Japan's PM Shinzo Abe Is In Iran To Broken Peace Between Washington & Tehran. Can Japan's PM Shinzo Abe Pull Off A Truce Between The US & Iran? Abe Is In Tehran For This Very Specific Purpose. Here's A Report

Gravitas: Can Abe Pull Off US-Iran Truce?

&nbsp;Japan wants to make reducing the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nations-agree-significant-plastic-cuts-by-2030-un-203593"> glut of plastic waste in the oceans</a> a priority at the Group of 20 summits it is hosting this month as governments around the world crack down on such pollution.

Images of plastic debris-strewn beaches and dead animals with stomachs full of plastic have sparked outrage, with many countries, including more than two dozen in Africa, banning plastic bags outright.

The EU has voted to outlaw 10 single-use plastic items, including straws, forks and knives, by 2021. It has also set targets for all plastic packaging, the top source of plastic waste, to be recyclable by 2030.

Such moves are setting up a showdown with the oil industry, which is pouring billions into new facilities to produce more plastic and other petrochemical products, particularly in Asia.

Refiners such as India's Reliance Industries and China's Sinopec are seeking new revenue sources as electric cars become more popular and gasoline and diesel demand slow.

"If the world goes the direction of European targets, some markets can go from high growth to low growth or no growth. Profits could suffer," said Jeff Brown, president of energy consultancy FGE in Singapore.

Tackling plastic pollution has been less of a priority in Asia, which is the world's biggest producer of the material - and its waste.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, which is hosting the G20 summit, says he wants his country to lead the world in reducing marine plastic trash, including developing biodegradables and other innovations.

The June 28-29 meeting in Osaka, assembling 20 major economies, including China, Brazil, France and the United States, won't yield an agreement on targets or concrete steps, two officials involved in preparations told Reuters, speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

A more likely outcome is for G20 environment ministers, gathering this weekend in the mountain town of Karuizawa, to propose ways to enact a vaguely worded "action plan" on marine plastic waste introduced at the 2017 summit in Germany.

Plastic Galore

Japan, while not a major marine plastic polluter, is the world's No. 2 consumer of plastic packaging per person after the United States.

Vegetables and fruit sold in supermarkets in Japan are commonly wrapped in plastic, sometimes individually. The cultural emphasis on hygiene, careful packaging and offering products in small portions adds to the problem.

Japanese bureaucrats are working on a law that would require retailers to charge customers for plastic bags - something many supermarkets already do.

Japan also plans to make the medal podiums at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics out of recycled plastic in an attempt to stir consumer awareness about the issue.

Activists say that although efforts to recycle and ban single-use items are needed, reducing plastic production is also crucial.

"There's a misconception that we can recycle our way out of this," said Neil Tangri, global plastics policy adviser at the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives in Berkeley, California.

"My fear is that (G20 leaders) will say that plastic production isn't the problem, it's waste management," he added. "We're saying plastic is a problem you need to tackle at the source."

The world produced about 380 million metric tons of plastic in 2015, according to research published in Science Advances journal. The World Bank says humans generated 242 million tons of plastic waste in 2016.

About 55% of plastic waste was discarded in 2015, 25% incinerated and 20% recycled. But since plastic was introduced into the consumer market in the 1950s, only 9% of the cumulative total has been recycled, the Science Advances study shows.

China Ban

Tackling plastic pollution became more of a global priority after China, which had been accepting a hefty chunk of the world's waste, banned imports at the start of 2018.

Boatloads of plastic debris have been diverted to Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations, overwhelming them. Last month, Malaysia said it would ship 3,000 tons of garbage back to the countries it came from.

Asia is also home to the biggest contributors to the estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic trash that winds up in the ocean each year, according to research published in the journal Science.

The top five marine plastic trash offenders are all in Asia: China and Indonesia - both G-20 members - followed by the Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, that study shows.

Such litter inflicts $1.3 billion in damage annually to fishing, shipping and tourism industries in the Asia-Pacific.

Most commonly used plastic does not biodegrade. Over time in the ocean and exposed to sunlight, it breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics that are ingested by sea creatures, raising concerns about chemicals tainting human sources of food.

Plastic was even found last month at the bottom of the Marianas Trench, off the Philippines, the deepest place on Earth.

More Coming

The plastic output seems poised to increase, particularly in Asia.

The region's leading oil companies, including Sinopec, Reliance, Malaysia's Petronas and China's Hengli Petrochemical, are investing billions of dollars into new petrochemical facilities.

They see opportunities in producing household chemicals and materials for electronic goods, piping, packaging and textiles.

Packaging, which includes everything from plastic bags to bubble wrap, accounts for 44% of plastic production, according to industry estimates.

Tightening government policies could crimp that demand - something oil companies say they are monitoring closely.

"If the world keeps introducing bans on plastic bags and straws, our sales would decrease," said an official at a South Korean petrochemical maker, who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

"But plastic is still widely used in the industrial sector ... and demand from developing countries is growing," he said. "In the long term, we are looking to develop environment-friendly materials and plastics."

Japan's petrochemical industry wants to cooperate in tackling environmental issues, Takashi Tsukioka, the head of the Petroleum Association of Japan, told a news conference last month. Still, he warned that replacing plastic straws with wooden ones could lead to deforestation.

"We should, in the first place, focus on separating and recycling, which Japan has been doing, and then seek broad solutions, instead of jumping quickly to one approach," he said. "In the end, we should promote innovation."

Japan wants to make reducing the glut of plastic waste in the oceans a priority at the Group of 20 summits it is hosting this month as governments around the world crack down on such pollution.

Japan wants to make reducing the glut of plastic waste in the oceans a priority at the Group of 20 summits it is hosting this month as governments around the world crack down on such pollution. Images of plastic debris-strewn beaches and dead animals with stomachs full of plastic have sparked outrage, with many countries, including more than two dozen in Africa, banning plastic bags outright. The EU has voted to outlaw 10 single-use plastic items, including straws, forks and knives, by 2021. It has also set targets for all plastic packaging, the top source of plastic waste, to be recyclable by 2030. Such moves are setting up a showdown with the oil industry, which is pouring billions into new facilities to produce more plastic and other petrochemical products, particularly in Asia. Refiners such as India's Reliance Industries and China's Sinopec are seeking new revenue sources as electric cars become more popular and gasoline and diesel demand slow. "If the world goes the direction of European targets, some markets can go from high growth to low growth or no growth. Profits could suffer," said Jeff Brown, president of energy consultancy FGE in Singapore. Tackling plastic pollution has been less of a priority in Asia, which is the world's biggest producer of the material - and its waste. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, which is hosting the G20 summit, says he wants his country to lead the world in reducing marine plastic trash, including developing biodegradables and other innovations. The June 28-29 meeting in Osaka, assembling 20 major economies, including China, Brazil, France and the United States, won't yield an agreement on targets or concrete steps, two officials involved in preparations told Reuters, speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to speak to the media. A more likely outcome is for G20 environment ministers, gathering this weekend in the mountain town of Karuizawa, to propose ways to enact a vaguely worded "action plan" on marine plastic waste introduced at the 2017 summit in Germany. Plastic Galore Japan, while not a major marine plastic polluter, is the world's No. 2 consumer of plastic packaging per person after the United States. Vegetables and fruit sold in supermarkets in Japan are commonly wrapped in plastic, sometimes individually. The cultural emphasis on hygiene, careful packaging and offering products in small portions adds to the problem. Japanese bureaucrats are working on a law that would require retailers to charge customers for plastic bags - something many supermarkets already do. Japan also plans to make the medal podiums at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics out of recycled plastic in an attempt to stir consumer awareness about the issue. Activists say that although efforts to recycle and ban single-use items are needed, reducing plastic production is also crucial. "There's a misconception that we can recycle our way out of this," said Neil Tangri, global plastics policy adviser at the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives in Berkeley, California. "My fear is that (G20 leaders) will say that plastic production isn't the problem, it's waste management," he added. "We're saying plastic is a problem you need to tackle at the source." The world produced about 380 million metric tons of plastic in 2015, according to research published in Science Advances journal. The World Bank says humans generated 242 million tons of plastic waste in 2016. About 55% of plastic waste was discarded in 2015, 25% incinerated and 20% recycled. But since plastic was introduced into the consumer market in the 1950s, only 9% of the cumulative total has been recycled, the Science Advances study shows. China Ban Tackling plastic pollution became more of a global priority after China, which had been accepting a hefty chunk of the world's waste, banned imports at the start of 2018. Boatloads of plastic debris have been diverted to Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations, overwhelming them. Last month, Malaysia said it would ship 3,000 tons of garbage back to the countries it came from. Asia is also home to the biggest contributors to the estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic trash that winds up in the ocean each year, according to research published in the journal Science. The top five marine plastic trash offenders are all in Asia: China and Indonesia - both G-20 members - followed by the Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, that study shows. Such litter inflicts $1.3 billion in damage annually to fishing, shipping and tourism industries in the Asia-Pacific. Most commonly used plastic does not biodegrade. Over time in the ocean and exposed to sunlight, it breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics that are ingested by sea creatures, raising concerns about chemicals tainting human sources of food. Plastic was even found last month at the bottom of the Marianas Trench, off the Philippines, the deepest place on Earth. More Coming The plastic output seems poised to increase, particularly in Asia. The region's leading oil companies, including Sinopec, Reliance, Malaysia's Petronas and China's Hengli Petrochemical, are investing billions of dollars into new petrochemical facilities. They see opportunities in producing household chemicals and materials for electronic goods, piping, packaging and textiles. Packaging, which includes everything from plastic bags to bubble wrap, accounts for 44% of plastic production, according to industry estimates. Tightening government policies could crimp that demand - something oil companies say they are monitoring closely. "If the world keeps introducing bans on plastic bags and straws, our sales would decrease," said an official at a South Korean petrochemical maker, who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media. "But plastic is still widely used in the industrial sector ... and demand from developing countries is growing," he said. "In the long term, we are looking to develop environment-friendly materials and plastics." Japan's petrochemical industry wants to cooperate in tackling environmental issues, Takashi Tsukioka, the head of the Petroleum Association of Japan, told a news conference last month. Still, he warned that replacing plastic straws with wooden ones could lead to deforestation. "We should, in the first place, focus on separating and recycling, which Japan has been doing, and then seek broad solutions, instead of jumping quickly to one approach," he said. "In the end, we should promote innovation."

