A majority of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/japans-okinawa-votes-against-controversial-us-base-move-exit-polls-199355">voters in a referendum on Okinawa</a> opposed a plan to relocate a US military base within the southern Japanese island, but the central government said on Monday it intended to press ahead with its construction plans.

Just over 70 per cent of voters opposed relocating the US&nbsp;Marines' Futenma air base within Okinawa in Sunday's non-binding referendum, with a turnout of 53 per cent. Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki was elected on that platform in September.

Okinawa is host to the bulk of US military forces in Japan, whose alliance with Washington is central to its security. Many Okinawa residents associate the bases with crime, pollution and accidents.

The governor is required to respect the outcome and notify the premier and the US&nbsp;president if the top response was backed by more than 25 per cent of eligible voters.

Tokyo's central government and Okinawa authorities have long been at loggerheads over the plan to move the airbase.

A US-Japan agreement calls for moving the base, which is surrounded by schools, hospitals and shops, to a less populated area, called Henoko, on the northern part of Okinawa.

However many Okinawa residents, indignant at what they see as an unfair burden, want the base off the island altogether.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters on Monday the government was taking the results seriously and would work to obtain the understanding of Okinawa residents, but that plans to move the base could not be deferred.

"We cannot avoid the necessity of moving Futenma, said to be the most dangerous base in the world," Abe said, noting that two decades had passed since the agreement to do so was made.

"We can't put this off any longer," he said.

Tamaki called on the government to accept the "firm decision" of the Okinawa people that the base relocation was unacceptable.

"I urge the government to change their view that relocating the base to Henoko is the only way and halt construction, along with more dialogue with us on closing Futenma and returning the land to us," Tamaki said.

The referendum result was unlikely to derail the central government's stance, said former Chuo University professor Steven Reed.

"It's not a matter of local government policy. It's a matter for foreign policy. The deal has been made," he said.

The outcome could give a bit of a boost to the struggling opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) - the largest among Japan's opposition groups - ahead of an upper house election this year, Reed said.

The CDPJ opposes the Futenma relocation plan.

"It could make a substantial difference in the next election in Okinawa and it could make some difference nationwide," he said.

Support for the CDPJ was just under 6 per cent in a February survey by public broadcaster NHK, dwarfed by about 37 per cent for Abe's Liberal Democratic Party.

A majority of voters in a referendum on Okinawa opposed a plan to relocate a US military base within the southern Japanese island, but the central government said on Monday it intended to press ahead with its construction plans.

A majority of voters in a referendum on Okinawa opposed a plan to relocate a US military base within the southern Japanese island, but the central government said on Monday it intended to press ahead with its construction plans. Just over 70 per cent of voters opposed relocating the US Marines' Futenma air base within Okinawa in Sunday's non-binding referendum, with a turnout of 53 per cent. Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki was elected on that platform in September. Okinawa is host to the bulk of US military forces in Japan, whose alliance with Washington is central to its security. Many Okinawa residents associate the bases with crime, pollution and accidents. The governor is required to respect the outcome and notify the premier and the US president if the top response was backed by more than 25 per cent of eligible voters. Tokyo's central government and Okinawa authorities have long been at loggerheads over the plan to move the airbase. A US-Japan agreement calls for moving the base, which is surrounded by schools, hospitals and shops, to a less populated area, called Henoko, on the northern part of Okinawa. However many Okinawa residents, indignant at what they see as an unfair burden, want the base off the island altogether. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters on Monday the government was taking the results seriously and would work to obtain the understanding of Okinawa residents, but that plans to move the base could not be deferred. "We cannot avoid the necessity of moving Futenma, said to be the most dangerous base in the world," Abe said, noting that two decades had passed since the agreement to do so was made. "We can't put this off any longer," he said. Tamaki called on the government to accept the "firm decision" of the Okinawa people that the base relocation was unacceptable. "I urge the government to change their view that relocating the base to Henoko is the only way and halt construction, along with more dialogue with us on closing Futenma and returning the land to us," Tamaki said. The referendum result was unlikely to derail the central government's stance, said former Chuo University professor Steven Reed. "It's not a matter of local government policy. It's a matter for foreign policy. The deal has been made," he said. The outcome could give a bit of a boost to the struggling opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) - the largest among Japan's opposition groups - ahead of an upper house election this year, Reed said. The CDPJ opposes the Futenma relocation plan. "It could make a substantial difference in the next election in Okinawa and it could make some difference nationwide," he said. Support for the CDPJ was just under 6 per cent in a February survey by public broadcaster NHK, dwarfed by about 37 per cent for Abe's Liberal Democratic Party.

Japan to push ahead with US base relocation despite Okinawa referendum result

More than 70 per cent of voters in Japan’s Okinawa islands objected in a referendum to the relocation of a US military base within the region, according to the results announced on Monday.

The referendum had been called the day before by the local government to consult the local population on the relocation of the US Navy's Futenma airbase, and its result once again highlights the majority rejecting the US military presence in Okinawa.

Despite the clear opposition to the transfer of the base, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he will go ahead with the project, saying “we cannot delay this any further” in statements to the media.

The Futenma base is currently located in the urban centre of Ginowan, on the main island of Okinawa, and Japan and the US agreed in 1996 to move it to the more remote Henoko Bay after a series of incidents.

However, the relocation has been delayed due to opposition from residents and local politicians who argue that the project would have a high environmental impact and say that both this base and other US bases should be moved out of their territory.

In the referendum, 72.2 per cent of voters rejected the move while 19.1 per cent supported the plan amidst a 52.48 per cent turnout.

"This is the first time that opposition specifically to the plan… was clearly shown so it bears significant meaning," said Okinawa prefecture Governor Danny Tamaki, who called on the central government to consider the resolution of the people and “stop the relocation work," in statements to the local media.

The ordinance approved by the regional authorities stipulated that if the most-voted option obtained a quarter of the votes, the local government should communicate it to the Japanese leader and United States President Donald Trump.

However, because of the referendum’s symbolic and non-binding nature, Abe is unlikely to withdraw a plan around which the central and regional governments are engaged in long political and court battles.

"We have spent many years holding dialogue with people in the prefecture," Abe said on Tuesday, adding that he will continue his “utmost efforts towards a reduction of the burden" of the US military presence on the inhabitants of the subtropical archipelago.

Okinawan authorities took the case to several courts to try to overturn the project with legal arguments based on the base's environmental impact, but Japan's Supreme Court ruled in Tokyo's favour in 2016.

About one-fifth of Okinawa's main island is US military land.

The region is also home to more than half of the nearly 47,000 US military personnel in Japan and 74 per cent of its military installations in the country.

More than 70 per cent of voters in Japan’s Okinawa islands objected in a referendum to the relocation of a US military base within the region, according to the results announced on Monday.

More than 70 per cent of voters in Japan’s Okinawa islands objected in a referendum to the relocation of a US military base within the region, according to the results announced on Monday. The referendum had been called the day before by the local government to consult the local population on the relocation of the US Navy's Futenma airbase, and its result once again highlights the majority rejecting the US military presence in Okinawa. Despite the clear opposition to the transfer of the base, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he will go ahead with the project, saying “we cannot delay this any further” in statements to the media. The Futenma base is currently located in the urban centre of Ginowan, on the main island of Okinawa, and Japan and the US agreed in 1996 to move it to the more remote Henoko Bay after a series of incidents. However, the relocation has been delayed due to opposition from residents and local politicians who argue that the project would have a high environmental impact and say that both this base and other US bases should be moved out of their territory. In the referendum, 72.2 per cent of voters rejected the move while 19.1 per cent supported the plan amidst a 52.48 per cent turnout. "This is the first time that opposition specifically to the plan… was clearly shown so it bears significant meaning," said Okinawa prefecture Governor Danny Tamaki, who called on the central government to consider the resolution of the people and “stop the relocation work," in statements to the local media. The ordinance approved by the regional authorities stipulated that if the most-voted option obtained a quarter of the votes, the local government should communicate it to the Japanese leader and United States President Donald Trump. However, because of the referendum’s symbolic and non-binding nature, Abe is unlikely to withdraw a plan around which the central and regional governments are engaged in long political and court battles. "We have spent many years holding dialogue with people in the prefecture," Abe said on Tuesday, adding that he will continue his “utmost efforts towards a reduction of the burden" of the US military presence on the inhabitants of the subtropical archipelago. Okinawan authorities took the case to several courts to try to overturn the project with legal arguments based on the base's environmental impact, but Japan's Supreme Court ruled in Tokyo's favour in 2016. About one-fifth of Okinawa's main island is US military land. The region is also home to more than half of the nearly 47,000 US military personnel in Japan and 74 per cent of its military installations in the country.

Japan’s Okinawa rejects transfer of US military base in a referendum

Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft successfully touched down on the asteroid Ryugu on Friday, which is some 340 million kilometers from Earth, to take samples that could provide clues on the origins of the solar system.

The Japan Space Exploration Agency (JAXA) reported that at 7:49 local time (22:49 GMT on Thursday) it began to receive data from the probe that confirmed its landing on the asteroid.

"Spacecraft state is normal. Based on this, we determined touchdown was successful! A detailed analysis will now be done," JAXA wrote on their Twitter feed, adding "the Doppler data showed the behaviour as expected and cheers went up with a clap!"

The landing took place from an altitude of 20 kilometers, where the probe had been circling the asteroid since last June, and its descend began on Thursday afternoon.

The landing operation was originally scheduled for last October, but was delayed to gather more information about Ryugu first.

Hayabusa2 was launched in December 2014 from the Tanegashima space center, in southwestern Japan, and is scheduled to return to Earth in late 2020.

At the end of June 2018 it arrived at the asteroid and was first located at a height of 20 kilometers, but also went as close at 6 kilometers to conduct the necessary preliminary studies to define the eventual landing site.

If the probe successfully returns to Earth with the samples, valuable clues about the origins of the solar system could be provided, the Japanese aerospace agency said.

The asteroid Ryugu - the name of a magical submarine palace from Japanese folklore - is about 900 meters in diameter and slightly cubic in shape.

Like other minor planets, it is considered to be among the oldest bodies in the solar system and therefore has the potential to provide information on the evolution of the universe.

The Japanese aerospace agency had already undertaken a similar mission, with the Hayabusa1 spacecraft, between 2003 and 2010 to take samples from a different type of asteroid.

That project was successfully completed after several technical problems and delays, including loss of contact with the spacecraft.

&nbsp;

Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft successfully touched down on the asteroid Ryugu on Friday, which is some 340 million kilometers from Earth, to take samples that could provide clues on the origins of the solar system.

Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft successfully touched down on the asteroid Ryugu on Friday, which is some 340 million kilometers from Earth, to take samples that could provide clues on the origins of the solar system. The Japan Space Exploration Agency (JAXA) reported that at 7:49 local time (22:49 GMT on Thursday) it began to receive data from the probe that confirmed its landing on the asteroid. "Spacecraft state is normal. Based on this, we determined touchdown was successful! A detailed analysis will now be done," JAXA wrote on their Twitter feed, adding "the Doppler data showed the behaviour as expected and cheers went up with a clap!" The landing took place from an altitude of 20 kilometers, where the probe had been circling the asteroid since last June, and its descend began on Thursday afternoon. The landing operation was originally scheduled for last October, but was delayed to gather more information about Ryugu first. Hayabusa2 was launched in December 2014 from the Tanegashima space center, in southwestern Japan, and is scheduled to return to Earth in late 2020. At the end of June 2018 it arrived at the asteroid and was first located at a height of 20 kilometers, but also went as close at 6 kilometers to conduct the necessary preliminary studies to define the eventual landing site. If the probe successfully returns to Earth with the samples, valuable clues about the origins of the solar system could be provided, the Japanese aerospace agency said. The asteroid Ryugu - the name of a magical submarine palace from Japanese folklore - is about 900 meters in diameter and slightly cubic in shape. Like other minor planets, it is considered to be among the oldest bodies in the solar system and therefore has the potential to provide information on the evolution of the universe. The Japanese aerospace agency had already undertaken a similar mission, with the Hayabusa1 spacecraft, between 2003 and 2010 to take samples from a different type of asteroid. That project was successfully completed after several technical problems and delays, including loss of contact with the spacecraft.

Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa2 lands on Ryugu asteroid, takes samples

Japan's foreign minister on Tuesday declared his country's support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president in a challenge to ruling leader Nicolas Maduro.

"Our country has called for early elections... but unfortunately elections have not been held yet," Foreign Minister Taro Kono said at a press conference.

"Considering the circumstances, our country clearly backs provisional president Guaido. We once again call on the country to hold free and fair elections," Kono said.

The move by Tokyo comes amid a growing crisis in Venezuela, with increasing pressure on the country's embattled leader Maduro and the army.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump urged the Venezuelan military to back Guaido or "lose everything".

The US has called for Maduro to step aside, backing Guaido who has denounced the Venezuelan president's re-election last year as fraudulent.

The opposition figure declared himself interim president in January, and has now been recognised by around 50 countries.

He is locked in a standoff with Maduro over a US plan to send aid to Venezuela, which is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis due to shortages of food and medicine exacerbated by hyperinflation.

Guaido plans to sign up a million volunteers to bring the aid into the country, despite roadblocks set up by Maduro's government, which says it will receive 300 tonnes of aid from Russia this week.

Japan's foreign minister on Tuesday declared his country's support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president in a challenge to ruling leader Nicolas Maduro.

Japan's foreign minister on Tuesday declared his country's support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president in a challenge to ruling leader Nicolas Maduro. "Our country has called for early elections... but unfortunately elections have not been held yet," Foreign Minister Taro Kono said at a press conference. "Considering the circumstances, our country clearly backs provisional president Guaido. We once again call on the country to hold free and fair elections," Kono said. The move by Tokyo comes amid a growing crisis in Venezuela, with increasing pressure on the country's embattled leader Maduro and the army. On Monday, US President Donald Trump urged the Venezuelan military to back Guaido or "lose everything". The US has called for Maduro to step aside, backing Guaido who has denounced the Venezuelan president's re-election last year as fraudulent. The opposition figure declared himself interim president in January, and has now been recognised by around 50 countries. He is locked in a standoff with Maduro over a US plan to send aid to Venezuela, which is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis due to shortages of food and medicine exacerbated by hyperinflation. Guaido plans to sign up a million volunteers to bring the aid into the country, despite roadblocks set up by Maduro's government, which says it will receive 300 tonnes of aid from Russia this week.

Japan throws support behind Venezuela's Guaido

Panasonic, Sony, Nissan and now Honda: a recent exodus of Japanese firms from Britain is not solely down to Brexit, analysts say, but it has in many cases accelerated the decision to leave.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/honda-to-shut-only-british-factory-mulls-a-move-to-north-america-198289">Honda was the latest Japanese firm to send shockwaves</a> through British industry by announcing the end of its plant in Swindon, where around 3,500 workers have been producing the "Civic" for more than 24 years.

