Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting&nbsp;Japan on October 28&nbsp;for the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit. This will be the fifth Annual Summit meeting between PM Modi and the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and also their twelfth meeting since 2014.

Our Principal Diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu ahead of the visit on several issues. Japan's ambassador said connectivity and security cooperation will top the agenda. On the four-nation Quad - US, Japan, India and Australia, he was hopeful it will play "important role" in the future.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India Japan ties?

Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu:&nbsp;It is excellent. You see, a lot of our joint projects are going on-- Not only economic and investment but also we see a lot of progress in terms of security and political field.

WION: Key outcomes of PM Modi's Japan visit?

Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu: So many issues. Can't identify a couple of issues. But I hope in terms of security cooperation would like to see some concrete outcomes from the two leaders discussions. Would like to see connectivity infrastructure agenda which would come out from two leaders discussions. So, among many other issues, these two issues have special attention.&nbsp;

WION: Japan has connectivity plans in India's northeast. How much connectivity will be in focus?

Kenji Hiramatsu:&nbsp; North East is very important for connectivity between India and neighbouring countries. But we would like to see more cooperation between&nbsp;neighbouring countries together with India. In countries like Bangladesh would like to see some concrete infrastructure project implement together by Japan and India.

WION: How do you see Quad's role in Asia? There has been some scepticism regarding the quad?

Kenji Hiramatsu:&nbsp;Some misunderstandings about the Quad. Quad is one of the several mechanisms to promote the Indo-Pacific vision. It was revived last year. This is gradually growing. We are sharing the same values and we hope in the future it will play a very important role. But at the same time would like to attach other format mechanisms to promote the same goals. This is one of the several mechanisms to achieve peace and stable Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp;

WION: What would you like to say on the bullet train? Issues have been on land acquisition.

Kenji Hiramatsu:&nbsp;It's a symbolic project. So very confident that under the strong leadership and guidance by the two prime ministers this project will be completed on schedule.

We continue to support the project. With regard to land acquisition, this is a very important aspect of any kind of infrastructure project. The Japanese and Indian team have been working very closely. I observe they have established a relationship of mutual trust. So I have 100 per cent to our Indian team dealing with high-speed railway project including land acquisition. So I am hoping that the Indian government, state government&nbsp;and the national high-speed rail corporation will find a way to ensure land acquisition in a mutually satisfactory manner.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Japan on October 28 for the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit. This will be the fifth Annual Summit meeting between PM Modi and the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and also their twelfth meeting since 2014.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Japan on October 28 for the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit. This will be the fifth Annual Summit meeting between PM Modi and the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and also their twelfth meeting since 2014. Our Principal Diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu ahead of the visit on several issues. Japan's ambassador said connectivity and security cooperation will top the agenda. On the four-nation Quad - US, Japan, India and Australia, he was hopeful it will play "important role" in the future. WION: How do you see India Japan ties? Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu: It is excellent. You see, a lot of our joint projects are going on-- Not only economic and investment but also we see a lot of progress in terms of security and political field. WION: Key outcomes of PM Modi's Japan visit? Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu: So many issues. Can't identify a couple of issues. But I hope in terms of security cooperation would like to see some concrete outcomes from the two leaders discussions. Would like to see connectivity infrastructure agenda which would come out from two leaders discussions. So, among many other issues, these two issues have special attention. WION: Japan has connectivity plans in India's northeast. How much connectivity will be in focus? Kenji Hiramatsu: North East is very important for connectivity between India and neighbouring countries. But we would like to see more cooperation between neighbouring countries together with India. In countries like Bangladesh would like to see some concrete infrastructure project implement together by Japan and India. WION: How do you see Quad's role in Asia? There has been some scepticism regarding the quad? Kenji Hiramatsu: Some misunderstandings about the Quad. Quad is one of the several mechanisms to promote the Indo-Pacific vision. It was revived last year. This is gradually growing. We are sharing the same values and we hope in the future it will play a very important role. But at the same time would like to attach other format mechanisms to promote the same goals. This is one of the several mechanisms to achieve peace and stable Indo-Pacific region. WION: What would you like to say on the bullet train? Issues have been on land acquisition. Kenji Hiramatsu: It's a symbolic project. So very confident that under the strong leadership and guidance by the two prime ministers this project will be completed on schedule. We continue to support the project. With regard to land acquisition, this is a very important aspect of any kind of infrastructure project. The Japanese and Indian team have been working very closely. I observe they have established a relationship of mutual trust. So I have 100 per cent to our Indian team dealing with high-speed railway project including land acquisition. So I am hoping that the Indian government, state government and the national high-speed rail corporation will find a way to ensure land acquisition in a mutually satisfactory manner.

Quad can promote Indo-Pacific vision, says Japanese ambassador ahead of PM Modi's visit to Japan

Japan's Shinzo Abe arrived in China Thursday, the first visit to the Asian giant by a Japanese prime minister since relations between the two countries soured six years ago over a territorial row.

Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss how to improve economic cooperation as the world's second and third largest economies prepare to weather a US onslaught of trade measures.

Japanese business is eager for increased access to China's massive market, while Beijing is interested in Japanese technology and corporate know-how.

The visit is the first by a Japanese premier since 2011 and is part of a years-long process of repairing relations in the wake of a disastrous falling-out in 2012, when Tokyo "nationalised" disputed islands claimed by Beijing.

The incident prompted anti-Japanese riots in China, and kicked off a frosty spell that has only recently begun to thaw.

Since an awkward 2014 encounter between Abe and Xi on the sidelines of a summit, there have been ministerial visits by both sides and a softening of rhetoric. 
"Our two countries have been making continuous efforts to improve relations," Abe said before flying to Beijing Thursday, expressing his hope that the visit would "lift bilateral relations to a new level."

The two leaders are likely to focus on a range of potential deals, including joint investments in infrastructure in regional nations including Indonesia and the Philippines.

Abe said they also planned to discuss North Korea and territorial frictions -- calling to make "the East China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation."

The Japanese leader, who leaves China on Saturday, will also hold talks with Premier Li Keqiang.

Peace treaty anniversary

Just days before Abe's trip, Tokyo lodged an official complaint after Chinese ships cruised around the disputed islands that Tokyo calls the Senkaku and Beijing labels the Diaoyu islands.

Abe's three-day trip sets up the possibility that Xi will visit Japan next year.

China has long denounced Japan for what it says is an insufficiently contrite attitude towards its role in World War II.

But ahead of the trip, Beijing has taken a more cordial stance than it has in the past.

During Abe's visit, the leaders will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the signing of a treaty between the two countries that was intended to set the tone for their relations following the war.

Japanese media have reported Abe is hoping the visit will produce a soft power win in the form of some panda diplomacy, with zoos in Sendai and Kobe apparently angling for new additions. 
&nbsp;

Japan's Shinzo Abe arrived in China Thursday, the first visit to the Asian giant by a Japanese prime minister since relations between the two countries soured six years ago over a territorial row.

Japan's Shinzo Abe arrived in China Thursday, the first visit to the Asian giant by a Japanese prime minister since relations between the two countries soured six years ago over a territorial row. Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss how to improve economic cooperation as the world's second and third largest economies prepare to weather a US onslaught of trade measures. Japanese business is eager for increased access to China's massive market, while Beijing is interested in Japanese technology and corporate know-how. The visit is the first by a Japanese premier since 2011 and is part of a years-long process of repairing relations in the wake of a disastrous falling-out in 2012, when Tokyo "nationalised" disputed islands claimed by Beijing. The incident prompted anti-Japanese riots in China, and kicked off a frosty spell that has only recently begun to thaw. Since an awkward 2014 encounter between Abe and Xi on the sidelines of a summit, there have been ministerial visits by both sides and a softening of rhetoric. "Our two countries have been making continuous efforts to improve relations," Abe said before flying to Beijing Thursday, expressing his hope that the visit would "lift bilateral relations to a new level." The two leaders are likely to focus on a range of potential deals, including joint investments in infrastructure in regional nations including Indonesia and the Philippines. Abe said they also planned to discuss North Korea and territorial frictions -- calling to make "the East China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation." The Japanese leader, who leaves China on Saturday, will also hold talks with Premier Li Keqiang. Peace treaty anniversary Just days before Abe's trip, Tokyo lodged an official complaint after Chinese ships cruised around the disputed islands that Tokyo calls the Senkaku and Beijing labels the Diaoyu islands. Abe's three-day trip sets up the possibility that Xi will visit Japan next year. China has long denounced Japan for what it says is an insufficiently contrite attitude towards its role in World War II. But ahead of the trip, Beijing has taken a more cordial stance than it has in the past. During Abe's visit, the leaders will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the signing of a treaty between the two countries that was intended to set the tone for their relations following the war. Japanese media have reported Abe is hoping the visit will produce a soft power win in the form of some panda diplomacy, with zoos in Sendai and Kobe apparently angling for new additions.

Japan's PM Shinzo Abe makes rare China visit as relations thaw

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe makes a rare trip to China this week hoping improved relations will lead to new economic partnerships, as the two countries come under US pressure on trade.

The visit is the first by a Japanese premier since 2011 and is part of a years-long process of repairing ties in the wake of a disastrous falling-out in 2012, when Tokyo "nationalised" disputed islands claimed by Beijing.

The incident prompted anti-Japanese riots in China, and kicked off a frosty spell that has only gradually and recently begun to thaw.

Since an awkward 2014 encounter between Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit, there have been ministerial visits by both sides and a softening of rhetoric.

But Abe's trip will be a test of how far the two countries have come, and the need for progress is all the more urgent as US President Donald Trump levies tariffs and rattles sabres on trade with both China and Japan.

"The trade war with the US seems like it's helping bring them together a bit," said Kristin Vekasi, assistant professor of political science at the University of Maine, and an expert on Japan-China ties.

"In that sense, they're actually on the same side... and if Japan leans away from the US because of decreased economic opportunities, there's a potential for closer ties with China," she told AFP.

- Complementary economies - 
The two leaders are likely to focus on a range of potential deals, including joint investments in infrastructure in regional nations including Indonesia and the Philippines.

Abe has signalled some interest in China's massive "Belt and Road Initiative", which funds major infrastructure work, but experts said a concrete deal on Japanese participation was unlikely for now.

Both sides are keen to improve economic cooperation, with Japanese business eager for increased access to China's massive market, and Beijing interested in Japanese technology and corporate knowhow.

"Japan and China have really nicely complementary economies, and they can benefit hugely from having closer trade and investment ties," said Vekasi.

"They'll try and bring home some economic tangibles. That's generally where they've been able to successfully cooperate in the past."

The two leaders may find less common ground outside of the economic realm, with tensions lingering over territorial issues.

Just days before Abe's trip, Tokyo lodged an official complaint after Chinese ships cruised around the disputed islands that Tokyo calls the Senkaku and Beijing labels the Diaoyu islands.

And in September, Japan carried out its first submarine drills in the disputed South China Sea.

Japan does not border the South China Sea but has expressed concern about Chinese military activity there.

Panda diplomacy? 
Abe and Xi are likely to simply avoid those thornier issues, said Kazuyuki Suwa, a professor of political science at the University of Shizuoka.

"Neither side will make any compromises... They will say what they need to say, and won't likely agree to go beyond that," he told AFP.

"The relationship is a mixture of cooperation and confrontation, and that will stay the same."

Much of the meeting will be about optics, with both men looking for the symbolic boost that the summit will provide.

Abe will also be hoping to extract a pledge that China will make good on plans for Xi to pay a reciprocal visit to Japan next year.

If he succeeds, "that itself should be called one of the major achievements of this trip," Suwa said.

And there may be other diplomatic tools at the ready as well.

When Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang visited Japan earlier this year, he announced a gift of a pair of rare wild crested ibises, which arrived this month.

Japanese media have reported Abe is hoping that his visit will produce a bigger bonanza in the form of some panda diplomacy, with zoos in Sendai and Kobe apparently angling for new additions. 
&nbsp;

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe makes a rare trip to China this week hoping improved relations will lead to new economic partnerships, as the two countries come under US pressure on trade.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe makes a rare trip to China this week hoping improved relations will lead to new economic partnerships, as the two countries come under US pressure on trade. The visit is the first by a Japanese premier since 2011 and is part of a years-long process of repairing ties in the wake of a disastrous falling-out in 2012, when Tokyo "nationalised" disputed islands claimed by Beijing. The incident prompted anti-Japanese riots in China, and kicked off a frosty spell that has only gradually and recently begun to thaw. Since an awkward 2014 encounter between Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit, there have been ministerial visits by both sides and a softening of rhetoric. But Abe's trip will be a test of how far the two countries have come, and the need for progress is all the more urgent as US President Donald Trump levies tariffs and rattles sabres on trade with both China and Japan. "The trade war with the US seems like it's helping bring them together a bit," said Kristin Vekasi, assistant professor of political science at the University of Maine, and an expert on Japan-China ties. "In that sense, they're actually on the same side... and if Japan leans away from the US because of decreased economic opportunities, there's a potential for closer ties with China," she told AFP. - Complementary economies - The two leaders are likely to focus on a range of potential deals, including joint investments in infrastructure in regional nations including Indonesia and the Philippines. Abe has signalled some interest in China's massive "Belt and Road Initiative", which funds major infrastructure work, but experts said a concrete deal on Japanese participation was unlikely for now. Both sides are keen to improve economic cooperation, with Japanese business eager for increased access to China's massive market, and Beijing interested in Japanese technology and corporate knowhow. "Japan and China have really nicely complementary economies, and they can benefit hugely from having closer trade and investment ties," said Vekasi. "They'll try and bring home some economic tangibles. That's generally where they've been able to successfully cooperate in the past." The two leaders may find less common ground outside of the economic realm, with tensions lingering over territorial issues. Just days before Abe's trip, Tokyo lodged an official complaint after Chinese ships cruised around the disputed islands that Tokyo calls the Senkaku and Beijing labels the Diaoyu islands. And in September, Japan carried out its first submarine drills in the disputed South China Sea. Japan does not border the South China Sea but has expressed concern about Chinese military activity there. Panda diplomacy? Abe and Xi are likely to simply avoid those thornier issues, said Kazuyuki Suwa, a professor of political science at the University of Shizuoka. "Neither side will make any compromises... They will say what they need to say, and won't likely agree to go beyond that," he told AFP. "The relationship is a mixture of cooperation and confrontation, and that will stay the same." Much of the meeting will be about optics, with both men looking for the symbolic boost that the summit will provide. Abe will also be hoping to extract a pledge that China will make good on plans for Xi to pay a reciprocal visit to Japan next year. If he succeeds, "that itself should be called one of the major achievements of this trip," Suwa said. And there may be other diplomatic tools at the ready as well. When Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang visited Japan earlier this year, he announced a gift of a pair of rare wild crested ibises, which arrived this month. Japanese media have reported Abe is hoping that his visit will produce a bigger bonanza in the form of some panda diplomacy, with zoos in Sendai and Kobe apparently angling for new additions.