G20 to tackle ocean plastic waste as petrochemical producers expand in Asia

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-ask-japans-abe-to-mediate-over-us-oil-sanctions-officials-226578">Iran's President Hassan Rouhani</a> said Wednesday he expects a "very positive change" in the Middle East and the world if the US stops its economic pressure against the Islamic republic through sanctions.

"If there are some tensions, (their) roots stem from America's economic war against Iran. Whenever it stops we will witness a very positive change in the region and the world," Rouhani said at a joint news conference in Tehran with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

This comes after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks with Iranian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-ask-japans-abe-to-mediate-over-us-oil-sanctions-officials-226578">Hassan Rouhani</a> in Tehran on Wednesday during a rare diplomatic mission aimed at defusing tensions between the Islamic republic and Tokyo's ally Washington.

Abe, the first <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-ask-japans-abe-to-mediate-over-us-oil-sanctions-officials-226578">Japanese prime minister</a> to visit Iran in 41 years, was received by Rouhani at the Sadabad presidential palace where they began a closed-door meeting, an AFP reporter said.

He is expected to meet Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Thursday morning.

Addressing a cabinet meeting ahead of the visit, Rouhani said Iran's leaders and people were united in their view that "the main culprit is America. Not a single individual doubts it."

"The (US) pressure has reached its full strength," he told the cabinet.

Tehran is locked in a bitter standoff with Washington after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-and-kim-one-year-on-a-beautiful-letter-stalled-diplomacy-226425">US President Donald Trump</a> withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal in May last year.

Washington has since reimposed crippling unilateral sanctions -- which have forced Japan to halt its once-substantial purchases of Iranian oil -- and launched a military buildup in the Gulf.

"Amid concerns over growing tension in the Middle East and with the attention of the international community on the issue, Japan wishes to do its best towards peace and stability in the region," Abe told reporters before leaving for Tehran.

"Based on traditional friendly ties between Japan and Iran, I would like to have candid exchanges of opinions with President Rouhani and supreme leader Khamenei towards easing tensions," &nbsp;he said.

Abe's Foreign Minister Taro Kono was also in Iran where he met his counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Watch: Trump won't rule out war with Iran

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Lower the temperature

Japanese government officials said Abe would not present Tehran with a list of demands or deliver a message from Washington, but instead wanted to play the role of a neutral intermediary.

Abe discussed "the situation in Iran" in a telephone call with Trump on Tuesday, a Japanese government spokesman said.

A government official said Abe will not be in Tehran to "mediate between Iran and the US" and that "easing tensions" was the prime purpose.

"He might touch upon the subject (of mediation) but that does not necessarily mean he is delivering a message" from Washington, he added.

Japan is hoping to lower the temperature, officials say.

Abe won Trump's blessing for the mediation mission when the US president visited Tokyo last month.

"We believe it is extremely important that, at the leadership level, we call on Iran as a major regional power to ease tension, to adhere to the nuclear agreement and to play a constructive role for the region's stability," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.

Substantial obstacles

Iranian newspapers were divided along conservative-reformist lines in their assessment of Abe's visit.

The reformist Sazandegi daily ran a front-page cartoon of Abe in full samurai armour, a rolled piece of paper in one hand and a shield on the other.

In an accompanying article headlined "A samurai in Tehran," the paper said everyone was waiting to see "Tehran's reaction to Japan's initiative to raise its international standing by mediating as both Washington's ally and Iran's friend."

The ultraconservative Javan daily warned that "Iran and Japan minus America" could be a winning formula for Abe, but "Japan as America's intermediary in Iran" would fail given the deep mistrust of the US.

Other Iranian commentators said Abe could pass messages between the two sides.

"Mr. Abe's visit comes right after meeting Mr. Trump in Japan, so the Americans are interested in using this channel," Ebrahim Rahimpour, a former deputy foreign minister, told Iran's Shargh daily.

But while Tokyo has longstanding trade ties with Tehran and a strategic alliance with Washington, experts say Abe has little leverage with either side and mediation will be an uphill struggle.

The trip by the Japanese premier "faces substantial obstacles and is unlikely to bear fruit," said Tobias Harris, an analyst at Teneo consultancy group.

"While Japan has good relationships with countries on both sides, these relationships do not necessarily translate into influence."

&nbsp;

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday he expects a "very positive change" in the Middle East and the world if the US stops its economic pressure against the Islamic republic through sanctions.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday he expects a "very positive change" in the Middle East and the world if the US stops its economic pressure against the Islamic republic through sanctions. "If there are some tensions, (their) roots stem from America's economic war against Iran. Whenever it stops we will witness a very positive change in the region and the world," Rouhani said at a joint news conference in Tehran with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. This comes after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on Wednesday during a rare diplomatic mission aimed at defusing tensions between the Islamic republic and Tokyo's ally Washington. Abe, the first Japanese prime minister to visit Iran in 41 years, was received by Rouhani at the Sadabad presidential palace where they began a closed-door meeting, an AFP reporter said. He is expected to meet Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Thursday morning. Addressing a cabinet meeting ahead of the visit, Rouhani said Iran's leaders and people were united in their view that "the main culprit is America. Not a single individual doubts it." "The (US) pressure has reached its full strength," he told the cabinet. Tehran is locked in a bitter standoff with Washington after US President Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal in May last year. Washington has since reimposed crippling unilateral sanctions -- which have forced Japan to halt its once-substantial purchases of Iranian oil -- and launched a military buildup in the Gulf. "Amid concerns over growing tension in the Middle East and with the attention of the international community on the issue, Japan wishes to do its best towards peace and stability in the region," Abe told reporters before leaving for Tehran. "Based on traditional friendly ties between Japan and Iran, I would like to have candid exchanges of opinions with President Rouhani and supreme leader Khamenei towards easing tensions," he said. Abe's Foreign Minister Taro Kono was also in Iran where he met his counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif. Watch: Trump won't rule out war with Iran × Lower the temperature Japanese government officials said Abe would not present Tehran with a list of demands or deliver a message from Washington, but instead wanted to play the role of a neutral intermediary. Abe discussed "the situation in Iran" in a telephone call with Trump on Tuesday, a Japanese government spokesman said. A government official said Abe will not be in Tehran to "mediate between Iran and the US" and that "easing tensions" was the prime purpose. "He might touch upon the subject (of mediation) but that does not necessarily mean he is delivering a message" from Washington, he added. Japan is hoping to lower the temperature, officials say. Abe won Trump's blessing for the mediation mission when the US president visited Tokyo last month. "We believe it is extremely important that, at the leadership level, we call on Iran as a major regional power to ease tension, to adhere to the nuclear agreement and to play a constructive role for the region's stability," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said. Substantial obstacles Iranian newspapers were divided along conservative-reformist lines in their assessment of Abe's visit. The reformist Sazandegi daily ran a front-page cartoon of Abe in full samurai armour, a rolled piece of paper in one hand and a shield on the other. In an accompanying article headlined "A samurai in Tehran," the paper said everyone was waiting to see "Tehran's reaction to Japan's initiative to raise its international standing by mediating as both Washington's ally and Iran's friend." The ultraconservative Javan daily warned that "Iran and Japan minus America" could be a winning formula for Abe, but "Japan as America's intermediary in Iran" would fail given the deep mistrust of the US. Other Iranian commentators said Abe could pass messages between the two sides. "Mr. Abe's visit comes right after meeting Mr. Trump in Japan, so the Americans are interested in using this channel," Ebrahim Rahimpour, a former deputy foreign minister, told Iran's Shargh daily. But while Tokyo has longstanding trade ties with Tehran and a strategic alliance with Washington, experts say Abe has little leverage with either side and mediation will be an uphill struggle. The trip by the Japanese premier "faces substantial obstacles and is unlikely to bear fruit," said Tobias Harris, an analyst at Teneo consultancy group. "While Japan has good relationships with countries on both sides, these relationships do not necessarily translate into influence."

Iran president expects 'positive change' if US ends 'economic war'

Medallists at next year's <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/mission-is-to-get-gold-for-india-mary-kom-wants-to-retire-after-tokyo-olympics-224998&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwib5Ia7jOHiAhVTjeYKHa5XCRIQFjADegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2EJo17Wocb7nG2kCO8MDfQ">Summer Olympics</a> will stand on podiums made from recycled plastic waste collected from local households or the ocean, Tokyo 2020 organisers said on Tuesday.

From June 13, collection boxes will be set up at more than 2,000 outlets of local supermarket chain AEON for residents to deposit any unwanted plastic items for the podiums project, organisers said.

They are looking to collect as much as 45 tonnes of plastic to make the approximately 100 podiums needed for next summer’s showpiece, they said.