Officials rushed to divert blame from Brexit, with local MP Justin Tomlinson saying the decision was down to "global trends" and pointing out that Honda was transferring all European production back to Japan.

But while there are specific reasons behind each individual business decision, analysts said the spectre of Brexit was haunting Japanese firms across the board.

"Honda seems to have been preparing for this for a long time. Then Brexit happened, which might have pushed the company to make the decision now," said Seiji Sugiura, an analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute.

Both Sugiura and Satoru Takada, an auto analyst at TIW research firm based in Tokyo, noted that Honda had been debating what to do with the Swindon plant for some time.

"It has struggled in recent years. Then came Brexit," said Takada.

"The change in the business environment pushed the company to make the decision now," he added.

Honda's decision came hot on the heels of Nissan axing production at its Sunderland plant in northeastern England.

There are around 1,000 Japanese companies operating in Britain, supporting some 140,000 jobs.

And while firms from Japan are not the only ones pulling out from Britain, a long history of Japanese investment in the country stemming from Japan Inc's boom days in the late 80s makes the exodus all the more painful.

"I think Swindon's finished without Honda," said Sue Davis, a local resident. "My ex-husband works there, has done for 20 years."

Sugiura said Japanese carmakers were attracted by a business-friendly environment under Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s as well as by Britain's access to European markets.

"Originally they decided to go to Britain, rather than the continent, because it offered the merit of an integrated EU. Now, things are the exact opposite," the analyst told AFP.

'Country risk'

When it comes to the automakers, rapid changes in the car industry and the global trade environment are also factors in paring back operations, the analysts said.

A huge EU-Japan free trade agreement that came into effect this month also reduces the incentive for Japanese firms to operate in Europe by phasing out tariffs.

Takada also pointed out that Japanese firms have generally struggled in Europe where they are competing on the home turf of German giants like Volkswagen.

But it is not just carmakers deciding to scale back their presence. Electronics giants Sony and Panasonic have also announced shifts from Britain.

Major Japanese banks are pulling out of London and nuclear firm Hitachi last month announced a freeze in a major power plant in Wales.

Many of these firms said Brexit wasn't the only factor in their decision but it played a part.

"What are the reasons for this pullout? One of them is distrust in Britain itself -- its economy, politics and society are in disarray," said Yosuku Tsuchida, a researcher at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting.

"It's country risk."

Tsuchida predicted that other firms using Britain as a base for continental Europe would consider pulling out.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pleaded for clarity for Japanese firms and said "the whole world" is hoping that a no-deal Brexit can be avoided.

Analyst Sugiura from Tokai Tokyo said the future for investment into Britain was far from bright.

"The lack of clarity in Brexit is discouraging businesses from making a fresh investment. Investing in the UK doesn't seem attractive anymore now."

"One has to question if Britain is now a suitable location to have a production hub," said Takada.

Panasonic, Sony, Nissan and now Honda: a recent exodus of Japanese firms from Britain is not solely down to Brexit, analysts say, but it has in many cases accelerated the decision to leave.

Panasonic, Sony, Nissan and now Honda: a recent exodus of Japanese firms from Britain is not solely down to Brexit, analysts say, but it has in many cases accelerated the decision to leave. On Tuesday, Honda was the latest Japanese firm to send shockwaves through British industry by announcing the end of its plant in Swindon, where around 3,500 workers have been producing the "Civic" for more than 24 years. Officials rushed to divert blame from Brexit, with local MP Justin Tomlinson saying the decision was down to "global trends" and pointing out that Honda was transferring all European production back to Japan. But while there are specific reasons behind each individual business decision, analysts said the spectre of Brexit was haunting Japanese firms across the board. "Honda seems to have been preparing for this for a long time. Then Brexit happened, which might have pushed the company to make the decision now," said Seiji Sugiura, an analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute. Both Sugiura and Satoru Takada, an auto analyst at TIW research firm based in Tokyo, noted that Honda had been debating what to do with the Swindon plant for some time. "It has struggled in recent years. Then came Brexit," said Takada. "The change in the business environment pushed the company to make the decision now," he added. Honda's decision came hot on the heels of Nissan axing production at its Sunderland plant in northeastern England. There are around 1,000 Japanese companies operating in Britain, supporting some 140,000 jobs. And while firms from Japan are not the only ones pulling out from Britain, a long history of Japanese investment in the country stemming from Japan Inc's boom days in the late 80s makes the exodus all the more painful. "I think Swindon's finished without Honda," said Sue Davis, a local resident. "My ex-husband works there, has done for 20 years." Sugiura said Japanese carmakers were attracted by a business-friendly environment under Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s as well as by Britain's access to European markets. "Originally they decided to go to Britain, rather than the continent, because it offered the merit of an integrated EU. Now, things are the exact opposite," the analyst told AFP. 'Country risk' When it comes to the automakers, rapid changes in the car industry and the global trade environment are also factors in paring back operations, the analysts said. A huge EU-Japan free trade agreement that came into effect this month also reduces the incentive for Japanese firms to operate in Europe by phasing out tariffs. Takada also pointed out that Japanese firms have generally struggled in Europe where they are competing on the home turf of German giants like Volkswagen. But it is not just carmakers deciding to scale back their presence. Electronics giants Sony and Panasonic have also announced shifts from Britain. Major Japanese banks are pulling out of London and nuclear firm Hitachi last month announced a freeze in a major power plant in Wales. Many of these firms said Brexit wasn't the only factor in their decision but it played a part. "What are the reasons for this pullout? One of them is distrust in Britain itself -- its economy, politics and society are in disarray," said Yosuku Tsuchida, a researcher at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting. "It's country risk." Tsuchida predicted that other firms using Britain as a base for continental Europe would consider pulling out. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pleaded for clarity for Japanese firms and said "the whole world" is hoping that a no-deal Brexit can be avoided. Analyst Sugiura from Tokai Tokyo said the future for investment into Britain was far from bright. "The lack of clarity in Brexit is discouraging businesses from making a fresh investment. Investing in the UK doesn't seem attractive anymore now." "One has to question if Britain is now a suitable location to have a production hub," said Takada.

Brexit accelerating Japanese firms' exodus from UK: Report

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize last autumn after receiving a request from the US government to do so, the Asahi newspaper reported on Sunday.

The report follows Trump`s claim on Friday that Abe had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-makes-his-case-for-nobel-peace-prize-complains-hell-never-get-it-197683">nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize</a> for opening talks and easing tensions with North Korea.

The Japanese leader had given him "the most beautiful copy" of a five-page nomination letter, Trump said at a White House news conference.

The US government had sounded Abe out over the Noble Peace Prize nomination after Trump`s summit in June last year with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first meeting between a North Korean leader and a sitting US president, the Asahi said, citing an unnamed Japanese government source.

A spokesman for Japan`s Foreign Ministry in Tokyo said the ministry was aware of Trump`s remarks, but "would refrain from commenting on the interaction between the two leaders."

The White House had no immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.

The Nobel Foundation`s website says a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize may be submitted by any person who meets the nomination criteria, which includes current heads of states. Under the foundation`s rules, names and other information about unsuccessful nominations cannot&nbsp;

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize last autumn after receiving a request from the US government to do so, the Asahi newspaper reported on Sunday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize last autumn after receiving a request from the US government to do so, the Asahi newspaper reported on Sunday. The report follows Trump`s claim on Friday that Abe had nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize for opening talks and easing tensions with North Korea. The Japanese leader had given him "the most beautiful copy" of a five-page nomination letter, Trump said at a White House news conference. The US government had sounded Abe out over the Noble Peace Prize nomination after Trump`s summit in June last year with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first meeting between a North Korean leader and a sitting US president, the Asahi said, citing an unnamed Japanese government source. A spokesman for Japan`s Foreign Ministry in Tokyo said the ministry was aware of Trump`s remarks, but "would refrain from commenting on the interaction between the two leaders." The White House had no immediate comment when contacted by Reuters. The Nobel Foundation`s website says a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize may be submitted by any person who meets the nomination criteria, which includes current heads of states. Under the foundation`s rules, names and other information about unsuccessful nominations cannot

Japan PM Abe nominated Trump for Nobel Peace Prize on US request: Report

Trump claims Japanese PM Abe nominated him for Nobel Peace Prize

Japan's gaffe-prone Olympics Minister was forced to apologise Wednesday after suggesting that the leukaemia diagnosis of 18-year-old star swimmer Rikako Ikee could dampen enthusiasm for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The shock announcement of Ikee — widely considered the poster girl for next year's Olympics — that she was battling the disease touched the hearts of Japanese everywhere and sparked an outpouring of well-wishes.

However, the minister, Yoshitaka Sakurada, appeared to voice sadness that Japan's medal tally might be affected as a result.

"She is a potential gold medallist, an athlete in whom we have great expectations. I'm really disappointed," said the 69-year-old, according to local media.

"When one person leads, she can boost the whole team. I am slightly worried that this type of excitement could wane."

Following a backlash from the public and opposition politicians, Sakurada sought to clarify his stance and admitted his comments "lacked consideration."

This is not the first time Sakurada has made unwanted headlines.

He attracted widespread ridicule when he admitted that he "does not use computers" in his professional life. He doubles as deputy chief of Japan's cybersecurity strategy.

Sakurada also sparked anger for ill-advised comments in 2016 when he described the "comfort women" forced to work in military brothels servicing Japanese wartime troops as "professional prostitutes."

Ikee shot to fame at last year's Asian Games, where she captured a record six gold medals to fire a warning for the 2020 Olympics in her home city.

The teenage superstar, who holds a string of national records, has been tipped to push for gold on several fronts, in particular in the women's 100 metres butterfly.

Ikee told fans she was determined to beat her illness after being forced to abandon her training camp on Australia's Gold Coast.

"If treated properly it's a disease that can be beaten," said Ikee, who confirmed she will withdraw from the Japanese championships in April.&nbsp;

"I will devote myself to my treatment and strive to be able to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee."

Japan's gaffe-prone Olympics Minister was forced to apologise Wednesday after suggesting that the leukaemia diagnosis of 18-year-old star swimmer Rikako Ikee could dampen enthusiasm for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Japan's gaffe-prone Olympics Minister was forced to apologise Wednesday after suggesting that the leukaemia diagnosis of 18-year-old star swimmer Rikako Ikee could dampen enthusiasm for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The shock announcement of Ikee — widely considered the poster girl for next year's Olympics — that she was battling the disease touched the hearts of Japanese everywhere and sparked an outpouring of well-wishes. However, the minister, Yoshitaka Sakurada, appeared to voice sadness that Japan's medal tally might be affected as a result. "She is a potential gold medallist, an athlete in whom we have great expectations. I'm really disappointed," said the 69-year-old, according to local media. "When one person leads, she can boost the whole team. I am slightly worried that this type of excitement could wane." Following a backlash from the public and opposition politicians, Sakurada sought to clarify his stance and admitted his comments "lacked consideration." This is not the first time Sakurada has made unwanted headlines. He attracted widespread ridicule when he admitted that he "does not use computers" in his professional life. He doubles as deputy chief of Japan's cybersecurity strategy. Sakurada also sparked anger for ill-advised comments in 2016 when he described the "comfort women" forced to work in military brothels servicing Japanese wartime troops as "professional prostitutes." Ikee shot to fame at last year's Asian Games, where she captured a record six gold medals to fire a warning for the 2020 Olympics in her home city. The teenage superstar, who holds a string of national records, has been tipped to push for gold on several fronts, in particular in the women's 100 metres butterfly. Ikee told fans she was determined to beat her illness after being forced to abandon her training camp on Australia's Gold Coast. "If treated properly it's a disease that can be beaten," said Ikee, who confirmed she will withdraw from the Japanese championships in April. "I will devote myself to my treatment and strive to be able to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee."

Japan minister sorry for ill Olympic swimmer gaffe

Nissan Motor estimates that 9.2 billion yen ($83.24 million) was paid to the company's former president, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/carlos-ghosn-resigned-from-renault-on-january-22-192422">Carlos Ghosn</a>, the current president and CEO of the Japanese automobile manufacturer said on Tuesday.

Ghosn is currently in prison charged with underreporting his income for eight years.

Nissan President and CEO Hiroto Saikawa, speaking at a press conference where he presented the company's financial results for the last nine months of 2018, said the figures involving Ghosn were a conservative estimate.

Nissan decided to take into account these alleged payments accorded with<a href="http://www.wionnews.com/world/carlos-ghosn-resigned-from-renault-on-january-22-192422"> Ghosn </a>despite still not having settled the amount, which could vary, depending on the results of the investigations of the public prosecutor's office and the authorities to determine the exact sum, according to the firm's Chief Financial Officer Hiroshi Karube.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/japan-court-rejects-nissan-boss-carlos-ghosns-release-bid-189183">Ghosn has been in prison</a> in Tokyo since November 19, 2019, accused of not declaring a part of his income from Nissan Motor between 2011 and 2018.

The 64-year-old is also accused of having violated a Japanese business regulation by using Nissan to cover a series of personal financial losses during the 2008 crisis, and of making allegedly unjustified payments to a Saudi businessman.

Nissan replaced Ghosn with Saikawa as president, and Renault soon followed suit, replacing him with Jean-Dominique Senard as president.

Senard is scheduled to visit Tokyo this week and meet with Saikawa, who on Tuesday reiterated his willingness to work with the French executive.

Saikawa said that he hoped to further develop their alliance, and said he hoped to discuss and revise the existing Renault-Nissan and Mitsubishi alliance.

He said first he wanted to create trust and good communications between their operational teams, while also underlining the need to avoid granting excessive power to the leader of the alliance.

On being asked about his responsibility in the alleged irregularities by Ghosn, whom he worked with for a decade, Saikawa said he and other executives felt responsible for not having discovered it or not having stopped it.

The CEO of the Japanese company said they had to secure the future of their firm and the need to focus on managing the current situation and chart Nissan's course.

Nissan Motor estimates that 9.2 billion yen ($83.24 million) was paid to the company's former president, Carlos Ghosn, the current president and CEO of the Japanese automobile manufacturer said on Tuesday.