Under pressure on trade from US, Japan PM to make first visit to China in 7 years

Japan's government on Monday told US technology firm Facebook Inc to better protect its users' personal data following lapses this year affecting tens of millions of people globally.

The government asked the world's largest social media network to fully communicate security issues to users, increase surveillance of providers of applications on its platform, and inform regulators of any change in security measures.

The request comes after Facebook this month said attackers stole data from 29 million user accounts. That followed the April revelation that personal data of nearly 87 million users was improperly accessed by British firm Cambridge Analytica.

Japan's Personal Information Protection Commission, which investigated the Cambridge Analytica incident with authorities in Britain and elsewhere, issued a statement on Monday detailing its request to Facebook. The request carries no administrative orders or penalties and is not legally binding.

Facebook has promised to detail on its Japanese-language website how it will address the request, the Commission said.

It also said the Cambridge Analytica incident potentially affected up to 100,000 users in Japan, and that the cyber attack may also have had an impact on users in Japan.

Representatives of Facebook did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Japan's government on Monday told US technology firm Facebook Inc to better protect its users' personal data following lapses this year affecting tens of millions of people globally.

Japan's government on Monday told US technology firm Facebook Inc to better protect its users' personal data following lapses this year affecting tens of millions of people globally. The government asked the world's largest social media network to fully communicate security issues to users, increase surveillance of providers of applications on its platform, and inform regulators of any change in security measures. The request comes after Facebook this month said attackers stole data from 29 million user accounts. That followed the April revelation that personal data of nearly 87 million users was improperly accessed by British firm Cambridge Analytica. Japan's Personal Information Protection Commission, which investigated the Cambridge Analytica incident with authorities in Britain and elsewhere, issued a statement on Monday detailing its request to Facebook. The request carries no administrative orders or penalties and is not legally binding. Facebook has promised to detail on its Japanese-language website how it will address the request, the Commission said. It also said the Cambridge Analytica incident potentially affected up to 100,000 users in Japan, and that the cyber attack may also have had an impact on users in Japan. Representatives of Facebook did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Protect users' personal data: Japan government to Facebook

The Indian men's hockey team put up a clinical performance against Japan, demolishing the Asiad gold-medallists 9-0 for its third win in as many matches at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy here.&nbsp;

As many as six Indian players made entries on the score-sheet on Sunday night in a dominating show that reaffirmed their supremacy in Asia and showed that the below-par Asian Games performance was an aberration.&nbsp;

With their third successive win, India lead the six-team event's league standings with a maximum nine points, followed by Malaysia on six points from two games.&nbsp;

Strikers Lalit Upadhyay and Mandeep Singh scored two goals each, while drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty stroke and a penalty corner to lead the goal-fest.&nbsp;

Upadhyay opened the Indian scoring in the fourth minute with a diving deflection and again got into the action in the 45th minute for his double, while Harmanpreet converted a penalty stroke in the 17th minute and then sounded the board with a low penalty corner shot in the 21st minute.&nbsp;

As Japan's defence was swept away by the Indian raids, Mandeep Singh capitalised on two openings in the last quarter -- in the 49th and 57th minute.&nbsp;

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India defeat Japan by 9-0 margin in the only match played on day four of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2018 on 21st October 2018. Here's a look at the result of the day.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaKaGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaKaGame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HeroACT2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HeroACT2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/hYyIfmbhhi">pic.twitter.com/hYyIfmbhhi</a>
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHockeyIndia/status/1054087568889790464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Japan's goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa was injured in the eighth minute when he blocked Harmanpreet's penalty corner shot, only for the ball to rebound to Gurjant, who flicked it in. Thereafter, reserve Yusuke Takano had to bear the brunt of the Indian attack.&nbsp;

Indian coach Harendra Singh was pleased by his team's ruthless performance.&nbsp;

"The way we played was good. We played to a plan and did not allow Japan's team to play in a certain manner," said Harendra. 
The game also saw a goal each from Akashdeep Singh (36th) and Sumit (42nd).&nbsp;

On the points table, Pakistan have three points from two matches, while Japan are on three points in three games. South Korea and Oman have lost both their matches.&nbsp;

Japan coach Siegfried Aikman said India were too strong to be contained in this contest.&nbsp;

"We tried our level best, but they were very strong. We were below the level as India sparkled with their speed, agility and hard-press game," said Aikman.&nbsp;

The Indian men's hockey team put up a clinical performance against Japan, demolishing the Asiad gold-medallists 9-0 for its third win in as many matches at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy here.

The Indian men's hockey team put up a clinical performance against Japan, demolishing the Asiad gold-medallists 9-0 for its third win in as many matches at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy here. As many as six Indian players made entries on the score-sheet on Sunday night in a dominating show that reaffirmed their supremacy in Asia and showed that the below-par Asian Games performance was an aberration. With their third successive win, India lead the six-team event's league standings with a maximum nine points, followed by Malaysia on six points from two games. Strikers Lalit Upadhyay and Mandeep Singh scored two goals each, while drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty stroke and a penalty corner to lead the goal-fest. Upadhyay opened the Indian scoring in the fourth minute with a diving deflection and again got into the action in the 45th minute for his double, while Harmanpreet converted a penalty stroke in the 17th minute and then sounded the board with a low penalty corner shot in the 21st minute. As Japan's defence was swept away by the Indian raids, Mandeep Singh capitalised on two openings in the last quarter -- in the 49th and 57th minute. India defeat Japan by 9-0 margin in the only match played on day four of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2018 on 21st October 2018. Here's a look at the result of the day.#IndiaKaGame #HeroACT2018 pic.twitter.com/hYyIfmbhhi — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 21, 2018 × Japan's goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa was injured in the eighth minute when he blocked Harmanpreet's penalty corner shot, only for the ball to rebound to Gurjant, who flicked it in. Thereafter, reserve Yusuke Takano had to bear the brunt of the Indian attack. Indian coach Harendra Singh was pleased by his team's ruthless performance. "The way we played was good. We played to a plan and did not allow Japan's team to play in a certain manner," said Harendra. The game also saw a goal each from Akashdeep Singh (36th) and Sumit (42nd). On the points table, Pakistan have three points from two matches, while Japan are on three points in three games. South Korea and Oman have lost both their matches. Japan coach Siegfried Aikman said India were too strong to be contained in this contest. "We tried our level best, but they were very strong. We were below the level as India sparkled with their speed, agility and hard-press game," said Aikman.

Asian Champions Trophy: India men's hockey team defeat Japan 9-0

The coach whose attempts to guide Serena Williams mid-match during this year's US&nbsp;Open final led to her explosive row with the umpire and a code violation en route to defeat, has called for on-court coaching to be permitted.

Patrick Mouratoglou admitted gesturing to Williams from the stands during her match with Japan's Naomi Osaka -- in contravention of U.S. Open and other grand slam tournament rules -- but the American was left incensed at the umpire's strict interpretation of the rule.

She said she had not seen Mouratoglou's signal and that she had "never cheated in her life".

The incident and the ensuing row resulted in a game penalty and a $17,000 fine for Williams, and divided tennis by triggering a debate about sexism in the sport.

The debate was fuelled by Williams's and others assertions that an umpire would not have dealt with a male player in the same way.

Coaching during matches is permitted in some women's events, but grand slam tournaments are among those which do not allow it.

The US&nbsp;Open permitted players to talk to their coaches during qualifying and junior matches, but any move to allow it during main draw matches would need to be unilateral among the four slams.

This is likely to be problematic with Wimbledon so far entirely against it, although Wimbledon chief Philip Brook told reporters recently it was time for a "grown-up conversation" about the issue.

Mouratoglou clearly thinks it is a good idea and on Thursday said mid-match coaching needed to be authorised in order to "ensure tennis sustains its development".

The Frenchman said it was time coaching was both recognised and valued, because the fallout following last month's US&nbsp;Open final made it look as though coaching was shameful.

"Authorising coaching in competition and actually staging it so that the viewers can enjoy it as a show would ensure it remains pivotal in the sport," he posted on his Twitter feed.

Mouratoglou said he could not understand why tennis was "just about the only sport" where coaching was not allowed, citing soccer, basketball and boxing as high profile examples, and pointing out that elite cyclists are in radio contact with their advisors during races.

Touching on a theme raised by the Williams episode, Mouratoglou said legitimising in-competition coaching would end hypocrisy.

"It is a very basic truth that the vast majority of tennis coaches are actually coaching on court, despite the rule," he said.&nbsp;

"Of course, coaches are usually discreet... occasionally the players are punished for it, but for the most part they are not."

Representatives of the four grand slam tournaments are expected to meet before the end of the year, at which point the future of mid-match coaching will be a topic of conversation.

The coach whose attempts to guide Serena Williams mid-match during this year's US Open final led to her explosive row with the umpire and a code violation en route to defeat, has called for on-court coaching to be permitted.

The coach whose attempts to guide Serena Williams mid-match during this year's US Open final led to her explosive row with the umpire and a code violation en route to defeat, has called for on-court coaching to be permitted. Patrick Mouratoglou admitted gesturing to Williams from the stands during her match with Japan's Naomi Osaka -- in contravention of U.S. Open and other grand slam tournament rules -- but the American was left incensed at the umpire's strict interpretation of the rule. She said she had not seen Mouratoglou's signal and that she had "never cheated in her life". The incident and the ensuing row resulted in a game penalty and a $17,000 fine for Williams, and divided tennis by triggering a debate about sexism in the sport. The debate was fuelled by Williams's and others assertions that an umpire would not have dealt with a male player in the same way. Coaching during matches is permitted in some women's events, but grand slam tournaments are among those which do not allow it. The US Open permitted players to talk to their coaches during qualifying and junior matches, but any move to allow it during main draw matches would need to be unilateral among the four slams. This is likely to be problematic with Wimbledon so far entirely against it, although Wimbledon chief Philip Brook told reporters recently it was time for a "grown-up conversation" about the issue. Mouratoglou clearly thinks it is a good idea and on Thursday said mid-match coaching needed to be authorised in order to "ensure tennis sustains its development". The Frenchman said it was time coaching was both recognised and valued, because the fallout following last month's US Open final made it look as though coaching was shameful. "Authorising coaching in competition and actually staging it so that the viewers can enjoy it as a show would ensure it remains pivotal in the sport," he posted on his Twitter feed. Mouratoglou said he could not understand why tennis was "just about the only sport" where coaching was not allowed, citing soccer, basketball and boxing as high profile examples, and pointing out that elite cyclists are in radio contact with their advisors during races. Touching on a theme raised by the Williams episode, Mouratoglou said legitimising in-competition coaching would end hypocrisy. "It is a very basic truth that the vast majority of tennis coaches are actually coaching on court, despite the rule," he said. "Of course, coaches are usually discreet... occasionally the players are punished for it, but for the most part they are not." Representatives of the four grand slam tournaments are expected to meet before the end of the year, at which point the future of mid-match coaching will be a topic of conversation.

Serena Williams coach makes plea for honest and open on-court coaching

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday agreed upon the importance of conducting an independent investigation over the Rakhine state issue.

At a bilateral meeting in Tokyo, the two leaders discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation and the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine State at a bilateral meeting held after the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit in Tokyo.

Over the last year, more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Buddhist-majority Myanmar to neighbouring Bangladesh, according to UN&nbsp;agencies, following a military response to attacks on security posts by Rohingya insurgents.

A recent UN&nbsp;report accused Myanmar's military of gang rapes and mass killings with "genocidal intent" in Rakhine and called for its commander-in-chief and five generals to be prosecuted under international law.

Myanmar has denied most of the allegations in the report, blaming Rohingya "terrorists" for most accounts of atrocities.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday agreed upon the importance of conducting an independent investigation over the Rakhine state issue.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday agreed upon the importance of conducting an independent investigation over the Rakhine state issue. At a bilateral meeting in Tokyo, the two leaders discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation and the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine State at a bilateral meeting held after the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit in Tokyo. Over the last year, more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Buddhist-majority Myanmar to neighbouring Bangladesh, according to UN agencies, following a military response to attacks on security posts by Rohingya insurgents. A recent UN report accused Myanmar's military of gang rapes and mass killings with "genocidal intent" in Rakhine and called for its commander-in-chief and five generals to be prosecuted under international law. Myanmar has denied most of the allegations in the report, blaming Rohingya "terrorists" for most accounts of atrocities.

Japan, Myanmar reaffirm importance of independent investigation in Rakhine State

While China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been in the news for a while, Japan is slowly funding the building of supplementary trade corridors in the Mekong region, projecting itself as not only interested in building infrastructure but also trade facilitation through the human capacity building in the region. With a growth rate exceeding 5 per cent and a combined population of over 240 million, the Mekong region, which was devastated by the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s, has now emerged as a new growth centre of Asia. With the exception of Thailand, the population of the region — that also includes Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam — is young, with more than 20 per cent of its residents below 15 years of age. In 2015, the combined total GDP in the region amounted to $673 billion, and the middle classes are growing right across the region. 
 