It would be the first time <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/kt-irfan-becomes-first-indian-athlete-to-qualify-for-tokyo-olympics-203859&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwib5Ia7jOHiAhVTjeYKHa5XCRIQFjAAegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OhNdCBJG1dcJfrLMTI0KW">Olympic </a>podiums were made from recycled material.

Organisers have sought to frame the Games as environmentally friendly and a mechanism to bring about sustainable change in Japan, which, along with the United States, did not sign on to the G7's ocean plastics charter in 2018.

The medals for the Games are being forged from recycled metal collected from old mobile phones and other electronic devices, while the uniforms to be worn by runners in the torch relay will be partially made from recycled plastic bottles.

Medallists at next year's Summer Olympics will stand on podiums made from recycled plastic waste collected from local households or the ocean, Tokyo 2020 organisers said on Tuesday.

Medallists at next year's Summer Olympics will stand on podiums made from recycled plastic waste collected from local households or the ocean, Tokyo 2020 organisers said on Tuesday. From June 13, collection boxes will be set up at more than 2,000 outlets of local supermarket chain AEON for residents to deposit any unwanted plastic items for the podiums project, organisers said. They are looking to collect as much as 45 tonnes of plastic to make the approximately 100 podiums needed for next summer’s showpiece, they said. It would be the first time Olympic podiums were made from recycled material. Organisers have sought to frame the Games as environmentally friendly and a mechanism to bring about sustainable change in Japan, which, along with the United States, did not sign on to the G7's ocean plastics charter in 2018. The medals for the Games are being forged from recycled metal collected from old mobile phones and other electronic devices, while the uniforms to be worn by runners in the torch relay will be partially made from recycled plastic bottles.

Tokyo Olympics 2020: Winner podiums to be made of recycled plastic

Japan's air force on Monday said spatial disorientation likely caused one of its pilots to fly his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-starts-unwinding-turkey-from-f-35-program-over-russia-defence-deal-225370">F-35 stealth fighters</a> into the Pacific Ocean in April, hitting the water at more than 1,100 kph (683 mph).

The Lockheed Martin Corp jet disappeared from radar screens during an exercise with three other F-35s over the ocean near northwest Japan on April 9. The 41-year-old pilot was killed.

"It seems highly likely that the pilot was suffering from vertigo and was unaware of his condition," the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) said in a press release.

"The crash was the result of human action, but it doesn't count as pilot error," a JASDF official said at a press briefing. "There is no indication that there was a problem with the aircraft."

But the air force has yet to recover any intact data from the $126 million aircraft's flight data recorder to back its assessment, which is based largely on data and communication received by ground controllers. Debris is spread across the seafloor around 1,500 metres below where the plane crashed.

The pilot gave no indication he was in trouble and did not try to avoid a collision despite advanced instrumentation and a ground proximity warning system that should have alerted him to pull up.

The JASDF didn't find any indication that the pilot had attempted to eject. 
His plane, which was less than a year old, crashed 28 minutes after taking off from the Misawa air base in Aomori prefecture.

Japan's air force on Monday said spatial disorientation likely caused one of its pilots to fly his F-35 stealth fighters into the Pacific Ocean in April, hitting the water at more than 1,100 kph (683 mph).

Japan's air force on Monday said spatial disorientation likely caused one of its pilots to fly his F-35 stealth fighters into the Pacific Ocean in April, hitting the water at more than 1,100 kph (683 mph). The Lockheed Martin Corp jet disappeared from radar screens during an exercise with three other F-35s over the ocean near northwest Japan on April 9. The 41-year-old pilot was killed. "It seems highly likely that the pilot was suffering from vertigo and was unaware of his condition," the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) said in a press release. "The crash was the result of human action, but it doesn't count as pilot error," a JASDF official said at a press briefing. "There is no indication that there was a problem with the aircraft." But the air force has yet to recover any intact data from the $126 million aircraft's flight data recorder to back its assessment, which is based largely on data and communication received by ground controllers. Debris is spread across the seafloor around 1,500 metres below where the plane crashed. The pilot gave no indication he was in trouble and did not try to avoid a collision despite advanced instrumentation and a ground proximity warning system that should have alerted him to pull up. The JASDF didn't find any indication that the pilot had attempted to eject. His plane, which was less than a year old, crashed 28 minutes after taking off from the Misawa air base in Aomori prefecture.

Pilot disorientation likely cause of F-35 crash in April: Japan military

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, on Saturday participated in the G20 ministerial meeting on Trade and Digital Economy, held in the Japanese city of Tsukuba.

The meeting focused on the ways to promote trade and cooperation among the G20 countries in order to harness the potential of the digital economy.

Taking to his official Twitter handle after the meeting, Goyal wrote, "Attending the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade &amp; Digital Economy in Japan, graced with presence of Trade &amp; Digital Economy Ministers of member countries. Participated in discussions relating to increasing trade &amp; cooperation to harness the potential of digital economy."

Earlier in the day, the Commerce minister held bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit in order to sensitize India's core interests in trade and investment issues and build a coalition with like-minded countries for defending the interests of developing countries.

In a series of tweets through the day, Goyal informed of holding meetings with US Ambassador to World Trade Organization, Dennis Shea; China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen; and Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism, and Investment, Simon Birmingham, among others.

"Met with US Ambassador to World Trade Organization, Dennis Shea and had a forward looking discussion on India-US trade relations and boosting economic cooperation between the two nations," Goyal wrote on Twitter.

Another tweet read, "Met China's Vice-Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen and had a fruitful discussion regarding strengthening mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation between the two countries."

The third tweet read, "Met Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Simon Birmingham and engaged in a dialogue for strengthening economic and trade ties between the two nations @Birmo".

Other than this, Goyal also held bilaterals with Minister of Trade and Industry for Singapore, Chan Chun Sing; Minister of Commerce and Investment for Saudi Arabia, Majid Bin Abdullah Al Qasabi; Minister of Trade and Industry for South Africa, Ebrahim Patel, and Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea, Yoo Myung-Hee.

The G20 trade ministers'&nbsp;deliberations form part of the G20 summit leaders agenda in the formal discussions and will also be a part of the summit declaration.

Ever since G20 was formed, India has been actively participating in the meetings. Although there are no binding commitments in G20, it sets the agenda for multilateral trade relations.

Over 50 trade and digital economy ministers will discuss how G20 economies can promote trade and investment and maximise benefits from the development of digital technologies to ensure sustainable growth of the global economy.

The Trade and Digital Economy meeting is one of the eight ministerial meetings taking place in Japan alongside the 2019 G20 Summit. The G20 members represent two-thirds of the world's people and 85 per cent of its economy.&nbsp;

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, on Saturday participated in the G20 ministerial meeting on Trade and Digital Economy, held in the Japanese city of Tsukuba.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, on Saturday participated in the G20 ministerial meeting on Trade and Digital Economy, held in the Japanese city of Tsukuba. The meeting focused on the ways to promote trade and cooperation among the G20 countries in order to harness the potential of the digital economy. Taking to his official Twitter handle after the meeting, Goyal wrote, "Attending the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade & Digital Economy in Japan, graced with presence of Trade & Digital Economy Ministers of member countries. Participated in discussions relating to increasing trade & cooperation to harness the potential of digital economy." Earlier in the day, the Commerce minister held bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit in order to sensitize India's core interests in trade and investment issues and build a coalition with like-minded countries for defending the interests of developing countries. In a series of tweets through the day, Goyal informed of holding meetings with US Ambassador to World Trade Organization, Dennis Shea; China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen; and Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism, and Investment, Simon Birmingham, among others. "Met with US Ambassador to World Trade Organization, Dennis Shea and had a forward looking discussion on India-US trade relations and boosting economic cooperation between the two nations," Goyal wrote on Twitter. Another tweet read, "Met China's Vice-Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen and had a fruitful discussion regarding strengthening mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation between the two countries." The third tweet read, "Met Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Simon Birmingham and engaged in a dialogue for strengthening economic and trade ties between the two nations @Birmo". Other than this, Goyal also held bilaterals with Minister of Trade and Industry for Singapore, Chan Chun Sing; Minister of Commerce and Investment for Saudi Arabia, Majid Bin Abdullah Al Qasabi; Minister of Trade and Industry for South Africa, Ebrahim Patel, and Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea, Yoo Myung-Hee. The G20 trade ministers' deliberations form part of the G20 summit leaders agenda in the formal discussions and will also be a part of the summit declaration. Ever since G20 was formed, India has been actively participating in the meetings. Although there are no binding commitments in G20, it sets the agenda for multilateral trade relations. Over 50 trade and digital economy ministers will discuss how G20 economies can promote trade and investment and maximise benefits from the development of digital technologies to ensure sustainable growth of the global economy. The Trade and Digital Economy meeting is one of the eight ministerial meetings taking place in Japan alongside the 2019 G20 Summit. The G20 members represent two-thirds of the world's people and 85 per cent of its economy.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal participates in G20 ministerial meeting in Japan

Finance chiefs of the Group of 20 major economies meeting in the Japanese city of Fukuoka debated Saturday over how to revise tax systems to ensure big companies pay their fair share and support economies as global growth slows.

G20 finance ministers debate taxation reforms

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/piyush-goyal-retains-railways-likely-to-focus-on-safety-non-fare-revenue-223134">Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal</a> will lead the Indian delegation for the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade and Digital Economy being held from June 8 to 9 at Tsukuba city along the Ibaraki prefecture in Japan.

He will discuss developments in the global trade situation, WTO matters and digital trade. Goyal will also hold dialogue with other participating trade ministers on current international trade and investments.

For the first time, ministers of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Commerce will participate in a joint session on digital economy, according to a statement issued by the government on Thursday.