Nissan Motor estimates that 9.2 billion yen ($83.24 million) was paid to the company's former president, Carlos Ghosn, the current president and CEO of the Japanese automobile manufacturer said on Tuesday. Ghosn is currently in prison charged with underreporting his income for eight years. Nissan President and CEO Hiroto Saikawa, speaking at a press conference where he presented the company's financial results for the last nine months of 2018, said the figures involving Ghosn were a conservative estimate. Nissan decided to take into account these alleged payments accorded with Ghosn despite still not having settled the amount, which could vary, depending on the results of the investigations of the public prosecutor's office and the authorities to determine the exact sum, according to the firm's Chief Financial Officer Hiroshi Karube. Ghosn has been in prison in Tokyo since November 19, 2019, accused of not declaring a part of his income from Nissan Motor between 2011 and 2018. The 64-year-old is also accused of having violated a Japanese business regulation by using Nissan to cover a series of personal financial losses during the 2008 crisis, and of making allegedly unjustified payments to a Saudi businessman. Nissan replaced Ghosn with Saikawa as president, and Renault soon followed suit, replacing him with Jean-Dominique Senard as president. Senard is scheduled to visit Tokyo this week and meet with Saikawa, who on Tuesday reiterated his willingness to work with the French executive. Saikawa said that he hoped to further develop their alliance, and said he hoped to discuss and revise the existing Renault-Nissan and Mitsubishi alliance. He said first he wanted to create trust and good communications between their operational teams, while also underlining the need to avoid granting excessive power to the leader of the alliance. On being asked about his responsibility in the alleged irregularities by Ghosn, whom he worked with for a decade, Saikawa said he and other executives felt responsible for not having discovered it or not having stopped it. The CEO of the Japanese company said they had to secure the future of their firm and the need to focus on managing the current situation and chart Nissan's course.

Nissan says undeclared payments by Ghosn total over $83 million

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-spain-recognises-venezuela-opposition-leader-guaido-as-acting-president-195050">German Chancellor Angela Merkel</a> share a responsibility to work towards global peace and prosperity, with both hoping for a prompt, democratic solution to Venezuela's leadership crisis.

Merkel, on a two-day visit to Japan, said that Germany recognises opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's interim president, joining many European nations, and said he should organise new elections as soon as possible.

"Guaido is the person with whom we are talking and who we expect to initiate an election process as quickly as possible, and he is the legitimate interim president for this task from the German perspective and also from the perspective of many European partners," Merkel told a news conference with Abe.

"And we hope that this process is as short as possible and of course peaceful," she added.

Abe emphasized his cooperation with Merkel during a visit aimed a forging an "alliance of multilateralists" to resist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-constitution-rejects-use-of-iraq-as-a-base-for-attacking-a-neighbouring-country-barham-saleh-195059">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a>'s "America First" approach to trade and China's pursuit of narrow national interests.

"Our responsibility towards working for global prosperity and security has merely increased," he said, adding that the two leaders would work for a global order "based on rules."

Merkel referred to an EU-Japan trade deal that entered into force on February 1, saying: "All in all, a trip at a time in which we have demonstrated that, even at times when multilateral agreements are in difficult straits, we are ready to conclude such things."

"..very good win-win situations can occur when all partners talk to each other. Of course, fairness and reciprocity are part of this, but that is what we advocate."

Abe did not comment on Guaido's status, but he said Japan wanted a stable, democratic and prompt solution to Venezuela's political crisis. Several European nations have joined the United States in recognising Guaido as interim president, intensifying a global showdown over Nicolas Maduro's socialist rule.

Merkel said Germany would do everything possible to avoid a no-deal Brexit, but she did not want to see Britain's divorce deal with the EU - the so-called Withdrawal Agreement - renegotiated.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday she would seek a "pragmatic solution" to a parliamentary impasse over the terms on which Britain leaves the European Union when she tries to reopen talks with Brussels less than two months before Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29.

"There are definitely options for preserving the integrity of the single market, even when Northern Ireland isn't part of it because it is part of Britain, while at the same time meeting the desire to have if possible no border controls," Merkel said.

"To solve this point you have to be creative and listen to each other, and such discussions can and must be conducted," she added. "We can still use the time to perhaps reach an agreement if everyone shows good will."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel share a responsibility to work towards global peace and prosperity, with both hoping for a prompt, democratic solution to Venezuela's leadership crisis.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel share a responsibility to work towards global peace and prosperity, with both hoping for a prompt, democratic solution to Venezuela's leadership crisis. Merkel, on a two-day visit to Japan, said that Germany recognises opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's interim president, joining many European nations, and said he should organise new elections as soon as possible. "Guaido is the person with whom we are talking and who we expect to initiate an election process as quickly as possible, and he is the legitimate interim president for this task from the German perspective and also from the perspective of many European partners," Merkel told a news conference with Abe. "And we hope that this process is as short as possible and of course peaceful," she added. Abe emphasized his cooperation with Merkel during a visit aimed a forging an "alliance of multilateralists" to resist US President Donald Trump's "America First" approach to trade and China's pursuit of narrow national interests. "Our responsibility towards working for global prosperity and security has merely increased," he said, adding that the two leaders would work for a global order "based on rules." Merkel referred to an EU-Japan trade deal that entered into force on February 1, saying: "All in all, a trip at a time in which we have demonstrated that, even at times when multilateral agreements are in difficult straits, we are ready to conclude such things." "..very good win-win situations can occur when all partners talk to each other. Of course, fairness and reciprocity are part of this, but that is what we advocate." Abe did not comment on Guaido's status, but he said Japan wanted a stable, democratic and prompt solution to Venezuela's political crisis. Several European nations have joined the United States in recognising Guaido as interim president, intensifying a global showdown over Nicolas Maduro's socialist rule. Merkel said Germany would do everything possible to avoid a no-deal Brexit, but she did not want to see Britain's divorce deal with the EU - the so-called Withdrawal Agreement - renegotiated. British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday she would seek a "pragmatic solution" to a parliamentary impasse over the terms on which Britain leaves the European Union when she tries to reopen talks with Brussels less than two months before Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29. "There are definitely options for preserving the integrity of the single market, even when Northern Ireland isn't part of it because it is part of Britain, while at the same time meeting the desire to have if possible no border controls," Merkel said. "To solve this point you have to be creative and listen to each other, and such discussions can and must be conducted," she added. "We can still use the time to perhaps reach an agreement if everyone shows good will."

Japan, Germany share responsibility to work towards global peace: PM Abe

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan announced Sunday it was cancelling plans to build its X-Trail SUV at its plant in northeast England despite Brexit assurances from the government.

"While we have taken this decision for business reasons, the continued uncertainty around the UK's future relationship with the EU is not helping companies like ours to plan for the future," Nissan Europe Chairman Gianluca de Ficchy said in a statement.

The car giant announced in 2016 that it planned to build the model at its plant in Sunderland, but will now assemble it instead at Nissan's global production hub in Kyushu, Japan.&nbsp;

"Other future models planned for Nissan Sunderland Plant -- the next-generation Juke and Qashqai -- are unaffected," added the statement.

"A model like X-Trail is manufactured in multiple locations globally, and can, therefore, be re-evaluated based on changes to the business environment," said Hideyuki Sakamoto, Nissan's executive vice president for manufacturing and supply chain management.

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan announced Sunday it was cancelling plans to build its X-Trail SUV at its plant in northeast England despite Brexit assurances from the government.

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan announced Sunday it was cancelling plans to build its X-Trail SUV at its plant in northeast England despite Brexit assurances from the government. "While we have taken this decision for business reasons, the continued uncertainty around the UK's future relationship with the EU is not helping companies like ours to plan for the future," Nissan Europe Chairman Gianluca de Ficchy said in a statement. The car giant announced in 2016 that it planned to build the model at its plant in Sunderland, but will now assemble it instead at Nissan's global production hub in Kyushu, Japan. "Other future models planned for Nissan Sunderland Plant -- the next-generation Juke and Qashqai -- are unaffected," added the statement. "A model like X-Trail is manufactured in multiple locations globally, and can, therefore, be re-evaluated based on changes to the business environment," said Hideyuki Sakamoto, Nissan's executive vice president for manufacturing and supply chain management.

Nissan cancels investment plan for UK plant

<h1></h1>

*By-&nbsp;Tom Harper

Nearly 30 years ago, Donald Trump complained on a US chat show about the trade practices of Japan. This was during Japan’s boom of the 1980s, which propelled it to become the world’s second-largest economy. Now, China has taken that spot – and Trump is using the same rhetoric to attack it.&nbsp;

China is the bugbear of Trumpian foreign policy. According to one Wall Street Journal commentator, the US president is seeking to unify the world against China just as Reagan sought to isolate the Soviet Union.

Today’s China, as America’s primary economic challenger, can be seen as the latest incarnation of the East Asian model of authoritarian state capitalism. This was pioneered by Japan with its industrialisation and development during the 19th century.

China’s current communist rulers see industrialisation as the “magic key” to Great Power status – made clear from the message behind the Made in China 2025 scheme which asserts:

Since the beginning of industrial civilisation in the middle of the 18th century, it has been proven repeatedly by the rise and fall of world powers that without strong manufacturing, there is no national prosperity. Building internationally competitive manufacturing is the only way China can enhance its strength, protect state security and become a world power.

Ironically, a variant of this approach has been praised by some British MPs, in their suggestion of the Singaporean model as an example for post-Brexit Britain to follow. But they overlook how such a model is one of state capitalism, rather than the free-market nirvana they perceive it to be.

For it is state capitalism which enabled Japan and China to become manufacturing powerhouses. They both started with cheap, poor quality goods, and then created more sophisticated innovations – see, for example, the recent moon landing of a Chinese probe, the Chang’e 4.&nbsp;

The particular nature of China’s challenge is that its authoritarian system&nbsp;undermines the assumption that capitalism and democracy go hand in hand. A capitalist China is not necessarily a democratic China.&nbsp;

The war that never came&nbsp;

The most notable parallel between the rise of Japan in the 1980s, and China today, is the rhetoric used to describe them. While this includes references to seemingly unfair practices alluded to by Trump, it is more drastically articulated in predictions that conflict lies ahead.

This was expressed by Trump’s economic advisor, Peter Navarro, in The Coming China Wars, and followed George Friedman’s 1989 bestseller The Coming War with Japan, which predicted a shooting war between the US and Japan by the turn of the century.

In addition, both today’s China – and Japan three decades ago – have been held up as a cause of economic malaise in the Western world, with politicians promising to “get tough” with these nations. Yet this repeated rhetoric also demonstrates the perils of following such a simplistic vision.

For a start, the predicted Japanese-American conflict was based on the assumption that the end of the Cold War would see a divergence between Japanese and American interests and a dissolution of their alliance. However, rather than falling as the former Soviet communist states did, China went from strength to strength. This served to reaffirm the necessity of America’s alliance with Japan as a counter-balance in Asia.

It was the alliance that granted the US a degree of leverage over Japan, as illustrated by the 1985 Plaza Accord, which, in strengthening the yen, has often been held up as one of the causes of Japan’s subsequent economic slump. Repeating this with China is a far more challenging proposition for Washington.

The similarities in the rhetoric between these periods also illustrate the flaws in placing the blame of current Western economic malaise solely on Japan or China. The former’s economic rise of the 1980s came in the period of deindustrialisation throughout much of the Western world, bringing social dislocation which has not been fully resolved.

Problems and populism&nbsp;

The West’s failure to resolve the transition from manufacturing was amplified by poor global infrastructure and the failure to resolve the causes of the 2008 crisis, which played a significant role in the rise of populism. The impact was palpable in the “Rust Belt” states of the US, and the old factory towns of northern England, focal points for Trump and Brexit respectively.&nbsp;

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These had also been among the perceived losers from the rise of Japan and China, with the belief that success in those countries came at the expense of the old industrial heartlands of the West. This is a sentiment which populist movements have been keen to exploit. Yet while the ascendant economic powers may change, the problems remain unsolved.

So while the rhetoric of the Japanese-American economic rivalry has compelling parallels with the current Sino-US trade conflict, it would be a mistake to follow these too closely. The underlying domestic structural factors behind current problems should not be overlooked in favour of externalising the causes.

Even if Trump achieves a perceived “win” over China, as his predecessors did with Japan, it does little to remedy these problems. Instead, it merely furthers temptation to blame an external “other” when the next wave of problems emerges.&nbsp;

*(Tom Harper joined the University of Surrey as a doctoral researcher after completing a masters in international relations at the University of Sussex. He is currently researching the role imperialism plays in Chinese foreign policy.)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/trumps-trade-war-with-china-is-a-blame-game-that-has-been-played-before-against-japan-109923">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

*By- Tom Harper Nearly 30 years ago, Donald Trump complained on a US chat show about the trade practices of Japan. This was during Japan’s boom of the 1980s, which propelled it to become the world’s second-largest economy.

*By- Tom Harper Nearly 30 years ago, Donald Trump complained on a US chat show about the trade practices of Japan. This was during Japan’s boom of the 1980s, which propelled it to become the world’s second-largest economy. Now, China has taken that spot – and Trump is using the same rhetoric to attack it. China is the bugbear of Trumpian foreign policy. According to one Wall Street Journal commentator, the US president is seeking to unify the world against China just as Reagan sought to isolate the Soviet Union. Today’s China, as America’s primary economic challenger, can be seen as the latest incarnation of the East Asian model of authoritarian state capitalism. This was pioneered by Japan with its industrialisation and development during the 19th century. China’s current communist rulers see industrialisation as the “magic key” to Great Power status – made clear from the message behind the Made in China 2025 scheme which asserts: Since the beginning of industrial civilisation in the middle of the 18th century, it has been proven repeatedly by the rise and fall of world powers that without strong manufacturing, there is no national prosperity. Building internationally competitive manufacturing is the only way China can enhance its strength, protect state security and become a world power. Ironically, a variant of this approach has been praised by some British MPs, in their suggestion of the Singaporean model as an example for post-Brexit Britain to follow. But they overlook how such a model is one of state capitalism, rather than the free-market nirvana they perceive it to be. For it is state capitalism which enabled Japan and China to become manufacturing powerhouses. They both started with cheap, poor quality goods, and then created more sophisticated innovations – see, for example, the recent moon landing of a Chinese probe, the Chang’e 4. The particular nature of China’s challenge is that its authoritarian system undermines the assumption that capitalism and democracy go hand in hand. A capitalist China is not necessarily a democratic China. The war that never came The most notable parallel between the rise of Japan in the 1980s, and China today, is the rhetoric used to describe them. While this includes references to seemingly unfair practices alluded to by Trump, it is more drastically articulated in predictions that conflict lies ahead. This was expressed by Trump’s economic advisor, Peter Navarro, in The Coming China Wars, and followed George Friedman’s 1989 bestseller The Coming War with Japan, which predicted a shooting war between the US and Japan by the turn of the century. In addition, both today’s China – and Japan three decades ago – have been held up as a cause of economic malaise in the Western world, with politicians promising to “get tough” with these nations. Yet this repeated rhetoric also demonstrates the perils of following such a simplistic vision. For a start, the predicted Japanese-American conflict was based on the assumption that the end of the Cold War would see a divergence between Japanese and American interests and a dissolution of their alliance. However, rather than falling as the former Soviet communist states did, China went from strength to strength. This served to reaffirm the necessity of America’s alliance with Japan as a counter-balance in Asia. It was the alliance that granted the US a degree of leverage over Japan, as illustrated by the 1985 Plaza Accord, which, in strengthening the yen, has often been held up as one of the causes of Japan’s subsequent economic slump. Repeating this with China is a far more challenging proposition for Washington. The similarities in the rhetoric between these periods also illustrate the flaws in placing the blame of current Western economic malaise solely on Japan or China. The former’s economic rise of the 1980s came in the period of deindustrialisation throughout much of the Western world, bringing social dislocation which has not been fully resolved. Problems and populism The West’s failure to resolve the transition from manufacturing was amplified by poor global infrastructure and the failure to resolve the causes of the 2008 crisis, which played a significant role in the rise of populism. The impact was palpable in the “Rust Belt” states of the US, and the old factory towns of northern England, focal points for Trump and Brexit respectively. × These had also been among the perceived losers from the rise of Japan and China, with the belief that success in those countries came at the expense of the old industrial heartlands of the West. This is a sentiment which populist movements have been keen to exploit. Yet while the ascendant economic powers may change, the problems remain unsolved. So while the rhetoric of the Japanese-American economic rivalry has compelling parallels with the current Sino-US trade conflict, it would be a mistake to follow these too closely. The underlying domestic structural factors behind current problems should not be overlooked in favour of externalising the causes. Even if Trump achieves a perceived “win” over China, as his predecessors did with Japan, it does little to remedy these problems. Instead, it merely furthers temptation to blame an external “other” when the next wave of problems emerges. *(Tom Harper joined the University of Surrey as a doctoral researcher after completing a masters in international relations at the University of Sussex. He is currently researching the role imperialism plays in Chinese foreign policy.) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Trump's trade war with China is a blame game that has been played before – against Japan

Qatar&nbsp;coach Felix Sanchez shrugged off comparisons to Pep Guardiola on Friday after masterminding a breathtaking <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/world-cup-host-qatar-stun-japan-in-asian-cup-final-194478">Asian Cup victory</a> just three years before the 2022 World Cup on home turf.

