for years and no deadline has been set for it to report to the government. The radioactive water comes from several different sources, including water used for cooling at the plant groundwater that seeps into the plant daily and rainwater. Properly filtered Fukushima water could be diluted with seawater and safely released into the ocean without causing environmental problems, the International Atomic Energy Agency argues. Discharging it into the environment could trigger protests however not only from local fishermen and farmers but also from neighbouring countries. The treated water is currently kept in a thousand huge tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi site. Plant operator TEPCO is building more tanks but all will be full by the summer of 2022.

Japan planning to release Fukushima radioactive water as storage space runs out

The number of babies born in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-south-korea-committed-to-dialogue-to-resolve-north-korea-issue-china-269879">Japan</a> fell an estimated 5.9 per cent&nbsp;this year to fewer than 900,000 for the first time since the government started compiling data in 1899, the welfare ministry said on Tuesday.

The dwindling number of births will put more strain on welfare finances to support snowballing costs of supporting an ageing population, which would undermine <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/japan-to-trim-total-govt-bond-issuance-next-fiscal-year-sources-268875">economic growth</a>, analysts say.

There were 512,000 more deaths than births this year, the first time the figure has surpassed 500,000, with 864,000 babies born. Last year, 918,400 babies were born.

This was the biggest decline in births since 1975, driven by fewer women aged 25 to 39, said a ministry official in charge of compiling the data.

The government is hoping for a birth rate of 1.8 per cent&nbsp;- which would appear a tall order given the rate was 1.42 per cent&nbsp;in 2018.

The number of babies born in Japan fell an estimated 5.9 per cent this year to fewer than 900,000 for the first time since the government started compiling data in 1899, the welfare ministry said on Tuesday.

The number of babies born in Japan fell an estimated 5.9 per cent this year to fewer than 900,000 for the first time since the government started compiling data in 1899, the welfare ministry said on Tuesday. The dwindling number of births will put more strain on welfare finances to support snowballing costs of supporting an ageing population, which would undermine economic growth, analysts say. There were 512,000 more deaths than births this year, the first time the figure has surpassed 500,000, with 864,000 babies born. Last year, 918,400 babies were born. This was the biggest decline in births since 1975, driven by fewer women aged 25 to 39, said a ministry official in charge of compiling the data. The government is hoping for a birth rate of 1.8 per cent - which would appear a tall order given the rate was 1.42 per cent in 2018.

Fewer than 900,000 new Japanese babies this year for first time on record

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-might-cancel-india-trip-report-268002">Shinzo Abe</a> will meet President Xi Jinping separately before going to the southwestern city of Chengdu for a trilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Though various economic matters will also be on the agenda - as well as tensions between Seoul and Tokyo - North Korea appears likely to dominate the agenda.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a meeting of top military officials to discuss boosting the country's military capability, state news agency reported on Sunday.

North Korea has set a year-end deadline for the United States to change what it says is a policy of hostility amid a stalemate in efforts to make progress on their pledge to end the North's nuclear programme and establish lasting peace.

Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump have met three times since June 2018, but there has been no substantive progress in dialogue while the North demanded crushing international sanctions be lifted first.

On Saturday, the state media said the United States would "pay dearly" for taking issue with the North's human rights record and said Washington's "malicious words" would only aggravate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

US&nbsp;special envoy for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-conducts-another-crucial-test-at-satellite-launch-site-report-268259">North Korea</a> Stephen <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-envoy-biegun-to-north-korea-were-here-you-know-how-to-reach-us-268526">Biegun</a> met with two senior Chinese diplomats during his two-day visit to Beijing last week, following similar meeting in South Korea and Japan days earlier, as diplomats make last-ditch attempts to prevent new confrontation.

Beijing, jointly with Russia, proposed last week that the United Nations Security Council <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-china-make-un-proposal-to-ease-sanctions-against-nuclear-armed-north-korea-268814">lift some sanctions</a> in what it calls an attempt to break the current deadlock and seek to build support.

But it's unclear whether Beijing can convince Seoul and Tokyo to break ranks from Washington, which has made its opposition clear and can veto any resolution.

Though South Korea sees China as instrumental in reviving negotiations, it has so far sidestepped questions on whether it supports the new proposal by Beijing and Moscow. Japan, which has historically been a staunch supporter of sanctions against North Korea, has also refrained from commenting on the proposal.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet President Xi Jinping separately before going to the southwestern city of Chengdu for a trilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet President Xi Jinping separately before going to the southwestern city of Chengdu for a trilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Though various economic matters will also be on the agenda - as well as tensions between Seoul and Tokyo - North Korea appears likely to dominate the agenda. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a meeting of top military officials to discuss boosting the country's military capability, state news agency reported on Sunday. North Korea has set a year-end deadline for the United States to change what it says is a policy of hostility amid a stalemate in efforts to make progress on their pledge to end the North's nuclear programme and establish lasting peace. Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump have met three times since June 2018, but there has been no substantive progress in dialogue while the North demanded crushing international sanctions be lifted first. On Saturday, the state media said the United States would "pay dearly" for taking issue with the North's human rights record and said Washington's "malicious words" would only aggravate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. US special envoy for North Korea Stephen Biegun met with two senior Chinese diplomats during his two-day visit to Beijing last week, following similar meeting in South Korea and Japan days earlier, as diplomats make last-ditch attempts to prevent new confrontation. Beijing, jointly with Russia, proposed last week that the United Nations Security Council lift some sanctions in what it calls an attempt to break the current deadlock and seek to build support. But it's unclear whether Beijing can convince Seoul and Tokyo to break ranks from Washington, which has made its opposition clear and can veto any resolution. Though South Korea sees China as instrumental in reviving negotiations, it has so far sidestepped questions on whether it supports the new proposal by Beijing and Moscow. Japan, which has historically been a staunch supporter of sanctions against North Korea, has also refrained from commenting on the proposal.

China's Xi to meet Japan, South Korea leaders as North Korea tensions rise

The leaders of China, Japan and South Korea will be holding a trilateral summit in China this week amid feuds over trade, military manoeuvring and historical animosities. Most striking has been a complex dispute between Seoul and Tokyo, while Beijing has recently sought to tone down its disagreements with its two neighbours. Ahead of the trilateral summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping met the South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Beijing. #TrilateralSummit #China #SouthKorea #NorthKorea #Japan

WION Dispatch: China to hold trilateral summit over trade, regional disputes

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-north-korea-talks-more-important-than-anything-south-korea-tells-china-269749">Chinese</a> President Xi Jinping met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Beijing today. Jinping stressed on the need to advance China-Japan relations.

''With the world undergoing major changes rarely seen in a century, China and Japan should form a strategic consensus that steers bilateral relations on the right path of mutually beneficial cooperation despite differences, transform their competition into coordination, and properly handle sensitive issues'', Xi said.

According to Xi, the relationship between the two countries is facing important developments. He asserted his country's stand on maintaining close communication with the Japanese side. He hopes to benefit more people through cooperation.&nbsp;

''China and Japan should enhance mutual trust in security, safeguard the multilateral mechanism and uphold free trade'', he added.

Abe praised the current momentum of relations between both countries. Abe said that this relationship is important for the peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

The Japanese PM hopes to expand <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-japan-south-korea-prepare-for-trilateral-summit-amid-tensions-269632">practical cooperation</a> with China in trade, investment, innovation, tourism, culture, sports and other areas.

''The two countries should strengthen communication and coordination on regional issues'', he added.

Abe is in China for the 8th China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting, which will take place in China's southwestern city of Chengdu on Tuesday. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will chair the meeting.

Xi called on the two countries to expand practical cooperation in various sectors.

(With inputs from agencies)

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Beijing today. Jinping stressed on the need to advance China-Japan relations. ''With the world undergoing major changes rarely seen in a century, China and Japan should form a strategic consensus that steers bilateral relations on the right path of mutually beneficial cooperation despite differences, transform their competition into coordination, and properly handle sensitive issues'', Xi said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Beijing today. Jinping stressed on the need to advance China-Japan relations. ''With the world undergoing major changes rarely seen in a century, China and Japan should form a strategic consensus that steers bilateral relations on the right path of mutually beneficial cooperation despite differences, transform their competition into coordination, and properly handle sensitive issues'', Xi said. According to Xi, the relationship between the two countries is facing important developments. He asserted his country's stand on maintaining close communication with the Japanese side. He hopes to benefit more people through cooperation. ''China and Japan should enhance mutual trust in security, safeguard the multilateral mechanism and uphold free trade'', he added. Abe praised the current momentum of relations between both countries. Abe said that this relationship is important for the peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. The Japanese PM hopes to expand practical cooperation with China in trade, investment, innovation, tourism, culture, sports and other areas. ''The two countries should strengthen communication and coordination on regional issues'', he added. Abe is in China for the 8th China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting, which will take place in China's southwestern city of Chengdu on Tuesday. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will chair the meeting. Xi called on the two countries to expand practical cooperation in various sectors. (With inputs from agencies)

Xi meets Japan's Abe in Beijing, calls for advancing bilateral ties

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protests-planned-across-city-during-christmas-week-after-massive-uighur-rally-269745">Hong Kong</a> should ''continue to be free and open''. The city has been rocked by pro-democracy protests over the last few months.&nbsp;

The Japanese PM recently met Chinese President Xi Jinping before attending a trilateral meeting, which will also be attended by the South Korean president Moon Jae-in.

In a press briefing after the Xi-Abe meeting, Otaka Masato, spokesman for the Japanese minister of foreign affairs, said Abe "urged China to continue its self-restraint" over Hong Kong and expressed "hope for an early resolution of the situation".

The two leaders also discussed North Korea and the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the spokesman said, and Xi "asked for support" for a joint China-Russia draft UN resolution which proposed easing sanctions against the nuclear-armed state.&nbsp;

"Mr Abe reiterated that he is very much concerned about the situation...(and) mentioned that under the 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong should continue to be free and open and to be able to enjoy its development," said Otaka.