The G20 trade ministers deliberations will form part of the G20 summit leaders agenda in the formal discussions and will also be a part of the summit declaration.

Ever since G20 was formed, India has been actively participating in the meetings. Although there are no binding commitments in G20, it sets the agenda for multilateral trade relations.

Over 50 trade and digital economy ministers will discuss how G20 economies can promote trade and investment and maximise benefits from the development of digital technologies to ensure sustainable growth of the global economy.

Digitalisation is expected to continue to create benefits for our economies and societies as a whole and help achieve the inclusive, innovative and human-centred future society 'Society 5.0.'

The Trade and Digital Economy meeting is one of the eight ministerial meetings taking place in Japan alongside the 2019 G20 Summit. The G20 members represent two-thirds of the world's people and 85 per cent of its economy.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will lead the Indian delegation for the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade and Digital Economy being held from June 8 to 9 at Tsukuba city along the Ibaraki prefecture in Japan.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will lead the Indian delegation for the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade and Digital Economy being held from June 8 to 9 at Tsukuba city along the Ibaraki prefecture in Japan. He will discuss developments in the global trade situation, WTO matters and digital trade. Goyal will also hold dialogue with other participating trade ministers on current international trade and investments. For the first time, ministers of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Commerce will participate in a joint session on digital economy, according to a statement issued by the government on Thursday. The G20 trade ministers deliberations will form part of the G20 summit leaders agenda in the formal discussions and will also be a part of the summit declaration. Ever since G20 was formed, India has been actively participating in the meetings. Although there are no binding commitments in G20, it sets the agenda for multilateral trade relations. Over 50 trade and digital economy ministers will discuss how G20 economies can promote trade and investment and maximise benefits from the development of digital technologies to ensure sustainable growth of the global economy. Digitalisation is expected to continue to create benefits for our economies and societies as a whole and help achieve the inclusive, innovative and human-centred future society 'Society 5.0.' The Trade and Digital Economy meeting is one of the eight ministerial meetings taking place in Japan alongside the 2019 G20 Summit. The G20 members represent two-thirds of the world's people and 85 per cent of its economy.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal to lead Indian delegation for G20 ministerial meet in Japan

A Japanese minister on Wednesday sparked controversy with his statement that it is "socially accepted" to force women to wear high heels at workplaces.

For many years now, Japanese offices required women to wear high heels.

The remark came when Takumi Nemoto, the Health, Labour and Welfare Minister of Japan, was asked to comment on a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/with-kutoo-japan-women-kick-back-at-high-heels-at-work-224042">#KuToo petition</a> filed by a group of women who urged the government to ban workplaces from requiring female job seekers and employees to wear high heels, CNN reported.

"It is socially accepted as something that falls within the realm of being occupationally necessary and appropriate," Nemoto said. "Whether the employers' requirement to wear high heels is an abuse of power or not depends on whether the requirement goes beyond the social understanding of what is necessary and appropriate," he was quoted as saying.

Till June 4, more than 19,000 people in Japan had signed a petition, submitted to the Labour Ministry on Tuesday, banning office dress codes that forced women to wear high heels to work.

The petition was started by Tokyo actress, writer, and feminist Yumi Ishikawa after her tweets about being forced to wear heels at work gained over 67,000 likes and almost 30,000 retweets.

Watch: Japanese women take a stand against high heels

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"I'm hoping to get rid of the custom that someday women have to wear heels and pumps at work. When I was a specialist, I stayed at a hotel for a month; it was a part-time job, but my feet were already useless with pumps, and I stopped specialising. Why do I have to work with my leg hurt?" Ishikawa tweeted in January.

Ishikawa coined the hashtag #KuToo in her tweets, which is a play on two Japanese words - "kutsu" meaning shoes and "kutsuu" meaning pain. The word also has a reference to the global #MeToo movement which has seen women push back against sexual assault and harassment.

Campaigners say wearing high heels are seen as near-obligatory when job hunting or working at many Japanese companies.

Some even describe high heels as akin to modern foot-binding while others have urged a broader loosening of dress codes in the Japanese workplace, where business suits for men are ubiquitous.

An official at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's equal employment opportunity division had earlier said that it had no plans to change the laws around whether employers could require staff to wear certain clothes or shoes. There are currently no laws that restrict companies from regulating employees' work wear, the official added.

A Japanese minister on Wednesday sparked controversy with his statement that it is "socially accepted" to force women to wear high heels at workplaces. For many years now, Japanese offices required women to wear high heels.

A Japanese minister on Wednesday sparked controversy with his statement that it is "socially accepted" to force women to wear high heels at workplaces. For many years now, Japanese offices required women to wear high heels. The remark came when Takumi Nemoto, the Health, Labour and Welfare Minister of Japan, was asked to comment on a #KuToo petition filed by a group of women who urged the government to ban workplaces from requiring female job seekers and employees to wear high heels, CNN reported. "It is socially accepted as something that falls within the realm of being occupationally necessary and appropriate," Nemoto said. "Whether the employers' requirement to wear high heels is an abuse of power or not depends on whether the requirement goes beyond the social understanding of what is necessary and appropriate," he was quoted as saying. Till June 4, more than 19,000 people in Japan had signed a petition, submitted to the Labour Ministry on Tuesday, banning office dress codes that forced women to wear high heels to work. The petition was started by Tokyo actress, writer, and feminist Yumi Ishikawa after her tweets about being forced to wear heels at work gained over 67,000 likes and almost 30,000 retweets. Watch: Japanese women take a stand against high heels "I'm hoping to get rid of the custom that someday women have to wear heels and pumps at work. When I was a specialist, I stayed at a hotel for a month; it was a part-time job, but my feet were already useless with pumps, and I stopped specialising. Why do I have to work with my leg hurt?" Ishikawa tweeted in January. Ishikawa coined the hashtag #KuToo in her tweets, which is a play on two Japanese words - "kutsu" meaning shoes and "kutsuu" meaning pain. The word also has a reference to the global #MeToo movement which has seen women push back against sexual assault and harassment. Campaigners say wearing high heels are seen as near-obligatory when job hunting or working at many Japanese companies. Some even describe high heels as akin to modern foot-binding while others have urged a broader loosening of dress codes in the Japanese workplace, where business suits for men are ubiquitous. An official at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's equal employment opportunity division had earlier said that it had no plans to change the laws around whether employers could require staff to wear certain clothes or shoes. There are currently no laws that restrict companies from regulating employees' work wear, the official added.

Japan minister responds to #KuToo campaign, says high heels for women at work 'necessary'

Group of Japanese women submitted a petition to protest against de-facto requirement for female staff to wear high heels at work Watch this video to know more.

Japanese women fight high heel at work rule

A hundred and sixty people descended on a beach at Enoshima, the venue for sailing at the Olympic Games next year, on Wednesday (June 5) to participate in the annual Tokyo 2020 Trash Collection Challenge and to mark World Environment Day.

Trash collection at Tokyo 2020 venue to mark World Environment Day

The newly-appointed External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has said that India has a special relationship with Japan during a phone conversation with his Japanese counterpart Kono Taro, according to Japanese embassy readout.

The Japanese Foreign Minister had called Jaishankar to congratulate him on his appointment as the External Affairs Minister.&nbsp;

The Japanese embassy in Delhi said, "Subrahmanyam Jaishankar hopes to further expand the scope of cooperation with Japan with which India enjoys a special relationship, and looks forward to meeting Foreign Minister Kono Taro again."

During the conversation, the Japanese foreign minister said, ''India has an extremely huge role and responsibility as a global power for the realisation of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Indo-Pacific as a concept has been gaining currency and has the backing of Tokyo, Washington and Delhi, but Bejing sees it suspiciously.&nbsp;

During the phone call, Kono confirmed the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to India later this year. Abe will be visiting&nbsp;for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit which alternates between the two countries.&nbsp;

Last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Japan for the 13th Annual Summit. In a special gesture, Modi's 2018 visit was hosted by Abe for a private dinner at his ancestral home in Yamanashi, the first such reception to be extended to a foreign leader. In 2017, Abe visited PM Modi's home state of Gujarat where he was given a special welcome.

Kono was the first foreign leader to congratulate Modi on phone for his reelection on May 23. Both leaders will be meeting by the end of this month in Osaka on the sidelines of G20 summit.

Meanwhile, Kono has invited Jaishankar to the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in November and said "He would like to coordinate the schedule to hold a '2+2' Ministerial meeting as soon as possible to which both Japan and India&nbsp;agreed.

Jaishankar had served at the Indian mission in Tokyo from 1996 to 2000 as the deputy chief of the mission and knows Japanese.

The newly-appointed External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has said that India has a special relationship with Japan during a phone conversation with his Japanese counterpart Kono Taro, according to Japanese embassy readout.

The newly-appointed External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has said that India has a special relationship with Japan during a phone conversation with his Japanese counterpart Kono Taro, according to Japanese embassy readout. The Japanese Foreign Minister had called Jaishankar to congratulate him on his appointment as the External Affairs Minister. The Japanese embassy in Delhi said, "Subrahmanyam Jaishankar hopes to further expand the scope of cooperation with Japan with which India enjoys a special relationship, and looks forward to meeting Foreign Minister Kono Taro again." During the conversation, the Japanese foreign minister said, ''India has an extremely huge role and responsibility as a global power for the realisation of a free and open Indo-Pacific." Indo-Pacific as a concept has been gaining currency and has the backing of Tokyo, Washington and Delhi, but Bejing sees it suspiciously. During the phone call, Kono confirmed the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to India later this year. Abe will be visiting for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit which alternates between the two countries. Last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Japan for the 13th Annual Summit. In a special gesture, Modi's 2018 visit was hosted by Abe for a private dinner at his ancestral home in Yamanashi, the first such reception to be extended to a foreign leader. In 2017, Abe visited PM Modi's home state of Gujarat where he was given a special welcome. Kono was the first foreign leader to congratulate Modi on phone for his reelection on May 23. Both leaders will be meeting by the end of this month in Osaka on the sidelines of G20 summit. Meanwhile, Kono has invited Jaishankar to the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in November and said "He would like to coordinate the schedule to hold a '2+2' Ministerial meeting as soon as possible to which both Japan and India agreed. Jaishankar had served at the Indian mission in Tokyo from 1996 to 2000 as the deputy chief of the mission and knows Japanese.