Almoez Ali scored a tournament-record nine goals and the Maroons conceded only once as they swept to the first continental title in their history, beating Japan 3-1 in the final.

Ali said he saw shades of Manchester City's Guardiola in Sanchez, who coached Barcelona's youth players before joining&nbsp;Qatar's national academy in 2006 and working his way through the ranks.

"I've been working with him for nine years, he's highly intelligent," said the 21-year-old striker. "I compare him to Guardiola because he has the same ideas."

But Sanchez told AFP that Ali only made the comment "because I'm there (listening) and he wants to keep playing".

"I've worked with Almoez for a very long time and we have good relationship," the Spaniard said.

"He's very easy to coach because he's a hard worker and he deserves everything that has happened to him in this tournament."

Qatar&nbsp;upset former champions Saudi Arabia, Iraq and South Korea on their march to the final, but those weren't the only challenges they faced.

The Qataris were pelted with shoes and plastic bottles by a hostile home crowd as they beat the United Arab Emirates 4-0 in the semi-finals.

The UAE then lodged a protest over the eligibility of Ali and defender Bassam Al-Rawi which was dismissed just hours before the final.

Sanchez insisted he had "no concerns" about the eligibility row and also dismissed speculation that notoriously trigger-happy&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;might replace him with a big-name coach before the World Cup.

"I'm very proud to be the&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;national team coach. Today we made history. I'm only thinking about today. It's a great day for me and the players and the country," Sanchez said.

"There's always news about this person and that person but we're focused on our work and we have the full support of the QFA.

"So no concerns about the World Cup, it's in 2022 and you don't even know what's going to happen in two weeks."

Qatar coach Felix Sanchez shrugged off comparisons to Pep Guardiola on Friday after masterminding a breathtaking Asian Cup victory just three years before the 2022 World Cup on home turf.

Qatar coach Felix Sanchez shrugged off comparisons to Pep Guardiola on Friday after masterminding a breathtaking Asian Cup victory just three years before the 2022 World Cup on home turf. Almoez Ali scored a tournament-record nine goals and the Maroons conceded only once as they swept to the first continental title in their history, beating Japan 3-1 in the final. Ali said he saw shades of Manchester City's Guardiola in Sanchez, who coached Barcelona's youth players before joining Qatar's national academy in 2006 and working his way through the ranks. "I've been working with him for nine years, he's highly intelligent," said the 21-year-old striker. "I compare him to Guardiola because he has the same ideas." But Sanchez told AFP that Ali only made the comment "because I'm there (listening) and he wants to keep playing". "I've worked with Almoez for a very long time and we have good relationship," the Spaniard said. "He's very easy to coach because he's a hard worker and he deserves everything that has happened to him in this tournament." Qatar upset former champions Saudi Arabia, Iraq and South Korea on their march to the final, but those weren't the only challenges they faced. The Qataris were pelted with shoes and plastic bottles by a hostile home crowd as they beat the United Arab Emirates 4-0 in the semi-finals. The UAE then lodged a protest over the eligibility of Ali and defender Bassam Al-Rawi which was dismissed just hours before the final. Sanchez insisted he had "no concerns" about the eligibility row and also dismissed speculation that notoriously trigger-happy Qatar might replace him with a big-name coach before the World Cup. "I'm very proud to be the Qatar national team coach. Today we made history. I'm only thinking about today. It's a great day for me and the players and the country," Sanchez said. "There's always news about this person and that person but we're focused on our work and we have the full support of the QFA. "So no concerns about the World Cup, it's in 2022 and you don't even know what's going to happen in two weeks."

He's our Guardiola: Qatar coach Felix Sanchez hailed after stunning Asian win

Record-breaker Almoez Ali stars in Qatar's historic win in Asian Cup final

By Emil Kirchner

Two new landmark agreements between the EU and Japan come into effect on February 1, 2019: the Economic Partnership Agreement and the Strategic Partnership Agreement. The economic agreement is the largest bilateral trade deal ever made by the EU in terms of market size and will be the largest zone of free trade created in history.

It drastically reduces tariffs between the EU and Japan, paving the way for simpler and faster trade between the two, and therefore an increase in volume. The strategic partnership commits to security cooperation on issues like nuclear proliferation, regional security, international terrorism and organised crime, cyber-security, and energy and climate security.

As Han Dorussen and I explain in our new book EU-Japan Security Cooperation: Trends and Prospects, these agreements come at a crucial time in the development of international trade and global governance. Brexit has the UK trying to redefine its relationship with the EU and potentially forge its own trade policies with the rest of the world.

Perhaps more importantly, the new EU-Japan agreements stand in direct contrast to Donald Trump’s decision to introduce an “America First” trade policy. Since being elected president in 2016, Trump has emphasised bilateral deals, erected trade barriers and undermined international institutions like the World Trade Organisation. Indeed, it was the anticipation of Trump’s nationalist policies, and especially his withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, that gave renewed impetus to the EU and Japan’s lingering negotiations of the two agreements. Large trade agreements take a notoriously long time to negotiate and talks between the EU and Japan first began in 2013.

Japan and the EU – and Germany in particular – are export-driven economies and advocates of open trade. The protectionist stance of President Trump left them feeling vulnerable. So the new economic agreement is seen as strongly reaffirming the rules-based international trading system.

The concessions Japan offered to the EU on agricultural products are a blow to US farmers, who for a long time had been hoping to pry open this sealed market. The EU-Japan deal will emphasise Japan’s commitment to free trade and give further thrust to the newly-formed multilateral trade agreement known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which rose from the ashes of the TPP after the US withdrawal.

Opening up trade

The EU-Japan economic agreement will ultimately remove 97 per cent of the tariffs that Japan applies to European goods and 99 per cent of those applied by the EU. It is estimated that EU companies will save €1 billion a year in duties which they currently pay when exporting to Japan. A number of longstanding regulatory barriers, for example on car exports, will also be removed.

The agreement will open up the Japanese market of 127m consumers to key EU agricultural products and increase EU export opportunities in many other sectors such as financial services. As Japan will scrap duties on agricultural products, the Europeans stand to gain the most from exports of consumer products, such as cheese, pork, and wines.

Japan’s main interest in a trade deal with Europe was to increase its auto industry exports. The EU currently imposes a 10 per cent tariff on Japanese cars. Under the agreement, it will lower this to zero over eight years. 
 
Although cars and auto components account for about a fifth of Japan’s exports to Europe, Japanese car makers’ share of the European market is only about 10 per cent – much lower than in the US or Asia.

Besides these improvements, the economic agreement will strengthen cooperation between Europe and Japan in a range of areas. It will reaffirm their shared commitment to sustainable development and include for the first time a specific commitment to the Paris climate agreement.

EU firms already export more than €58 billion in goods and €28 billion in services to Japan every year. This will grow, and the strategic partnership will lead to the further deepening of EU-Japan relations and engagement across a wide range of global, regional and bilateral thematic issues. It reaffirms the shared values and common principles that form the basis of EU-Japan relations, including human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Together, the EU and Japan’s economies account for about a third of global GDP. The new trade agreement should, therefore, serve to bolster the global economy, as well as marking a strong commitment to multilateralism by two of the world’s biggest economies.

 
(Emil Kirchner is Emeritus Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/eu-japan-trade-deal-comes-into-force-to-create-worlds-biggest-trade-zone-110729">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Emil Kirchner Two new landmark agreements between the EU and Japan come into effect on February 1, 2019: the Economic Partnership Agreement and the Strategic Partnership Agreement.

By Emil Kirchner Two new landmark agreements between the EU and Japan come into effect on February 1, 2019: the Economic Partnership Agreement and the Strategic Partnership Agreement. The economic agreement is the largest bilateral trade deal ever made by the EU in terms of market size and will be the largest zone of free trade created in history. It drastically reduces tariffs between the EU and Japan, paving the way for simpler and faster trade between the two, and therefore an increase in volume. The strategic partnership commits to security cooperation on issues like nuclear proliferation, regional security, international terrorism and organised crime, cyber-security, and energy and climate security. As Han Dorussen and I explain in our new book EU-Japan Security Cooperation: Trends and Prospects, these agreements come at a crucial time in the development of international trade and global governance. Brexit has the UK trying to redefine its relationship with the EU and potentially forge its own trade policies with the rest of the world. Perhaps more importantly, the new EU-Japan agreements stand in direct contrast to Donald Trump’s decision to introduce an “America First” trade policy. Since being elected president in 2016, Trump has emphasised bilateral deals, erected trade barriers and undermined international institutions like the World Trade Organisation. Indeed, it was the anticipation of Trump’s nationalist policies, and especially his withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, that gave renewed impetus to the EU and Japan’s lingering negotiations of the two agreements. Large trade agreements take a notoriously long time to negotiate and talks between the EU and Japan first began in 2013. Japan and the EU – and Germany in particular – are export-driven economies and advocates of open trade. The protectionist stance of President Trump left them feeling vulnerable. So the new economic agreement is seen as strongly reaffirming the rules-based international trading system. The concessions Japan offered to the EU on agricultural products are a blow to US farmers, who for a long time had been hoping to pry open this sealed market. The EU-Japan deal will emphasise Japan’s commitment to free trade and give further thrust to the newly-formed multilateral trade agreement known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which rose from the ashes of the TPP after the US withdrawal. Opening up trade The EU-Japan economic agreement will ultimately remove 97 per cent of the tariffs that Japan applies to European goods and 99 per cent of those applied by the EU. It is estimated that EU companies will save €1 billion a year in duties which they currently pay when exporting to Japan. A number of longstanding regulatory barriers, for example on car exports, will also be removed. The agreement will open up the Japanese market of 127m consumers to key EU agricultural products and increase EU export opportunities in many other sectors such as financial services. As Japan will scrap duties on agricultural products, the Europeans stand to gain the most from exports of consumer products, such as cheese, pork, and wines. Japan’s main interest in a trade deal with Europe was to increase its auto industry exports. The EU currently imposes a 10 per cent tariff on Japanese cars. Under the agreement, it will lower this to zero over eight years. Although cars and auto components account for about a fifth of Japan’s exports to Europe, Japanese car makers’ share of the European market is only about 10 per cent – much lower than in the US or Asia. Besides these improvements, the economic agreement will strengthen cooperation between Europe and Japan in a range of areas. It will reaffirm their shared commitment to sustainable development and include for the first time a specific commitment to the Paris climate agreement. EU firms already export more than €58 billion in goods and €28 billion in services to Japan every year. This will grow, and the strategic partnership will lead to the further deepening of EU-Japan relations and engagement across a wide range of global, regional and bilateral thematic issues. It reaffirms the shared values and common principles that form the basis of EU-Japan relations, including human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Together, the EU and Japan’s economies account for about a third of global GDP. The new trade agreement should, therefore, serve to bolster the global economy, as well as marking a strong commitment to multilateralism by two of the world’s biggest economies. (Emil Kirchner is Emeritus Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

EU-Japan trade deal comes into force to create the world’s biggest trade zone

A Japanese mayor who came under fire after telling his subordinate to burn down a building in the way of a road construction project offered to resign on Friday.

Fusaho Izumi, from Akashi city near Kobe in western Japan, was recorded ranting at a senior city official who was struggling to evict tenants and the owner of the building, as he sought to expand an existing road.

"Are you stupid?" he said in the tirade recorded in June 2017.

"Make them evict! You go and start a fire today and get arrested! Burn it! No joke! Go and destroy the building now!"

The recording was released to the local media this week. It immediately made national headlines and was replayed time and time again on television shows.

On Friday, Izumi told a nationally televised news conference his actions "must not be tolerated."

"After all the news reports, the city hall has received many calls. This is interrupting the city's operations. If the city hall cannot operate smoothly, it will cause trouble for local citizens," he said.

"It's clear that I lacked quality as a leader," he admitted.

A Japanese mayor who came under fire after telling his subordinate to burn down a building in the way of a road construction project offered to resign on Friday.

A Japanese mayor who came under fire after telling his subordinate to burn down a building in the way of a road construction project offered to resign on Friday. Fusaho Izumi, from Akashi city near Kobe in western Japan, was recorded ranting at a senior city official who was struggling to evict tenants and the owner of the building, as he sought to expand an existing road. "Are you stupid?" he said in the tirade recorded in June 2017. "Make them evict! You go and start a fire today and get arrested! Burn it! No joke! Go and destroy the building now!" The recording was released to the local media this week. It immediately made national headlines and was replayed time and time again on television shows. On Friday, Izumi told a nationally televised news conference his actions "must not be tolerated." "After all the news reports, the city hall has received many calls. This is interrupting the city's operations. If the city hall cannot operate smoothly, it will cause trouble for local citizens," he said. "It's clear that I lacked quality as a leader," he admitted.