Japan’s renewed interest in the region is fuelled by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s enthusiasm for the US-inspired ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy’, which also ropes in India and Australia. China views this as a strategy to contain Beijing’s economic rise and increasing political clout in the region. Under Japan’s new initiative that has targeted mainly Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, it is not only funding building of highways, railways and bridges, but also trade facilitation through the training of human capital for better flows of people and goods. A major criticism of the BRI has been the emphasis on the building of infrastructure and the lack of attention to building human resources in the countries concerned.&nbsp;

This has led to suspicions that China is building these trade routes for its own benefit and not to promote two-way trade. The ASEAN, whose membership includes all the Mekong countries plus five others, is worried that the increasing rivalry between Asia’s two major powers may sideline the ASEAN-centrality strategy of the regional grouping with respect to development issues. 
 
During the ASEAN Foreign Minister’s meeting in Singapore in August 2018, it was emphasized that the ‘Indo-Pacific’ strategy should respect ‘Asean-centrality’ in building the regional economic architecture. At the same meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China would welcome the Japanese initiative for security and economic cooperation in the region, but warned that it needs more funding than what Japan is offering. The Japanese government has pledged $ 110 billion towards ‘high-quality’ infrastructure projects in Asia.

The Chinese government, over the last few years, has pledged some $4 trillion for numerous infrastructure projects in developing countries, that has the potential to make Asia the centre of the global economy. When China announced its grand Silk Route revival initiative (later renamed BRI) a few years ago, Japan expressed scepticism. But in May 2017, Abe sent a special envoy to the BRI forum in Beijing. And at the Hamburg G20 summit in July 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Abe met and discussed Japan’s interest in collaborating with China in implementing the BRI. While perceived disputes in the South China Sea have global attention, there is a greater conflict brewing along the Mekong river, where China has formed its own Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) organisation.

At the 2016 MLC Summit, China pledged $10 billion in preferential loans and another $10 billion in credit for the five countries to develop the region. It has triggered some 132 development projects in the region, but that includes building dams along the river that has upset Vietnam which is downstream. “It is impossible to discuss the LMC without putting it into the context of the BRI. The Mekong sub-region represents a key area for the BRI,” argues Nguyen Khac Giang, lead political researcher at the Vietnam National University in Hanoi. 
 
He points out that the so-called “signature projects” of the LMC, such as the Kunming-Bangkok road, China-Laos railway and Long Jiang Industrial Park (in Vietnam) are in the BRI framework; and most of the finance for LMC projects will come from China, either through the LMC special fund or the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Silk Road Fund.” The link with China’s ‘initiative of the 21st Century’ indicates that the LMC is part of a bigger bid by Beijing to seek a leadership role in the region, notes Giang. In the 1970s, Japan was credited with having helped the development of South East Asia with strategic investments in setting up industrial parks, where Japanese companies set up manufacturing plants to make use of the region’s cheap labour.

China began its investment in South East Asia much later and started committing funds for infrastructure development after 2000. China’s initiatives for connectivity gained momentum in 2013 when President Xi Jinping proposed the BRI.

“In the colonial past, the Mekong region was divided between two rival powers: Great Britain and France,” notes Furuoka. “With recent developments, the Mekong countries may want to work out an astute and ingenious diplomatic policy to counteract potentially contradicting interests in the region. Otherwise, they could once again find themselves becoming a ‘playground’ for rival powers in Asia,” he warns. 
 
(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-sino-japan-rivalry-intensifies-in-asia-s-growth-region-2672774">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

While China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been in the news for a while, Japan is slowly funding the building of supplementary trade corridors in the Mekong region, projecting itself as not only interested in building infrastructure but also trade facilitation through the human capacity building in the region.

While China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been in the news for a while, Japan is slowly funding the building of supplementary trade corridors in the Mekong region, projecting itself as not only interested in building infrastructure but also trade facilitation through the human capacity building in the region. With a growth rate exceeding 5 per cent and a combined population of over 240 million, the Mekong region, which was devastated by the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s, has now emerged as a new growth centre of Asia. With the exception of Thailand, the population of the region — that also includes Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam — is young, with more than 20 per cent of its residents below 15 years of age. In 2015, the combined total GDP in the region amounted to $673 billion, and the middle classes are growing right across the region. Japan’s renewed interest in the region is fuelled by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s enthusiasm for the US-inspired ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy’, which also ropes in India and Australia. China views this as a strategy to contain Beijing’s economic rise and increasing political clout in the region. Under Japan’s new initiative that has targeted mainly Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, it is not only funding building of highways, railways and bridges, but also trade facilitation through the training of human capital for better flows of people and goods. A major criticism of the BRI has been the emphasis on the building of infrastructure and the lack of attention to building human resources in the countries concerned. This has led to suspicions that China is building these trade routes for its own benefit and not to promote two-way trade. The ASEAN, whose membership includes all the Mekong countries plus five others, is worried that the increasing rivalry between Asia’s two major powers may sideline the ASEAN-centrality strategy of the regional grouping with respect to development issues. During the ASEAN Foreign Minister’s meeting in Singapore in August 2018, it was emphasized that the ‘Indo-Pacific’ strategy should respect ‘Asean-centrality’ in building the regional economic architecture. At the same meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China would welcome the Japanese initiative for security and economic cooperation in the region, but warned that it needs more funding than what Japan is offering. The Japanese government has pledged $ 110 billion towards ‘high-quality’ infrastructure projects in Asia. The Chinese government, over the last few years, has pledged some $4 trillion for numerous infrastructure projects in developing countries, that has the potential to make Asia the centre of the global economy. When China announced its grand Silk Route revival initiative (later renamed BRI) a few years ago, Japan expressed scepticism. But in May 2017, Abe sent a special envoy to the BRI forum in Beijing. And at the Hamburg G20 summit in July 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Abe met and discussed Japan’s interest in collaborating with China in implementing the BRI. While perceived disputes in the South China Sea have global attention, there is a greater conflict brewing along the Mekong river, where China has formed its own Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) organisation. At the 2016 MLC Summit, China pledged $10 billion in preferential loans and another $10 billion in credit for the five countries to develop the region. It has triggered some 132 development projects in the region, but that includes building dams along the river that has upset Vietnam which is downstream. “It is impossible to discuss the LMC without putting it into the context of the BRI. The Mekong sub-region represents a key area for the BRI,” argues Nguyen Khac Giang, lead political researcher at the Vietnam National University in Hanoi. He points out that the so-called “signature projects” of the LMC, such as the Kunming-Bangkok road, China-Laos railway and Long Jiang Industrial Park (in Vietnam) are in the BRI framework; and most of the finance for LMC projects will come from China, either through the LMC special fund or the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Silk Road Fund.” The link with China’s ‘initiative of the 21st Century’ indicates that the LMC is part of a bigger bid by Beijing to seek a leadership role in the region, notes Giang. In the 1970s, Japan was credited with having helped the development of South East Asia with strategic investments in setting up industrial parks, where Japanese companies set up manufacturing plants to make use of the region’s cheap labour. China began its investment in South East Asia much later and started committing funds for infrastructure development after 2000. China’s initiatives for connectivity gained momentum in 2013 when President Xi Jinping proposed the BRI. “In the colonial past, the Mekong region was divided between two rival powers: Great Britain and France,” notes Furuoka. “With recent developments, the Mekong countries may want to work out an astute and ingenious diplomatic policy to counteract potentially contradicting interests in the region. Otherwise, they could once again find themselves becoming a ‘playground’ for rival powers in Asia,” he warns. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Sino-Japan rivalry intensifies in Asia’s growth region

Ferrari's title contender Sebastian Vettel collided with Red Bull's Max Verstappen at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday in yet another blow to the German's fading Formula One championship hopes.

Vettel, who had started eighth after a failed tyre gamble in qualifying, was trying to pass the young Dutch driver for third place at the fast left-handed sweep of Suzuka's Spoon corner.

Instead, they made contact, with Vettel spun around. He resumed in 19th place with a damaged car.

Stewards reviewed the incident and decided to take no further action.

Verstappen was already carrying a five-second penalty for forcing Vettel's team mate Kimi Raikkonen off the track earlier in the race and would have dropped behind Vettel anyway at the pitstops.

Vettel, who was back to 11th by lap 24 of 53, is 50 points behind Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton with just four races remaining after Sunday.

Hamilton was leading from pole position.

Ferrari's title contender Sebastian Vettel collided with Red Bull's Max Verstappen at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday in yet another blow to the German's fading Formula One championship hopes.

Ferrari's title contender Sebastian Vettel collided with Red Bull's Max Verstappen at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday in yet another blow to the German's fading Formula One championship hopes. Vettel, who had started eighth after a failed tyre gamble in qualifying, was trying to pass the young Dutch driver for third place at the fast left-handed sweep of Suzuka's Spoon corner. Instead, they made contact, with Vettel spun around. He resumed in 19th place with a damaged car. Stewards reviewed the incident and decided to take no further action. Verstappen was already carrying a five-second penalty for forcing Vettel's team mate Kimi Raikkonen off the track earlier in the race and would have dropped behind Vettel anyway at the pitstops. Vettel, who was back to 11th by lap 24 of 53, is 50 points behind Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton with just four races remaining after Sunday. Hamilton was leading from pole position.

Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen collide in Japan

JIMEX-18, a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Japan, began in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships Kaga, an Izumo-class helicopter destroyer, and Inazuma, a guided missile destroyer, arrived here to mark the commencement of JIMEX.

The Japanese ships would be participating in the third edition of JIMEX under the command of Rear Admiral Tatsuya Fukada, commander of Escort Flotilla-4 (CCF-4).

The Indian Navy would be represented by three indigenously-designed warships and a fleet tanker. The participating ships are INS Satpura, a multi-purpose stealth frigate, INS Kadmatt, an anti-submarine warfare corvette, missile corvette and INS Shakti, the fleet tanker.

In addition, one submarine, P8I long range maritime patrol aircraft and a number of integral helicopters would be participating in the exercise, the Navy said.

The nine-day event is aimed at enhancing inter-operability, improving understanding and imbibing the best practices of each other, a Navy release said.

The Indian ships would be commanded by Rear Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet.

JIMEX-18 will comprise a harbour phase and a sea phase of four days each.

The harbour phase of the exercise, scheduled from October 7 to 10, would include professional and social interactions between ships' crews, sports fixtures and operational planning for the sea phase.

The sea phase would include anti-submarine warfare exercises, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) drills, gun firings, cross deck helo operations and coordinated operations in anti-submarine and anti-air threat scenarios.

The last edition of JIMEX was held in December 2013 off the Chennai coast.

The conduct of JIMEX-18 after five years is indicative of an upswing in the Indo-Japanese defence relations and the continued efforts of both governments to work closely to enhance safety and security of the global commons in keeping with 'rule-based order,' the Navy said.

The ships of the two Navies have been working in close coordination in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden (GoA) for the past few years.

JMSDF has been a regular participant in the Malabar series of exercises between Indian and US Navies.

JMSDF ships participated in the recently concluded MALABAR-18 off Guam (along with Indian and US Navy units) in the Pacific Ocean in June and biennial multilateral exercise RIMPAC-18 off Hawaii, USA, the Navy release added.

JIMEX-18, a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Japan, began in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships Kaga, an Izumo-class helicopter destroyer, and Inazuma, a guided missile destroyer, arrived here to mark the commencement of JIMEX.

JIMEX-18, a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Japan, began in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships Kaga, an Izumo-class helicopter destroyer, and Inazuma, a guided missile destroyer, arrived here to mark the commencement of JIMEX. The Japanese ships would be participating in the third edition of JIMEX under the command of Rear Admiral Tatsuya Fukada, commander of Escort Flotilla-4 (CCF-4). The Indian Navy would be represented by three indigenously-designed warships and a fleet tanker. The participating ships are INS Satpura, a multi-purpose stealth frigate, INS Kadmatt, an anti-submarine warfare corvette, missile corvette and INS Shakti, the fleet tanker. In addition, one submarine, P8I long range maritime patrol aircraft and a number of integral helicopters would be participating in the exercise, the Navy said. The nine-day event is aimed at enhancing inter-operability, improving understanding and imbibing the best practices of each other, a Navy release said. The Indian ships would be commanded by Rear Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet. JIMEX-18 will comprise a harbour phase and a sea phase of four days each. The harbour phase of the exercise, scheduled from October 7 to 10, would include professional and social interactions between ships' crews, sports fixtures and operational planning for the sea phase. The sea phase would include anti-submarine warfare exercises, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) drills, gun firings, cross deck helo operations and coordinated operations in anti-submarine and anti-air threat scenarios. The last edition of JIMEX was held in December 2013 off the Chennai coast. The conduct of JIMEX-18 after five years is indicative of an upswing in the Indo-Japanese defence relations and the continued efforts of both governments to work closely to enhance safety and security of the global commons in keeping with 'rule-based order,' the Navy said. The ships of the two Navies have been working in close coordination in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden (GoA) for the past few years. JMSDF has been a regular participant in the Malabar series of exercises between Indian and US Navies. JMSDF ships participated in the recently concluded MALABAR-18 off Guam (along with Indian and US Navy units) in the Pacific Ocean in June and biennial multilateral exercise RIMPAC-18 off Hawaii, USA, the Navy release added.

India, Japan begin bilateral maritime exercises in Visakhapatnam

An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 struck Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on Friday.

While no injuries or deaths were reported from the quake, the tremor&nbsp;scared the residents of Atsuma where more than 40 people were killed in a 6.7 magnitude earthquake last month.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the magnitude 5.3 quake Friday morning was centred in southern Hokkaido near Atsuma.

An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 struck Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on Friday. While no injuries or deaths were reported from the quake, the tremor scared the residents of Atsuma where more than 40 people were killed in a 6.

An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 struck Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on Friday. While no injuries or deaths were reported from the quake, the tremor scared the residents of Atsuma where more than 40 people were killed in a 6.7 magnitude earthquake last month. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the magnitude 5.3 quake Friday morning was centred in southern Hokkaido near Atsuma.

5.3 magnitude earthquake hits northern Japan

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday replaced his defence minister in a cabinet reshuffle that otherwise left key government positions largely unchanged.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, who was reappointed, announced the lineup for the new cabinet, with key ministers including finance minister Taro Aso and foreign minister Taro Kono staying on.

"I conducted the cabinet reshuffle today in order to get off to a powerful start for the building of a new country," Abe told a televised news conference.