Hong Kongers have been protesting against Chinese interference in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-arrest-man-who-at-officers-seize-guns-269548">city's affairs</a>. The city, as per the ''One country, two systems'' scheme was guaranteed freedoms when the British left in 1997.

China says it is committed to the “one country, two systems” formula put in place.

Instances of police brutality have been causing a major uproar, with many demanding an independent investigation into it. The police have consistently denied using excessive force.

Earlier on Sunday, more than 1,000 people rallied in support of China's ethnic Uighur Muslims, who have been detained en masse in camps in China's northwestern Xinjiang region.

Beijing and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/were-next-hong-kongers-rally-for-chinas-uighurs-269572">Hong Kong's government</a> have made clear any call for independence would never be tolerated.

"Advocating Hong Kong independence ... is not conducive to the overall and long term interest of Hong Kong society. It is also contrary to the established basic policies of the People's Republic of China regarding Hong Kong," the city government said in a statement overnight.

The protests, which are now running into its six month, have become less violent and organised. Since June this year, more than 6,000 people have been arrested.

According to the Japanese spokesman, Xi replied to Abe's comments on Hong Kong by repeating China's position that Hong Kong "is a domestic matter".

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently said that Hong Kong should ''continue to be free and open''. The city has been rocked by pro-democracy protests over the last few months.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently said that Hong Kong should ''continue to be free and open''. The city has been rocked by pro-democracy protests over the last few months. The Japanese PM recently met Chinese President Xi Jinping before attending a trilateral meeting, which will also be attended by the South Korean president Moon Jae-in. In a press briefing after the Xi-Abe meeting, Otaka Masato, spokesman for the Japanese minister of foreign affairs, said Abe "urged China to continue its self-restraint" over Hong Kong and expressed "hope for an early resolution of the situation". The two leaders also discussed North Korea and the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the spokesman said, and Xi "asked for support" for a joint China-Russia draft UN resolution which proposed easing sanctions against the nuclear-armed state. "Mr Abe reiterated that he is very much concerned about the situation...(and) mentioned that under the 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong should continue to be free and open and to be able to enjoy its development," said Otaka. Hong Kongers have been protesting against Chinese interference in the city's affairs. The city, as per the ''One country, two systems'' scheme was guaranteed freedoms when the British left in 1997. China says it is committed to the “one country, two systems” formula put in place. Instances of police brutality have been causing a major uproar, with many demanding an independent investigation into it. The police have consistently denied using excessive force. Earlier on Sunday, more than 1,000 people rallied in support of China's ethnic Uighur Muslims, who have been detained en masse in camps in China's northwestern Xinjiang region. Beijing and Hong Kong's government have made clear any call for independence would never be tolerated. "Advocating Hong Kong independence ... is not conducive to the overall and long term interest of Hong Kong society. It is also contrary to the established basic policies of the People's Republic of China regarding Hong Kong," the city government said in a statement overnight. The protests, which are now running into its six month, have become less violent and organised. Since June this year, more than 6,000 people have been arrested. According to the Japanese spokesman, Xi replied to Abe's comments on Hong Kong by repeating China's position that Hong Kong "is a domestic matter".

Hong Kong should ''continue to be free and open'': Japanese PM Abe

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday discussed events in Iran and North Korea with US President Donald Trump in a lengthy phone call, the Kyodo news agency reported.

The phone conversation, which Abe told reporters took place at Trump's request, came on the same day that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-slams-irrational-us-nuclear-deal-withdrawal-269506">Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wrapped up his two-day visit to Japan</a>.

Rouhani's trip came after deadly protests over fuel price hikes in Iran, where the economy has been hit by US sanctions over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Japan is a key US ally that also maintains close diplomatic and economic ties with Iran, and Abe has tried to build bridges between the two rivals.

Abe did not refer to Iran when he met with reporters just before midnight Saturday, but a Japanese government source told Kyodo that Abe did talk to Trump about his discussions with Rouhani.

The Abe-Trump phone call lasted about 75 minutes, according to Kyodo.

Abe told reporters that he and the US leader talked about what Kyodo described as a "coordinated response" towards North Korea.

Pyongyang has shown frustration at the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with Trump.

Earlier this month it promised a "Christmas gift" if the US did not come up with concessions by the end of the year after it placed a moratorium on long-range missile tests.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday discussed events in Iran and North Korea with US President Donald Trump in a lengthy phone call, the Kyodo news agency reported.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday discussed events in Iran and North Korea with US President Donald Trump in a lengthy phone call, the Kyodo news agency reported. The phone conversation, which Abe told reporters took place at Trump's request, came on the same day that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wrapped up his two-day visit to Japan. Rouhani's trip came after deadly protests over fuel price hikes in Iran, where the economy has been hit by US sanctions over Tehran's nuclear programme. Japan is a key US ally that also maintains close diplomatic and economic ties with Iran, and Abe has tried to build bridges between the two rivals. Abe did not refer to Iran when he met with reporters just before midnight Saturday, but a Japanese government source told Kyodo that Abe did talk to Trump about his discussions with Rouhani. The Abe-Trump phone call lasted about 75 minutes, according to Kyodo. Abe told reporters that he and the US leader talked about what Kyodo described as a "coordinated response" towards North Korea. Pyongyang has shown frustration at the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with Trump. Earlier this month it promised a "Christmas gift" if the US did not come up with concessions by the end of the year after it placed a moratorium on long-range missile tests.

Japan's Abe discusses Iran, North Korea in call with Trump: Report

President Hassan Rouhani will make the first visit to Japan by an Iranian head of state for two decades Friday, as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/japan-to-trim-total-govt-bond-issuance-next-fiscal-year-sources-268875">Tokyo</a> seeks to mediate between Tehran and Washington amid spiralling nuclear tensions.

The trip comes after violent protests last month over petroleum price hikes in Iran, as Washington-imposed sanctions over its nuclear programme hit the Iranian economy.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-two-iranian-judges-for-overseeing-iranian-regimes-miscarriage-of-justice-269258">United States </a>re-imposed crippling sanctions on Iran in 2018 after withdrawing from an international deal aimed at tackling the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme.

Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei has played down the mediation aspect of the trip, saying the visit to Tokyo had "nothing to do with issues such as negotiations with America".

However, he acknowledged that "our Japanese friends usually convey messages or initiatives, which we welcome... and seriously examine".

As a key US ally that also maintains close diplomatic and economic ties with Iran, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to build bridges between the two rival powers.

Last week, Abe said he would strive "as much as possible to ease tensions" in the Middle East, noting Japan's alliance with Washington and "favourable relations" with Tehran.

Abe travelled to Tehran in June to try to ease the tension between the United States and Iran in the Gulf.

Japan was formerly a major buyer of Iranian crude but stopped purchases to comply with the US sanctions.

Rouhani comes to Japan from Kuala Lumpur where he called on Muslim countries at a summit to band together to fight US "economic terrorism".

Osamu Miyata, head of Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies in Japan (CCISJ), told AFP that Abe would find it difficult to steer a path between US President Donald Trump and Rouhani.

The US sanctions "are having a serious impact on every aspect of Iran - people's daily life, the country's finances, and inflation in imported goods", Hitoshi Suzuki, an expert on Middle Eastern studies at Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), told AFP.

"It would be difficult to have tangible achievements from the Rouhani-Abe meeting this time, but in the long-term, Japan can warn the US that the current sanctions are having a serious negative impact," added Suzuki.

"This could prompt Iranian domestic politics to move in the opposite direction hoped for by the US -&nbsp;For example, hawks leading Iran to the resume nuclear development, or the emergence of an anti-democratic Iran," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-to-visit-japan-amid-heightened-tensions-with-united-states-268703">Abe and Rouhani</a> are expected to inspect a guard of honour before summit talks and dinner.

They are not scheduled to brief reporters after the talks.&nbsp;

President Hassan Rouhani will make the first visit to Japan by an Iranian head of state for two decades Friday, as Tokyo seeks to mediate between Tehran and Washington amid spiralling nuclear tensions.

President Hassan Rouhani will make the first visit to Japan by an Iranian head of state for two decades Friday, as Tokyo seeks to mediate between Tehran and Washington amid spiralling nuclear tensions. The trip comes after violent protests last month over petroleum price hikes in Iran, as Washington-imposed sanctions over its nuclear programme hit the Iranian economy. The United States re-imposed crippling sanctions on Iran in 2018 after withdrawing from an international deal aimed at tackling the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme. Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei has played down the mediation aspect of the trip, saying the visit to Tokyo had "nothing to do with issues such as negotiations with America". However, he acknowledged that "our Japanese friends usually convey messages or initiatives, which we welcome... and seriously examine". As a key US ally that also maintains close diplomatic and economic ties with Iran, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to build bridges between the two rival powers. Last week, Abe said he would strive "as much as possible to ease tensions" in the Middle East, noting Japan's alliance with Washington and "favourable relations" with Tehran. Abe travelled to Tehran in June to try to ease the tension between the United States and Iran in the Gulf. Japan was formerly a major buyer of Iranian crude but stopped purchases to comply with the US sanctions. Rouhani comes to Japan from Kuala Lumpur where he called on Muslim countries at a summit to band together to fight US "economic terrorism". Osamu Miyata, head of Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies in Japan (CCISJ), told AFP that Abe would find it difficult to steer a path between US President Donald Trump and Rouhani. The US sanctions "are having a serious impact on every aspect of Iran - people's daily life, the country's finances, and inflation in imported goods", Hitoshi Suzuki, an expert on Middle Eastern studies at Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), told AFP. "It would be difficult to have tangible achievements from the Rouhani-Abe meeting this time, but in the long-term, Japan can warn the US that the current sanctions are having a serious negative impact," added Suzuki. "This could prompt Iranian domestic politics to move in the opposite direction hoped for by the US - For example, hawks leading Iran to the resume nuclear development, or the emergence of an anti-democratic Iran," he said. Abe and Rouhani are expected to inspect a guard of honour before summit talks and dinner. They are not scheduled to brief reporters after the talks.