Under-fire Japan mayor Fusaho Izumi resigns after ordering arson

At 93, Kim Bok-dong died as she had lived for many years: at the heart of the controversy over Japan's use of forced labour in its wartime brothels.

Kim, who died on Monday at a hospital in the South Korean capital of Seoul, was a fixture at weekly protests outside the Japanese embassy calling for a sincere apology and compensation.

She remained angry at Japan until the end, her supporters said.

"She suddenly opened her eyes yesterday and told a long story ... I couldn't decipher everything but one thing I could hear clearly was that we had to fight until the end," said Yoon Mee-hyang, who leads an advocate group for the women.

"Then she expressed strong anger toward Japan as she continued talking, before she regained her tranquillity," Yoon told Reuters.

Kim was among the two dozen known surviving South Korean "comfort women", a Japanese euphemism for women who were forced into prostitution and sexually abused at Japanese military brothels before and during World War Two.

Activists say they plan to march alongside Kim's casket past Japan's embassy on Friday, a demonstration that could further strain ties between Seoul and Tokyo.

The two Asian neighbours share a bitter history stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonisation of the Korean peninsula.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said during his visit to Kim's funeral home on Tuesday it was "heartbreaking" that victims die without a resolution of the issue.

In a separate post on Facebook, Moon said Kim revealed a "hidden history" by becoming one of the first victims to come forward in 1992.

Kim was 14 when she was first sent to a military brothel, and forced to provide sex for Japanese soldiers also in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, according to Yoon.

"SINCERE APOLOGY"

Articulate and charismatic, Kim was a vocal critic of a 2015 deal in which Tokyo apologised to the victims and provided one billion yen ($9.1 million) to a fund in Seoul to help them.

Kim said it was not sincere because some Japanese leaders continued to deny the women were forced to work in brothels.

"We won't accept it even if Japan gives 10 billion yen. It's not about money. They're still saying we went there because we wanted to," Kim told a parliamentary session in September 2016.

Moon's government has said it will not seek to renegotiate the 2015 deal. Last year it vowed to shut down the Japan-sponsored fund and pursue a more "victim-oriented" approach.

Japan says the claims have been settled by past agreements and apologies, and that the continued dispute may threaten relations between the two countries.

Only 23 registered South Korean survivors are still alive, highlighting a sense of urgency behind efforts by the women to receive a formal apology and legal compensation from Japan while their voices can still be heard.

Just hours before Kim passed away, a fellow victim only identifiable by her surname Lee had died, Yoon said.

Kim's defence of victims' rights earned the respect of one South Korean diplomat involved in their case.

"She was clever and unwavering under any circumstances," said the diplomat who did not want to be named.

"All she wanted was genuine atonement, and we fully respected it and felt sorry even when she wasn't happy with our work."

At 93, Kim Bok-dong died as she had lived for many years: at the heart of the controversy over Japan's use of forced labour in its wartime brothels. Kim, who died on Monday at a hospital in the South Korean capital of Seoul, was a fixture at weekly protests outside the Japanese embassy calling for a sincere apology and compensation.

At 93, Kim Bok-dong died as she had lived for many years: at the heart of the controversy over Japan's use of forced labour in its wartime brothels. Kim, who died on Monday at a hospital in the South Korean capital of Seoul, was a fixture at weekly protests outside the Japanese embassy calling for a sincere apology and compensation. She remained angry at Japan until the end, her supporters said. "She suddenly opened her eyes yesterday and told a long story ... I couldn't decipher everything but one thing I could hear clearly was that we had to fight until the end," said Yoon Mee-hyang, who leads an advocate group for the women. "Then she expressed strong anger toward Japan as she continued talking, before she regained her tranquillity," Yoon told Reuters. Kim was among the two dozen known surviving South Korean "comfort women", a Japanese euphemism for women who were forced into prostitution and sexually abused at Japanese military brothels before and during World War Two. Activists say they plan to march alongside Kim's casket past Japan's embassy on Friday, a demonstration that could further strain ties between Seoul and Tokyo. The two Asian neighbours share a bitter history stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonisation of the Korean peninsula. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said during his visit to Kim's funeral home on Tuesday it was "heartbreaking" that victims die without a resolution of the issue. In a separate post on Facebook, Moon said Kim revealed a "hidden history" by becoming one of the first victims to come forward in 1992. Kim was 14 when she was first sent to a military brothel, and forced to provide sex for Japanese soldiers also in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, according to Yoon. "SINCERE APOLOGY" Articulate and charismatic, Kim was a vocal critic of a 2015 deal in which Tokyo apologised to the victims and provided one billion yen ($9.1 million) to a fund in Seoul to help them. Kim said it was not sincere because some Japanese leaders continued to deny the women were forced to work in brothels. "We won't accept it even if Japan gives 10 billion yen. It's not about money. They're still saying we went there because we wanted to," Kim told a parliamentary session in September 2016. Moon's government has said it will not seek to renegotiate the 2015 deal. Last year it vowed to shut down the Japan-sponsored fund and pursue a more "victim-oriented" approach. Japan says the claims have been settled by past agreements and apologies, and that the continued dispute may threaten relations between the two countries. Only 23 registered South Korean survivors are still alive, highlighting a sense of urgency behind efforts by the women to receive a formal apology and legal compensation from Japan while their voices can still be heard. Just hours before Kim passed away, a fellow victim only identifiable by her surname Lee had died, Yoon said. Kim's defence of victims' rights earned the respect of one South Korean diplomat involved in their case. "She was clever and unwavering under any circumstances," said the diplomat who did not want to be named. "All she wanted was genuine atonement, and we fully respected it and felt sorry even when she wasn't happy with our work."

'Fight until the end': South Korean 'comfort women' campaigner dies at 93

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz on Monday decided to step down from his responsibility after nearly eight years following his team's 3-0 loss to Japan in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup.&nbsp;

"I think the simplest thing to do is to copy the old song: 'and now, the end is here'," the 65-year-old Portuguese said.

"I'm happy and proud to say I did it my way," he concluded.

The former Real Madrid coach had been hoping to deliver Iran's first continental title since 1976 in the United Arab Emirates but Japan scored three second-half goals to send them crashing out of the tournament.&nbsp;

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz on Monday decided to step down from his responsibility after nearly eight years following his team's 3-0 loss to Japan in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz on Monday decided to step down from his responsibility after nearly eight years following his team's 3-0 loss to Japan in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup. "I think the simplest thing to do is to copy the old song: 'and now, the end is here'," the 65-year-old Portuguese said. "I'm happy and proud to say I did it my way," he concluded. The former Real Madrid coach had been hoping to deliver Iran's first continental title since 1976 in the United Arab Emirates but Japan scored three second-half goals to send them crashing out of the tournament.

Asian Cup: Carlos Queiroz steps down as Iran coach after semi-final defeat

Japan on Monday defeated Iran 3-0 to reach the Asian Cup final, where they will be seeking their fifth title.

Yuya Osako scored twice in the second half, including a VAR-assisted penalty, and Genki Haraguchi netted in injury time to complete an emphatic win.

Japan will play either Qatar or hosts the United Arab Emirates in Friday's final in Abu Dhabi.

Japan on Monday defeated Iran 3-0 to reach the Asian Cup final, where they will be seeking their fifth title. Yuya Osako scored twice in the second half, including a VAR-assisted penalty, and Genki Haraguchi netted in injury time to complete an emphatic win.

Japan on Monday defeated Iran 3-0 to reach the Asian Cup final, where they will be seeking their fifth title. Yuya Osako scored twice in the second half, including a VAR-assisted penalty, and Genki Haraguchi netted in injury time to complete an emphatic win. Japan will play either Qatar or hosts the United Arab Emirates in Friday's final in Abu Dhabi.

Japan defeat Iran to reach Asian Cup final, eye fifth title

It was an agonising two hours and 27 minutes but Japanese tennis fans burst into tears and shouts of joy Saturday as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/naomi-osaka-beats-petra-kvitova-to-win-australian-open-192967">Naomi Osaka sealed her second straight Grand Slam</a>.&nbsp;

Supporters in a packed Tokyo bar had a rollercoaster ride watching the action from the Australian Open final as their heroine Osaka contrived to give up three Championship points in the second set.

But as Osaka claimed victory and sunk to her knees in triumph and disbelief, fans let out the pent-up emotion following a thrilling see-saw <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/petra-kvitova-feels-a-winner-despite-australian-open-pain-193041">battle with eighth seed Petra Kvitova</a> from the Czech Republic.

They punched the air, clapped hands and gave each other hugs and high fives as shouts of joy rang around the B ONE bar in upmarket Ginza, replacing earlier chants of "Naomi! Naomi! Naomi!"&nbsp;

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe led his nation's congratulations, hailing an "impressive victory in a very tight game".

"I'm so proud of the birth of the new world queen," tweeted Abe.

In securing victory in Melbourne after her stunning win over Serena Williams in the US Open last year, Osaka also clinched the world number-one spot, the first Asian to do so.

Her US Open victory was the first by a Japanese player and she is now the youngest woman to win back-to-back majors since Martina Hingis in 1998 and the youngest number one since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010.

With her gutsy performance in Melbourne backing up her breakthrough in New York, Osaka confirmed herself as the new star in the women's game and fans were expecting her to kick on from here.

"She can win much, much more! I want her to win on grass... I want her to win at Wimbledon!" Masako Takeda said at the bar as she wiped away tears of joy.

Another fan, Aki Tani, praised Osaka for being "humble but playing boldly" on court.

"I'm so happy that we can tell she has grown so much over the past two years!" she said.

Nozomi Hirabayashi noted it was "unthinkable before" that a Japanese player could become the world's best.

"I'm so proud," he said. "I want her to win the next Grand Slam as she is very mentally strong." News flashes screamed across Japanese networks after the nail-biting match.

The Sankei newspaper tweeted: "She scored a remarkable win that makes us see 'the Era of Naomi' coming up." Osaka has a Japanese mother, a Haitian father and was raised in the United States.

She has dual Japanese-American citizenship and often replies to questions from Japan's media in English, apologising for not knowing the appropriate word when she speaks Japanese.

It was an agonising two hours and 27 minutes but Japanese tennis fans burst into tears and shouts of joy Saturday as Naomi Osaka sealed her second straight Grand Slam.

It was an agonising two hours and 27 minutes but Japanese tennis fans burst into tears and shouts of joy Saturday as Naomi Osaka sealed her second straight Grand Slam. Supporters in a packed Tokyo bar had a rollercoaster ride watching the action from the Australian Open final as their heroine Osaka contrived to give up three Championship points in the second set. But as Osaka claimed victory and sunk to her knees in triumph and disbelief, fans let out the pent-up emotion following a thrilling see-saw battle with eighth seed Petra Kvitova from the Czech Republic. They punched the air, clapped hands and gave each other hugs and high fives as shouts of joy rang around the B ONE bar in upmarket Ginza, replacing earlier chants of "Naomi! Naomi! Naomi!" Prime Minister Shinzo Abe led his nation's congratulations, hailing an "impressive victory in a very tight game". "I'm so proud of the birth of the new world queen," tweeted Abe. In securing victory in Melbourne after her stunning win over Serena Williams in the US Open last year, Osaka also clinched the world number-one spot, the first Asian to do so. Her US Open victory was the first by a Japanese player and she is now the youngest woman to win back-to-back majors since Martina Hingis in 1998 and the youngest number one since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010. With her gutsy performance in Melbourne backing up her breakthrough in New York, Osaka confirmed herself as the new star in the women's game and fans were expecting her to kick on from here. "She can win much, much more! I want her to win on grass... I want her to win at Wimbledon!" Masako Takeda said at the bar as she wiped away tears of joy. Another fan, Aki Tani, praised Osaka for being "humble but playing boldly" on court. "I'm so happy that we can tell she has grown so much over the past two years!" she said. Nozomi Hirabayashi noted it was "unthinkable before" that a Japanese player could become the world's best. "I'm so proud," he said. "I want her to win the next Grand Slam as she is very mentally strong." News flashes screamed across Japanese networks after the nail-biting match. The Sankei newspaper tweeted: "She scored a remarkable win that makes us see 'the Era of Naomi' coming up." Osaka has a Japanese mother, a Haitian father and was raised in the United States. She has dual Japanese-American citizenship and often replies to questions from Japan's media in English, apologising for not knowing the appropriate word when she speaks Japanese.

Australian Open: Japan tennis fans hail 'new Queen' Naomi Osaka

Germany should shut down its last coal-fired power plant by 2038 at the latest, a government-appointed commission said early on Saturday as part of a roadmap laying out an accelerated phase-out of the polluting fuel.

Commission sources told Reuters the body agreed a total of 40 billion euros ($45.65 billion) should be provided in aid for the states affected by the coal phase-out up to 2040, less than the roughly 60 billion euros that they had asked for.

Over the next four years, plant operators, including RWE and Uniper, will be asked to shut down about 12 gigawatts of capacity early in a first step, members of the commission told Reuters after more than 20 hours of discussions.

This equals about 24 large power station units.

The commission's plans are at the centre of Germany's strategy for how to abandon polluting coal stations in favour of renewables, which accounted for more than 40 per cent of the energy mix last year, beating coal for the first time.

It is the second major intervention in Germany's energy market within a decade after a landmark decision to shut down all nuclear power stations by 2022. The decision to switch away from nuclear was taken in the wake of Japan's Fukishima disaster in 2011.

Following months of negotiations, the proposals of the committee, also known as the coal commission, will serve as a guideline for the government in its effort to turn the planned coal exit into law.

While the 2038 exit date seems broadly in line with estimates, commission sources said that the phase-out could already be completed by 2035, adding it would be decided in 2032 whether this was feasible.

Compensation for companies and consumers experiencing higher electricity prices resulting from the coal phase-out should be 2 billion euros per year, with the exact amount to be fixed in 2023, a text of the commission's recommendations seen by Reuters showed.

Germany should shut down its last coal-fired power plant by 2038 at the latest, a government-appointed commission said early on Saturday as part of a roadmap laying out an accelerated phase-out of the polluting fuel.