India has a special relationship with Japan: External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will hold a summit meeting on June 29, when Putin visits Japan for a meeting of leaders of the Group of 20 nations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

Senior officials and political leaders from both countries have held talks frequently in recent months to discuss ways to put an end to a decades-old territorial dispute and conclude a peace treaty.

"With eyes on the Russia-Japan summit meeting at the time of the G20 summit in Osaka, we made checks on the state of progress in Russia-Japan relations," Lavrov told reporters after meeting his Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono.

Lavrov's comment, in Russian, was translated into Japanese at a joint news conference with Kono.

Japan claims a string of Russia-controlled western Pacific islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan and Southern Kuriles in Russia.

The territorial row over the island chain, seized by Soviet troops at the end of World War Two, has upset diplomatic relations ever since, precluding a formal peace treaty between the two countries.

Lavrov also said talks with Japan on five joint economic activity projects on the disputed islands were proceeding at a good pace, without elaborating.

Abe and Putin in 2016 agreed to launch talks on joint economic activities on the islands as a step toward concluding a peace treaty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will hold a summit meeting on June 29, when Putin visits Japan for a meeting of leaders of the Group of 20 nations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will hold a summit meeting on June 29, when Putin visits Japan for a meeting of leaders of the Group of 20 nations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday. Senior officials and political leaders from both countries have held talks frequently in recent months to discuss ways to put an end to a decades-old territorial dispute and conclude a peace treaty. "With eyes on the Russia-Japan summit meeting at the time of the G20 summit in Osaka, we made checks on the state of progress in Russia-Japan relations," Lavrov told reporters after meeting his Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono. Lavrov's comment, in Russian, was translated into Japanese at a joint news conference with Kono. Japan claims a string of Russia-controlled western Pacific islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan and Southern Kuriles in Russia. The territorial row over the island chain, seized by Soviet troops at the end of World War Two, has upset diplomatic relations ever since, precluding a formal peace treaty between the two countries. Lavrov also said talks with Japan on five joint economic activity projects on the disputed islands were proceeding at a good pace, without elaborating. Abe and Putin in 2016 agreed to launch talks on joint economic activities on the islands as a step toward concluding a peace treaty.

Russia's Putin, Japan's Abe to hold summit meet on June 29

Modi-Trump agreed to meet during the G-20 Summit in Japan's Osaka scheduled on June 28-29 to discuss bilateral relations and global matters

Modi to meet Trump on sidelines of G20 Summit

A knife-wielding man stabs 19 people in Japan's Kawasaki. Two people have died. Japan is perceived to be nearly crime free. Then why has this incident shocked the world? This report tells you the story behind low crime rates.

Gravitas: Mass Stabbing Incident Shocks Japan

US President Donald Trump is on a purposeful trip to Japan. The bilateral ties between US and Japan has been escalates with a mega defence deal. Both nations are on a edge to make ties more stronger and wealthier.

In eventful trip to Japan, Trump inks mega defence deal with Abe

At least 16 people have been injured in the mass attack and at least two people are reportedly dead. Police have confirmed one girl has died. The suspect reportedly stabbed himself in the neck and was later detained. He has now died from his injuries.

Japan knife attack: At least 17 injured in attack

Taiwan displayed how its fighter jets can land, refuel and rearm on the island's highways Tuesday as part of its largest annual exercise simulating defence against a Chinese invasion.&nbsp;

The self-ruled island has long lived under the threat of invasion by Beijing which views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to take it back by force if necessary.

Chinese military and diplomatic pressure have been significantly ramped up since the 2016 election of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-has-stepped-up-efforts-to-infiltrate-taiwan-president-217441"> President Tsai Ing-wen</a>, whose government refuses to acknowledge that the self-ruled island is part of "one China".

This week Taiwan's 23 million inhabitants have witnessed stark reminders of the military threats they face.

On Monday the streets were briefly deserted as authorities carried out an annual missile drill across the island's north, with text messages sent to every mobile phone and air raid sirens wailing.&nbsp;

The following day 1,600 soldiers were mobilised in central Taiwan as aircraft practised landing on a closed highway for the annual "Han Kuang" (Han Glory) war games.

Three jet fighters, as well as an early warning aircraft, also practised refuelling and loading missiles and other ammunition before taking off again.&nbsp;

Taiwan would be massively outgunned in terms of troop numbers and firepower in any war with China but it has developed sophisticated asymmetric tactics to hold out for as long as possible and make an invasion of the island hugely costly for Beijing.

"There are only a few military air bases which would become the prime targets in the event of an attack. The highway drill is necessary as highway strips would be our priority choice if the runways are damaged during a war," air force Colonel Shu Kuo-mao told reporters.

Inspecting the drill on Tuesday, president Tsai referred to the marked uptick in Chinese naval and airforce patrols in recent months which have rattled nerves.&nbsp;

"They have caused a certain degree of threat to regional peace and stability. We should maintain high vigilance," she said.

The manoeuvres in Taiwan come after the US, Japan, South Korea and Australia kicked off operation "Pacific Vanguard" near Guam, bringing together more than 3,000 sailors from the four countries last week.

Beijing has also been angered by warming relations between Taipei and Washington since Tsai came to power.

On Monday, Beijing reacted frostily to photos showing a rare meeting between uniformed Taiwanese officers and their US counterparts earlier this month.&nbsp;

Last week, China lodged a protest with Washington after two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan displayed how its fighter jets can land, refuel and rearm on the island's highways Tuesday as part of its largest annual exercise simulating defence against a Chinese invasion.

Taiwan displayed how its fighter jets can land, refuel and rearm on the island's highways Tuesday as part of its largest annual exercise simulating defence against a Chinese invasion. The self-ruled island has long lived under the threat of invasion by Beijing which views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to take it back by force if necessary. Chinese military and diplomatic pressure have been significantly ramped up since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, whose government refuses to acknowledge that the self-ruled island is part of "one China". This week Taiwan's 23 million inhabitants have witnessed stark reminders of the military threats they face. On Monday the streets were briefly deserted as authorities carried out an annual missile drill across the island's north, with text messages sent to every mobile phone and air raid sirens wailing. The following day 1,600 soldiers were mobilised in central Taiwan as aircraft practised landing on a closed highway for the annual "Han Kuang" (Han Glory) war games. Three jet fighters, as well as an early warning aircraft, also practised refuelling and loading missiles and other ammunition before taking off again. Taiwan would be massively outgunned in terms of troop numbers and firepower in any war with China but it has developed sophisticated asymmetric tactics to hold out for as long as possible and make an invasion of the island hugely costly for Beijing. "There are only a few military air bases which would become the prime targets in the event of an attack. The highway drill is necessary as highway strips would be our priority choice if the runways are damaged during a war," air force Colonel Shu Kuo-mao told reporters. Inspecting the drill on Tuesday, president Tsai referred to the marked uptick in Chinese naval and airforce patrols in recent months which have rattled nerves. "They have caused a certain degree of threat to regional peace and stability. We should maintain high vigilance," she said. The manoeuvres in Taiwan come after the US, Japan, South Korea and Australia kicked off operation "Pacific Vanguard" near Guam, bringing together more than 3,000 sailors from the four countries last week. Beijing has also been angered by warming relations between Taipei and Washington since Tsai came to power. On Monday, Beijing reacted frostily to photos showing a rare meeting between uniformed Taiwanese officers and their US counterparts earlier this month. Last week, China lodged a protest with Washington after two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan fighters land on highway for Chinese 'invasion' war games

US President Donald Trump and Japan President Shinzo Abe holds a formal meeting in Tokyo, Japan. President Donald Trump exclusively talks about billateral ties between Japan and US, and how they are best.

'Ties with Japan have never been better' says Donald Trump during formal meeting with Shinzo Abe

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a joint press conference <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trade-beef-aside-trump-and-abe-bond-over-burgers-sumo-and-golf-221840">after holding talks</a>.&nbsp;

While Trump stated that US ties with Japan have never been better, Abe said he is determined to show the strength of US-Japan ties to the world.

The US President also informed that Japan will be buying 105 F-35 US stealth warplanes, adding that the two countries look forward to collaborating on space exploration.

Trump said that even though there exists an "imbalance" in trade with Japan, the same should be resolved over time.

"I think we will be announcing some things, probably in August, that will be very good for both countries."&nbsp;

Both the leaders are slated to meet again for the G20 Summit to be held in Osaka, Japan this year. &nbsp;

The two leaders met in Tokyo and discussed a range of issues from Iran, North Korea to bilateral trade.&nbsp;

Top Japanese and American trade negotiators spent more than two hours locked in talks on Saturday night but failed to achieve a breakthrough, although the Japanese side said there was more "understanding" between the two.

There exists 'full support' from Trump for meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, Abe said.&nbsp;

Trump is in Japan as the first foreign leader to visit the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-becomes-first-foreign-leader-to-meet-japans-new-emperor-221846">country's newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito</a> - an honour Abe hopes will help charm the US president when it comes to thorny trade talks.