"I want to maintain the framework of my government management in a stable manner," he said.

But Itsunori Onodera, defence minister since August 2017, was replaced by Takeshi Iwaya, 61, a veteran politician who has had short stints in roles including vice minister for defence and foreign affairs.

The reshuffle follows Abe's reelection as leader of his Liberal Democratic Party last month, which puts him on track to become Japan's longest-serving prime minister.

"It was no surprise that Abe focused on stability rather than a challenge," said Tomoaki Iwai, professor of Japanese politics at Nihon University.

"Abe prioritised imminent tasks such as a fight against deflation so that he can consolidate his power before tackling a revision of the constitution," Iwai told AFP.

After winning a historic third term as LDP head last month, Abe vowed to press ahead with plans to revise Japan's pacifist constitution, which remains a controversial proposition.

During the news conference, Abe voiced hopes to submit a plan to parliament later this year but vowed to seek "wide support" as his junior coalition partner Komeito has insisted there is no need to be hasty.

Iwaya takes over as Japan continues to focus on the threat posed by North Korea despite easing tensions on the Korean peninsula and international negotiations on Pyongyang's denuclearisation.

In an annual defence review released in August, the defence ministry said North Korea remained a "serious and imminent threat".

Japan's 2018 defence white paper also took aim at China's rise as a military power, saying Beijing was sparking "strong security concerns in the region and international community, including Japan".

Abe described Iwaya as "an expert on security."

But Iwai said the new defence chief was something of an unknown quantity.

"Iwaya is not a novice on defence but is also not as experienced as Onodera," he said.

"His capability as defence chief remains unknown."

Newcomers to Abe's cabinet include Satsuki Katayama, the new minister for promoting local economies, who will be the sole female member of the cabinet.

Abe's previous cabinet had two female ministers.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday replaced his defence minister in a cabinet reshuffle that otherwise left key government positions largely unchanged.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday replaced his defence minister in a cabinet reshuffle that otherwise left key government positions largely unchanged. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, who was reappointed, announced the lineup for the new cabinet, with key ministers including finance minister Taro Aso and foreign minister Taro Kono staying on. "I conducted the cabinet reshuffle today in order to get off to a powerful start for the building of a new country," Abe told a televised news conference. "I want to maintain the framework of my government management in a stable manner," he said. But Itsunori Onodera, defence minister since August 2017, was replaced by Takeshi Iwaya, 61, a veteran politician who has had short stints in roles including vice minister for defence and foreign affairs. The reshuffle follows Abe's reelection as leader of his Liberal Democratic Party last month, which puts him on track to become Japan's longest-serving prime minister. "It was no surprise that Abe focused on stability rather than a challenge," said Tomoaki Iwai, professor of Japanese politics at Nihon University. "Abe prioritised imminent tasks such as a fight against deflation so that he can consolidate his power before tackling a revision of the constitution," Iwai told AFP. After winning a historic third term as LDP head last month, Abe vowed to press ahead with plans to revise Japan's pacifist constitution, which remains a controversial proposition. During the news conference, Abe voiced hopes to submit a plan to parliament later this year but vowed to seek "wide support" as his junior coalition partner Komeito has insisted there is no need to be hasty. Iwaya takes over as Japan continues to focus on the threat posed by North Korea despite easing tensions on the Korean peninsula and international negotiations on Pyongyang's denuclearisation. In an annual defence review released in August, the defence ministry said North Korea remained a "serious and imminent threat". Japan's 2018 defence white paper also took aim at China's rise as a military power, saying Beijing was sparking "strong security concerns in the region and international community, including Japan". Abe described Iwaya as "an expert on security." But Iwai said the new defence chief was something of an unknown quantity. "Iwaya is not a novice on defence but is also not as experienced as Onodera," he said. "His capability as defence chief remains unknown." Newcomers to Abe's cabinet include Satsuki Katayama, the new minister for promoting local economies, who will be the sole female member of the cabinet. Abe's previous cabinet had two female ministers.

Japan PM Abe names new defence minister in cabinet reshuffle

A powerful typhoon hurtled toward Japan's mainland Sunday after injuring dozens on southern islands, as weather officials warned that fierce winds and torrential rain could trigger landslides and floods.

Typhoon Trami has already sparked travel disruption in the world's third-biggest economy, with bullet train services in the west of Japan suspended and almost 1,000 flights cancelled due to the closure of a key airport hub.

Television footage showed cars in Okinawa island flipped over by the strength of the wind. Several houses were flooded or damaged and 38 people sustained minor injuries but no one was feared dead, local officials said.&nbsp;

Authorities issued evacuation advisories to some 349,000 residents, while electricity was cut to more than 300,000 houses, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Trami is the latest in a series of extreme natural events in Japan, which has suffered typhoons, flooding, earthquakes and heat waves in recent months, claiming scores of lives and causing extensive damage.

Packing maximum gusts of 216 kilometres (134 miles) per hour near its centre, Trami was forecast to hit the mainland later Sunday and travel over most of the archipelago, causing extreme weather into Monday, forecasters said.

Maintaining its "very strong force," the storm churned near Kagoshima on the western tip of Japan, causing seven minor injuries.

"We are strongly urging our residents to stay indoors because it is extremely dangerous to be outside now," Masaaki Tamaki, an official of Kagoshima's disaster management section, told AFP.

The Japanese meteorological agency issued a special warning of landslides and floods in Kagoshima and Chiba, while saying heavy rain seen once in half a century has been monitored in Yakushima island, southern Kagoshima.

Strong winds and downpours could trigger landslides and floods as well as lightning strikes and tornados across the nation, said the agency, warning that waves and wind could reach record levels.

Western regions are still recovering from the most powerful typhoon to strike the country in a quarter of a century in early September. Typhoon Jebi claimed 11 lives and shut down Kansai Airport, the main regional airport.

Deadly record rains also hit western Japan earlier this year and the country sweltered through one of the hottest summers on record.

Also in September, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake rocked the northern island of Hokkaido, sparking landslides and leaving more than 40 people dead.

A powerful typhoon hurtled toward Japan's mainland Sunday after injuring dozens on southern islands, as weather officials warned that fierce winds and torrential rain could trigger landslides and floods.

A powerful typhoon hurtled toward Japan's mainland Sunday after injuring dozens on southern islands, as weather officials warned that fierce winds and torrential rain could trigger landslides and floods. Typhoon Trami has already sparked travel disruption in the world's third-biggest economy, with bullet train services in the west of Japan suspended and almost 1,000 flights cancelled due to the closure of a key airport hub. Television footage showed cars in Okinawa island flipped over by the strength of the wind. Several houses were flooded or damaged and 38 people sustained minor injuries but no one was feared dead, local officials said. Authorities issued evacuation advisories to some 349,000 residents, while electricity was cut to more than 300,000 houses, according to public broadcaster NHK. Trami is the latest in a series of extreme natural events in Japan, which has suffered typhoons, flooding, earthquakes and heat waves in recent months, claiming scores of lives and causing extensive damage. Packing maximum gusts of 216 kilometres (134 miles) per hour near its centre, Trami was forecast to hit the mainland later Sunday and travel over most of the archipelago, causing extreme weather into Monday, forecasters said. Maintaining its "very strong force," the storm churned near Kagoshima on the western tip of Japan, causing seven minor injuries. "We are strongly urging our residents to stay indoors because it is extremely dangerous to be outside now," Masaaki Tamaki, an official of Kagoshima's disaster management section, told AFP. The Japanese meteorological agency issued a special warning of landslides and floods in Kagoshima and Chiba, while saying heavy rain seen once in half a century has been monitored in Yakushima island, southern Kagoshima. Strong winds and downpours could trigger landslides and floods as well as lightning strikes and tornados across the nation, said the agency, warning that waves and wind could reach record levels. Western regions are still recovering from the most powerful typhoon to strike the country in a quarter of a century in early September. Typhoon Jebi claimed 11 lives and shut down Kansai Airport, the main regional airport. Deadly record rains also hit western Japan earlier this year and the country sweltered through one of the hottest summers on record. Also in September, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake rocked the northern island of Hokkaido, sparking landslides and leaving more than 40 people dead.

Typhoon Trami injures 45, direct hit on Japan mainland expected

North Korea has accused Japan of trying to create tension on the Korean Peninsula and rebuilding its military.

Yonhap News Agency quoted local North Korean media as stating, "The maritime `Self-Defense Force` (MSDF) of Japan recently conducted a test-fire of the interceptor missile SM-3 Block 1B on an Aegis destroyer in waters off Hawaii of the US.It is reportedly the first time that the MSDF conducted an interceptor missile test-fire."

The local media further reported that Japan was trying to rebuild a military capable of waging war against others.

"The present reactionary regime of Japan seeks to put the Asia-Pacific region under control by turning Japan into a country capable of going to war," it added.

North Korea further claimed that Japan is seeking to disrupt the joint efforts of North and South Korea to establish and maintain peace on the Korean peninsula.

"No matter how desperately it (Japan) moves, it can never dampen the aspirations of all Koreans and the international community for peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the region," North Korea asserted.

These allegations come after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his hope to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a bilateral summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.&nbsp;

North Korea has accused Japan of trying to create tension on the Korean Peninsula and rebuilding its military. Yonhap News Agency quoted local North Korean media as stating, "The maritime `Self-Defense Force` (MSDF) of Japan recently conducted a test-fire of the interceptor missile SM-3 Block 1B on an Aegis destroyer in waters off Hawaii of the US.

North Korea has accused Japan of trying to create tension on the Korean Peninsula and rebuilding its military. Yonhap News Agency quoted local North Korean media as stating, "The maritime `Self-Defense Force` (MSDF) of Japan recently conducted a test-fire of the interceptor missile SM-3 Block 1B on an Aegis destroyer in waters off Hawaii of the US.It is reportedly the first time that the MSDF conducted an interceptor missile test-fire." The local media further reported that Japan was trying to rebuild a military capable of waging war against others. "The present reactionary regime of Japan seeks to put the Asia-Pacific region under control by turning Japan into a country capable of going to war," it added. North Korea further claimed that Japan is seeking to disrupt the joint efforts of North and South Korea to establish and maintain peace on the Korean peninsula. "No matter how desperately it (Japan) moves, it can never dampen the aspirations of all Koreans and the international community for peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the region," North Korea asserted. These allegations come after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his hope to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a bilateral summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

North Korea accuses Japan of rebuilding military on Korean Peninsula

A powerful typhoon hurtled toward Japan's mainland Sunday after injuring dozens on southern islands, as weather officials warned that fierce winds and torrential rain could trigger landslides and floods.

Typhoon Trami has already sparked travel disruption in the world's third-biggest economy, with bullet train services in the west of Japan suspended, more than 1,000 flights cancelled due to the closure of a key airport hub and Tokyo's evening train service scrapped.

The storm is forecast to smash into the mainland near Osaka at around 6pm local time (0900 GMT) and churn across the Japanese archipelago, likely hitting areas still recovering from a series of extreme weather events that have battered Japan in recent months.&nbsp;

Trami tore through the southern island of Okinawa on Saturday, bringing winds strong enough to flip over cars. Several houses were flooded or damaged and 56 people on the island sustained minor injuries but no one was feared dead, local officials said.

Nationwide, authorities issued non-compulsory evacuation advisories to 1.5 million residents, according to public broadcaster NHK. Nearly 500,000 households&nbsp;have lost power, according to public broadcaster NHK.

As the typhoon barrelled east, rail authorities took the highly unusual step of cancelling evening train services in Tokyo, one of the world's busiest networks, urging passengers to shelter indoors when the storm hits.

The typhoon is not expected to hit the capital head on but strong winds and heavy rain are still feared from later Sunday and some businesses were already putting up shutters and hunkering down.

Trami is the latest in a string of extreme natural events in Japan, which has suffered typhoons, flooding, earthquakes and heatwaves in recent months, claiming scores of lives and causing extensive damage.

Packing maximum gusts of 216 kilometres (134 miles) per hour, Trami was expected to travel over most of the archipelago, weakening slightly but causing extreme weather into Monday, forecasters said.

Still classed as a "very strong" typhoon, Trami pounded Kagoshima on the western tip of Japan early Sunday, causing 10 minor injuries -- for example, cuts from broken windows and people knocked over by gusts.

"We are strongly urging our residents to stay indoors because it is extremely dangerous to be outside now," Masaaki Tamaki, an official of Kagoshima's disaster management section, told AFP.

'Bang, bang'

The Japanese meteorological agency warned the typhoon would bring strong winds and downpours, which could trigger landslides and floods as well as lightning strikes and tornados across the nation.

Violent gusts swept away roof tiles on some houses in Kochi city in western Japan.

"There was a big 'bang, bang'. That woke me up," a local elderly man in Kochi told national broadcaster NHK.

Cities in the expected path of the typhoon were already taking measures to mitigate possible danger.

East Japan Railway announced that it would gradually suspend train services in and around Tokyo and end all trains around 8pm (1100 GMT), shortly before the typhoon was to draw near the Japanese capital.

"Shinkansen" bullet train services, particularly those in western areas, also reduced or cancelled their services.

Osaka's Kansai Airport, which is situated on reclaimed land offshore and suffered extensive damage in a storm earlier in September, closed two runways and officials piled up sandbags to avoid a repeat of flooding seen during the previous storm.

Some western regions are still recovering from the most powerful typhoon to strike the country in a quarter of a century in early September. Typhoon Jebi claimed 11 lives and shut down Kansai Airport, the main regional airport.

Deadly record rains also hit western Japan earlier this year and the country sweltered through one of the hottest summers on record.

Also in September, a magnitude-6.6 earthquake rocked the northern island of Hokkaido, sparking landslides and leaving more than 40 people dead.