Iran's Rouhani to meet Japan PM amid tension with US

Japan&nbsp;plans to&nbsp;trim&nbsp;its overall government&nbsp;bond&nbsp;issuance&nbsp;to the market by 0.5 per cent next&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;year&nbsp;from current&nbsp;year's levels, government officials said on Wednesday, as Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/japanese-pm-shinzo-abe-likely-to-visit-indias-imphal-in-december-265170">Shinzo Abe</a> balances supporting growth and reining in huge public debt.

The drop would mark the seventh straight&nbsp;year&nbsp;of declines in&nbsp;total&nbsp;debt&nbsp;issuance, despite rising&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;spending as worries grow that cooling global growth and the US-China <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-china-trade-war-points-to-the-real-crisis-that-global-leaders-must-confront-at-g20-summit-231112">trade war</a> could hit corporate tax income in export-led&nbsp;Japan.

The government is set to sell 128.8 trillion yen ($1.19 trillion) of&nbsp;Japanese government&nbsp;bonds (JGBs) in the&nbsp;next&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;year&nbsp;beginning in April 2020, down from this&nbsp;year's 129.4 trillion yen, the two officials said on condition of anonymity because the plan has not yet been announced.

Of the&nbsp;total, the government is considering increasing&nbsp;issuance&nbsp;of JGBs with maturity of 40&nbsp;years by 600 billion yen from the current&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;year&nbsp;to 3 trillion yen, the officials said, in a nod to solid demand from investors hunting for yield amid&nbsp;years of ultra-low interest rates.

Issuance&nbsp;plans for other maturities will remain unchanged, they added.

New&nbsp;bond&nbsp;issuance&nbsp;for&nbsp;next&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;year, which excludes&nbsp;bonds issued to roll over those reaching maturity, will fall for the 10th straight&nbsp;year&nbsp;to 32.56 trillion yen, versus this&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;year's 32.7 trillion yen.

The government is expected to approve its draft budget for&nbsp;next&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;year&nbsp;on Friday.

The general-account budget will hit a record 102.66 trillion yen in spending due to increases in welfare to support the fast-ageing population as well as military outlay, according to the draft. Tax revenue is estimated at 63.51 trillion yen.

After peaking at a record 156.6 trillion yen issued in&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;2013, government&nbsp;bond&nbsp;issuance&nbsp;has been declining, supporting Abe's arguments that&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;is keeping its&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;house in order while boosting spending to reflate the economy.

The government has managed to&nbsp;trim&nbsp;the amount of JGBs sold to the market in recent&nbsp;years, partly by tapping funds raised in the past from "front-loading" JGB&nbsp;issuance, which took advantage of low borrowing costs.

Still,&nbsp;Japan's public debt is the highest among advanced economies and&nbsp;total&nbsp;spending under&nbsp;next&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;year's budget is likely to hit a new record. And yet,&nbsp;bond&nbsp;yields have been kept low due to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/bank-of-japan-suggests-future-rate-cut-but-holds-fire-for-now-258962">Bank of&nbsp;Japan's</a> aggressive buying under a policy that caps 10-year&nbsp;government&nbsp;bond&nbsp;yields around 0 per cent.

The BOJ's ultra-loose monetary policy has crushed yields across the curve, forcing investors to hoard super-long government&nbsp;bonds in search of higher returns.

Wary of the implications of a flattening yield curve on financial institutions' profits, BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda has repeatedly warned against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/japan-business-mood-gloomiest-in-nearly-seven-years-as-trade-war-bites-267983">excessive falls</a> in super-long yields.

The increase in supply of 40-year&nbsp;bonds could alleviate the pain of investors, though many analysts doubt the effect on steepening the yield curve would be sustainable.

Japan plans to trim its overall government bond issuance to the market by 0.5 per cent next fiscal year from current year's levels, government officials said on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe balances supporting growth and reining in huge public debt.

Japan plans to trim its overall government bond issuance to the market by 0.5 per cent next fiscal year from current year's levels, government officials said on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe balances supporting growth and reining in huge public debt. The drop would mark the seventh straight year of declines in total debt issuance, despite rising fiscal spending as worries grow that cooling global growth and the US-China trade war could hit corporate tax income in export-led Japan. The government is set to sell 128.8 trillion yen ($1.19 trillion) of Japanese government bonds (JGBs) in the next fiscal year beginning in April 2020, down from this year's 129.4 trillion yen, the two officials said on condition of anonymity because the plan has not yet been announced. Of the total, the government is considering increasing issuance of JGBs with maturity of 40 years by 600 billion yen from the current fiscal year to 3 trillion yen, the officials said, in a nod to solid demand from investors hunting for yield amid years of ultra-low interest rates. Issuance plans for other maturities will remain unchanged, they added. New bond issuance for next fiscal year, which excludes bonds issued to roll over those reaching maturity, will fall for the 10th straight year to 32.56 trillion yen, versus this fiscal year's 32.7 trillion yen. The government is expected to approve its draft budget for next fiscal year on Friday. The general-account budget will hit a record 102.66 trillion yen in spending due to increases in welfare to support the fast-ageing population as well as military outlay, according to the draft. Tax revenue is estimated at 63.51 trillion yen. After peaking at a record 156.6 trillion yen issued in fiscal 2013, government bond issuance has been declining, supporting Abe's arguments that Japan is keeping its fiscal house in order while boosting spending to reflate the economy. The government has managed to trim the amount of JGBs sold to the market in recent years, partly by tapping funds raised in the past from "front-loading" JGB issuance, which took advantage of low borrowing costs. Still, Japan's public debt is the highest among advanced economies and total spending under next fiscal year's budget is likely to hit a new record. And yet, bond yields have been kept low due to the Bank of Japan's aggressive buying under a policy that caps 10-year government bond yields around 0 per cent. The BOJ's ultra-loose monetary policy has crushed yields across the curve, forcing investors to hoard super-long government bonds in search of higher returns. Wary of the implications of a flattening yield curve on financial institutions' profits, BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda has repeatedly warned against excessive falls in super-long yields. The increase in supply of 40-year bonds could alleviate the pain of investors, though many analysts doubt the effect on steepening the yield curve would be sustainable.

Japan to trim total govt bond issuance next fiscal year: Sources

Rare Victory For A #MeToo Complainant In Japan. #Gravitas #Metoo

Gravitas: Journalist Wins #Metoo Case In Japan

Iranian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ready-for-talks-if-united-states-lifts-sanctions-iran-266151">Hassan Rouhani</a> will visit Japan on December&nbsp;20-21 and meet Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-might-cancel-india-trip-report-268002">Shinzo Abe</a>, as the Asian country, a US&nbsp;ally, looks to resolve Tehran's nuclear impasse with Washington.

Japan maintains friendly ties with both the United States and Iran and has previously tried to ease tensions between the two countries, which severed diplomatic relations after Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution that toppled the US-backed Shah.

Tensions have heightened between Tehran and Washington since last year when President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-democrats-seek-testimony-from-bolton-and-other-trump-aides-268609"> Donald Trump</a> pulled out the United States from Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six powers and re-imposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy.

"Our country will persistently continue to support diplomatic efforts in cooperation with the United States, Iran and various other related countries aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East," Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, told a news conference on Tuesday.

He said the two leaders will meet on December 20.

Rouhani plans to tell Abe that the Iranian government would not oppose the deployment of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces to the Middle East, Kyodo news agency reported, citing a source.

Iran has rejected the presence of foreign forces in the region, saying it would create insecurity for oil and shipping.

Kyodo said the Japanese deployment will be sent to the Gulf of Oman, the northern part of the Arabian Sea, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, citing a draft plan.

Tokyo has decided not to be part of a US-led&nbsp;coalition to ensure maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital gateway for the world's oil industry, the news agency added.

The Nikkei business daily has previously said that Japan's government would propose deploying one escort ship and a patrol aircraft from the Maritime Self-Defense Force on a one-year mission that could be renewed annually.

It plans to finalise the plan by year-end, the Nikkei has reported.

Iran's state news agency IRNA on Monday quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-plans-to-send-270-sailors-to-middle-east-to-guard-ships-266288"> Abbas Araghchi </a>as saying that Rouhani will travel to Japan on Friday for a visit that will be in line with the national interest of both countries.

"Japan's foreign policy is based on courage and farsightedness and this has been proved for many times in historical ties between the two countries," Araghchi said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will visit Japan on December 20-21 and meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as the Asian country, a US ally, looks to resolve Tehran's nuclear impasse with Washington.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will visit Japan on December 20-21 and meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as the Asian country, a US ally, looks to resolve Tehran's nuclear impasse with Washington. Japan maintains friendly ties with both the United States and Iran and has previously tried to ease tensions between the two countries, which severed diplomatic relations after Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution that toppled the US-backed Shah. Tensions have heightened between Tehran and Washington since last year when President Donald Trump pulled out the United States from Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six powers and re-imposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. "Our country will persistently continue to support diplomatic efforts in cooperation with the United States, Iran and various other related countries aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East," Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, told a news conference on Tuesday. He said the two leaders will meet on December 20. Rouhani plans to tell Abe that the Iranian government would not oppose the deployment of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces to the Middle East, Kyodo news agency reported, citing a source. Iran has rejected the presence of foreign forces in the region, saying it would create insecurity for oil and shipping. Kyodo said the Japanese deployment will be sent to the Gulf of Oman, the northern part of the Arabian Sea, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, citing a draft plan. Tokyo has decided not to be part of a US-led coalition to ensure maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital gateway for the world's oil industry, the news agency added. The Nikkei business daily has previously said that Japan's government would propose deploying one escort ship and a patrol aircraft from the Maritime Self-Defense Force on a one-year mission that could be renewed annually. It plans to finalise the plan by year-end, the Nikkei has reported. Iran's state news agency IRNA on Monday quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying that Rouhani will travel to Japan on Friday for a visit that will be in line with the national interest of both countries. "Japan's foreign policy is based on courage and farsightedness and this has been proved for many times in historical ties between the two countries," Araghchi said.