Monday marked the start of the official programme for the two leaders after a fun-filled weekend of sumo, golf and meals out. Trump said on Sunday he was having a "great time" with his friend and close ally Abe.

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Trump honours Japanese sumo wrestler with 'Trump Award'

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US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a joint press conference after holding talks. While Trump stated that US ties with Japan have never been better, Abe said he is determined to show the strength of US-Japan ties to the world.

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a joint press conference after holding talks. While Trump stated that US ties with Japan have never been better, Abe said he is determined to show the strength of US-Japan ties to the world. The US President also informed that Japan will be buying 105 F-35 US stealth warplanes, adding that the two countries look forward to collaborating on space exploration. Trump said that even though there exists an "imbalance" in trade with Japan, the same should be resolved over time. "I think we will be announcing some things, probably in August, that will be very good for both countries." Both the leaders are slated to meet again for the G20 Summit to be held in Osaka, Japan this year. The two leaders met in Tokyo and discussed a range of issues from Iran, North Korea to bilateral trade. Top Japanese and American trade negotiators spent more than two hours locked in talks on Saturday night but failed to achieve a breakthrough, although the Japanese side said there was more "understanding" between the two. There exists 'full support' from Trump for meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, Abe said. Trump is in Japan as the first foreign leader to visit the country's newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito - an honour Abe hopes will help charm the US president when it comes to thorny trade talks. Monday marked the start of the official programme for the two leaders after a fun-filled weekend of sumo, golf and meals out. Trump said on Sunday he was having a "great time" with his friend and close ally Abe. (With inputs from AFP) Watch: Trump honours Japanese sumo wrestler with 'Trump Award' ×

Japan to buy 105 F-35 US stealth warplanes: Donald Trump 

The winner of a sumo tournament in Tokyo this weekend will take home a unique prize: a custom-made “Trump Award” presented by President Trump himself.

Trump honours Japanese sumo wrestler with 'Trump Award'

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - May 27th, 2019

US President Donald Trump met new Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako today in the ceremonial highlight of a state visit overshadowed by trade tensions between the two allies.

Trump meets new Japanese emperor in ceremonial highlight of state visit

Day of bonding between Donald Trump and Shinzo Abe

The Japanese may be known for their neatness, particularly when it comes to making their bed in the morning, but all social norms went out the window on Saturday (May 25) during qualifying for the All-Japan Pillow Fighting Championships in Shizuoka Prefecture.

All ages take part in Japanese pillow-fighting tournament

US President Donald Trump arrived in Tokyo for a four-day visit to Japan on Saturday. Under the threat of potentially devastating US tariffs on cars, Japan is rolling out the newest phase of its charm offensive targeting Trump, as it welcomed him on a state visit tailor-made to his whims and ego.

Trump arrives in Japan for four-day visit

US President Donald Trump urged Japanese business leaders on Saturday to increase their investment in the United States while saying Japan had a substantial edge on trade that negotiators were trying to even out.

Trump arrived in Japan on Saturday for a largely ceremonial visit meant to showcase strong ties with Tokyo even as trade tensions loom. He told the group of top business executives there had never been a better time to invest in the United States.

He said he hoped to address the trade imbalance between the United States and Japan and ensure fairness and reciprocity.

"Japan has had a substantial edge for many, many years, but that’s OK, maybe that’s why you like us so much," he said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will treat Trump to an imperial banquet and front row seats at a sumo tournament during the trip, which lasts through Tuesday.

The two men share a warm relationship, which the Japanese leader aims to emphasize as Washington considers tariffs on Japanese auto exports that the Trump administration views as a potential national security threat.

The United States is in the middle of an expensive trade war with China in protest against Beijing's treatment of US companies, and tensions with Japan and the European Union over trade are simmering.

Trump and Abe are expected to discuss trade during talks on Monday, but officials have played down the possibility of a deal during the visit.

Trump will become the first foreign leader to be received by new Japanese Emperor Naruhito since he inherited the throne earlier this month.

He made clear during an impromptu news conference on Thursday that he was flattered by the invitation.

"Prime Minister Abe said to me, very specifically, 'You are the guest of honor.' There's only one guest of honor ... I'm the guest of honor at the biggest event that they've had in over 200 years," Trump said.

"So it's a great thing. And we get along very well with Japan. I get along very well with the prime minister."

On Sunday, Trump and Abe are expected to play golf and attend a sumo match. On Monday, they will discuss North Korea's nuclear and missile programs in addition to trade.

A medium-strength earthquake hit eastern Japan, causing buildings to shake in Tokyo, hours before Trump's arrival.

The epicenter was southern Chiba, southeast of the capital, the prefecture where Trump is due to play golf on Sunday.

No tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of damage.

US President Donald Trump urged Japanese business leaders on Saturday to increase their investment in the United States while saying Japan had a substantial edge on trade that negotiators were trying to even out.

US President Donald Trump urged Japanese business leaders on Saturday to increase their investment in the United States while saying Japan had a substantial edge on trade that negotiators were trying to even out. Trump arrived in Japan on Saturday for a largely ceremonial visit meant to showcase strong ties with Tokyo even as trade tensions loom. He told the group of top business executives there had never been a better time to invest in the United States. He said he hoped to address the trade imbalance between the United States and Japan and ensure fairness and reciprocity. "Japan has had a substantial edge for many, many years, but that’s OK, maybe that’s why you like us so much," he said. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will treat Trump to an imperial banquet and front row seats at a sumo tournament during the trip, which lasts through Tuesday. The two men share a warm relationship, which the Japanese leader aims to emphasize as Washington considers tariffs on Japanese auto exports that the Trump administration views as a potential national security threat. The United States is in the middle of an expensive trade war with China in protest against Beijing's treatment of US companies, and tensions with Japan and the European Union over trade are simmering. Trump and Abe are expected to discuss trade during talks on Monday, but officials have played down the possibility of a deal during the visit. Trump will become the first foreign leader to be received by new Japanese Emperor Naruhito since he inherited the throne earlier this month. He made clear during an impromptu news conference on Thursday that he was flattered by the invitation. "Prime Minister Abe said to me, very specifically, 'You are the guest of honor.' There's only one guest of honor ... I'm the guest of honor at the biggest event that they've had in over 200 years," Trump said. "So it's a great thing. And we get along very well with Japan. I get along very well with the prime minister." On Sunday, Trump and Abe are expected to play golf and attend a sumo match. On Monday, they will discuss North Korea's nuclear and missile programs in addition to trade. A medium-strength earthquake hit eastern Japan, causing buildings to shake in Tokyo, hours before Trump's arrival. The epicenter was southern Chiba, southeast of the capital, the prefecture where Trump is due to play golf on Sunday. No tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of damage.

Trump urges greater Japanese investment in US, knocks trade advantage

Sri Lanka is in advanced talks with India and Japan to construct a container terminal at the port in Colombo, next to a Chinese terminal built as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, government officials said.

The involvement of India and Japan is the latest sign that Sri Lanka wants to neutralise the growing influence of China, which has poured money into the South Asian island under its mammoth Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure plan, to the alarm of other Asian powers.

A source close to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said a framework for the terminal project will be "signed soon", while another source said the project would cost about $500 million and India and Japan will nominate companies that will handle the containers from their respective countries.

"The deal is being negotiated among Sri Lanka, India and Japan," Sudarshana Gunawardana, an official in Sri Lankan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lanka-pm-ranil-wickremesinghe-appeals-to-parents-to-send-their-children-to-school-without-fear-220203/amp">Ranil Wickremesinghe</a>'s office told Reuters. The Sri Lankan government will have a 51 per cent stake in the terminal, he said.

Chinese firms have a mandate to operate Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) and develop another terminal on a 269-hectare plot of reclaimed land there.

This is not the first time that Sri Lanka has held talks with India and Japan to develop a container terminal.

A previous proposal for a terminal, with the state-run Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) owning a 15% stake and the remainder held by a consortium of firms from Japan, India and Sri Lanka was scuttled last year after a backlash from trade unions.

Trade unions protested against the privatisation of state assets including those being developed by Chinese firms, a dispute that led to President Maithripala Sirisena sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in October. Wickremesinghe was reinstated later after a court ruling.

A spokesman at SLPA said the company was unaware of the latest talks given they are being conducted between the governments.

"All the flashpoints are defused in the new deal compared to the earlier one," one Sri Lankan government source privy to the discussions said.

The three countries will set up a company to operate the terminal after the Sri Lankan cabinet approves the deal. Japan will provide a 40-year soft loan with a 0.1 per cent interest rate with a 10-year grace period, this source said.

A diplomat at the Japanese embassy in Colombo also confirmed negotiations on the port terminal were taking place.

"Japanese funding will be decided later once the framework is finalised," the diplomat said.

The sources and diplomats declined to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media.

India has been trying to counterbalance China's growing influence in Sri Lanka, which New Delhi has long considered its own backyard. India accounts for around 70 percent of the transshipment business in Colombo port.

China has also taken over a new $1.5 billion port city in Hambantota, in southeast Sri Lanka - which sits on a key east-west global shipping route - after Sri Lanka was unable to service debt payments.

However, Sri Lanka has also signed an agreement with a subsidiary of an Indian firm for a $3.85 billion oil refinery near the Chinese controlled port in Hambantota, and India is in advanced talks with Sri Lankan authorities for a joint venture to operate a Chinese-built airport in Hambantota.

Sri Lanka is in advanced talks with India and Japan to construct a container terminal at the port in Colombo, next to a Chinese terminal built as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, government officials said.