A powerful typhoon hurtled toward Japan's mainland Sunday after injuring dozens on southern islands, as weather officials warned that fierce winds and torrential rain could trigger landslides and floods. Typhoon Trami has already sparked travel disruption in the world's third-biggest economy, with bullet train services in the west of Japan suspended, more than 1,000 flights cancelled due to the closure of a key airport hub and Tokyo's evening train service scrapped. The storm is forecast to smash into the mainland near Osaka at around 6pm local time (0900 GMT) and churn across the Japanese archipelago, likely hitting areas still recovering from a series of extreme weather events that have battered Japan in recent months. Trami tore through the southern island of Okinawa on Saturday, bringing winds strong enough to flip over cars. Several houses were flooded or damaged and 56 people on the island sustained minor injuries but no one was feared dead, local officials said. Nationwide, authorities issued non-compulsory evacuation advisories to 1.5 million residents, according to public broadcaster NHK. Nearly 500,000 households have lost power, according to public broadcaster NHK. As the typhoon barrelled east, rail authorities took the highly unusual step of cancelling evening train services in Tokyo, one of the world's busiest networks, urging passengers to shelter indoors when the storm hits. The typhoon is not expected to hit the capital head on but strong winds and heavy rain are still feared from later Sunday and some businesses were already putting up shutters and hunkering down. Trami is the latest in a string of extreme natural events in Japan, which has suffered typhoons, flooding, earthquakes and heatwaves in recent months, claiming scores of lives and causing extensive damage. Packing maximum gusts of 216 kilometres (134 miles) per hour, Trami was expected to travel over most of the archipelago, weakening slightly but causing extreme weather into Monday, forecasters said. Still classed as a "very strong" typhoon, Trami pounded Kagoshima on the western tip of Japan early Sunday, causing 10 minor injuries -- for example, cuts from broken windows and people knocked over by gusts. "We are strongly urging our residents to stay indoors because it is extremely dangerous to be outside now," Masaaki Tamaki, an official of Kagoshima's disaster management section, told AFP. 'Bang, bang' The Japanese meteorological agency warned the typhoon would bring strong winds and downpours, which could trigger landslides and floods as well as lightning strikes and tornados across the nation. Violent gusts swept away roof tiles on some houses in Kochi city in western Japan. "There was a big 'bang, bang'. That woke me up," a local elderly man in Kochi told national broadcaster NHK. Cities in the expected path of the typhoon were already taking measures to mitigate possible danger. East Japan Railway announced that it would gradually suspend train services in and around Tokyo and end all trains around 8pm (1100 GMT), shortly before the typhoon was to draw near the Japanese capital. "Shinkansen" bullet train services, particularly those in western areas, also reduced or cancelled their services. Osaka's Kansai Airport, which is situated on reclaimed land offshore and suffered extensive damage in a storm earlier in September, closed two runways and officials piled up sandbags to avoid a repeat of flooding seen during the previous storm. Some western regions are still recovering from the most powerful typhoon to strike the country in a quarter of a century in early September. Typhoon Jebi claimed 11 lives and shut down Kansai Airport, the main regional airport. Deadly record rains also hit western Japan earlier this year and the country sweltered through one of the hottest summers on record. Also in September, a magnitude-6.6 earthquake rocked the northern island of Hokkaido, sparking landslides and leaving more than 40 people dead.

Typhoon Trami injures 56, readies direct hit on Japan mainland

A powerful typhoon brought heavy rain and high winds as it approached southern Japan on Saturday, causing power outages in several cities and prompting Kansai International Airport near Osaka to plan a temporary closure of its runways from Sunday.

Typhoon Trami, rated category 2 by Tropical Storm Risk, with category 5 the highest, is the latest storm to threaten Japan in a year of weather-related woes, including punishing heat, heavy rains and landslides.

Outlying islands in the Okinawan chain, some 1,000 km southwest of Tokyo, were being pounded by heavy rain and high tides a day before an Okinawan gubernatorial election on Sunday.

Strong wind knocked down trees, blew off an outer wall from a building and left nine people injured in Okinawa. Trami also caused power outages in more than 30 towns, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Kansai International Airport in Osaka, western Japan, which was heavily flooded by a typhoon last month, announced that it would close its runways from 11 a.m. (0200 GMT) until 6 a.m. on Monday. The airport only fully reopened on Sept. 21.

NHK also said airlines had cancelled more than 390 flights, mainly those flying in and out of Okinawa. More flight cancellations were planned for Sunday.

Churning north across Okinawa on Saturday, Trami is predicted to move across the islands of Kyushu and the main island of Honshu on Sunday, a path similar to that taken by typhoon Jebi early in September.

Bullet trains running between the two western Japan cities of Osaka and Hiroshima will suspend operations on Sunday morning in anticipation of heavy rain and wind, operator West Japan Railway said on Saturday.

Last month's Typhoon Jebi, the most powerful storm to hit Japan in 25 years, brought some of the highest tides since a 1961 typhoon.

A powerful typhoon brought heavy rain and high winds as it approached southern Japan on Saturday, causing power outages in several cities and prompting Kansai International Airport near Osaka to plan a temporary closure of its runways from Sunday.

A powerful typhoon brought heavy rain and high winds as it approached southern Japan on Saturday, causing power outages in several cities and prompting Kansai International Airport near Osaka to plan a temporary closure of its runways from Sunday. Typhoon Trami, rated category 2 by Tropical Storm Risk, with category 5 the highest, is the latest storm to threaten Japan in a year of weather-related woes, including punishing heat, heavy rains and landslides. Outlying islands in the Okinawan chain, some 1,000 km southwest of Tokyo, were being pounded by heavy rain and high tides a day before an Okinawan gubernatorial election on Sunday. Strong wind knocked down trees, blew off an outer wall from a building and left nine people injured in Okinawa. Trami also caused power outages in more than 30 towns, according to public broadcaster NHK. Kansai International Airport in Osaka, western Japan, which was heavily flooded by a typhoon last month, announced that it would close its runways from 11 a.m. (0200 GMT) until 6 a.m. on Monday. The airport only fully reopened on Sept. 21. NHK also said airlines had cancelled more than 390 flights, mainly those flying in and out of Okinawa. More flight cancellations were planned for Sunday. Churning north across Okinawa on Saturday, Trami is predicted to move across the islands of Kyushu and the main island of Honshu on Sunday, a path similar to that taken by typhoon Jebi early in September. Bullet trains running between the two western Japan cities of Osaka and Hiroshima will suspend operations on Sunday morning in anticipation of heavy rain and wind, operator West Japan Railway said on Saturday. Last month's Typhoon Jebi, the most powerful storm to hit Japan in 25 years, brought some of the highest tides since a 1961 typhoon.

Powerful typhoon approaches southern Japan, charts course for main island

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday expressed his confidence in the success of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and praised Japan for its good conditions to organize the sports event. 
 
"I have been in contact with the Japanese authorities; Tokyo is a safe place, with first class construction, technology and people with experience, we are confident that the Games will succeed," Thomas Bach said at a press conference in Mexico City. 
 
When asked about whether the recent natural disasters in Japan, including an earthquake on September 25 in Hokkaido, will affect the Olympics, Bach responded no and praised Japan for its good work. 
 
On Thursday morning, the Olympic president met with the president-elect of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who told Bach of his idea about prioritising sports during his six-year mandate starting from this December.

Bach then toured the venues of the Mexico City Olympic Games in 1968 and met with Mexican Olympic athletes of that time.

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday expressed his confidence in the success of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and praised Japan for its good conditions to organize the sports event.

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday expressed his confidence in the success of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and praised Japan for its good conditions to organize the sports event. "I have been in contact with the Japanese authorities; Tokyo is a safe place, with first class construction, technology and people with experience, we are confident that the Games will succeed," Thomas Bach said at a press conference in Mexico City. When asked about whether the recent natural disasters in Japan, including an earthquake on September 25 in Hokkaido, will affect the Olympics, Bach responded no and praised Japan for its good work. On Thursday morning, the Olympic president met with the president-elect of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who told Bach of his idea about prioritising sports during his six-year mandate starting from this December. Bach then toured the venues of the Mexico City Olympic Games in 1968 and met with Mexican Olympic athletes of that time.

Thomas Bach says he is confident of the success of Tokyo Olympic Games

A series of images taken from space on Tuesday (September 25) showed the eye of typhoon Trami as it moved towards Japan.

The photographs were taken by the European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst from the International Space Station.

He posted the pictures with a caption, "As if somebody pulled the planet's gigantic plug."

"Staring down the eye of yet another fierce storm. Category 5 Super Typhoon Trami is unstoppable and heading for Japan and Taiwan. Be safe down there!" he added.&nbsp;

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As if somebody pulled the planet's gigantic plug. Staring down the eye of yet another fierce storm. Category 5 Super Typhoon Trami is unstoppable and heading for Japan and Taiwan. Be safe down there! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TyphoonTrami?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TyphoonTrami</a> <a href="https://t.co/4VmY2hhj2c">pic.twitter.com/4VmY2hhj2c</a>
— Alexander Gerst (@Astro_Alex) <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Alex/status/1044633209454174213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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A massive storm that at one point reached super typhoon size, Trami contributed to widespread flooding across Asia but has weakened considerably since moving towards Japan.

Its strength remains that of a category 3 hurricane.

Typhoon Trami is the second&nbsp;to hit Japan within one month.

Earlier in the month, Japan was hit by typhoon Jebi which killed at least 11 people.

Hundreds of people were also injured. The typhoon also caused flooding at the airport in Osaka which left 7,800 people stranded on the upper floors of the terminal.

Kansai international airport one of the busiest airports of Japan has also remained closed for three days.

Jebi, the 21st typhoon of the season in the Pacific was the strongest to make landfall in Japan in 25 years causing significant disruptions in transport, besides damaging nearly 1,000 houses and establishments across several cities of the archipelago.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

A series of images taken from space on Tuesday (September 25) showed the eye of typhoon Trami as it moved towards Japan. The photographs were taken by the European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst from the International Space Station.

A series of images taken from space on Tuesday (September 25) showed the eye of typhoon Trami as it moved towards Japan. The photographs were taken by the European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst from the International Space Station. He posted the pictures with a caption, "As if somebody pulled the planet's gigantic plug." "Staring down the eye of yet another fierce storm. Category 5 Super Typhoon Trami is unstoppable and heading for Japan and Taiwan. Be safe down there!" he added. As if somebody pulled the planet's gigantic plug. Staring down the eye of yet another fierce storm. Category 5 Super Typhoon Trami is unstoppable and heading for Japan and Taiwan. Be safe down there! #TyphoonTrami pic.twitter.com/4VmY2hhj2c — Alexander Gerst (@Astro_Alex) September 25, 2018 × A massive storm that at one point reached super typhoon size, Trami contributed to widespread flooding across Asia but has weakened considerably since moving towards Japan. Its strength remains that of a category 3 hurricane. Typhoon Trami is the second to hit Japan within one month. Earlier in the month, Japan was hit by typhoon Jebi which killed at least 11 people. Hundreds of people were also injured. The typhoon also caused flooding at the airport in Osaka which left 7,800 people stranded on the upper floors of the terminal. Kansai international airport one of the busiest airports of Japan has also remained closed for three days. Jebi, the 21st typhoon of the season in the Pacific was the strongest to make landfall in Japan in 25 years causing significant disruptions in transport, besides damaging nearly 1,000 houses and establishments across several cities of the archipelago. (With inputs from agencies)

Pictures from space show typhoon Trami advancing towards Japan

As part of the annual prime ministerial meeting, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited India to participate in the 12th Indo-Japan Annual Summit. This year the bilateral talk began with an inauguration of the much anticipated Mumbai-Ahmadabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR). The project cost of 1.1 Lakh crore is partially funded by the Japanese as part of its infrastructure assistance to India. Moreover, the project presents a huge opportunity for both India and Japan to expand the cooperation in other areas.

Prime Minister Abe visit came at the backdrop of two major regional events – the stand-off between India and the Chinese army over Dokhlam as well as continuing North Korea nuclear and missile threat. Both the events have drawn much attention in this year’s annual summit. The Joint Statement captured recent development in the bilateral cooperation.&nbsp;

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<h5>Though both the prime ministers declared their commitment to cooperate on defence equipment and technology, one is still in the dark on the level of commitment from both the sides.</h5>
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Importantly, the joint statement made a concrete effort to reassure each other by affirming their support to “value-based partnership in achieving a free, open and prosperous Indo-pacific region.” The joint statement also took a dig at Chinese (One Belt, One Road) initiative by underlining the importance of “ensuring the development and use of connectivity infrastructure in an open, transparent and fair process.” Both the sides also condemned strongly North Korea and Pakistan for disturbing regional peace and global order.

The defence cooperation is a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. The MALABAR trilateral naval exercise provides great impetus to the Indian navy. India will be in strong cooperation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) and the US Navy. The two sides agreed to continue the military-to-military engagement and discuss issues of common interest.

Though both the prime ministers declared their commitment to cooperate on defence equipment and technology, one is still in the dark on the level of commitment from both the sides. The US-2i amphibious aircraft is a classic example of failure in which both sides have not been able to finalise a deal despite several rounds of consultation. This clearly shows the problem in Indian defence acquisition policy and why many foreign countries are reluctant to invest in “Make in India” defence programme.

India believes Japanese defence industry can play an important role in “Make in India” programme. Though the US-2i procurement is getting delayed, in 2015, Indian Navy has issued Request for Information (RFI) to Japanese manufacturers. India wants Japan to participate in the project 75 (I), helping the country to build six advanced submarines with air-independent propulsion (AIP) system. Japanese Soryu-class submarine is one of its kind which can offer Indian navy great advantage in the submarine warfare. After losing Australian submarine bid to French shipbuilder Direction des Constructions Navales Services (DCNS), Japan sees an opportunity in India’s project 75 (I) programme.&nbsp;

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<h5>Japanese Soryu-class submarine is one of its kind which can offer Indian navy great advantage in the submarine warfare.</h5>
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This year, Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley paid two consequent visits to Japan. His primary goal was to focus on strengthening cooperation over defence equipment. During his visit to Japan in the month of May 2017, the Defence Minister made some interesting observation about challenges India is facing in acquiring defence equipment from Japan. He spoke about various reforms the present government has undertaken to attract foreign investment in the country. He has also laid out his plan of giving incentives to foreign companies that are interested in setting up defence manufacturing bases in India.&nbsp;

This is a significant statement as he himself is under huge pressure to decide on the strategic partnership with the private sector for defence equipment. Defence Minister Jaitely also indicated that India is looking at Japanese technology for local manufacturing of defence equipment. The cooperation would be “both for the purpose of buying (from Japan) and any possibility of India domestically manufacturing with their technologies.”&nbsp;

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<h5>Japan fear the transfer of technology to India will expose its technological capability to Russia.&nbsp;</h5>
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Before handing over the defence portfolio to his successor Mrs Nirmala Sitaraman, Mr Arun Jaitely revisited Japan this September to take part in the annual India-Japan defence ministerial dialogue. He intending to discuss bilateral cooperation in defence production, including dual-use technologies etc. But the cooperation in defence equipment and technology has not gained much prominence in the Joint Statement issued by two prime ministers. This clearly signifies that Japan is still reluctant on agreeing to some of the demands, such as transfer of technology (ToT) to India and co-production of equipment in India.