Iran's Rouhani to visit Japan amid heightened tensions with United States

Members of the Japan team who won the 2011 women's football&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-uefa-announces-new-playoff-system-for-2022-world-cup-qualifiers-266326">World Cup</a> will start the Japan leg of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-medals-unveiled-a-year-before-games-238165">Tokyo 2020 Olympic</a> torch relay, organisers said on Tuesday.

More details of the route were revealed along with the approximately 10,000 people who will carry the Olympic flame as it tours all Japan’s 47 prefectures ahead of the Games opening ceremony in July.

The ‘Nadeshiko’ holds a special place in the hearts of the Japanese people because their World Cup victory in Germany came months after the devastating 2011 tsunami and earthquake.

With Tokyo 2020 billed by organisers as the "reconstruction Olympics", and the torch relay starting in Fukushima, the selection of coach Norio Sasaki and his players to begin the relay on March 26 came as little surprise.

“In the very beginning, when I heard I would be the first runner and torchbearer I was very, very surprised,” said forward Kozue Ando who plays for Urawa Reds.

“But being with all the other World Cup-winning members, we will be able to do something together so I am looking forward to it.”

Defender Azusa Iwashimizu, another Nadeshiko star, is expecting to give birth in March but hopes she will be able to take her new child on the relay.

“I would like to run carrying my baby,” she said.

The relay is due to pass many of Japan’s most iconic landmarks over the 121-day journey, including <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-conducts-live-fire-drills-near-mount-fuji-244776">Mount Fuji</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/hiroshima-marks-74th-anniversary-of-bloody-atomic-bombing-241120">Hiroshima’s</a> Peace Memorial Park, and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-engulfs-world-heritage-castle-in-japans-okinawa-258989">Kumamoto Castle</a>.

The Olympic flame is scheduled to be lit, as per tradition, in Greece on March 12 before arriving in Japan, at Matsushima Airbase in Miyagi prefecture, on March 20.

After a five-day tour of the areas most affected by the 2011 disaster, the torch relay will begin from the J-Village in Fukushima.

Members of the Japan team who won the 2011 women's football World Cup will start the Japan leg of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay, organisers said on Tuesday.

Members of the Japan team who won the 2011 women's football World Cup will start the Japan leg of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay, organisers said on Tuesday. More details of the route were revealed along with the approximately 10,000 people who will carry the Olympic flame as it tours all Japan’s 47 prefectures ahead of the Games opening ceremony in July. The ‘Nadeshiko’ holds a special place in the hearts of the Japanese people because their World Cup victory in Germany came months after the devastating 2011 tsunami and earthquake. With Tokyo 2020 billed by organisers as the "reconstruction Olympics", and the torch relay starting in Fukushima, the selection of coach Norio Sasaki and his players to begin the relay on March 26 came as little surprise. “In the very beginning, when I heard I would be the first runner and torchbearer I was very, very surprised,” said forward Kozue Ando who plays for Urawa Reds. “But being with all the other World Cup-winning members, we will be able to do something together so I am looking forward to it.” Defender Azusa Iwashimizu, another Nadeshiko star, is expecting to give birth in March but hopes she will be able to take her new child on the relay. “I would like to run carrying my baby,” she said. The relay is due to pass many of Japan’s most iconic landmarks over the 121-day journey, including Mount Fuji, Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, and Kumamoto Castle. The Olympic flame is scheduled to be lit, as per tradition, in Greece on March 12 before arriving in Japan, at Matsushima Airbase in Miyagi prefecture, on March 20. After a five-day tour of the areas most affected by the 2011 disaster, the torch relay will begin from the J-Village in Fukushima.

Japan’s 2011 women’s football champions to begin Tokyo 2020 torch relay

Senior&nbsp;Japanese and&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean&nbsp;trade&nbsp;officials met on Monday for the first time since&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;imposed controls on exports to its neighbor of high-technology materials, plunging testy relations between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-jim-mattis-exit-sparks-concern-among-us-allies-185709">US&nbsp;allies</a> into a new crisis.

Japan&nbsp;imposed the curbs on exports to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-sends-missile-warning-to-south-korea-us-as-tensions-rise-241269">South&nbsp;Korea</a>&nbsp;of three materials used to make semiconductors in July, threatening a pillar of the&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean economy and the global supply chain of chips.

Japan&nbsp;cited its concern about insufficient&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean controls on the materials, suggesting they might have been shipped to North&nbsp;Korea, although the curbs came as relations soured&nbsp;over&nbsp;a&nbsp;dispute&nbsp;over&nbsp;Japan's wartime actions.

Yoichi Iida, director-general at the&nbsp;Japanese&nbsp;trade&nbsp;ministry's&nbsp;trade&nbsp;control department, and his&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean counterpart Lee Ho-Hyeon met in Tokyo for the first senior-level bilateral talks in three and a half years.

The two made no comment to each other or to media as they shook hands at the beginning of their&nbsp;meeting.

On their agenda will be&nbsp;Japan's tighter rules on its exports and its removal of&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;from its list of countries with fast-track&nbsp;trade&nbsp;status.

South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;responded by dropping&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;from its favored-trade&nbsp;list and threatening to end security cooperation.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-rejects-south-korea-deal-over-wartime-forced-labour-228878"> Yoshihide Suga </a>played down expectations for any&nbsp;quick&nbsp;solution to the&nbsp;dispute&nbsp;on Monday.

"We look forward to a comprehensive assessment," Suga told a news conference, suggesting a solution would take time.

Relations between the neighbors have been plagued for years for bitterness&nbsp;over&nbsp;Japan’s colonisation of the&nbsp;Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945, which saw forced use of labor by&nbsp;Japanese companies and the use of “comfort women”, a&nbsp;Japanese euphemism for girls and women, many of them&nbsp;Korean, forced to work in its wartime brothels.

Japan's July&nbsp;trade&nbsp;restrictions came as it complained of the erosion of trust with&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;after a&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean court ruled last year that&nbsp;Japanese companies had to pay compensation to&nbsp;South&nbsp;Koreans forced to work in&nbsp;Japanese factories during&nbsp;Japan’s occupation.

Japan&nbsp;believes the issue was settled under a 1965 treaty and the court ruling violated international law.

The&nbsp;trade&nbsp;dispute&nbsp;has raised fears about security cooperation although&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;last month decided to retain an intelligence-sharing pact with&nbsp;Japan, after threatening to end it.

Senior Japanese and South Korean trade officials met on Monday for the first time since Japan imposed controls on exports to its neighbor of high-technology materials, plunging testy relations between the US allies into a new crisis.

Senior Japanese and South Korean trade officials met on Monday for the first time since Japan imposed controls on exports to its neighbor of high-technology materials, plunging testy relations between the US allies into a new crisis. Japan imposed the curbs on exports to South Korea of three materials used to make semiconductors in July, threatening a pillar of the South Korean economy and the global supply chain of chips. Japan cited its concern about insufficient South Korean controls on the materials, suggesting they might have been shipped to North Korea, although the curbs came as relations soured over a dispute over Japan's wartime actions. Yoichi Iida, director-general at the Japanese trade ministry's trade control department, and his South Korean counterpart Lee Ho-Hyeon met in Tokyo for the first senior-level bilateral talks in three and a half years. The two made no comment to each other or to media as they shook hands at the beginning of their meeting. On their agenda will be Japan's tighter rules on its exports and its removal of South Korea from its list of countries with fast-track trade status. South Korea responded by dropping Japan from its favored-trade list and threatening to end security cooperation. Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga played down expectations for any quick solution to the dispute on Monday. "We look forward to a comprehensive assessment," Suga told a news conference, suggesting a solution would take time. Relations between the neighbors have been plagued for years for bitterness over Japan’s colonisation of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945, which saw forced use of labor by Japanese companies and the use of “comfort women”, a Japanese euphemism for girls and women, many of them Korean, forced to work in its wartime brothels. Japan's July trade restrictions came as it complained of the erosion of trust with South Korea after a South Korean court ruled last year that Japanese companies had to pay compensation to South Koreans forced to work in Japanese factories during Japan’s occupation. Japan believes the issue was settled under a 1965 treaty and the court ruling violated international law. The trade dispute has raised fears about security cooperation although South Korea last month decided to retain an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan, after threatening to end it.

Japan, South Korea meet over trade dispute but no quick fix seen

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he is still planning to visit India next week, according to Bloomberg as a Japanese media report said he may consider cancelling the visit amid violent protests in the northeast over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Japan PM's India visit postponed officially due to protests after CAB

Japan PM's  India visit postponed officially due to protests after CAB

Japanese big manufacturers' business mood sank to a near seven-year low in the fourth quarter, a closely watched central bank survey showed, as the US-China trade war and soft global demand weighed on the export-reliant economy.

Companies expect conditions to remain unchanged or even worsen three months ahead, the Bank of Japan's "tankan" quarterly survey showed, suggesting that the fallout from the trade conflict could hurt broader sectors of the economy.

But there were some bright signs. Non-manufacturers' sentiment appeared to weather the hit from October's sales tax hike with companies maintaining robust capital expenditure plans, reinforcing market expectations the BOJ will hold off on expanding stimulus at next week's rate review.

"The tankan suggests that the economy is slowing rather than collapsing so the BOJ is unlikely to cut interest rates at next week's meeting," said Marcel Thieliant, senior Japan economist at Capital Economics.

The headline index for big manufacturers' sentiment stood at 0 in December, down from plus 5 in September and worse than a median market forecast of plus 2, the tankan showed on Friday.

It marked the fourth straight quarter of decline and hit the lowest reading since March 2013, a month before BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda deployed his "bazooka" monetary stimulus to pull Japan out of deflation.

Underscoring the pain from the trade war, an index gauging big automakers' sentiment turned negative for the first time in more than three years.

Some steel and cement makers also saw demand ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games peak, a BOJ official told reporters.

"The weakness in automakers' sentiment is noteworthy. The global economy is taking longer to recover and that uncertainty is affecting Japanese companies," said Tsuyoshi Ueno, senior economist at NLI Research Institute.

A sales tax hike that rolled out in October weighed on Japan's service sector, with the index for big non-manufacturers sliding to plus 20 from plus 21 in September. But the reading exceeded a Refinitiv estimate of plus 17.