Sri Lanka is in advanced talks with India and Japan to construct a container terminal at the port in Colombo, next to a Chinese terminal built as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, government officials said. The involvement of India and Japan is the latest sign that Sri Lanka wants to neutralise the growing influence of China, which has poured money into the South Asian island under its mammoth Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure plan, to the alarm of other Asian powers. A source close to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said a framework for the terminal project will be "signed soon", while another source said the project would cost about $500 million and India and Japan will nominate companies that will handle the containers from their respective countries. "The deal is being negotiated among Sri Lanka, India and Japan," Sudarshana Gunawardana, an official in Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office told Reuters. The Sri Lankan government will have a 51 per cent stake in the terminal, he said. Chinese firms have a mandate to operate Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) and develop another terminal on a 269-hectare plot of reclaimed land there. This is not the first time that Sri Lanka has held talks with India and Japan to develop a container terminal. A previous proposal for a terminal, with the state-run Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) owning a 15% stake and the remainder held by a consortium of firms from Japan, India and Sri Lanka was scuttled last year after a backlash from trade unions. Trade unions protested against the privatisation of state assets including those being developed by Chinese firms, a dispute that led to President Maithripala Sirisena sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in October. Wickremesinghe was reinstated later after a court ruling. A spokesman at SLPA said the company was unaware of the latest talks given they are being conducted between the governments. "All the flashpoints are defused in the new deal compared to the earlier one," one Sri Lankan government source privy to the discussions said. The three countries will set up a company to operate the terminal after the Sri Lankan cabinet approves the deal. Japan will provide a 40-year soft loan with a 0.1 per cent interest rate with a 10-year grace period, this source said. A diplomat at the Japanese embassy in Colombo also confirmed negotiations on the port terminal were taking place. "Japanese funding will be decided later once the framework is finalised," the diplomat said. The sources and diplomats declined to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media. India has been trying to counterbalance China's growing influence in Sri Lanka, which New Delhi has long considered its own backyard. India accounts for around 70 percent of the transshipment business in Colombo port. China has also taken over a new $1.5 billion port city in Hambantota, in southeast Sri Lanka - which sits on a key east-west global shipping route - after Sri Lanka was unable to service debt payments. However, Sri Lanka has also signed an agreement with a subsidiary of an Indian firm for a $3.85 billion oil refinery near the Chinese controlled port in Hambantota, and India is in advanced talks with Sri Lankan authorities for a joint venture to operate a Chinese-built airport in Hambantota.

Sri Lanka in talks with India, Japan to build container terminal in Colombo

Call it the ultimate culture clash,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-walks-out-on-democrats-as-impeachment-talk-heats-up-220944">&nbsp;Donald Trump</a> is going to the sumo, where the brash US leader will watch one of Japan's most ancient and revered sporting traditions.

A huge pro-wrestling fan, Trump once body-slammed and shaved the head of an American wrestling bigwig during a televised event.

But the taciturn and highly-ritualised world of sumo is a world away from the garish costumes, flamboyant characters and scripted bouts beloved of American teenagers.

And opinion in Japan is split over the decision to invite the outspoken president to present a custom-made "Trump Cup" to the winning wrestler in Tokyo this weekend -- an unorthodox turn in a sport steeped in history and solemn ceremony.

Trump won't be the first foreign dignitary to visit sumo's hallowed Ryogoku Kokugikan venue, where Prince Charles and Princess Diana watched some of the 1986 summer tournament.

However, Trump's decision to take in some bouts at the site famously graced by James Bond in the 1967 film "You Only Live Twice" offers plenty of possible security and cultural conundrums.

Hurling cushions&nbsp;

How, for example, might secret service agents react to the tradition of sumo fans hurling their seat cushions when a "yokozuna" (grand champion) is toppled -- a rowdy celebration that could leave their boss in the line of fire.

Since, as a mere president, he won't be sitting in the Imperial box -- unlike royals Charles and Diana -- Trump will have to make do with a ring-level box close to the action.

That box should be far enough away to keep him safe from the occasional spill, which sees a sweaty 150-kilogram (330-pound) wrestler land in the lap of an audience member -- an event that would be sure to send the internet into a frenzy.

While those around him will be seated on cushions on the floor, the 72-year-old has been given special dispensation to use a chair.

But it is not yet clear what other concessions have been made for the guest of honour -- whether, for instance, he will be required to remove his shoes when presenting his trophy.

Tradition dictates that the dirt ring is hallowed ground.

Last year the Japan Sumo Association caused outrage when women, who are forbidden from entering the dohyo, were asked to leave a sumo ring where they were treating a local official who had collapsed.

Aficionados of the roly-poly sport are torn over Trump's visit.

"Trump will sprinkle his stardust, but I don't believe sumo fans want it," long-time sumo expert Mark Buckton told AFP.

Chirac's pet dog&nbsp;

Other heads of state have been to the sumo.

Former French Preside&nbsp;was an avid fan, even christening his pet dog Sumo -- before banishing the Maltese to the countryside after the animal reportedly became "depressed" and bit him.

But Trump's apparent interest in the sport could end up hurting sumo enthusiasts, because of the heavy security required for the presidential visit.

A large chunk of seats are expected to be blocked off for police and security and exits will be locked after the day's final bout to allow the guest of honour to leave.

"The hassle getting in and out of the venue will be awful," predicted Buckton.

Damaging scandals&nbsp;

The cloistered world of sumo, which historians agree on dates back some 2,000 years, has been rocked by a series of damaging scandals in recent times.

While allegations of drug abuse, bout-fixing and links to organised crime have tarnished its reputation, the bullying death of an apprentice wrestler in 2007 plunged the sport into crisis.

Buckton believes sumo's rehabilitation will not be helped by Trump's visit.

"I don't think it's what sumo needs at the moment," he said.

"Some might even see it as degrading the sport."

Diehard sumo fan Toru Yashiro agrees.

"Trump doesn't help the sport's cause," shrugged the 63-year-old pharmacist. "He has his own issues after all."

But others believe Trump could help boost sumo's battered image.

"To have an American president watch Japan's national sport is amazing," insisted florist Kanako Tanabe, 46. "It will be a proud moment."

Call it the ultimate culture clash, Donald Trump is going to the sumo, where the brash US leader will watch one of Japan's most ancient and revered sporting traditions.

Call it the ultimate culture clash, Donald Trump is going to the sumo, where the brash US leader will watch one of Japan's most ancient and revered sporting traditions. A huge pro-wrestling fan, Trump once body-slammed and shaved the head of an American wrestling bigwig during a televised event. But the taciturn and highly-ritualised world of sumo is a world away from the garish costumes, flamboyant characters and scripted bouts beloved of American teenagers. And opinion in Japan is split over the decision to invite the outspoken president to present a custom-made "Trump Cup" to the winning wrestler in Tokyo this weekend -- an unorthodox turn in a sport steeped in history and solemn ceremony. Trump won't be the first foreign dignitary to visit sumo's hallowed Ryogoku Kokugikan venue, where Prince Charles and Princess Diana watched some of the 1986 summer tournament. However, Trump's decision to take in some bouts at the site famously graced by James Bond in the 1967 film "You Only Live Twice" offers plenty of possible security and cultural conundrums. Hurling cushions How, for example, might secret service agents react to the tradition of sumo fans hurling their seat cushions when a "yokozuna" (grand champion) is toppled -- a rowdy celebration that could leave their boss in the line of fire. Since, as a mere president, he won't be sitting in the Imperial box -- unlike royals Charles and Diana -- Trump will have to make do with a ring-level box close to the action. That box should be far enough away to keep him safe from the occasional spill, which sees a sweaty 150-kilogram (330-pound) wrestler land in the lap of an audience member -- an event that would be sure to send the internet into a frenzy. While those around him will be seated on cushions on the floor, the 72-year-old has been given special dispensation to use a chair. But it is not yet clear what other concessions have been made for the guest of honour -- whether, for instance, he will be required to remove his shoes when presenting his trophy. Tradition dictates that the dirt ring is hallowed ground. Last year the Japan Sumo Association caused outrage when women, who are forbidden from entering the dohyo, were asked to leave a sumo ring where they were treating a local official who had collapsed. Aficionados of the roly-poly sport are torn over Trump's visit. "Trump will sprinkle his stardust, but I don't believe sumo fans want it," long-time sumo expert Mark Buckton told AFP. Chirac's pet dog Other heads of state have been to the sumo. Former French Preside was an avid fan, even christening his pet dog Sumo -- before banishing the Maltese to the countryside after the animal reportedly became "depressed" and bit him. But Trump's apparent interest in the sport could end up hurting sumo enthusiasts, because of the heavy security required for the presidential visit. A large chunk of seats are expected to be blocked off for police and security and exits will be locked after the day's final bout to allow the guest of honour to leave. "The hassle getting in and out of the venue will be awful," predicted Buckton. Damaging scandals The cloistered world of sumo, which historians agree on dates back some 2,000 years, has been rocked by a series of damaging scandals in recent times. While allegations of drug abuse, bout-fixing and links to organised crime have tarnished its reputation, the bullying death of an apprentice wrestler in 2007 plunged the sport into crisis. Buckton believes sumo's rehabilitation will not be helped by Trump's visit. "I don't think it's what sumo needs at the moment," he said. "Some might even see it as degrading the sport." Diehard sumo fan Toru Yashiro agrees. "Trump doesn't help the sport's cause," shrugged the 63-year-old pharmacist. "He has his own issues after all." But others believe Trump could help boost sumo's battered image. "To have an American president watch Japan's national sport is amazing," insisted florist Kanako Tanabe, 46. "It will be a proud moment."