Germany should shut down its last coal-fired power plant by 2038 at the latest, a government-appointed commission said early on Saturday as part of a roadmap laying out an accelerated phase-out of the polluting fuel. Commission sources told Reuters the body agreed a total of 40 billion euros ($45.65 billion) should be provided in aid for the states affected by the coal phase-out up to 2040, less than the roughly 60 billion euros that they had asked for. Over the next four years, plant operators, including RWE and Uniper, will be asked to shut down about 12 gigawatts of capacity early in a first step, members of the commission told Reuters after more than 20 hours of discussions. This equals about 24 large power station units. The commission's plans are at the centre of Germany's strategy for how to abandon polluting coal stations in favour of renewables, which accounted for more than 40 per cent of the energy mix last year, beating coal for the first time. It is the second major intervention in Germany's energy market within a decade after a landmark decision to shut down all nuclear power stations by 2022. The decision to switch away from nuclear was taken in the wake of Japan's Fukishima disaster in 2011. Following months of negotiations, the proposals of the committee, also known as the coal commission, will serve as a guideline for the government in its effort to turn the planned coal exit into law. While the 2038 exit date seems broadly in line with estimates, commission sources said that the phase-out could already be completed by 2035, adding it would be decided in 2032 whether this was feasible. Compensation for companies and consumers experiencing higher electricity prices resulting from the coal phase-out should be 2 billion euros per year, with the exact amount to be fixed in 2023, a text of the commission's recommendations seen by Reuters showed.

Germany should fully phase out coal by 2038: Commission

Carlos Ghosn has resigned from French carmaker Renault, French finance minister Bruno Le Maire told Bloomberg Television in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"Carlos Ghosn just resigned last night," said Le Maire.

Renault's board will meet on Thursday to replace Ghosn, in a move that could help ease tensions with alliance partner Nissan following Ghosn's arrest in Japan for alleged financial misconduct.

The meeting will start at 0900 GMT and consider the proposed appointment of outgoing Michelin boss Jean-Dominique Senard as chairman and the promotion of Ghosn's deputy Thierry Bollore to CEO, three sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters.

The Tokyo District Court on January 15 denied former Nissan Motor Co Ltd Chairman Carlos Ghosn's request for release on bail after his indictment last week on two new charges, including for aggravated breach of trust.

Ghosn, the once-feted auto executive, awaits a lengthy criminal trial that could be as long as six months away, after his surprise arrest on November 19.

Carlos Ghosn has resigned from French carmaker Renault, French finance minister Bruno Le Maire told Bloomberg Television in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Carlos Ghosn has resigned from French carmaker Renault, French finance minister Bruno Le Maire told Bloomberg Television in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "Carlos Ghosn just resigned last night," said Le Maire. Renault's board will meet on Thursday to replace Ghosn, in a move that could help ease tensions with alliance partner Nissan following Ghosn's arrest in Japan for alleged financial misconduct. The meeting will start at 0900 GMT and consider the proposed appointment of outgoing Michelin boss Jean-Dominique Senard as chairman and the promotion of Ghosn's deputy Thierry Bollore to CEO, three sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters. The Tokyo District Court on January 15 denied former Nissan Motor Co Ltd Chairman Carlos Ghosn's request for release on bail after his indictment last week on two new charges, including for aggravated breach of trust. Ghosn, the once-feted auto executive, awaits a lengthy criminal trial that could be as long as six months away, after his surprise arrest on November 19.

Carlos Ghosn resigned from Renault on January 22

Japanese noodle firm Nissin announced Thursday it was scrapping an "anime" advert featuring tennis star Naomi Osaka, after portraying the half-Haitian player with pale skin, sparking accusations of "whitewashing."

The cup noodle firm, which sponsors the US Open women's champion, found itself in hot water with its cartoon advert also featuring fellow tennis star Kei Nishikori, as the pale-skinned character bore scant resemblance to the 21-year-old Osaka.

The anime adverts "have already been dropped", Daisuke Okabayashi, a spokesman for Nissin Foods, told AFP.

"We never had the intention to do what is known as 'whitewashing', but with this becoming an issue, we will pay more attention to respect for diversity in our PR activities," added Okabayashi.

He added that they did not consider either blackening or whitening the skin colour of the characters. "We were trying to create them to match the world of Japanese animation," stressed Okabayashi.

The firm had intially obtained agreement from Osaka via her representatives, added the spokesman.

Osaka, who has a Japanese mother, a Haitian father and was raised in the United States, has not commented publicly on the issue as she bids for a second consecutive Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

The advert sparked debate on social media, with one user writing: "Didn't anyone question why her skin colour was so pale? Her identity is completely ignored."

Another Japanese twitter user complained: "This isn't Naomi Osaka. Isn't this clearly whitewashing?"

However, others noted Nishikori was also portrayed with lighter skin, which tends to be the norm in "anime" cartoons.

The real Nishikori "isn't that light, eyes aren't that round, and nose is wider. They are both drawn in anime style," said one defender of the advert.

Osaka has dual Japanese-American citizenship and often replies to questions from Japan's media in English, apologising for not knowing the appropriate word when she speaks Japanese.

Japan remains a fairly homogeneous country, and mixed race children can often face prejudice, although attitudes among younger generations are changing.

Osaka became the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam last year after beating Serena Williams at the US Open.

That match also sparked a cartoon/race controversy when a caricature of Williams, who is black, appeared showing a butch and fat-lipped player jumping up and down on a broken racquet.

The match was marked by heated exchanges between Williams and the umpire.

Osaka and Williams were on a semi-final collision course at the Australian Open but the American coughed up a match point to lose to Karolina Pliskova.

Japanese noodle firm Nissin announced Thursday it was scrapping an "anime" advert featuring tennis star Naomi Osaka, after portraying the half-Haitian player with pale skin, sparking accusations of "whitewashing.

Japanese noodle firm Nissin announced Thursday it was scrapping an "anime" advert featuring tennis star Naomi Osaka, after portraying the half-Haitian player with pale skin, sparking accusations of "whitewashing." The cup noodle firm, which sponsors the US Open women's champion, found itself in hot water with its cartoon advert also featuring fellow tennis star Kei Nishikori, as the pale-skinned character bore scant resemblance to the 21-year-old Osaka. The anime adverts "have already been dropped", Daisuke Okabayashi, a spokesman for Nissin Foods, told AFP. "We never had the intention to do what is known as 'whitewashing', but with this becoming an issue, we will pay more attention to respect for diversity in our PR activities," added Okabayashi. He added that they did not consider either blackening or whitening the skin colour of the characters. "We were trying to create them to match the world of Japanese animation," stressed Okabayashi. The firm had intially obtained agreement from Osaka via her representatives, added the spokesman. Osaka, who has a Japanese mother, a Haitian father and was raised in the United States, has not commented publicly on the issue as she bids for a second consecutive Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. The advert sparked debate on social media, with one user writing: "Didn't anyone question why her skin colour was so pale? Her identity is completely ignored." Another Japanese twitter user complained: "This isn't Naomi Osaka. Isn't this clearly whitewashing?" However, others noted Nishikori was also portrayed with lighter skin, which tends to be the norm in "anime" cartoons. The real Nishikori "isn't that light, eyes aren't that round, and nose is wider. They are both drawn in anime style," said one defender of the advert. Osaka has dual Japanese-American citizenship and often replies to questions from Japan's media in English, apologising for not knowing the appropriate word when she speaks Japanese. Japan remains a fairly homogeneous country, and mixed race children can often face prejudice, although attitudes among younger generations are changing. Osaka became the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam last year after beating Serena Williams at the US Open. That match also sparked a cartoon/race controversy when a caricature of Williams, who is black, appeared showing a butch and fat-lipped player jumping up and down on a broken racquet. The match was marked by heated exchanges between Williams and the umpire. Osaka and Williams were on a semi-final collision course at the Australian Open but the American coughed up a match point to lose to Karolina Pliskova.

Japan firm pulls Naomi Osaka ad amid 'whitewash' spat

The leaders of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/any-deal-to-end-island-row-with-japan-needs-public-support-putin-after-meeting-japan-pm-192083">Russia and Japan fell short of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/any-deal-to-end-island-row-with-japan-needs-public-support-putin-after-meeting-japan-pm-192083">agreement</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/any-deal-to-end-island-row-with-japan-needs-public-support-putin-after-meeting-japan-pm-192083"> </a>Tuesday over a disputed island chain that has long prevented a peace treaty to formally end World War II.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Moscow marked the 25th time he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met since 2013, a reflection of their efforts to build cooperation despite the territorial disagreement.

The Soviet army seized the four Kuril islands, between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean, in the last days of World War II.

Tokyo's refusal to recognise Moscow's sovereignty there has been a barrier to peace for more than seven decades.

Putin told journalists following the talks there that "detailed work" remained ahead of the two parties before any agreement, but hailed the summit as "useful and substantial."&nbsp;

He confirmed Moscow is still interested in building the negotiating process on a 1956 Soviet-Japanese declaration "which stipulates first and foremost the signing of a peace accord," Putin said.

The declaration mooted giving Japan two of the smaller islands after a peace deal, which fell through due to Tokyo's claim over all four and its eventual military alliance with Washington.

Abe said at the joint briefing that the leaders "discussed the peace agreement without hiding anything from one another" and "agreed to continue energetic work," in comments translated from Japanese.

Earlier this month Moscow responded furiously to a New Year's message from Abe in which the Japanese leader said Russians living on the islands should be helped to accept that the "sovereignty of their homes will change".

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tokyo needed to recognise Russia's sovereignty over the Kurils.

"Why is Japan the only country in the world that cannot accept the results of World War II in their entirety?" he asked.

Moscow has also lamented Japan's hesitance to invest in Russian projects, including on the Kuril islands themselves.

On Tuesday, Putin said that no "qualitative shift" has happened in the realm of economic cooperation, hoping that bilateral trade would grow to USD 30 billion from about USD 18 billion in 2017.

His spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated after the summit that Moscow would be keen to see some investment to get the peace talks rolling. "Trade and economic ties must be developed, and that will allow other issues to be resolved."&nbsp;

Abe's Moscow visit is the first leg of a trip to Europe, which will also include a speech at the Davos forum in Switzerland on Wednesday.

Recent reports indicated that Abe may be leaning toward a framework that would see Japan claiming two of the smaller islands, Shikotan and Habomai, which is actually a group of uninhabited islets.

But it is not clear whether the Kremlin would be willing to transfer sovereignty over any territory.

The chain ensures Russia's strategic control of the Sea of Okhotsk, and some southern islands in the chain are less than 10 kilometres (six miles) from Japan's Hokkaido island.

Giving away even uninhabited islands would be poorly received in Russia, where World War II is hugely symbolic and post-war territorial gains are seen as non-negotiable.

On Tuesday morning, a small group of protesters holding leftist red flags gathered near the Japanese embassy in Moscow. Leftist politician Sergei Udaltsov wrote on Facebook that 11 people were detained by police.

An opinion poll by independent Russian pollster Levada Centre last month suggested that 74 per cent of Russians would not support exchanging some of the islands for a peace deal, while only 17 per cent said they would.

To make a deal work "a vast majority of the public in Russia and Japan must support the agreement," Dmitry Trenin, who heads the Carnegie Moscow Centre, wrote in the Vedomosti newspaper.

Russian state television has been unenthusiastic about the summit. Top news presenter Dmitry Kiselyov disputed the very notion that Japan could be a "friend" of Russia as long as it opposed Moscow's policies and had US military "occupying" its territory.

As for the Kurils, Kiselyov said on his popular "News of the Week" show that 90 per cent of Russians were against giving any of them back to Tokyo. "Would Putin want to ignore this powerful public opinion?" he asked. "Impossible."&nbsp;

The leaders of Russia and Japan fell short of agreement Tuesday over a disputed island chain that has long prevented a peace treaty to formally end World War II.

The leaders of Russia and Japan fell short of agreement Tuesday over a disputed island chain that has long prevented a peace treaty to formally end World War II. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Moscow marked the 25th time he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met since 2013, a reflection of their efforts to build cooperation despite the territorial disagreement. The Soviet army seized the four Kuril islands, between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean, in the last days of World War II. Tokyo's refusal to recognise Moscow's sovereignty there has been a barrier to peace for more than seven decades. Putin told journalists following the talks there that "detailed work" remained ahead of the two parties before any agreement, but hailed the summit as "useful and substantial." He confirmed Moscow is still interested in building the negotiating process on a 1956 Soviet-Japanese declaration "which stipulates first and foremost the signing of a peace accord," Putin said. The declaration mooted giving Japan two of the smaller islands after a peace deal, which fell through due to Tokyo's claim over all four and its eventual military alliance with Washington. Abe said at the joint briefing that the leaders "discussed the peace agreement without hiding anything from one another" and "agreed to continue energetic work," in comments translated from Japanese. Earlier this month Moscow responded furiously to a New Year's message from Abe in which the Japanese leader said Russians living on the islands should be helped to accept that the "sovereignty of their homes will change". Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tokyo needed to recognise Russia's sovereignty over the Kurils. "Why is Japan the only country in the world that cannot accept the results of World War II in their entirety?" he asked. Moscow has also lamented Japan's hesitance to invest in Russian projects, including on the Kuril islands themselves. On Tuesday, Putin said that no "qualitative shift" has happened in the realm of economic cooperation, hoping that bilateral trade would grow to USD 30 billion from about USD 18 billion in 2017. His spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated after the summit that Moscow would be keen to see some investment to get the peace talks rolling. "Trade and economic ties must be developed, and that will allow other issues to be resolved." Abe's Moscow visit is the first leg of a trip to Europe, which will also include a speech at the Davos forum in Switzerland on Wednesday. Recent reports indicated that Abe may be leaning toward a framework that would see Japan claiming two of the smaller islands, Shikotan and Habomai, which is actually a group of uninhabited islets. But it is not clear whether the Kremlin would be willing to transfer sovereignty over any territory. The chain ensures Russia's strategic control of the Sea of Okhotsk, and some southern islands in the chain are less than 10 kilometres (six miles) from Japan's Hokkaido island. Giving away even uninhabited islands would be poorly received in Russia, where World War II is hugely symbolic and post-war territorial gains are seen as non-negotiable. On Tuesday morning, a small group of protesters holding leftist red flags gathered near the Japanese embassy in Moscow. Leftist politician Sergei Udaltsov wrote on Facebook that 11 people were detained by police. An opinion poll by independent Russian pollster Levada Centre last month suggested that 74 per cent of Russians would not support exchanging some of the islands for a peace deal, while only 17 per cent said they would. To make a deal work "a vast majority of the public in Russia and Japan must support the agreement," Dmitry Trenin, who heads the Carnegie Moscow Centre, wrote in the Vedomosti newspaper. Russian state television has been unenthusiastic about the summit. Top news presenter Dmitry Kiselyov disputed the very notion that Japan could be a "friend" of Russia as long as it opposed Moscow's policies and had US military "occupying" its territory. As for the Kurils, Kiselyov said on his popular "News of the Week" show that 90 per cent of Russians were against giving any of them back to Tokyo. "Would Putin want to ignore this powerful public opinion?" he asked. "Impossible."