It also raises two major issues concerning the Japanese interest in pursuing its defence cooperation with India. Firstly, though India and Japan are steadfastly cooperating over several matters, the latter sees India’s close military ties with Russia as a major impediment in co-development of defence equipment. Japan fear the transfer of technology to India will expose its technological capability to Russia.&nbsp;

Secondly, given India’s complex defence acquisition policy, Tokyo feel that it will be difficult for it to compete with other Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who have already found a place in the Indian defence sector. Japan's failed bid to secure the Australian submarine programme is a classic example of how Japanese industry lack international experience when it comes to selling defence equipment. India, thus, needs to allay the fear of Japan while working hand-in-hand towards addressing the crucial gaps in the bilateral defence cooperation.

Japan sees India?s close military ties with Russia as a major impediment in co-development of defence equipment.

As part of the annual prime ministerial meeting, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited India to participate in the 12th Indo-Japan Annual Summit. This year the bilateral talk began with an inauguration of the much anticipated Mumbai-Ahmadabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR). The project cost of 1.1 Lakh crore is partially funded by the Japanese as part of its infrastructure assistance to India. Moreover, the project presents a huge opportunity for both India and Japan to expand the cooperation in other areas. Prime Minister Abe visit came at the backdrop of two major regional events – the stand-off between India and the Chinese army over Dokhlam as well as continuing North Korea nuclear and missile threat. Both the events have drawn much attention in this year’s annual summit. The Joint Statement captured recent development in the bilateral cooperation. Though both the prime ministers declared their commitment to cooperate on defence equipment and technology, one is still in the dark on the level of commitment from both the sides. × Importantly, the joint statement made a concrete effort to reassure each other by affirming their support to “value-based partnership in achieving a free, open and prosperous Indo-pacific region.” The joint statement also took a dig at Chinese (One Belt, One Road) initiative by underlining the importance of “ensuring the development and use of connectivity infrastructure in an open, transparent and fair process.” Both the sides also condemned strongly North Korea and Pakistan for disturbing regional peace and global order. The defence cooperation is a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. The MALABAR trilateral naval exercise provides great impetus to the Indian navy. India will be in strong cooperation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) and the US Navy. The two sides agreed to continue the military-to-military engagement and discuss issues of common interest. Though both the prime ministers declared their commitment to cooperate on defence equipment and technology, one is still in the dark on the level of commitment from both the sides. The US-2i amphibious aircraft is a classic example of failure in which both sides have not been able to finalise a deal despite several rounds of consultation. This clearly shows the problem in Indian defence acquisition policy and why many foreign countries are reluctant to invest in “Make in India” defence programme. India believes Japanese defence industry can play an important role in “Make in India” programme. Though the US-2i procurement is getting delayed, in 2015, Indian Navy has issued Request for Information (RFI) to Japanese manufacturers. India wants Japan to participate in the project 75 (I), helping the country to build six advanced submarines with air-independent propulsion (AIP) system. Japanese Soryu-class submarine is one of its kind which can offer Indian navy great advantage in the submarine warfare. After losing Australian submarine bid to French shipbuilder Direction des Constructions Navales Services (DCNS), Japan sees an opportunity in India’s project 75 (I) programme. Japanese Soryu-class submarine is one of its kind which can offer Indian navy great advantage in the submarine warfare. × This year, Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley paid two consequent visits to Japan. His primary goal was to focus on strengthening cooperation over defence equipment. During his visit to Japan in the month of May 2017, the Defence Minister made some interesting observation about challenges India is facing in acquiring defence equipment from Japan. He spoke about various reforms the present government has undertaken to attract foreign investment in the country. He has also laid out his plan of giving incentives to foreign companies that are interested in setting up defence manufacturing bases in India. This is a significant statement as he himself is under huge pressure to decide on the strategic partnership with the private sector for defence equipment. Defence Minister Jaitely also indicated that India is looking at Japanese technology for local manufacturing of defence equipment. The cooperation would be “both for the purpose of buying (from Japan) and any possibility of India domestically manufacturing with their technologies.” Japan fear the transfer of technology to India will expose its technological capability to Russia. × Before handing over the defence portfolio to his successor Mrs Nirmala Sitaraman, Mr Arun Jaitely revisited Japan this September to take part in the annual India-Japan defence ministerial dialogue. He intending to discuss bilateral cooperation in defence production, including dual-use technologies etc. But the cooperation in defence equipment and technology has not gained much prominence in the Joint Statement issued by two prime ministers. This clearly signifies that Japan is still reluctant on agreeing to some of the demands, such as transfer of technology (ToT) to India and co-production of equipment in India. It also raises two major issues concerning the Japanese interest in pursuing its defence cooperation with India. Firstly, though India and Japan are steadfastly cooperating over several matters, the latter sees India’s close military ties with Russia as a major impediment in co-development of defence equipment. Japan fear the transfer of technology to India will expose its technological capability to Russia. Secondly, given India’s complex defence acquisition policy, Tokyo feel that it will be difficult for it to compete with other Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who have already found a place in the Indian defence sector. Japan's failed bid to secure the Australian submarine programme is a classic example of how Japanese industry lack international experience when it comes to selling defence equipment. India, thus, needs to allay the fear of Japan while working hand-in-hand towards addressing the crucial gaps in the bilateral defence cooperation.

Opinion: Will Modi's 'Make in India' programme benefit from Japanese defence industry?

Two days after the historic <a href="http://wionews.com/world/japan-eying-abe-kim-summit-with-possible-pyongyang-visit-report-144274">Trump-Kim summit in Singapore</a>, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha and Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono met in Seoul today to work together to ensure North Korea keeps its promise of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

During the meeting, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said: "Kim Jong Un's public commitment to completely denuclearise is an important step towards to bring lasting peace and stability to Northeast Asia and indeed to the entire world," adding, "as the president said that this will be a process, and not an easy one, staying closely aligned with our allies."

Pompeo reiterated that Korea and Japan will be critical to the success of North Korea completely dismantling its nuclear infrastructure.

"The world should rest assured that the United States, South Korea and Japan remain committed to achieving the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of North Korea," the US secretary of state said.

The Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono said his country was keen to resolve the nuclear and abductee issue and wanted to "normalise relations with North Korea" and could also offer "economic assistance" to North Korea.&nbsp;

Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono said,&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; "I hope a bilateral summit between Japan and North Korea will be held as a step that can lead to resolving issues, including the abduction. I think various arrangements will be made for realising the summit."

According to a new report, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's office is arranging a meeting with &nbsp;North Korean leader Kim Jong-un possibly in August to discuss all outstanding issues with Abe possibly visiting Pyongyang to mee the North Korean leader.

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The Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono said his country was keen to resolve the nuclear and abductee issue with North Korea

Two days after the historic Trump-Kim summit in Singapore, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha and Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono met in Seoul today to work together to ensure North Korea keeps its promise of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. During the meeting, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said: "Kim Jong Un's public commitment to completely denuclearise is an important step towards to bring lasting peace and stability to Northeast Asia and indeed to the entire world," adding, "as the president said that this will be a process, and not an easy one, staying closely aligned with our allies." Pompeo reiterated that Korea and Japan will be critical to the success of North Korea completely dismantling its nuclear infrastructure. "The world should rest assured that the United States, South Korea and Japan remain committed to achieving the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of North Korea," the US secretary of state said. The Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono said his country was keen to resolve the nuclear and abductee issue and wanted to "normalise relations with North Korea" and could also offer "economic assistance" to North Korea. Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono said, "I hope a bilateral summit between Japan and North Korea will be held as a step that can lead to resolving issues, including the abduction. I think various arrangements will be made for realising the summit." According to a new report, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's office is arranging a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un possibly in August to discuss all outstanding issues with Abe possibly visiting Pyongyang to mee the North Korean leader.

After Kim-Trump summit, Pompeo in Seoul to meet foreign ministers from Japan and South Korea

India&nbsp;is set to miss a December deadline to acquire land for a Japan-backed $17 billion bullet train project following protests by fruit growers, government officials said, likely delaying one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's most ambitious projects.

Modi's office is now monitoring the project week-to-week, as&nbsp;Indian officials seek to reassure Tokyo that the hurdles can be overcome through intense negotiations with sapota and mango growers in Maharashtra.

Protests, backed by local politicians, have flared up in recent months against attempts to secure sections of a 108-km stretch, which is around one-fifth of the entire bullet train corridor connecting Mumbai with Ahmedabad, the largest commercial city in Modi's home state Gujarat.

"I've worked hard for three decades to develop this plantation, and they are asking me to hand over this land," sapota farmer Dashrat Purav, 62, said as he showed his orchard in the town of Palghar, a three-hour-drive north of Mumbai.

"I haven't worked hard to surrender land for the project. I did that for my children."

Purav said he would sell his land only if at least one of his two unemployed sons was promised a government job.

Protests against land acquisitions are common in&nbsp;India, where tens of millions of farmers till small holdings. A planned $44 billion refinery to be run by a consortium including Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest oil producer, is also struggling to secure land in Maharashtra.

"Land acquisition for any project is complex in&nbsp;India," said Dhananjay Kumar, spokesman for the National High-Speed Rail Corp Ltd (NHSRCL) that is overseeing the project. "Here also we are facing difficulty because of so much resistance."

Failure to procure the bullet train land by the deadline would delay disbursal of soft-loans by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a government development body, which is reviewing the project next month, said two senior officials with the state-run&nbsp;Indian Railways, declining to be named.

A JICA spokeswoman said that&nbsp;India&nbsp;must create&nbsp;relocation plans for local residents and make them public in order to enter into a loan agreement covering the main part of the bullet train project.

"It is possible that it takes time to sign a contract as&nbsp;India&nbsp;takes proper and careful measures in line with JICA's guidelines for environmental and social considerations," she said.

To assuage Japan's concerns,&nbsp;Indian officials have sought a meeting this month with transport ministry officials in Tokyo, one of the&nbsp;Indian officials said.&nbsp;India&nbsp;wants the project's completion target to be advanced by a year to 2022, the 75th year of&nbsp;India's independence.

A Japanese transport ministry official who deals with the bullet train project said that&nbsp;Indian officials had told them that "they can manage" the land acquisition.

"We will continue to work together with the&nbsp;Indian government to bring this project forward with an aim to start operation in 2023," the official said.

Japan is majority-funding the train project through a 50-year loan. Japanese companies such as Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp, JFE Holdings, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toshiba Corp and Hitachi are likely to supply at least 70 percent of the core components of the rail line, sources told Reuters in January.

Modi has called the project crucial for his pet "Make in&nbsp;India" campaign aimed at lifting the share of manufacturing in&nbsp;India's $2 trillion economy. The government also hopes to generate hundreds of jobs through the train project, and hence is pushing hard to finish it on time.

To sweeten the terms for people opposed to selling their land,&nbsp;Indian Railways has put its weight behind NHSRCL, pledging funds from its own welfare scheme to build schools and community halls, one of the officials said.

Ashwani Lohani, chairman of the&nbsp;Indian Railway Board, said the issues with farmers were not insurmountable.

The government has offered to buy land at a 25per centt premium to the market value, the two government officials said. Farmers are also being offered resettlement dues of 500,000 rupees ($7,409) or 50 percent of the land value, whichever is higher.

However, local political opposition in Palghar, ahead of a general election next year, has fanned the protests. Opponents say the bullet train is wasteful and the money would be better used upgrading the country's rickety rail infrastructure. Farmers have threatened a hunger strike.

Last week, farmers and local activists disrupted a public hearing conducted by NHSRCL, its second attempt to hold such an event in less than a month. The first one last month was also cut short by protests.