Clash of the titans: Trump set for sumo showdown

Japan's Panasonic on Thursday said it was halting business with Huawei, joining a growing list of firms distancing themselves from the Chinese telecoms giant after a US ban over security concerns.

The announcement came a day after four major Japanese and British mobile carriers said they would delay releasing new 5G<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-founder-says-us-underestimates-company-cant-be-isolated-220252"> Huawei </a>handsets.

"We've stopped all business transactions with Huawei and its 68 group companies... that are subject to the US government ban," Panasonic spokesman Joe Flynn told AFP.

"Yesterday an internal instruction to fully enforce that rule was issued," he added.

Flynn said Panasonic's business with Huawei involves the supply of "electronic parts," but declined to provide further details.

Washington's restrictions affect products made in the United States, where Panasonic manufactures some of the components it supplies to Huawei, the Japanese firm said.

The decision raises the pressure on Huawei after<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-names-woman-as-head-of-us-air-force-220520"> US President Donald Trump</a> last week declared a national emergency to bar US companies from using foreign telecoms equipment deemed a security risk.

The move appeared aimed at Huawei, though the White House said no particular company or country was targeted.

The decision has prompted a parade of firms to step back from dealings with Huawei, including US internet giant Google, whose Android operating system powers most of the world's smartphones.

And on Wednesday mobile carriers in Japan and Britain said they were delaying releases of Huawei handsets.

Temporary suspensions&nbsp;

Telecoms giant EE, owned by BT, was due to bring Huawei's first 5G phone, the Huawei Mate 20X, to Britain, but the Chinese giant's involvement in the country's telecoms sector has become politically controversial.

EE chief executive Marc Allera said the company had "paused" the launch of Huawei's 5G phones "until we get the information and confidence and the long-term security that our customers... are going to be supported".

The group also said it would phase out the use of Huawei equipment in the most sensitive "core" elements of its network infrastructure.

Vodafone soon followed suit, announcing a "temporary" suspension of pre-orders for Huawei 5G handsets, "while uncertainty exists".

The BBC also reported that British firm ARM, which designs processors used in most mobile devices, is set to cut ties with Huawei.

ARM's products contain "US-origin technology" that would be affected by Washington's ban, the BBC said.

ARM staff were told to suspend "all active contracts, support entitlements, and any pending engagements" with Huawei, according to internal documents seen by the BBC.&nbsp;

Huawei said Wednesday that it recognised "the pressure" placed on its suppliers and that it was "confident this regrettable situation can be resolved."&nbsp;

'A sense of safety'&nbsp;

In Japan, KDDI and SoftBank Corp, the country's number-two and number-three carriers respectively, said they too were delaying the release of Huawei handsets to assess the impact of the US ban.

"We are currently trying to confirm if our customers will be able to use the equipment with a sense of safety", SoftBank spokesman Hiroyuki Mizukami told AFP.

And the country's biggest carrier, NTT Docomo, said it was suspending pre-orders for a new Huawei handset, but stopped short of halting the release.

Trump's order effectively bans US companies from selling Huawei and affiliates the critical components that have helped it grow into the world's largest supplier of telecom networking equipment and second-biggest smartphone maker.

US officials this week, however, issued a 90-day reprieve on the ban, saying breathing space is needed to avoid huge disruption.

The US Commerce Department has also announced an effective ban on US companies selling or transferring US technology to Huawei.

Washington has long suspected deep links between Huawei and the Chinese military, and its moves against the company come amid the churning trade dispute between the world's top two economies.

The issue has also been the source of heated controversy in Britain ever since a leak from the country's National Security Council last month suggested the government was planning a limited role for Huawei in its 5G network.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Britain during a visit to London that it risked undermining the historic allies' intelligence sharing.

Japan's Panasonic on Thursday said it was halting business with Huawei, joining a growing list of firms distancing themselves from the Chinese telecoms giant after a US ban over security concerns.

Japan's Panasonic on Thursday said it was halting business with Huawei, joining a growing list of firms distancing themselves from the Chinese telecoms giant after a US ban over security concerns. The announcement came a day after four major Japanese and British mobile carriers said they would delay releasing new 5G Huawei handsets. "We've stopped all business transactions with Huawei and its 68 group companies... that are subject to the US government ban," Panasonic spokesman Joe Flynn told AFP. "Yesterday an internal instruction to fully enforce that rule was issued," he added. Flynn said Panasonic's business with Huawei involves the supply of "electronic parts," but declined to provide further details. Washington's restrictions affect products made in the United States, where Panasonic manufactures some of the components it supplies to Huawei, the Japanese firm said. The decision raises the pressure on Huawei after US President Donald Trump last week declared a national emergency to bar US companies from using foreign telecoms equipment deemed a security risk. The move appeared aimed at Huawei, though the White House said no particular company or country was targeted. The decision has prompted a parade of firms to step back from dealings with Huawei, including US internet giant Google, whose Android operating system powers most of the world's smartphones. And on Wednesday mobile carriers in Japan and Britain said they were delaying releases of Huawei handsets. Temporary suspensions Telecoms giant EE, owned by BT, was due to bring Huawei's first 5G phone, the Huawei Mate 20X, to Britain, but the Chinese giant's involvement in the country's telecoms sector has become politically controversial. EE chief executive Marc Allera said the company had "paused" the launch of Huawei's 5G phones "until we get the information and confidence and the long-term security that our customers... are going to be supported". The group also said it would phase out the use of Huawei equipment in the most sensitive "core" elements of its network infrastructure. Vodafone soon followed suit, announcing a "temporary" suspension of pre-orders for Huawei 5G handsets, "while uncertainty exists". The BBC also reported that British firm ARM, which designs processors used in most mobile devices, is set to cut ties with Huawei. ARM's products contain "US-origin technology" that would be affected by Washington's ban, the BBC said. ARM staff were told to suspend "all active contracts, support entitlements, and any pending engagements" with Huawei, according to internal documents seen by the BBC. Huawei said Wednesday that it recognised "the pressure" placed on its suppliers and that it was "confident this regrettable situation can be resolved." 'A sense of safety' In Japan, KDDI and SoftBank Corp, the country's number-two and number-three carriers respectively, said they too were delaying the release of Huawei handsets to assess the impact of the US ban. "We are currently trying to confirm if our customers will be able to use the equipment with a sense of safety", SoftBank spokesman Hiroyuki Mizukami told AFP. And the country's biggest carrier, NTT Docomo, said it was suspending pre-orders for a new Huawei handset, but stopped short of halting the release. Trump's order effectively bans US companies from selling Huawei and affiliates the critical components that have helped it grow into the world's largest supplier of telecom networking equipment and second-biggest smartphone maker. US officials this week, however, issued a 90-day reprieve on the ban, saying breathing space is needed to avoid huge disruption. The US Commerce Department has also announced an effective ban on US companies selling or transferring US technology to Huawei. Washington has long suspected deep links between Huawei and the Chinese military, and its moves against the company come amid the churning trade dispute between the world's top two economies. The issue has also been the source of heated controversy in Britain ever since a leak from the country's National Security Council last month suggested the government was planning a limited role for Huawei in its 5G network. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Britain during a visit to London that it risked undermining the historic allies' intelligence sharing.

Panasonic joins firms stepping away from Huawei after US ban

The United States,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stop-it-japans-smartphone-app-to-scare-off-molesters-become-smash-hit-220532"> Japan</a>, South Korea and Australia have kicked off "first-of-its-kind" naval drills near Guam, the US Navy said Thursday, amid mounting tensions with China and North Korea.

The "Pacific Vanguard" drill brings together more than 3,000 sailors from the four countries to "sharpen skills and strengthen practical cooperation at sea," the US Seventh Fleet said in a statement.

The drills will focus on "live fire exercises, defensive counter-air operations, anti-submarine warfare, and replenishment at sea," added the statement.

Australia has contributed two frigates to the exercise, Japan two destroyers and South Korea one destroyer. The USS Blue Ridge, the Seventh Fleet's flagship, will lead the operation from the US side.

With trade tensions growing between Washington and Beijing, China earlier this week denounced a US warship sail-by near disputed islands in the South China Sea.

And Guam, home to more than 160,000 people, was at the centre of nuclear tensions between Washington and Pyongyang in 2017, with<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missiles-like-these-will-start-the-war-north-korea-tests-showcase-growing-capability-217458"> North Korea threatening </a>to hit the US territory with "enveloping fire".

The United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia have kicked off "first-of-its-kind" naval drills near Guam, the US Navy said Thursday, amid mounting tensions with China and North Korea.

The United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia have kicked off "first-of-its-kind" naval drills near Guam, the US Navy said Thursday, amid mounting tensions with China and North Korea. The "Pacific Vanguard" drill brings together more than 3,000 sailors from the four countries to "sharpen skills and strengthen practical cooperation at sea," the US Seventh Fleet said in a statement. The drills will focus on "live fire exercises, defensive counter-air operations, anti-submarine warfare, and replenishment at sea," added the statement. Australia has contributed two frigates to the exercise, Japan two destroyers and South Korea one destroyer. The USS Blue Ridge, the Seventh Fleet's flagship, will lead the operation from the US side. With trade tensions growing between Washington and Beijing, China earlier this week denounced a US warship sail-by near disputed islands in the South China Sea. And Guam, home to more than 160,000 people, was at the centre of nuclear tensions between Washington and Pyongyang in 2017, with North Korea threatening to hit the US territory with "enveloping fire".

US, Japan and South Korea start 'first-of-its-kind' naval drill

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