Putin, Abe talks fail to break island impasse

The Kremlin on Monday dampened expectations of any breakthrough at the upcoming summit between the leaders of Russia and Japan, saying striking a peace deal would be a very "drawn out" process.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/russian-president-vladimir-putin-calls-pm-modi-discussed-cooperation-in-fighting-international-terrorism-188852&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjewqjR6P7fAhWtVt8KHWpJAooQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1SU5AzJhi-1dmCOTvMFt_i">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet Tuesday in Moscow, part of revived negotiations aiming to formally end World War II.&nbsp;

The peace process stalled in the 1950s due to a dispute over the Kuril islands the Soviet army occupied in the last days of the war.

"The president has said from the start that the issue of signing a peace agreement with Japan will be very drawn out in terms of time," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists hours before Abe's expected touchdown in the Russian capital.

"The talks are in their initial stage," he said.&nbsp;

Tokyo claims as their own the so-called southern Kurils, a string of islands just north of Hokkaido which it calls Northern Territories.&nbsp;

In the 1950s, the Soviet Union had said it would be willing to transfer Shikotan island and Habomai, a group of islets, to Japan, following a signed peace accord.

Japan at the time refused, demanding the entire chain, which also includes the islands of Iturup and Kunashir.

The notion that Moscow could now cede any territory to Japan is extremely sensitive in Russian society, with a number of protests held against it in recent weeks, including in Moscow at the weekend.

Peskov did not rule out the possibility that Putin could hand over territory in exchange for a peace deal.

"Nobody has officially offered anything, so any eventual line of reasoning is hardly appropriate, they don't help the spirit of the talks," he said.&nbsp;

"Nobody is going to go against their national interests," Peskov said.

Three of the islands are inhabited while Habomai is a group of islets with only the presence of a border patrol. &nbsp;

The Kremlin on Monday dampened expectations of any breakthrough at the upcoming summit between the leaders of Russia and Japan, saying striking a peace deal would be a very "drawn out" process.

The Kremlin on Monday dampened expectations of any breakthrough at the upcoming summit between the leaders of Russia and Japan, saying striking a peace deal would be a very "drawn out" process. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet Tuesday in Moscow, part of revived negotiations aiming to formally end World War II. The peace process stalled in the 1950s due to a dispute over the Kuril islands the Soviet army occupied in the last days of the war. "The president has said from the start that the issue of signing a peace agreement with Japan will be very drawn out in terms of time," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists hours before Abe's expected touchdown in the Russian capital. "The talks are in their initial stage," he said. Tokyo claims as their own the so-called southern Kurils, a string of islands just north of Hokkaido which it calls Northern Territories. In the 1950s, the Soviet Union had said it would be willing to transfer Shikotan island and Habomai, a group of islets, to Japan, following a signed peace accord. Japan at the time refused, demanding the entire chain, which also includes the islands of Iturup and Kunashir. The notion that Moscow could now cede any territory to Japan is extremely sensitive in Russian society, with a number of protests held against it in recent weeks, including in Moscow at the weekend. Peskov did not rule out the possibility that Putin could hand over territory in exchange for a peace deal. "Nobody has officially offered anything, so any eventual line of reasoning is hardly appropriate, they don't help the spirit of the talks," he said. "Nobody is going to go against their national interests," Peskov said. Three of the islands are inhabited while Habomai is a group of islets with only the presence of a border patrol.

Peace talks with Japan a 'drawn out' process: Russia

Japan has started the process of importing Iranian oil, which was suspended due to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-give-iran-oil-sanctions-waiver-to-eight-countries-including-india-south-korea-japan-report-175107">US sanctions</a>, the governor of Iran's central bank said on Monday.

The resumption of oil imports comes after Tokyo was granted a waiver from US sanctions that went into effect in November. Iran is the fourth-largest oil producer among the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

"After China, South Korea, India and Turkey, Japan also started the process of importing Iranian oil," Abdolnaser Hemmati was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA.

Iran's oil exports have fallen sharply since US President Donald Trump said in May 2018 the United States would withdraw from a pact curtailing Iran's disputed nuclear programme and reimpose sanctions on Tehran.

However, exemptions have been granted to Iran's biggest oil clients - Japan, China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Italy, Greece and Turkey - which allow them to import some oil for another 180 days.

Iranian oil accounted for 5.3 per cent of Japan's total crude imports in 2018.

Japan has started the process of importing Iranian oil, which was suspended due to US sanctions, the governor of Iran's central bank said on Monday. The resumption of oil imports comes after Tokyo was granted a waiver from US sanctions that went into effect in November.

Japan has started the process of importing Iranian oil, which was suspended due to US sanctions, the governor of Iran's central bank said on Monday. The resumption of oil imports comes after Tokyo was granted a waiver from US sanctions that went into effect in November. Iran is the fourth-largest oil producer among the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. "After China, South Korea, India and Turkey, Japan also started the process of importing Iranian oil," Abdolnaser Hemmati was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA. Iran's oil exports have fallen sharply since US President Donald Trump said in May 2018 the United States would withdraw from a pact curtailing Iran's disputed nuclear programme and reimpose sanctions on Tehran. However, exemptions have been granted to Iran's biggest oil clients - Japan, China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Italy, Greece and Turkey - which allow them to import some oil for another 180 days. Iranian oil accounted for 5.3 per cent of Japan's total crude imports in 2018.

Iran says Japan has started process of importing Iranian oil

&nbsp;Lawyers for former <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/japan-court-rejects-nissan-boss-carlos-ghosns-release-bid-189183">Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn</a> on Thursday appealed against a decision by a Tokyo court to refuse him bail, as he faces charges on three counts of financial misconduct.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/wife-says-ex-nissan-boss-ghosn-suffers-harsh-treatment-in-jail-190120">Since his stunning arrest </a>on November 19, the auto tycoon has languished in a Tokyo detention centre facing questioning over allegations he under-reported his salary and tried to shift personal losses onto the company.

On January 11 he was formally charged on two of the counts and his request for bail refused again. Even his own lawyer has admitted he is likely to be kept behind bars until a trial&nbsp; - which could take six months.

The court has previously refused to release the 64-year-old Franco-Lebanese-Brazilian businessman on the grounds that he could present a flight risk and destroy evidence.

The appeal came as the French government called for him to be replaced at the head of Renault, the only one of the three companies he used to head that has retained him.

Japanese firms Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors jettisoned him as boss almost immediately after his arrest, but Renault was more cautious and appointed an interim leader while Ghosn fought the charges.

If the bail appeal is turned down he faces at least a two-month period in pre-trial detention. This can be extended almost automatically by one month at a time.

His wife Carole has appealed to Human Rights Watch over his detention, saying he was being held in "harsh" conditions and subjected to round-the-clock interrogations in an attempt to extract a confession.

Ghosn has been seen only once in public since his detention, in a dramatic court appearance.

He had clearly lost a lot of weight but seemed otherwise in good health. He passionately proclaimed his innocence and his love for Nissan, a company he is widely credited with saving from the brink of bankruptcy.

"I have been wrongly accused and unfairly detained based on meritless and unsubstantiated accusations," Ghosn told a packed courtroom.

Lawyers for former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn on Thursday appealed against a decision by a Tokyo court to refuse him bail, as he faces charges on three counts of financial misconduct.

Lawyers for former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn on Thursday appealed against a decision by a Tokyo court to refuse him bail, as he faces charges on three counts of financial misconduct. Since his stunning arrest on November 19, the auto tycoon has languished in a Tokyo detention centre facing questioning over allegations he under-reported his salary and tried to shift personal losses onto the company. On January 11 he was formally charged on two of the counts and his request for bail refused again. Even his own lawyer has admitted he is likely to be kept behind bars until a trial - which could take six months. The court has previously refused to release the 64-year-old Franco-Lebanese-Brazilian businessman on the grounds that he could present a flight risk and destroy evidence. The appeal came as the French government called for him to be replaced at the head of Renault, the only one of the three companies he used to head that has retained him. Japanese firms Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors jettisoned him as boss almost immediately after his arrest, but Renault was more cautious and appointed an interim leader while Ghosn fought the charges. If the bail appeal is turned down he faces at least a two-month period in pre-trial detention. This can be extended almost automatically by one month at a time. His wife Carole has appealed to Human Rights Watch over his detention, saying he was being held in "harsh" conditions and subjected to round-the-clock interrogations in an attempt to extract a confession. Ghosn has been seen only once in public since his detention, in a dramatic court appearance. He had clearly lost a lot of weight but seemed otherwise in good health. He passionately proclaimed his innocence and his love for Nissan, a company he is widely credited with saving from the brink of bankruptcy. "I have been wrongly accused and unfairly detained based on meritless and unsubstantiated accusations," Ghosn told a packed courtroom.

Ex-Nissan chief Ghosn appeals against bail rejection

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday denied <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/moscow-says-fbi-arrested-russian-a-day-after-it-detained-ex-us-marine-188459&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiUvvW0iPLfAhWQfH0KHXdgDDsQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2LxRZOzYEW2u4qC5YbY7oH">Moscow</a> was imposing an ultimatum on Japan in talks to end a decades-long territorial dispute but called on Tokyo to recognise the results of World War Two.

Japan is currently mounting a push to reach a peace deal with Russia that would end a dispute over islands captured by Soviet troops in the last days of World War Two.

The islands are known as the Southern Kuriles to Russia and the Northern Territories to Japan. Russia has said Tokyo must first recognise Russian sovereignty over the islands in order for any progress to be made in peace talks.

"These are not pre-conditions, it's just an effort to understand why Japan is the only country in the world which cannot say: 'I accept the results of World World Two in their entirety'," Lavrov told a news conference.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday denied Moscow was imposing an ultimatum on Japan in talks to end a decades-long territorial dispute but called on Tokyo to recognise the results of World War Two.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday denied Moscow was imposing an ultimatum on Japan in talks to end a decades-long territorial dispute but called on Tokyo to recognise the results of World War Two. Japan is currently mounting a push to reach a peace deal with Russia that would end a dispute over islands captured by Soviet troops in the last days of World War Two. The islands are known as the Southern Kuriles to Russia and the Northern Territories to Japan. Russia has said Tokyo must first recognise Russian sovereignty over the islands in order for any progress to be made in peace talks. "These are not pre-conditions, it's just an effort to understand why Japan is the only country in the world which cannot say: 'I accept the results of World World Two in their entirety'," Lavrov told a news conference.

Russia calls on Japan to recognise outcome of World War Two

By Rejeanne Lacroix

Last year, the 70-year-long territorial dispute between Russia and Japan over the Kuril Islands again rose to prominence. On September 12, at an economic development conference in Vladivostok, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended the surprising offer to mutually resolve the quarrel to his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. From this point, a flurry of diplomatic engagements, such as the November 14 meeting in Singapore and a Putin-Abe tete-a-tete on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, gained significant meaning. High-level discourse is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, with Russian and Japanese foreign ministers meeting on January 14, and special envoys focused on a peace treaty to officially put an end to World War II have been established.

Much of this fresh urgency to resolve the decades-long territorial dispute presents hypothetical scenarios that a peace accord could follow. It is easy to fall into a trap that such an extended disagreement could be solved speedily and opportunely.&nbsp;

Diplomatic efforts seeking mutually acceptable solutions dotted the 20th century, and the title to the Kuril Islands remains an elusive political dilemma. Impediments to a Russo-Japanese agreement are more palpable in the current international order, with security a key factor.

Past diplomatic attempts

The Southern Kurils — or Chishima Retto, known as the Northern Territories in Japan — is a small segment of Russia’s Far-Eastern Sakhalin region. Both Russia and Japan claim sovereignty over the islands as they are located in the Sea of Okhotsk between northern Hokkaido and southern Kamchatka. Nonetheless, it is important to note that Japan unequivocally claims its rights to Iturup, Habomai, Kunashir and Shikotan islands of the archipelago.

In the waning days of World War II, the Soviet army captured the now-contested islands during the Kuril Landing Operation that took place between August 18 and September 1, 1945. Ensuing international efforts attempted to regulate a world order thrown into disarray by years of conflict and resolve the numerous questions over sovereignty in the postwar period. The Yalta Agreement (February 1945), the Potsdam Declaration (July 1945) and the Treaty of San Francisco (September 1951) provided elementary diplomatic resources for managing questions over the Kuril Islands, but they were vague and politically tarnished.

For instance, the Japanese disagreed with the indistinct wording in its terms of surrender, signed at Potsdam, which stated that “Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as we determine.” Further, the previous agreement in Yalta, in which it was ordered the Kuril Islands be transferred to the Soviet Union, became obsolete by the time Cold War rhetoric entrenched the Allied-Japanese peace treaty in San Francisco.

On October 19, 1956, the USSR and Japan signed the Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration. This is an important document in regard to contemporary diplomatic undertakings, as it has been offered as the basis for a resolution. Article 9 states that the Soviet Union — succeeded now by the Russian Federation — agreed to transfer the islands of Habomai and Shikotan after the conclusion of a peace treaty. Notably missing from the arrangement are the other islands of Iturup and Kunashir. As a result, it was assumed that Japan abandoned its claims to these lands, resulting in interference by the United States. Unwilling to cede an inch&nbsp;to the USSR, Washington leveraged that if the Japanese signed the two islands over to the Soviets, the Americans would retain Okinawa. No deal could be finalized under such a coercive arrangement.

In 1960, Japan and the United States signed the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The US adopted the role of guarantor of Japanese security and laid the foundations for continued American military presence in the Pacific. An angered Moscow reacted by rescinding any agreements previously made to transfer Habomai and Shikotan to Japanese jurisdiction. This position would stand as long as foreign military installations and forces operated on Japanese territory. The influence of the United States foreshadows the stumbling blocks to a Russo-Japanese deal today.

Disparate demands

Many variables that hindered a resolution to the Kuril Islands dispute remain at the centre of contemporary diplomatic hurdles. Japan demands that questions over sovereignty must be addressed prior to any discussions of land exchange. Abe firmly stated this sentiment after the offer he made in Vladivostok in September. Tokyo brings a historical geographic case, while Moscow argues that the islands were absorbed into Russian territory as part of its wartime operations and postwar agreements. Matters of sovereignty must be resolved. However, a more pressing query must be handled first: Which components of the Pacific security framework are up for negotiation in a state of geopolitical mistrust between Russia and the United States?

Both countries find themselves in a situation where neither will wholly achieve its desired objectives. Abe stated that he is determined to facilitate negotiations on a peace treaty when he meets with Putin. Further, there are reports that Tokyo seeks to waive Russia’s responsibility to pay compensation over the displacement of Japanese citizens that once inhabited the islands. This is a positive and conciliatory development in solving the historic disagreement, however, it assumes that Russia would relinquish its claims to sovereignty over the islands before effective negotiations are complete. This clashes with Moscow’s long-stated assessment that Japan must accept the current arrangement, which is backed by international law. As sovereignty remains at the core of Japan’s claims, unless some great diplomatic feat is accomplished, issues that stymied resolution in the past will persist.