"In coming weeks, we will intensify the protests," said Nilam&nbsp;Gorhe, a spokesman for Shiv Sena, a regional party that has an on-off relationship with Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

'I haven't worked hard to surrender land for the project. I did that for my children'

India is set to miss a December deadline to acquire land for a Japan-backed $17 billion bullet train project following protests by fruit growers, government officials said, likely delaying one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's most ambitious projects. Modi's office is now monitoring the project week-to-week, as Indian officials seek to reassure Tokyo that the hurdles can be overcome through intense negotiations with sapota and mango growers in Maharashtra. Protests, backed by local politicians, have flared up in recent months against attempts to secure sections of a 108-km stretch, which is around one-fifth of the entire bullet train corridor connecting Mumbai with Ahmedabad, the largest commercial city in Modi's home state Gujarat. "I've worked hard for three decades to develop this plantation, and they are asking me to hand over this land," sapota farmer Dashrat Purav, 62, said as he showed his orchard in the town of Palghar, a three-hour-drive north of Mumbai. "I haven't worked hard to surrender land for the project. I did that for my children." Purav said he would sell his land only if at least one of his two unemployed sons was promised a government job. Protests against land acquisitions are common in India, where tens of millions of farmers till small holdings. A planned $44 billion refinery to be run by a consortium including Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest oil producer, is also struggling to secure land in Maharashtra. "Land acquisition for any project is complex in India," said Dhananjay Kumar, spokesman for the National High-Speed Rail Corp Ltd (NHSRCL) that is overseeing the project. "Here also we are facing difficulty because of so much resistance." Failure to procure the bullet train land by the deadline would delay disbursal of soft-loans by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a government development body, which is reviewing the project next month, said two senior officials with the state-run Indian Railways, declining to be named. A JICA spokeswoman said that India must create relocation plans for local residents and make them public in order to enter into a loan agreement covering the main part of the bullet train project. "It is possible that it takes time to sign a contract as India takes proper and careful measures in line with JICA's guidelines for environmental and social considerations," she said. To assuage Japan's concerns, Indian officials have sought a meeting this month with transport ministry officials in Tokyo, one of the Indian officials said. India wants the project's completion target to be advanced by a year to 2022, the 75th year of India's independence. A Japanese transport ministry official who deals with the bullet train project said that Indian officials had told them that "they can manage" the land acquisition. "We will continue to work together with the Indian government to bring this project forward with an aim to start operation in 2023," the official said. Japan is majority-funding the train project through a 50-year loan. Japanese companies such as Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp, JFE Holdings, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toshiba Corp and Hitachi are likely to supply at least 70 percent of the core components of the rail line, sources told Reuters in January. Modi has called the project crucial for his pet "Make in India" campaign aimed at lifting the share of manufacturing in India's $2 trillion economy. The government also hopes to generate hundreds of jobs through the train project, and hence is pushing hard to finish it on time. To sweeten the terms for people opposed to selling their land, Indian Railways has put its weight behind NHSRCL, pledging funds from its own welfare scheme to build schools and community halls, one of the officials said. Ashwani Lohani, chairman of the Indian Railway Board, said the issues with farmers were not insurmountable. The government has offered to buy land at a 25per centt premium to the market value, the two government officials said. Farmers are also being offered resettlement dues of 500,000 rupees ($7,409) or 50 percent of the land value, whichever is higher. However, local political opposition in Palghar, ahead of a general election next year, has fanned the protests. Opponents say the bullet train is wasteful and the money would be better used upgrading the country's rickety rail infrastructure. Farmers have threatened a hunger strike. Last week, farmers and local activists disrupted a public hearing conducted by NHSRCL, its second attempt to hold such an event in less than a month. The first one last month was also cut short by protests. "In coming weeks, we will intensify the protests," said Nilam Gorhe, a spokesman for Shiv Sena, a regional party that has an on-off relationship with Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

India set to miss key target for Japan-backed bullet train project

A man was arrested in central Japan after stabbing one person to death and injuring two others aboard a bullet train on Saturday night, a rare violent assault in the Asian nation.

The suspect, identified as Ichiro Kojima, attacked the victims around 10:00 pm (1300 GMT) aboard the shinkansen train which was travelling from Tokyo to a station in Osaka, police and news reports said.

Police officers stormed into the rail carriage and took the man into custody after the train, carrying some 880 passengers, made an emergency stop at Odawara station.

Police arrested the 22-year-old unemployed suspect on suspicion of attempted murder, a local police spokesman told AFP.

"A male passenger was sent to hospital and his death was confirmed later," the spokesman said.

News reports said two women who appeared to be in their twenties were wounded but their injuries were not life-threatening.

The suspect told investigators that he felt "frustrated and wanted to kill someone", public broadcaster NHK said, adding that he used at least two knives.

Witnesses said passengers fled in panic, some of them in tears.

"All of a sudden, a lot of passengers were dashing from behind. People panicked", a 44-year-old male passenger told the Mainichi Shimbun.

"Everyone appeared to be feeling the strain and some of them cried," he said.&nbsp

A female passenger told NHK: "Everyone fled and fell like one domino falling after another. I was scared to death."

Japan has one of the lowest rates of violent crime in the developed world and mass attacks are extremely rare.

In 2015, a man set himself ablaze on board a moving bullet train, killing himself and a woman in an unprecedented incident.&nbsp

The suspect, identified as Ichiro Kojima, attacked the victims around 10:00 pm (1300 GMT) aboard the shinkansen train which was travelling from Tokyo to a station in Osaka, police and news reports said

A man was arrested in central Japan after stabbing one person to death and injuring two others aboard a bullet train on Saturday night, a rare violent assault in the Asian nation. The suspect, identified as Ichiro Kojima, attacked the victims around 10:00 pm (1300 GMT) aboard the shinkansen train which was travelling from Tokyo to a station in Osaka, police and news reports said. Police officers stormed into the rail carriage and took the man into custody after the train, carrying some 880 passengers, made an emergency stop at Odawara station. Police arrested the 22-year-old unemployed suspect on suspicion of attempted murder, a local police spokesman told AFP. "A male passenger was sent to hospital and his death was confirmed later," the spokesman said. News reports said two women who appeared to be in their twenties were wounded but their injuries were not life-threatening. The suspect told investigators that he felt "frustrated and wanted to kill someone", public broadcaster NHK said, adding that he used at least two knives. Witnesses said passengers fled in panic, some of them in tears. "All of a sudden, a lot of passengers were dashing from behind. People panicked", a 44-year-old male passenger told the Mainichi Shimbun. "Everyone appeared to be feeling the strain and some of them cried," he said. A female passenger told NHK: "Everyone fled and fell like one domino falling after another. I was scared to death." Japan has one of the lowest rates of violent crime in the developed world and mass attacks are extremely rare. In 2015, a man set himself ablaze on board a moving bullet train, killing himself and a woman in an unprecedented incident.

Man arrested over deadly Japan stabbing spree

Kazuhiro Hasegawa has been driving a taxi in Tokyo for three years. It's a job he enjoys, despite 18-hour shifts.

But recently, he said, it has not been enough to make ends meet.

The 4.5 million-4.8 million yen ($41,110-$43,850) a year he makes from his primary job is far short of what he needs to cover a mortgage and university for his son, Hasegawa said.

"I have no choice but to work two jobs, as income is unstable," said Hasegawa, 51, who earns several thousand yen a month from a side job shooting and editing videos for&nbsp;businesses. "There's no rest. I try to avoid being short of sleep as that would cause trouble driving a taxi."

Japanese workers like Hasegawa are signing up for second jobs in record numbers to earn extra cash as wages stagnate, stirring hopes of a rise in consumer spending but adding to fears of overwork in a society notorious for long hours.

Facing a labour crunch, many companies welcome the influx of part-time workers. And the government has loosened rules that banned or discouraged employees from taking second jobs.

The result is that a record 7.44 million Japanese will work at least two jobs this year - or about 11 per cent of the workforce - up from 5.33 million in 2015, according to Lancers Inc, which helps freelancers find jobs.

That lags behind countries like the US, which have been embracing the "gig economy" for longer. About 20 per cent of the US workforce had second jobs in 2017, data show.

The shift in Japan aligns with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's goal of creating a workforce that can adapt to economic changes and offer more individual freedom, which he says will promote growth.

Indeed, people working two jobs will contribute an estimated 7.8 trillion yen to the economy, Lancer's data showed.

But there is a dark side.

Japanese workers need to put in roughly 11 per cent more hours than they did in 1997 to make the same salary. In the meantime, Tokyo's annual cost of living for an average household is about $3,300 a month, government data shows, a 6 per cent decrease from 1997.

Working two or three jobs to make ends meet undercuts the government's "work-style reform" efforts, including proposed caps on overtime in response to cases of "karoshi," literally death by overwork.

"It could raise the risk that one person ends up working over 100 hours (of overtime) by assuming 50-hour jobs at two firms," said Kotaro Kurashige, an attorney of Anzai Law Office, who represents management in labour disputes.

"What the government is trying to do is full of inconsistencies," he said. "Making up for cuts in overtime pay by assuming side jobs elsewhere is like putting the cart before the horse."

The emerging trend highlights the decline of Japan's lifetime employment system, in which workers in the decades after World War Two were guaranteed job security in exchange for devotion to their employers.

Such positions are much rarer these days. A large number of workers taking second jobs would traditionally be nearing retirement age nearly half of Japanese workers with two jobs are older than 50, according to Lancers.

"There's no such thing as lifetime employment anymore," said Masaki Shimizu, 32, who on top of his regular job at internet start-up En Factory Inc, runs a coffee shop where patrons can pet live hedgehogs and has two other side jobs.

"I need these side jobs to master new skills and expand my own strengths," Shimizu said.

Natsuko Anastasia Ariyama, 25, said she earned about 200,000 yen a month from her full-time job as a university staffer and an additional 20,000 yen from a side job as a writer and translator. She does not get overtime pay, nor has she gotten a raise.

"I have started doing a second job last year to earn spending money," she said, adding that the extra work gives her a sense of security as well.

Attracting Talent

Japanese companies have traditionally demanded that their workers be fully committed to their employers.

But more are softening their views on the subject, including Rohto Pharmaceutical Co, SoftBank Group Corp, photocopier maker Konica Minolta Inc and Shinsei Bank Ltd.

Diaper maker Unicharm Corp in April started letting its 1,500 full-time employees hold second jobs. The decision was made partly to lure workers amid a labour shortage and to encourage current employees to acquire new knowledge and skills.

"We judged that benefits from side jobs outweigh potential risks such as overwork, leakage of information and brain drain," said Yukinari Watanabe, a senior human resources manager of Unicharm.

So far only one employee, a man in his 50s, has responded, asking to become a basketball coach for middle and high school students.

"We need to be a company that will attract capable workers," Watanabe said. "We also feel that workers need to acquire skills that can be used anywhere as you never know what may happen in this era of uncertainty."

New Rules

After Abe called for more labour mobility, the government has tried to clear the way for companies to allow side jobs.

In January, the labour ministry removed a rule banning second jobs without an employer's permission. Now workers must only inform their employer before taking on another job.

But recent cases of people working themselves to death have also led Abe's government to propose labour reforms such as a cap on overtime of 100 hours per month.

Many workers count on overtime pay, however, and caps would reduce that income, said Hisashi Yamada, research director at Japan Research Institute.

So as long as people can skirt that by taking additional jobs, the trend of working for more than one company will probably continue, Yamada said.

But if it spreads workers too thin, it could erode Japanese employment culture, Yamada said.

"Many Japanese firms still want employees to focus on their main job, so Japan won't turn into a country like America right away, where gig economy jobs are widely available," he said.

Facing a labour crunch, many companies welcome the influx of part-time workers

Kazuhiro Hasegawa has been driving a taxi in Tokyo for three years. It's a job he enjoys, despite 18-hour shifts. But recently, he said, it has not been enough to make ends meet. The 4.5 million-4.8 million yen ($41,110-$43,850) a year he makes from his primary job is far short of what he needs to cover a mortgage and university for his son, Hasegawa said. "I have no choice but to work two jobs, as income is unstable," said Hasegawa, 51, who earns several thousand yen a month from a side job shooting and editing videos for businesses. "There's no rest. I try to avoid being short of sleep as that would cause trouble driving a taxi." Japanese workers like Hasegawa are signing up for second jobs in record numbers to earn extra cash as wages stagnate, stirring hopes of a rise in consumer spending but adding to fears of overwork in a society notorious for long hours. Facing a labour crunch, many companies welcome the influx of part-time workers. And the government has loosened rules that banned or discouraged employees from taking second jobs. The result is that a record 7.44 million Japanese will work at least two jobs this year - or about 11 per cent of the workforce - up from 5.33 million in 2015, according to Lancers Inc, which helps freelancers find jobs. That lags behind countries like the US, which have been embracing the "gig economy" for longer. About 20 per cent of the US workforce had second jobs in 2017, data show. The shift in Japan aligns with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's goal of creating a workforce that can adapt to economic changes and offer more individual freedom, which he says will promote growth. Indeed, people working two jobs will contribute an estimated 7.8 trillion yen to the economy, Lancer's data showed. But there is a dark side. Japanese workers need to put in roughly 11 per cent more hours than they did in 1997 to make the same salary. In the meantime, Tokyo's annual cost of living for an average household is about $3,300 a month, government data shows, a 6 per cent decrease from 1997. Working two or three jobs to make ends meet undercuts the government's "work-style reform" efforts, including proposed caps on overtime in response to cases of "karoshi," literally death by overwork. "It could raise the risk that one person ends up working over 100 hours (of overtime) by assuming 50-hour jobs at two firms," said Kotaro Kurashige, an attorney of Anzai Law Office, who represents management in labour disputes. "What the government is trying to do is full of inconsistencies," he said. "Making up for cuts in overtime pay by assuming side jobs elsewhere is like putting the cart before the horse." The emerging trend highlights the decline of Japan's lifetime employment system, in which workers in the decades after World War Two were guaranteed job security in exchange for devotion to their employers. Such positions are much rarer these days. A large number of workers taking second jobs would traditionally be nearing retirement age nearly half of Japanese workers with two jobs are older than 50, according to Lancers. "There's no such thing as lifetime employment anymore," said Masaki Shimizu, 32, who on top of his regular job at internet start-up En Factory Inc, runs a coffee shop where patrons can pet live hedgehogs and has two other side jobs. "I need these side jobs to master new skills and expand my own strengths," Shimizu said. Natsuko Anastasia Ariyama, 25, said she earned about 200,000 yen a month from her full-time job as a university staffer and an additional 20,000 yen from a side job as a writer and translator. She does not get overtime pay, nor has she gotten a raise. "I have started doing a second job last year to earn spending money," she said, adding that the extra work gives her a sense of security as well. Attracting Talent Japanese companies have traditionally demanded that their workers be fully committed to their employers. But more are softening their views on the subject, including Rohto Pharmaceutical Co, SoftBank Group Corp, photocopier maker Konica Minolta Inc and Shinsei Bank Ltd. Diaper maker Unicharm Corp in April started letting its 1,500 full-time employees hold second jobs. The decision was made partly to lure workers amid a labour shortage and to encourage current employees to acquire new knowledge and skills. "We judged that benefits from side jobs outweigh potential risks such as overwork, leakage of information and brain drain," said Yukinari Watanabe, a senior human resources manager of Unicharm. So far only one employee, a man in his 50s, has responded, asking to become a basketball coach for middle and high school students. "We need to be a company that will attract capable workers," Watanabe said. "We also feel that workers need to acquire skills that can be used anywhere as you never know what may happen in this era of uncertainty." New Rules After Abe called for more labour mobility, the government has tried to clear the way for companies to allow side jobs. In January, the labour ministry removed a rule banning second jobs without an employer's permission. Now workers must only inform their employer before taking on another job. But recent cases of people working themselves to death have also led Abe's government to propose labour reforms such as a cap on overtime of 100 hours per month. Many workers count on overtime pay, however, and caps would reduce that income, said Hisashi Yamada, research director at Japan Research Institute. So as long as people can skirt that by taking additional jobs, the trend of working for more than one company will probably continue, Yamada said. But if it spreads workers too thin, it could erode Japanese employment culture, Yamada said. "Many Japanese firms still want employees to focus on their main job, so Japan won't turn into a country like America right away, where gig economy jobs are widely available," he said.