"Domestic demand wasn't hurt much by the sales tax hike so far. Public works projects to be earmarked under the government's spending package will underpin growth," said Mari Iwashita, chief market economist at Daiwa Securities.

Big firms plan to increase capital expenditure by 6.8% in the current business year ending in March 2020, up slightly from their plan made three months ago, the survey showed. It compared with a median market forecast of a 6.0% gain.

The reading backs the BOJ's view that robust corporate spending plans will keep domestic demand firm and help the economy weather heightening overseas risks, analysts say.

"Domestic demand may slow temporarily ... though in the long-term, it will stay resilient," BOJ Deputy Governor Masayoshi Amamiya said on Thursday, adding that now was the time to stand pat and carefully watch upcoming data.

Capital expenditure has been among the few bright spots in Japan's economy as companies continue to invest in high-tech and labour-saving technology to cope with a labour crunch.

Japan's economy expanded at a much faster pace than initially reported in the third quarter, as solid domestic demand and business spending offset the pain from weak exports and output.

But many analysts anticipate a slowdown this quarter as the October sales tax hike weighs on consumption.

The tankan's sentiment indexes are derived by subtracting the number of respondents who say conditions are poor from those who say they are good. A positive reading means optimists outnumber pessimists.

Japanese big manufacturers' business mood sank to a near seven-year low in the fourth quarter, a closely watched central bank survey showed, as the US-China trade war and soft global demand weighed on the export-reliant economy.

Japanese big manufacturers' business mood sank to a near seven-year low in the fourth quarter, a closely watched central bank survey showed, as the US-China trade war and soft global demand weighed on the export-reliant economy. Companies expect conditions to remain unchanged or even worsen three months ahead, the Bank of Japan's "tankan" quarterly survey showed, suggesting that the fallout from the trade conflict could hurt broader sectors of the economy. But there were some bright signs. Non-manufacturers' sentiment appeared to weather the hit from October's sales tax hike with companies maintaining robust capital expenditure plans, reinforcing market expectations the BOJ will hold off on expanding stimulus at next week's rate review. "The tankan suggests that the economy is slowing rather than collapsing so the BOJ is unlikely to cut interest rates at next week's meeting," said Marcel Thieliant, senior Japan economist at Capital Economics. The headline index for big manufacturers' sentiment stood at 0 in December, down from plus 5 in September and worse than a median market forecast of plus 2, the tankan showed on Friday. It marked the fourth straight quarter of decline and hit the lowest reading since March 2013, a month before BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda deployed his "bazooka" monetary stimulus to pull Japan out of deflation. Underscoring the pain from the trade war, an index gauging big automakers' sentiment turned negative for the first time in more than three years. Some steel and cement makers also saw demand ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games peak, a BOJ official told reporters. "The weakness in automakers' sentiment is noteworthy. The global economy is taking longer to recover and that uncertainty is affecting Japanese companies," said Tsuyoshi Ueno, senior economist at NLI Research Institute. A sales tax hike that rolled out in October weighed on Japan's service sector, with the index for big non-manufacturers sliding to plus 20 from plus 21 in September. But the reading exceeded a Refinitiv estimate of plus 17. "Domestic demand wasn't hurt much by the sales tax hike so far. Public works projects to be earmarked under the government's spending package will underpin growth," said Mari Iwashita, chief market economist at Daiwa Securities. Big firms plan to increase capital expenditure by 6.8% in the current business year ending in March 2020, up slightly from their plan made three months ago, the survey showed. It compared with a median market forecast of a 6.0% gain. The reading backs the BOJ's view that robust corporate spending plans will keep domestic demand firm and help the economy weather heightening overseas risks, analysts say. "Domestic demand may slow temporarily ... though in the long-term, it will stay resilient," BOJ Deputy Governor Masayoshi Amamiya said on Thursday, adding that now was the time to stand pat and carefully watch upcoming data. Capital expenditure has been among the few bright spots in Japan's economy as companies continue to invest in high-tech and labour-saving technology to cope with a labour crunch. Japan's economy expanded at a much faster pace than initially reported in the third quarter, as solid domestic demand and business spending offset the pain from weak exports and output. But many analysts anticipate a slowdown this quarter as the October sales tax hike weighs on consumption. The tankan's sentiment indexes are derived by subtracting the number of respondents who say conditions are poor from those who say they are good. A positive reading means optimists outnumber pessimists.

Japan business mood gloomiest in nearly seven years as trade war bites

Not many relationships in Asia have influenced the Indo-Pacific undercurrents as much as India-Japan relations have in recent times. If the annual leadership summits strengthened their political narrative, the recently concluded two-plus-two ministerial dialogue brought strategic substance, strengthening the narrative that both have been nurturing with frequent dialogues, official mechanisms and visits. &nbsp;

Such a substantive and secured relationship should, however, be constantly emboldened with the changing nature of national growth and developmental planning. It should go in parallel with national security thinking, especially factoring in new-age technologies and changing geopolitics. India-Japan relations must also imbibe and secure their relationship with innovative ideas while keeping it parallel to their domestic developmental discourse. &nbsp;

Under Shinzo Abe, Japan’s strategic reorientation in Asia is enduring constant change. This strategic reorientation holds significant implications for most countries, including India, at a time when Japan has moved to “Reiwa” era from its traditional “Hensei” era. “Reiwa” era complements Abe’s nationalist foreign policy, rebuking the Chinese traditional link with the Japanese system. In other words, Japan under Abe and its future leaderships is expected to employ a more autonomist, self-assured and pro-active foreign policy that is central to its quest to regain its lost glory. India should perceive this positively as it boosts a multipolar Asian power structure. &nbsp;

As the longest-serving Prime Minister of Japan, Abe has inculcated an India legacy under his leadership. It was Abe’s 2007 speech in the Indian Parliament on “Confluence of the Two Seas” that set the tone for the present Indo-Pacific undercurrents. Abe’s arrival for a third term as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2014-2017 coincided with the arrival of parallelly strong leadership in New Delhi with Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India, translating into a ‘leadership friendship’ framework that has deeply guided their relationship. More importantly, they have begun revitalising the Quad in the Indo-Pacific narrative. &nbsp;

Abe is also pursuing a more independent spectrum of security thinking. If not entirely a departure from its past “alliance structure” framework of international posturing with the United States, Tokyo’s attempt is to explore a new spectrum of security alignments through a fresh mode of policies and partnerships, including India in regional affairs. Japan’s vision of a harmonious regional order that Abe’s nationalist foreign policy is trying to emphasise through its “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” advocacy complements India’s nuanced Indo-Pacific outlook. Maintaining strategic restraint has become principal to strengthen national security and defence posturing and rebuilding ties with China is an important part of it. This further adds to India’s ‘inclusive’ Indo-Pacific construct that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pitching to promote stable relations with Beijing. &nbsp;

Likewise, Indian foreign policy is currently boosting a new level of confidence with Tokyo. The recent two-plus-two ministerial dialogue has certainly enhanced their strategic and economic strides. India under Modi 2.0 is set to overtake the United Kingdom as the fifth largest global economy in nominal terms and is positioned to overtake Japan by 2025 to become the second-largest economy in Asia-Pacific. India’s national narrative has imbibed a nationalist character – focusing on economic growth and technological progression with schemes like ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, and ‘Aayushman Bharat’. Such schemes must encourage the participation of Japan as a serious and longstanding partner, especially in the field of technology. &nbsp;

Technology was, in fact, a focal point during Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Tokyo in September 2019. While defence ties are on the upswing, the field of technology too offers a plethora of convergences. Aside from some joint projects (of which the Delhi Metro network, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor are few potent examples) and the acquisitions of Indian companies like Camlin by Japanese businesses, the technology business-business cooperation is still very low. &nbsp;

Past ventures between Japan and India however, albeit less, have been extremely successful like Maruti Suzuki’s dominance in Indian automobile sector and the planned undersea cable from Chennai to Andaman-Nicobar. The 2018 technology partnership between Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, is focused on major research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and may further expand to 5G and robotics. 5G happens to be a potential key area of facilitation between the two and something that could be a focal point of cooperation. India plans on being an early adopter of 5G technology and Japanese aid could facilitate the same. &nbsp;

Another possible avenue of discussion should be the Osaka Track, a policy proposal by Shinzo Abe at the G-20 summit in 2019 that calls for the creation of international guidelines and rules for free movement of data beyond country lines. However, there exists some friction with India seriously considering data localisation through legislative action and refusing to sign the statement affirming the Track. In an otherwise untarnished, uncomplicated and decades-old relationship, it is important for Japan to accommodate and resolve such issues, particularly at a time when both countries are looking for a greater international partnership, including renegotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to board India as a free-trading regional partner. Japan’s willingness not to exclude India from the RCEP is a testimony of this strengthened partnership. Further, a refreshed theory in multilateral cooperation vis-à-vis infrastructural and economic growth is called for. A renewed outlook by Japan, in lieu of Asian Development Bank (ADB), to become a member of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) can be beneficial in improving India-Japan bilateral ties and regional cooperation, given that India is a founding member of the AIIB.&nbsp;

With India’s defence procurement getting versatile, the recently concluded inaugural two-plus-two ministerial dialogue signals a new opportunity for Japan to explore the Indian domestic defence market afresh. Tokyo on its part hopes to enter the global arms market by leaving behind its self-imposed 1967 Arms Export ban, otherwise known as the Three Principles Exports Ban. The rebirth of the Japanese defence industry can only be possible via arms trade. &nbsp;

The negotiations over the logistics pact, Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which will allow access to bases of the Indian Navy and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), has brought the requisite confidence aided by the successful maritime exercises. Concrete talk on the Japanese amphibian aircraft, ShinMaywa US-2i and the recent cooperative understanding between India’s Mahindra Defence and ShinMaywa Industries Limited of Japan over the same is setting a new benchmark on technology transfer cooperation. Also, defence technology sharing is increasing between Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistical Agency (ATLA) and the Department of Defence Production (DDP). &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the charged Indo-Pacific geopolitical scenario, Modi and Abe have set an ideal example of using personal chemistry to forward mutually advantageous policy outlooks. It does require some reworking – their partnership must be restructured beyond the excessive US-centred Indo-Pacific framework, and the current US-China and South Korea-Japan tension must encourage them to realise their respective national strength to nurture a partnership that is independent of alliance-alignment politics. Their mutual appreciation as ‘natural partners’ must imbibe national developmental patterns, with a focus on technological collaboration. Both must realise the virtual reality and new possibilities offered by information technology to capitalise on them collaboratively. It is not difficult to realise that the world will live in an age of information technology rather than in&nbsp;age of the Indo-Pacific that is often made out to be the capital of India-Japan partnership. &nbsp;

(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Not many relationships in Asia have influenced the Indo-Pacific undercurrents as much as India-Japan relations have in recent times. If the annual leadership summits strengthened their political narrative, the recently concluded two-plus-two ministerial dialogue brought strategic substance, strengthening the narrative that both have been nurturing with frequent dialogues, official mechanisms and visits.