Nevertheless, Japan must negotiate under the influence of its close relationship and security pact with the United States. Putin recently asserted that US military involvement in Japan complicates any forthcoming agreement and expressed his concerns over the strategic use of an American air defense system in Japan. Abe contends that a Kuril Islands peace treaty would have a positive overall effect on the security framework of the Asia-Pacific region, which would be most beneficial to the United States. While this sounds advantageous to the Japanese public and officials in Washington, it does little to stimulate concessions from Moscow. Russia will be steadfast in its demands that the exchanged territories be exempt from the US-Japan security treaty, and that Habomai and Shikotan are off-limits to military development. This would see a continuance of rhetoric like that in Eastern Europe, where Moscow voices its displeasure of US military installations in bordering states.

As a result, Japanese concessions to Russian demands are unlikely when their guarantor of security is the United States. Mutual mistrust between Washington and Moscow under the shadow of the current geopolitical atmosphere means that Tokyo is in a difficult position to negotiate freely. Abe can speak optimistically about the security advantages in store for America. However, Russian lawmakers, such as Senator Frants Klintsevich, in turn argue in favor of preserving Russian borders and security in “broad terms.” Additionally, subsequent and separate Japanese-American discussions would be required if the two states conclusively decide to omit Habomai and Shikotan from the coverage of the security treaty. Not only is this unlikely, but it would extend the diplomatic effort needed to settle the Kuril Islands stalemate in its entirety.

Russia must also negotiate carefully. Recent precedents, such as the transfer of Tarabarov Island and a part of Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island to China in 2004 demonstrate that Moscow is capable of settling decades-old land claims. It was during this timeframe that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov subsequently extended an offer to exchange small islands in the Kuril chain for a peace treaty with Japan. Nevertheless, the political climate was more optimistic then, and American influence over Asia-Pacific security was inapplicable to that situation.

While Japanese public opinion strongly supports the recuperation of its perceived territory, Russian polling demonstrates a robust dissatisfaction were Moscow to relinquish sovereignty of the Kuril Islands. Residents of the Sakhalin region are markedly in disagreement with any proposed exchange of sovereignty. Since the official announcements to reopen the issue emerged, citizens have sent letters to Putin, and the local branch of the Communist Party organized a protest. Any sort of finalized Russo-Japanese peace treaty without consulting the affected population will be an additional example of the Russian Far East feeling further disconnected from Moscow. Authorities focus on the economic potential of the region and thus give adequate attention to these matters. However, it seems as though little thought is directed toward deeper disenfranchisement in the Far East if a settlement is reached.

Island-scale militarisation

Japan stresses that the Kuril Islands must be demilitarised if any serious proposals are to come to fruition. That is a lofty demand. Moscow’s security outlook incorporates strategic use of the isles as a part of its Pacific defence operations. In this case, Moscow follows its evident modus operandi of establishing military installations in disputed areas. While not a part of Russia proper like the Kuril Islands, Russia established military bases in South Ossetia and Abkhazia under similar pretences. Use of this tactic enhances the reach of Moscow’s security framework from the mainland and, in this case, the Pacific region.

US involvement in the Pacific, as well as ongoing security concerns in the region, provides Russia with strong arguments to only accept a deal that protects its interests and security. Subsequently, it is safe to predict that Russia will stick to the claim that its sovereignty over the South Kurils is non-negotiable, as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated today, and a settlement to the dispute does not mean any territory will be exchanged.

While touting Russian Arctic military capabilities, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu recently noted the continued construction of military infrastructure on the Kurils. This is part of a steady Russification of the lands and falls in step with previous Russian government announcements. For example, on February 10, 2011, then-President Dmitry Medvedev instructed that sophisticated weaponry be deployed to the offshore bases as part of an overall security plan for greater Russia. Following this, in 2016, it was announced that the Kremlin would deploy Bal and Bastion rocket systems on Iturup and utilize Eleron-3 drones for the purposes of Pacific defense. Thus, a complete demilitarization of the South Kurils where Russia would retain command seems unlikely. This will be one of those hurdles where vast differences hinder a peace accord that leaves both parties satisfied.

Russia and Japan have disparate views on the Kuril Islands that can only be overcome through significant concessions. A singular view of sovereignty must be acknowledged prior to any handover of territory. However, this is a primary roadblock. Neither state wants to back down from its title even under the umbrella of the 1956 Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration as the mutual baseline for discussion. The current global political atmosphere adds yet another confounding layer to the security arrangements established in the region.

A renewed interest in finally achieving peace after 70 years of the territorial standoff is an admirable undertaking, but it would be foolish to think entitlement to the Kuril Islands could be achieved either quickly or smoothly. Russia and Japan will understandably argue in favour of a resolution that does not infringe upon their respective national security plans or demands. Each state will have its set limits where security trumps any exchange of ownership. In the end, diplomacy is fluid, and one can reticently hope for a viable outcome to a postwar problem.

(Rejeanne Lacroix is a Canadian independent researcher focusing on international security and the post-Soviet space)

(This article was originally published on The Fair Observer. Read the <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/asia_pacific/japan-russia-kuril-islands-dispute-asia-pacific-security-news-17551/">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

By Rejeanne Lacroix Last year, the 70-year-long territorial dispute between Russia and Japan over the Kuril Islands again rose to prominence. On September 12, at an economic development conference in Vladivostok, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended the surprising offer to mutually resolve the quarrel to his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

By Rejeanne Lacroix Last year, the 70-year-long territorial dispute between Russia and Japan over the Kuril Islands again rose to prominence. On September 12, at an economic development conference in Vladivostok, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended the surprising offer to mutually resolve the quarrel to his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. From this point, a flurry of diplomatic engagements, such as the November 14 meeting in Singapore and a Putin-Abe tete-a-tete on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, gained significant meaning. High-level discourse is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, with Russian and Japanese foreign ministers meeting on January 14, and special envoys focused on a peace treaty to officially put an end to World War II have been established. Much of this fresh urgency to resolve the decades-long territorial dispute presents hypothetical scenarios that a peace accord could follow. It is easy to fall into a trap that such an extended disagreement could be solved speedily and opportunely. Diplomatic efforts seeking mutually acceptable solutions dotted the 20th century, and the title to the Kuril Islands remains an elusive political dilemma. Impediments to a Russo-Japanese agreement are more palpable in the current international order, with security a key factor. Past diplomatic attempts The Southern Kurils — or Chishima Retto, known as the Northern Territories in Japan — is a small segment of Russia’s Far-Eastern Sakhalin region. Both Russia and Japan claim sovereignty over the islands as they are located in the Sea of Okhotsk between northern Hokkaido and southern Kamchatka. Nonetheless, it is important to note that Japan unequivocally claims its rights to Iturup, Habomai, Kunashir and Shikotan islands of the archipelago. In the waning days of World War II, the Soviet army captured the now-contested islands during the Kuril Landing Operation that took place between August 18 and September 1, 1945. Ensuing international efforts attempted to regulate a world order thrown into disarray by years of conflict and resolve the numerous questions over sovereignty in the postwar period. The Yalta Agreement (February 1945), the Potsdam Declaration (July 1945) and the Treaty of San Francisco (September 1951) provided elementary diplomatic resources for managing questions over the Kuril Islands, but they were vague and politically tarnished. For instance, the Japanese disagreed with the indistinct wording in its terms of surrender, signed at Potsdam, which stated that “Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as we determine.” Further, the previous agreement in Yalta, in which it was ordered the Kuril Islands be transferred to the Soviet Union, became obsolete by the time Cold War rhetoric entrenched the Allied-Japanese peace treaty in San Francisco. On October 19, 1956, the USSR and Japan signed the Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration. This is an important document in regard to contemporary diplomatic undertakings, as it has been offered as the basis for a resolution. Article 9 states that the Soviet Union — succeeded now by the Russian Federation — agreed to transfer the islands of Habomai and Shikotan after the conclusion of a peace treaty. Notably missing from the arrangement are the other islands of Iturup and Kunashir. As a result, it was assumed that Japan abandoned its claims to these lands, resulting in interference by the United States. Unwilling to cede an inch to the USSR, Washington leveraged that if the Japanese signed the two islands over to the Soviets, the Americans would retain Okinawa. No deal could be finalized under such a coercive arrangement. In 1960, Japan and the United States signed the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The US adopted the role of guarantor of Japanese security and laid the foundations for continued American military presence in the Pacific. An angered Moscow reacted by rescinding any agreements previously made to transfer Habomai and Shikotan to Japanese jurisdiction. This position would stand as long as foreign military installations and forces operated on Japanese territory. The influence of the United States foreshadows the stumbling blocks to a Russo-Japanese deal today. Disparate demands Many variables that hindered a resolution to the Kuril Islands dispute remain at the centre of contemporary diplomatic hurdles. Japan demands that questions over sovereignty must be addressed prior to any discussions of land exchange. Abe firmly stated this sentiment after the offer he made in Vladivostok in September. Tokyo brings a historical geographic case, while Moscow argues that the islands were absorbed into Russian territory as part of its wartime operations and postwar agreements. Matters of sovereignty must be resolved. However, a more pressing query must be handled first: Which components of the Pacific security framework are up for negotiation in a state of geopolitical mistrust between Russia and the United States? Both countries find themselves in a situation where neither will wholly achieve its desired objectives. Abe stated that he is determined to facilitate negotiations on a peace treaty when he meets with Putin. Further, there are reports that Tokyo seeks to waive Russia’s responsibility to pay compensation over the displacement of Japanese citizens that once inhabited the islands. This is a positive and conciliatory development in solving the historic disagreement, however, it assumes that Russia would relinquish its claims to sovereignty over the islands before effective negotiations are complete. This clashes with Moscow’s long-stated assessment that Japan must accept the current arrangement, which is backed by international law. As sovereignty remains at the core of Japan’s claims, unless some great diplomatic feat is accomplished, issues that stymied resolution in the past will persist. Nevertheless, Japan must negotiate under the influence of its close relationship and security pact with the United States. Putin recently asserted that US military involvement in Japan complicates any forthcoming agreement and expressed his concerns over the strategic use of an American air defense system in Japan. Abe contends that a Kuril Islands peace treaty would have a positive overall effect on the security framework of the Asia-Pacific region, which would be most beneficial to the United States. While this sounds advantageous to the Japanese public and officials in Washington, it does little to stimulate concessions from Moscow. Russia will be steadfast in its demands that the exchanged territories be exempt from the US-Japan security treaty, and that Habomai and Shikotan are off-limits to military development. This would see a continuance of rhetoric like that in Eastern Europe, where Moscow voices its displeasure of US military installations in bordering states. As a result, Japanese concessions to Russian demands are unlikely when their guarantor of security is the United States. Mutual mistrust between Washington and Moscow under the shadow of the current geopolitical atmosphere means that Tokyo is in a difficult position to negotiate freely. Abe can speak optimistically about the security advantages in store for America. However, Russian lawmakers, such as Senator Frants Klintsevich, in turn argue in favor of preserving Russian borders and security in “broad terms.” Additionally, subsequent and separate Japanese-American discussions would be required if the two states conclusively decide to omit Habomai and Shikotan from the coverage of the security treaty. Not only is this unlikely, but it would extend the diplomatic effort needed to settle the Kuril Islands stalemate in its entirety. Russia must also negotiate carefully. Recent precedents, such as the transfer of Tarabarov Island and a part of Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island to China in 2004 demonstrate that Moscow is capable of settling decades-old land claims. It was during this timeframe that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov subsequently extended an offer to exchange small islands in the Kuril chain for a peace treaty with Japan. Nevertheless, the political climate was more optimistic then, and American influence over Asia-Pacific security was inapplicable to that situation. While Japanese public opinion strongly supports the recuperation of its perceived territory, Russian polling demonstrates a robust dissatisfaction were Moscow to relinquish sovereignty of the Kuril Islands. Residents of the Sakhalin region are markedly in disagreement with any proposed exchange of sovereignty. Since the official announcements to reopen the issue emerged, citizens have sent letters to Putin, and the local branch of the Communist Party organized a protest. Any sort of finalized Russo-Japanese peace treaty without consulting the affected population will be an additional example of the Russian Far East feeling further disconnected from Moscow. Authorities focus on the economic potential of the region and thus give adequate attention to these matters. However, it seems as though little thought is directed toward deeper disenfranchisement in the Far East if a settlement is reached. Island-scale militarisation Japan stresses that the Kuril Islands must be demilitarised if any serious proposals are to come to fruition. That is a lofty demand. Moscow’s security outlook incorporates strategic use of the isles as a part of its Pacific defence operations. In this case, Moscow follows its evident modus operandi of establishing military installations in disputed areas. While not a part of Russia proper like the Kuril Islands, Russia established military bases in South Ossetia and Abkhazia under similar pretences. Use of this tactic enhances the reach of Moscow’s security framework from the mainland and, in this case, the Pacific region. US involvement in the Pacific, as well as ongoing security concerns in the region, provides Russia with strong arguments to only accept a deal that protects its interests and security. Subsequently, it is safe to predict that Russia will stick to the claim that its sovereignty over the South Kurils is non-negotiable, as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated today, and a settlement to the dispute does not mean any territory will be exchanged. While touting Russian Arctic military capabilities, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu recently noted the continued construction of military infrastructure on the Kurils. This is part of a steady Russification of the lands and falls in step with previous Russian government announcements. For example, on February 10, 2011, then-President Dmitry Medvedev instructed that sophisticated weaponry be deployed to the offshore bases as part of an overall security plan for greater Russia. Following this, in 2016, it was announced that the Kremlin would deploy Bal and Bastion rocket systems on Iturup and utilize Eleron-3 drones for the purposes of Pacific defense. Thus, a complete demilitarization of the South Kurils where Russia would retain command seems unlikely. This will be one of those hurdles where vast differences hinder a peace accord that leaves both parties satisfied. Russia and Japan have disparate views on the Kuril Islands that can only be overcome through significant concessions. A singular view of sovereignty must be acknowledged prior to any handover of territory. However, this is a primary roadblock. Neither state wants to back down from its title even under the umbrella of the 1956 Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration as the mutual baseline for discussion. The current global political atmosphere adds yet another confounding layer to the security arrangements established in the region. A renewed interest in finally achieving peace after 70 years of the territorial standoff is an admirable undertaking, but it would be foolish to think entitlement to the Kuril Islands could be achieved either quickly or smoothly. Russia and Japan will understandably argue in favour of a resolution that does not infringe upon their respective national security plans or demands. Each state will have its set limits where security trumps any exchange of ownership. In the end, diplomacy is fluid, and one can reticently hope for a viable outcome to a postwar problem. (Rejeanne Lacroix is a Canadian independent researcher focusing on international security and the post-Soviet space) (This article was originally published on The Fair Observer. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

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