Not many relationships in Asia have influenced the Indo-Pacific undercurrents as much as India-Japan relations have in recent times. If the annual leadership summits strengthened their political narrative, the recently concluded two-plus-two ministerial dialogue brought strategic substance, strengthening the narrative that both have been nurturing with frequent dialogues, official mechanisms and visits. Such a substantive and secured relationship should, however, be constantly emboldened with the changing nature of national growth and developmental planning. It should go in parallel with national security thinking, especially factoring in new-age technologies and changing geopolitics. India-Japan relations must also imbibe and secure their relationship with innovative ideas while keeping it parallel to their domestic developmental discourse. Under Shinzo Abe, Japan’s strategic reorientation in Asia is enduring constant change. This strategic reorientation holds significant implications for most countries, including India, at a time when Japan has moved to “Reiwa” era from its traditional “Hensei” era. “Reiwa” era complements Abe’s nationalist foreign policy, rebuking the Chinese traditional link with the Japanese system. In other words, Japan under Abe and its future leaderships is expected to employ a more autonomist, self-assured and pro-active foreign policy that is central to its quest to regain its lost glory. India should perceive this positively as it boosts a multipolar Asian power structure. As the longest-serving Prime Minister of Japan, Abe has inculcated an India legacy under his leadership. It was Abe’s 2007 speech in the Indian Parliament on “Confluence of the Two Seas” that set the tone for the present Indo-Pacific undercurrents. Abe’s arrival for a third term as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2014-2017 coincided with the arrival of parallelly strong leadership in New Delhi with Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India, translating into a ‘leadership friendship’ framework that has deeply guided their relationship. More importantly, they have begun revitalising the Quad in the Indo-Pacific narrative. Abe is also pursuing a more independent spectrum of security thinking. If not entirely a departure from its past “alliance structure” framework of international posturing with the United States, Tokyo’s attempt is to explore a new spectrum of security alignments through a fresh mode of policies and partnerships, including India in regional affairs. Japan’s vision of a harmonious regional order that Abe’s nationalist foreign policy is trying to emphasise through its “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” advocacy complements India’s nuanced Indo-Pacific outlook. Maintaining strategic restraint has become principal to strengthen national security and defence posturing and rebuilding ties with China is an important part of it. This further adds to India’s ‘inclusive’ Indo-Pacific construct that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pitching to promote stable relations with Beijing. Likewise, Indian foreign policy is currently boosting a new level of confidence with Tokyo. The recent two-plus-two ministerial dialogue has certainly enhanced their strategic and economic strides. India under Modi 2.0 is set to overtake the United Kingdom as the fifth largest global economy in nominal terms and is positioned to overtake Japan by 2025 to become the second-largest economy in Asia-Pacific. India’s national narrative has imbibed a nationalist character – focusing on economic growth and technological progression with schemes like ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, and ‘Aayushman Bharat’. Such schemes must encourage the participation of Japan as a serious and longstanding partner, especially in the field of technology. Technology was, in fact, a focal point during Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Tokyo in September 2019. While defence ties are on the upswing, the field of technology too offers a plethora of convergences. Aside from some joint projects (of which the Delhi Metro network, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor are few potent examples) and the acquisitions of Indian companies like Camlin by Japanese businesses, the technology business-business cooperation is still very low. Past ventures between Japan and India however, albeit less, have been extremely successful like Maruti Suzuki’s dominance in Indian automobile sector and the planned undersea cable from Chennai to Andaman-Nicobar. The 2018 technology partnership between Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, is focused on major research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and may further expand to 5G and robotics. 5G happens to be a potential key area of facilitation between the two and something that could be a focal point of cooperation. India plans on being an early adopter of 5G technology and Japanese aid could facilitate the same. Another possible avenue of discussion should be the Osaka Track, a policy proposal by Shinzo Abe at the G-20 summit in 2019 that calls for the creation of international guidelines and rules for free movement of data beyond country lines. However, there exists some friction with India seriously considering data localisation through legislative action and refusing to sign the statement affirming the Track. In an otherwise untarnished, uncomplicated and decades-old relationship, it is important for Japan to accommodate and resolve such issues, particularly at a time when both countries are looking for a greater international partnership, including renegotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to board India as a free-trading regional partner. Japan’s willingness not to exclude India from the RCEP is a testimony of this strengthened partnership. Further, a refreshed theory in multilateral cooperation vis-à-vis infrastructural and economic growth is called for. A renewed outlook by Japan, in lieu of Asian Development Bank (ADB), to become a member of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) can be beneficial in improving India-Japan bilateral ties and regional cooperation, given that India is a founding member of the AIIB. With India’s defence procurement getting versatile, the recently concluded inaugural two-plus-two ministerial dialogue signals a new opportunity for Japan to explore the Indian domestic defence market afresh. Tokyo on its part hopes to enter the global arms market by leaving behind its self-imposed 1967 Arms Export ban, otherwise known as the Three Principles Exports Ban. The rebirth of the Japanese defence industry can only be possible via arms trade. The negotiations over the logistics pact, Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which will allow access to bases of the Indian Navy and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), has brought the requisite confidence aided by the successful maritime exercises. Concrete talk on the Japanese amphibian aircraft, ShinMaywa US-2i and the recent cooperative understanding between India’s Mahindra Defence and ShinMaywa Industries Limited of Japan over the same is setting a new benchmark on technology transfer cooperation. Also, defence technology sharing is increasing between Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistical Agency (ATLA) and the Department of Defence Production (DDP). In the charged Indo-Pacific geopolitical scenario, Modi and Abe have set an ideal example of using personal chemistry to forward mutually advantageous policy outlooks. It does require some reworking – their partnership must be restructured beyond the excessive US-centred Indo-Pacific framework, and the current US-China and South Korea-Japan tension must encourage them to realise their respective national strength to nurture a partnership that is independent of alliance-alignment politics. Their mutual appreciation as ‘natural partners’ must imbibe national developmental patterns, with a focus on technological collaboration. Both must realise the virtual reality and new possibilities offered by information technology to capitalise on them collaboratively. It is not difficult to realise that the world will live in an age of information technology rather than in age of the Indo-Pacific that is often made out to be the capital of India-Japan partnership. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

National narratives guiding India-Japan ties

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday reacted to reports of the postponement of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/japanese-pm-shinzo-abes-visit-to-india-postponed-268081">Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India</a>.

"It will be a blot on our country," Banerjee said.

The external affairs ministry on Friday confirmed that Abe's visit to India has been postponed and will take place later on a mutually convenient date.

According to reports, Abe's visit was to take place in India's Northeast region. The northeast has been rocked by massive protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on India, Japan defer Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's visit to mutually convenient date in near future: It will be a blot on our country. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/hTkzPPtiCC">pic.twitter.com/hTkzPPtiCC</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1205417930457935872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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On Thursday, at least two people were killed in police firing as mobs continued to protest against the Bill that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from&nbsp;Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.&nbsp;

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bangladesh-minister-has-given-explanation-for-cancelling-his-india-visit-mea-267936">also cancelled their trips to India</a> amid protests against a citizenship bill.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday reacted to reports of the postponement of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India. "It will be a blot on our country," Banerjee said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday reacted to reports of the postponement of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India. "It will be a blot on our country," Banerjee said. The external affairs ministry on Friday confirmed that Abe's visit to India has been postponed and will take place later on a mutually convenient date. According to reports, Abe's visit was to take place in India's Northeast region. The northeast has been rocked by massive protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on India, Japan defer Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's visit to mutually convenient date in near future: It will be a blot on our country. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/hTkzPPtiCC — ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2019 × On Thursday, at least two people were killed in police firing as mobs continued to protest against the Bill that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal have also cancelled their trips to India amid protests against a citizenship bill.

Blot on our country: Mamata reacts as Japanese PM's India visit gets deferred

The Japanese Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-might-cancel-india-trip-report-268002">Shinzo Abe's </a>visit to India has been postponed to a later date, the Indian foreign ministry confirmed on Friday.

As per sources, the visit was scheduled to be held in India's Northeast region, where massive protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has led to unrest.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed the postponement through a tweet, adding that a mutually convenient date would be decided in the future.&nbsp;

"With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future,"the MEA spokseperson said in a tweet.&nbsp;

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With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM <a href="https://twitter.com/AbeShinzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AbeShinzo</a> to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future.
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1205404342196424710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Abe was scheduled to arrive in India on December 15 for the seond annual bilateral summit between India and Japan. It was also expected that Japanese PM will pay a visit to northeast's Imphal and thereby becoming first Japanese PM to visit the region.&nbsp;

The protests in the northeastern region, especially in Assam continue against the Bill that intends to give citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.&nbsp;

On Thursday, two people were killed in Assam's Guwahati, while in many states police and other vehicles were set on fire.&nbsp;

The citizenship bill provides Indian citizenship to the people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, to India due to religious persecution.

(with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India has been postponed to a later date, the Indian foreign ministry confirmed on Friday. As per sources, the visit was scheduled to be held in India's Northeast region, where massive protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has led to unrest.

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India has been postponed to a later date, the Indian foreign ministry confirmed on Friday. As per sources, the visit was scheduled to be held in India's Northeast region, where massive protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has led to unrest. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed the postponement through a tweet, adding that a mutually convenient date would be decided in the future. "With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future,"the MEA spokseperson said in a tweet. With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM @AbeShinzo to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future. — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) December 13, 2019 × Abe was scheduled to arrive in India on December 15 for the seond annual bilateral summit between India and Japan. It was also expected that Japanese PM will pay a visit to northeast's Imphal and thereby becoming first Japanese PM to visit the region. The protests in the northeastern region, especially in Assam continue against the Bill that intends to give citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. On Thursday, two people were killed in Assam's Guwahati, while in many states police and other vehicles were set on fire. The citizenship bill provides Indian citizenship to the people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, to India due to religious persecution. (with inputs from agencies)

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's visit to India postponed

Japan PM Shinzo Abe uncertain over visit to India amid Citizenship Act protests

Japan unveiled tax measures on Thursday aimed at encouraging companies to spend their cash piles on start-ups and other investments and stimulating a slowing economy, while also helping firms to compete with China's advance in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/telefonica-deutschland-picks-nokia-and-huawei-for-5g-network-267684">5G technology</a>.

The annual tax revision for fiscal 2020, formally decided by the ruling<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-britain-heads-to-polls-a-glance-at-last-three-elections-267767"> Liberal Democratic Party</a> (LDP) and its coalition ally Komeito party, focused on steps to encourage Japanese firms to spend their internal reserves of over 460 trillion yen ($4.23 trillion), lawmakers said.

For years Japanese companies have been sitting on a record cash-pile as they remain wary about boosting wages and investment.

Japan's economy grew at an annualised rate of 1.8 per cent&nbsp;in July-September, backed by capital spending and domestic demand, but analysts expect growth to slow in the current quarter as the Sino-US&nbsp;trade war and the national sales tax hike likely weighed on the world's third-largest economy.

Weak business spending would be another blow to Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-asks-japan-to-reduce-trade-surplus-before-abes-visit-267468"> Shinzo Abe</a>'s stimulus policy, or "Abenomics", which is aimed at stoking a cycle of higher wages, household, and corporate incomes and spending.

The new scheme will allow a 15 per cent tax break to mobile phone carriers and other businesses investing in 5G infrastructure to help domestic firms compete with China's strides in the next-generation communications network.

The roll-out of 5G networks, with speeds fast enough to download a movie to a smartphone in seconds, has raised security concerns in the United States over equipment for the upgrade supplied by Chinese telecommunication firm <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/huawei-to-roll-out-harmony-os-to-more-products-next-year-but-not-phones-and-tablets-267130">Huawei</a>.

"5G taxation marks the beginning of a new era as information technology greatly includes the national security point of view," LDP tax panel Chief Akira Amari told reporters after a meeting with ruling bloc lawmakers approved the tax revision.

"With this tax revision, I believe we managed to raise a flag so that Japan can lead America and EU on 5G development," Amari said. He made no mention of China.

Japanese companies eligible for the tax incentive will include mobile phone operators, and those preparing 5G networks for smart factories and smart agriculture using artificial intelligence in rural areas.

The overall tax revision is expected to have no big impact on annual tax revenue, Amari added.

The revision follows Abe's announcement last week that the government will roll out fiscal stimulus worth 13.2 trillion yen in spending.

The tax revision for the next fiscal year also includes preferential treatment for companies investing in businesses focusing on innovative technologies.

The new scheme will also allow businesses that invest 100 million yen or more in start-ups established less than a decade earlier, to deduct 25 per cent&nbsp;of that investment from taxable income.

Japan unveiled tax measures on Thursday aimed at encouraging companies to spend their cash piles on start-ups and other investments and stimulating a slowing economy, while also helping firms to compete with China's advance in 5G technology.

Japan unveiled tax measures on Thursday aimed at encouraging companies to spend their cash piles on start-ups and other investments and stimulating a slowing economy, while also helping firms to compete with China's advance in 5G technology. The annual tax revision for fiscal 2020, formally decided by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition ally Komeito party, focused on steps to encourage Japanese firms to spend their internal reserves of over 460 trillion yen ($4.23 trillion), lawmakers said. For years Japanese companies have been sitting on a record cash-pile as they remain wary about boosting wages and investment. Japan's economy grew at an annualised rate of 1.8 per cent in July-September, backed by capital spending and domestic demand, but analysts expect growth to slow in the current quarter as the Sino-US trade war and the national sales tax hike likely weighed on the world's third-largest economy. Weak business spending would be another blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's stimulus policy, or "Abenomics", which is aimed at stoking a cycle of higher wages, household, and corporate incomes and spending. The new scheme will allow a 15 per cent tax break to mobile phone carriers and other businesses investing in 5G infrastructure to help domestic firms compete with China's strides in the next-generation communications network. The roll-out of 5G networks, with speeds fast enough to download a movie to a smartphone in seconds, has raised security concerns in the United States over equipment for the upgrade supplied by Chinese telecommunication firm Huawei. "5G taxation marks the beginning of a new era as information technology greatly includes the national security point of view," LDP tax panel Chief Akira Amari told reporters after a meeting with ruling bloc lawmakers approved the tax revision. "With this tax revision, I believe we managed to raise a flag so that Japan can lead America and EU on 5G development," Amari said. He made no mention of China. Japanese companies eligible for the tax incentive will include mobile phone operators, and those preparing 5G networks for smart factories and smart agriculture using artificial intelligence in rural areas. The overall tax revision is expected to have no big impact on annual tax revenue, Amari added. The revision follows Abe's announcement last week that the government will roll out fiscal stimulus worth 13.2 trillion yen in spending. The tax revision for the next fiscal year also includes preferential treatment for companies investing in businesses focusing on innovative technologies. The new scheme will also allow businesses that invest 100 million yen or more in start-ups established less than a decade earlier, to deduct 25 per cent of that investment from taxable income.

Japan tax revision targets corporate cashpile to spur spending, 5G investment

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the governments of India and Japan to constitute the 'India-Japan Steel Dialogue' to strengthen cooperation in the steel sector. 
 
The 'India-Japan Steel Dialogue' envisages enhancement of mutual understanding to secure sustainable growth in the steel sector, read a statement. 
 
It aims to examine all aspects of cooperation in the steel sector including the promotion of investment in high-grade steel-making and finding new avenues of steel usage in India. The MoC will help in capacity building for high-grade steel manufacturing in India.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the governments of India and Japan to constitute the 'India-Japan Steel Dialogue' to strengthen cooperation in the steel sector.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the governments of India and Japan to constitute the 'India-Japan Steel Dialogue' to strengthen cooperation in the steel sector. The 'India-Japan Steel Dialogue' envisages enhancement of mutual understanding to secure sustainable growth in the steel sector, read a statement. It aims to examine all aspects of cooperation in the steel sector including the promotion of investment in high-grade steel-making and finding new avenues of steel usage in India. The MoC will help in capacity building for high-grade steel manufacturing in India.

Cabinet approves steel pact between India-Japan

India asked Japan on Tuesday to take steps to reduce the Japanese trade surplus and sought more market access for Indian goods and services, a government statement said, before Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit next week.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abe plan to hold a summit in eastern India's city of Guwahati on December 15-16. During Modi's visit to Tokyo last year, they agreed to seek closer economic and military ties as both countries are wary of China.

Bilateral trade between the two countries rose to $17.63 billion in 2018/19 from $10.9 billion in 2008/09. The trade balance widened to $7.9 billion in favour of Japan.

Despite India's decision to walk out of an ASEAN-led 15- nation regional free-trade pact, Japan is still hopeful that Modi will reconsider his decision, officials said.

Piyush Goyal, India's trade minister, has raised the issue of the widening trade deficit with his counterpart, Hiroshi Kajiyama. They discussed bilateral trade issues and the next review of the free trade pact, signed by the two countries in 2011.

"Balancing trade is a high priority for India with all partners," said the statement, adding both ministers agreed to ask their officials to prepare a plan to address the issues.

"Despite commitments in CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) from Japan, market access for India’s goods and services remains elusive," it said.

Goyal later told the parliament that the government was committed to further India’s trade interests in all future engagements.

India asked Japan on Tuesday to take steps to reduce the Japanese trade surplus and sought more market access for Indian goods and services, a government statement said, before Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit next week.

India asked Japan on Tuesday to take steps to reduce the Japanese trade surplus and sought more market access for Indian goods and services, a government statement said, before Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit next week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abe plan to hold a summit in eastern India's city of Guwahati on December 15-16. During Modi's visit to Tokyo last year, they agreed to seek closer economic and military ties as both countries are wary of China. Bilateral trade between the two countries rose to $17.63 billion in 2018/19 from $10.9 billion in 2008/09. The trade balance widened to $7.9 billion in favour of Japan. Despite India's decision to walk out of an ASEAN-led 15- nation regional free-trade pact, Japan is still hopeful that Modi will reconsider his decision, officials said. Piyush Goyal, India's trade minister, has raised the issue of the widening trade deficit with his counterpart, Hiroshi Kajiyama. They discussed bilateral trade issues and the next review of the free trade pact, signed by the two countries in 2011. "Balancing trade is a high priority for India with all partners," said the statement, adding both ministers agreed to ask their officials to prepare a plan to address the issues. "Despite commitments in CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) from Japan, market access for India’s goods and services remains elusive," it said. Goyal later told the parliament that the government was committed to further India’s trade interests in all future engagements.

India asks Japan to reduce trade surplus before Abe's visit

Japan's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/in-a-first-us-approved-drone-delivers-donuts-to-doorstep-3079">7-Eleven </a>convenience store chain, already under nationwide scrutiny over labor issues, admitted on Tuesday that the company had been underpaying workers for years due to miscalculations.

The chain, a unit of Japanese retail group <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-capital-braces-for-what-could-be-worst-typhoon-in-60-years-255362">Seven &amp; I Holdings</a>, confirmed errors going back to 2012 and affecting 8,000 stores and over 30,000 workers. The total missed payments amounted to about 490 million yen ($4.5 million), it said.

The error was spotted by labor standards inspectors in September, the company said, confirming an earlier report by financial daily <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/japans-stock-exchange-nikkei-posts-biggest-weekly-gain-in-over-6-years-2577">Nikkei</a>.

"We deeply apologize to our franchise stores and employees for this problem," the company said in a statement, adding that it would ensure the overdue payments will be paid out.

The convenience store chain has been under pressure to review its 24-hour store policy, with franchise owners struggling to keep stores staffed around the clock amid the tightest labor market in 40 years.

The company has been testing shorter hours at some stores after the plight of some franchise owners attracted nationwide attention.

The 7-Eleven stores, which originated in the United States but are now owned by Japan's Seven &amp; I, expanded rapidly since the 1970s as their 24-hour accessibility proved a perfect match with the country's dense population and late-night work culture.

Until recently, the convenience store industry's high margins and strong growth were the envy of the rest of Japan's retail sector that was struggling with pricing pressure and lean consumer spending.

Analysts, however, say the convenience store market is now highly saturated and a demographic crunch means the industry has little room for growth.

Japan's 7-Eleven convenience store chain, already under nationwide scrutiny over labor issues, admitted on Tuesday that the company had been underpaying workers for years due to miscalculations.

Japan's 7-Eleven convenience store chain, already under nationwide scrutiny over labor issues, admitted on Tuesday that the company had been underpaying workers for years due to miscalculations. The chain, a unit of Japanese retail group Seven & I Holdings, confirmed errors going back to 2012 and affecting 8,000 stores and over 30,000 workers. The total missed payments amounted to about 490 million yen ($4.5 million), it said. The error was spotted by labor standards inspectors in September, the company said, confirming an earlier report by financial daily Nikkei. "We deeply apologize to our franchise stores and employees for this problem," the company said in a statement, adding that it would ensure the overdue payments will be paid out. The convenience store chain has been under pressure to review its 24-hour store policy, with franchise owners struggling to keep stores staffed around the clock amid the tightest labor market in 40 years. The company has been testing shorter hours at some stores after the plight of some franchise owners attracted nationwide attention. The 7-Eleven stores, which originated in the United States but are now owned by Japan's Seven & I, expanded rapidly since the 1970s as their 24-hour accessibility proved a perfect match with the country's dense population and late-night work culture. Until recently, the convenience store industry's high margins and strong growth were the envy of the rest of Japan's retail sector that was struggling with pricing pressure and lean consumer spending. Analysts, however, say the convenience store market is now highly saturated and a demographic crunch means the industry has little room for growth.

Japan's 7-Eleven admits it underpaid staff for years

Japanese trade minister Hiroshi Kajiyama will be meeting his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal on Tuesday in New Delhi. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be the top focus during the meeting tomorrow.

Japan is keen that India joins the RCEP from which New Delhi had withdrawn in November during the East Asia Summit. India said that the outcome of the pact is not a balanced one and does not provide adequate protection against import surge among other things.

Earlier this month, the Japanese foreign minister said that, "Japan is making diplomatic efforts to realize the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with the participation of all 16 countries, including India".

Explaining his government's position Kajiyama said, "what is driving our efforts is Japan’s firm conviction that the framework of the RCEP can truly boost the region’s economic potential only with the participation of India" which is the "world’s most populous democratic country and a major strategic player connecting the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean."

RCEP deal is expected to go ahead with 15 countries. The negotiation for the deal started in 2012 in Cambodia and will be one of the biggest free trade agreement in the world. 
&nbsp;

Japanese trade minister Hiroshi Kajiyama will be meeting his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal on Tuesday in New Delhi. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be the top focus during the meeting tomorrow.

Japanese trade minister Hiroshi Kajiyama will be meeting his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal on Tuesday in New Delhi. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be the top focus during the meeting tomorrow. Japan is keen that India joins the RCEP from which New Delhi had withdrawn in November during the East Asia Summit. India said that the outcome of the pact is not a balanced one and does not provide adequate protection against import surge among other things. Earlier this month, the Japanese foreign minister said that, "Japan is making diplomatic efforts to realize the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with the participation of all 16 countries, including India". Explaining his government's position Kajiyama said, "what is driving our efforts is Japan’s firm conviction that the framework of the RCEP can truly boost the region’s economic potential only with the participation of India" which is the "world’s most populous democratic country and a major strategic player connecting the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean." RCEP deal is expected to go ahead with 15 countries. The negotiation for the deal started in 2012 in Cambodia and will be one of the biggest free trade agreement in the world.

With RECP in focus, Japanese trade minister to meet Piyush Goyal on Tuesday 

Japan's markets watchdog will likely recommend soon that the financial regulator fine Nissan Motor Co Ltd about 2.4 billion yen ($22 million) over false reporting on its financial statement, public broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday.

Nissan's former Chairman Carlos Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo in November last year over allegations of financial misconduct, including understating his salary by around 9.1 billion yen ($84.71 million) over a period of nearly a decade and temporarily transferring personal financial losses to the books of Nissan, Japan's number&nbsp;2 automaker.

Reuters reported in June that Nissan would be fined up to 4 billion yen and it may receive a reduced fine of around 2.4 billion yen if the automaker filed documentation to the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC) before the formal investigation begins, citing a source.

The fine would cover a four-year period through March 2018, the source previously told Reuters.

Nissan and the SESC could not immediately be reached for comment.

Japan's markets watchdog will likely recommend soon that the financial regulator fine Nissan Motor Co Ltd about 2.4 billion yen ($22 million) over false reporting on its financial statement, public broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday.

Japan's markets watchdog will likely recommend soon that the financial regulator fine Nissan Motor Co Ltd about 2.4 billion yen ($22 million) over false reporting on its financial statement, public broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday. Nissan's former Chairman Carlos Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo in November last year over allegations of financial misconduct, including understating his salary by around 9.1 billion yen ($84.71 million) over a period of nearly a decade and temporarily transferring personal financial losses to the books of Nissan, Japan's number 2 automaker. Reuters reported in June that Nissan would be fined up to 4 billion yen and it may receive a reduced fine of around 2.4 billion yen if the automaker filed documentation to the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC) before the formal investigation begins, citing a source. The fine would cover a four-year period through March 2018, the source previously told Reuters. Nissan and the SESC could not immediately be reached for comment.

Japan's markets watchdog likely to recommend $22 million fine against Nissan

The people of Afghanistan on Thursday held candlelight vigils in Kabul and Nangarhar as a tribute to Japanse physician and aid worker,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-doctor-and-aid-worker-tetsu-nakamura-shot-dead-in-afghanistan-266200">Tetsu Nakamura</a>&nbsp;who shot dead a day before.&nbsp;

Nakamura&nbsp;was shot dead along with five Afghans including his bodyguards, driver and another passenger in an attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Nakamura, the head of Peace Japan Medical services - known as Peshawar-kai in Japanese - devoted 35 years of his life to healing the wounded in Afghanistan of which he became an honorary citizen last year in October.&nbsp;

The doctor had opened a clinic in a remote village in Afghanistan in 1991, before which he treated leprosy in Pakistanis and sick Afghan refugees. The native Fukuoka had been heading the Nangarhar aid group since 2008.&nbsp;

Nakamura's death sparked intense backlash and outpouring grief from the people of the conflict-ridden region. The doctor's death came a week after a grenade attack on a United Nations vehicle in Kabul increasing fears of the humanitarian workers in Afghanistan.

There was no claim for the responsibility of the attack for which the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-should-accept-us-proposal-for-ceasefire-afghanistan-government-265605">Taliban</a> has denied responsibility claiming to have "good relations"&nbsp;with organisations that "contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan."

The police have launched a search operation to arrest the gunmen who fled the scene said officials who claimed to believe that the doctor was targeted for his work.&nbsp;

"Dr Nakamura has been doing great work in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, especially in irrigation and agriculture," the official said.

Japan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blasts-japans-shinzo-abe-warns-of-real-ballistic-missile-265425">Shinzo Abe</a> on Wednesday said he was “shocked” at the aid worker’s death who risked his life to do “various work” for which the people of Afghanistan were thankful.&nbsp;

"I am shocked that he had to die in this way," Abe told reporters in a news conference in Tokyo.

"He risked his life in a dangerous environment to do various work, and the people of Afghanistan were very grateful to him," he added.

The people of Afghanistan on Thursday held candlelight vigils in Kabul and Nangarhar as a tribute to Japanse physician and aid worker, Tetsu Nakamura who shot dead a day before.

The people of Afghanistan on Thursday held candlelight vigils in Kabul and Nangarhar as a tribute to Japanse physician and aid worker, Tetsu Nakamura who shot dead a day before. Nakamura was shot dead along with five Afghans including his bodyguards, driver and another passenger in an attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday. Nakamura, the head of Peace Japan Medical services - known as Peshawar-kai in Japanese - devoted 35 years of his life to healing the wounded in Afghanistan of which he became an honorary citizen last year in October. The doctor had opened a clinic in a remote village in Afghanistan in 1991, before which he treated leprosy in Pakistanis and sick Afghan refugees. The native Fukuoka had been heading the Nangarhar aid group since 2008. Nakamura's death sparked intense backlash and outpouring grief from the people of the conflict-ridden region. The doctor's death came a week after a grenade attack on a United Nations vehicle in Kabul increasing fears of the humanitarian workers in Afghanistan. There was no claim for the responsibility of the attack for which the Taliban has denied responsibility claiming to have "good relations" with organisations that "contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan." The police have launched a search operation to arrest the gunmen who fled the scene said officials who claimed to believe that the doctor was targeted for his work. "Dr Nakamura has been doing great work in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, especially in irrigation and agriculture," the official said. Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday said he was “shocked” at the aid worker’s death who risked his life to do “various work” for which the people of Afghanistan were thankful. "I am shocked that he had to die in this way," Abe told reporters in a news conference in Tokyo. "He risked his life in a dangerous environment to do various work, and the people of Afghanistan were very grateful to him," he added.

Afghans hold candlelight vigil for slain Japanese aid worker Tetsu Nakamura

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