Second jobs, once rare in Japan, are reshaping attitudes about work

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/as-rajnath-singh-visits-jk-terrorists-attack-army-patrol-in-kupwara-twice-in-24-hours-142979">As Rajnath Singh visits J&K, terrorists attack Army patrol in Kupwara twice in 24 hours</a>

A day after home minister arrived in&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir(J&K)&nbsp;terrorists&nbsp;attacked an army patrol in Haril area of Kupwara district. On Thursday, terrorists had ambushed the Army's patrol party in the Keran sector in Kupwara. Two soldiers were injured in the attack.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-rajinikanths-kaala-releases-in-select-theaters-across-karnataka--142982">Rajinikanth's 'Kaala' releases in select </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-rajinikanths-kaala-releases-in-select-theaters-across-karnataka--142982">theaters</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-rajinikanths-kaala-releases-in-select-theaters-across-karnataka--142982"> across Karnataka</a>

Rajinikanth's Kaala did release in Karnataka on Thursday but only in select theatres and amid heavy security. Fear of vandalism overtook a high court order and most theaters preferred not to screen the film across the state.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/might-invite-kim-to-us-if-talks-go-well-trump-142969">Might invite Kim to </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/might-invite-kim-to-us-if-talks-go-well-trump-142969">US</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/might-invite-kim-to-us-if-talks-go-well-trump-142969"> if talks go well: Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he may invite North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to the White House if the Singapore summit goes well.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/india-must-improve-performance-of-public-sector-banks-imf-142991">India must improve </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/india-must-improve-performance-of-public-sector-banks-imf-142991">performance</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/india-must-improve-performance-of-public-sector-banks-imf-142991"> of public sector banks: IMF</a>

The International Monetary Fund said today that&nbsp;India should look at the performance&nbsp;of the public sector banks as it seeks to reform and grow.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/japan-willing-to-talk-to-north-korea-and-normalise-ties-pm-shinzo-abe-142971">Japan willing to talk to North Korea and normalise ties: PM Shinzo Abe</a>

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said today that Japan strongly for peace in the Korean Peninsula while asserting that his country was willing to talk to North Korea to normalise ties.

As Rajnath Singh visits J&K, terrorists attack Army patrol in Kupwara twice in 24 hours A day after home minister arrived in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) terrorists attacked an army patrol in Haril area of Kupwara district. On Thursday, terrorists had ambushed the Army's patrol party in the Keran sector in Kupwara. Two soldiers were injured in the attack. Rajinikanth's 'Kaala' releases in select theaters across Karnataka Rajinikanth's Kaala did release in Karnataka on Thursday but only in select theatres and amid heavy security. Fear of vandalism overtook a high court order and most theaters preferred not to screen the film across the state. Might invite Kim to US if talks go well: Trump US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he may invite North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to the White House if the Singapore summit goes well. India must improve performance of public sector banks: IMF The International Monetary Fund said today that India should look at the performance of the public sector banks as it seeks to reform and grow. Japan willing to talk to North Korea and normalise ties: PM Shinzo Abe Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said today that Japan strongly for peace in the Korean Peninsula while asserting that his country was willing to talk to North Korea to normalise ties.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said today that Japan strongly for peace in the Korean Peninsula while asserting that his country was willing to talk to North Korea to normalise ties.

Abe and Trump earlier met at the White House with both leaders discussing the impending summit with Kim Jong-un at length.

"In five days, the US-North Korea summit is to take place. First of all, I would like to pay my deep respect to the outstanding leadership of President Trump as he made this decision that no past president were ever able to accomplish. In the last 18 months, we really spent many hours to discuss this issue," the Japanese PM said.

The Japanese PM who has strongly stood for denuclearisation of North Korea, said: "Japan is willing to talk to North Korea to normalise ties."

"Trump, amongst the world leaders, I think is one of the leaders who understands the issue the greatest. So at the upcoming summit, the abduction issue would be explained to Kim," he added.

Japan, Abe said, will continue to ask for complete implementation of the successive United Nations Security Council Resolutions. &nbspAbe said based on the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, Tokyo was prepared to settle the past, normalise diplomatic relations and improve economic ties with North Korea.&nbsp

"There is no change at all for Japan's policy to seek comprehensive solution of the abduction, nuclear and missile programmes, and to realise real peace in northeast Asia. This is what Japan strongly hopes for," he said.

Abe added that the world was going to witness a "historic" summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un next week. 
&nbsp

Abe added that the world was going to witness a "historic" summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un next week.

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said today that Japan strongly for peace in the Korean Peninsula while asserting that his country was willing to talk to North Korea to normalise ties. Abe and Trump earlier met at the White House with both leaders discussing the impending summit with Kim Jong-un at length. "In five days, the US-North Korea summit is to take place. First of all, I would like to pay my deep respect to the outstanding leadership of President Trump as he made this decision that no past president were ever able to accomplish. In the last 18 months, we really spent many hours to discuss this issue," the Japanese PM said. The Japanese PM who has strongly stood for denuclearisation of North Korea, said: "Japan is willing to talk to North Korea to normalise ties." "Trump, amongst the world leaders, I think is one of the leaders who understands the issue the greatest. So at the upcoming summit, the abduction issue would be explained to Kim," he added. Japan, Abe said, will continue to ask for complete implementation of the successive United Nations Security Council Resolutions. &nbspAbe said based on the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, Tokyo was prepared to settle the past, normalise diplomatic relations and improve economic ties with North Korea. "There is no change at all for Japan's policy to seek comprehensive solution of the abduction, nuclear and missile programmes, and to realise real peace in northeast Asia. This is what Japan strongly hopes for," he said. Abe added that the world was going to witness a "historic" summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un next week.

Japan willing to talk to North Korea and normalise ties: PM Shinzo Abe

Japan is drawing up plans requiring all senior government bureaucrats to undergo anti-sexual harassment training, an official said today, after a scandal involving a top finance ministry employee.

"We are now preparing such a plan," a cabinet office official told, adding that a final version will be presented at a meeting headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later this month.

The move comes after the top bureaucrat at the Finance Ministry quit in April following allegations he sexually harassed female reporters.

He denied the claims, but a ministry probe subsequently found the allegations credible and docked his retirement benefits.

The finance ministry was slammed for its poor handling of the case, with Finance Minister Taro Aso initially dismissing the allegations and officials later calling on victims to come forward publicly.

Earlier this week, a foreign ministry official in charge of Russian affairs was suspended for nine months, with Japanese media widely reporting he had been accused of sexual harassment.

Foreign Minister Taro Kono has declined to clarify why the bureaucrat was suspended, citing the privacy of "the victim." The training plan could be approved as early as next week at the meeting entitled "Base for creating a society where all women shine," that Abe will head, the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported.

How many officials will be required to undergo the training remains unclear, though some media reported it may become mandatory for bureaucrats seeking promotion.

Abe has made increasing female participation in the workforce a key plank of his economic policies as Japan struggles with a labour shortage.

But the country ranked bottom among G7 countries in the World Economic Forum's latest "Global Gender Gap Report", coming 114th worldwide.

It scored poorly on women's participation in the economy and political involvement.

The #MeToo movement has sometimes seemed to have skipped Japan, though some observers said the outcry over the finance ministry case suggested a reckoning could now happen in the country too.

The sexual harassment scandal at the finance ministry has proved an additional headache for Abe, whose government is already under fire over two cronyism scandals -- one of which involves the scrubbing of documents by the finance ministry.

The move comes after the top bureaucrat at the Finance Ministry quit in April following allegations he sexually harassed female reporters

Japan is drawing up plans requiring all senior government bureaucrats to undergo anti-sexual harassment training, an official said today, after a scandal involving a top finance ministry employee. "We are now preparing such a plan," a cabinet office official told, adding that a final version will be presented at a meeting headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later this month. The move comes after the top bureaucrat at the Finance Ministry quit in April following allegations he sexually harassed female reporters. He denied the claims, but a ministry probe subsequently found the allegations credible and docked his retirement benefits. The finance ministry was slammed for its poor handling of the case, with Finance Minister Taro Aso initially dismissing the allegations and officials later calling on victims to come forward publicly. Earlier this week, a foreign ministry official in charge of Russian affairs was suspended for nine months, with Japanese media widely reporting he had been accused of sexual harassment. Foreign Minister Taro Kono has declined to clarify why the bureaucrat was suspended, citing the privacy of "the victim." The training plan could be approved as early as next week at the meeting entitled "Base for creating a society where all women shine," that Abe will head, the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported. How many officials will be required to undergo the training remains unclear, though some media reported it may become mandatory for bureaucrats seeking promotion. Abe has made increasing female participation in the workforce a key plank of his economic policies as Japan struggles with a labour shortage. But the country ranked bottom among G7 countries in the World Economic Forum's latest "Global Gender Gap Report", coming 114th worldwide. It scored poorly on women's participation in the economy and political involvement. The #MeToo movement has sometimes seemed to have skipped Japan, though some observers said the outcry over the finance ministry case suggested a reckoning could now happen in the country too. The sexual harassment scandal at the finance ministry has proved an additional headache for Abe, whose government is already under fire over two cronyism scandals -- one of which involves the scrubbing of documents by the finance ministry.

Japan plans anti-sexual harassment training for officials

US-imposed trade tariffs on its close allies could have a "grave impact" on ties and the world trading system, the Japanese government said&nbsp;Monday, describing the situation as "extremely deplorable".

Washington found itself isolated at a weekend meeting of G7 finance ministers over its stinging steel and aluminium tariffs and Tokyo kept up the barrage in unusually strong language.

"It is extremely deplorable that the situation has not improved even after Japan has explained to the US its concerns at various levels," said government spokesman Yoshihide Suga.

Close allies Tokyo and Washington have been at loggerheads over trade policy after the US refused to give Japan an exemption from the tariffs, which came into effect&nbsp;on Friday.

"The US government's trade measures, citing its security, makes us concerned that they could disrupt the global market," Suga told reporters.

"On top of that, we think that it may have a grave impact on the economic cooperation between the allies Japan and the United States and on the whole multilateral trading system under the WTO (World Trade Organization) rules."

The trade row has cast a shadow over the relationship between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump, who have forged otherwise close ties.

Last month, Tokyo informed the WTO it had the right to impose tariffs worth 50 billion yen ($456 million) on American goods -- equivalent to the impact of the US tariffs newly imposed on Japanese steel and aluminium products.

According to the most recent data, Japan's trade surplus with the US was 615.7 billion yen in April ($5.6 billion), a gain of 4.7 per cent on higher demand for cars and construction machinery.

Washington found itself isolated at a weekend meeting of G7 finance ministers over its stinging steel and aluminium tariffs and Tokyo kept up the barrage in unusually strong language

US-imposed trade tariffs on its close allies could have a "grave impact" on ties and the world trading system, the Japanese government said Monday, describing the situation as "extremely deplorable". Washington found itself isolated at a weekend meeting of G7 finance ministers over its stinging steel and aluminium tariffs and Tokyo kept up the barrage in unusually strong language. "It is extremely deplorable that the situation has not improved even after Japan has explained to the US its concerns at various levels," said government spokesman Yoshihide Suga. Close allies Tokyo and Washington have been at loggerheads over trade policy after the US refused to give Japan an exemption from the tariffs, which came into effect on Friday. "The US government's trade measures, citing its security, makes us concerned that they could disrupt the global market," Suga told reporters. "On top of that, we think that it may have a grave impact on the economic cooperation between the allies Japan and the United States and on the whole multilateral trading system under the WTO (World Trade Organization) rules." The trade row has cast a shadow over the relationship between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump, who have forged otherwise close ties. Last month, Tokyo informed the WTO it had the right to impose tariffs worth 50 billion yen ($456 million) on American goods -- equivalent to the impact of the US tariffs newly imposed on Japanese steel and aluminium products. According to the most recent data, Japan's trade surplus with the US was 615.7 billion yen in April ($5.6 billion), a gain of 4.7 per cent on higher demand for cars and construction machinery.

US trade policy 'deplorable', rages Japan

Japan&nbspon Tuesday&nbspsaid it had detected what appeared to be a Chinese-flagged vessel, 350 km (218 miles) off Shanghai, conducting illegal transfers to a North Korean ship.

"Following a comprehensive assessment, the government of Japan strongly suspects that they conducted ship-to-ship transfers banned by UNSCR," Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a news release, referring to UN&nbspSecurity Council resolutions.

A Japanese P-3 maritime patrol plane detected the vessels, which lay alongside each other connected by hoses, on May 19, with one of the ships flying what seemed like a Chinese flag, it said.

China's Foreign Ministry said the information provided was "unclear" and it was hard to reach any definitive conclusions.

China has always fully enforced UN resolutions and if there is concrete proof of the resolutions being breached then China will handle it in accordance with the law, the ministry said in a statement sent to Reuters.

Japan's decision to voice its suspicion comes as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US&nbspPresident Donald Trump prepared for what may be a breakthrough summit as early as next month.

Japan is urging the United States and other countries to stick to a strict imposition of UN&nbspsanctions on North Korea until it abandons the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

In April, the UN&nbspSecurity Council blacklisted dozens of ships and shipping companies over oil and coal smuggling by North Korea, including five based in China. The vessels are subject to a global port ban and must be deregistered.

China's Foreign Ministry said the information provided was "unclear" and it was hard to reach any definitive conclusions

Japan&nbspon Tuesday&nbspsaid it had detected what appeared to be a Chinese-flagged vessel, 350 km (218 miles) off Shanghai, conducting illegal transfers to a North Korean ship. "Following a comprehensive assessment, the government of Japan strongly suspects that they conducted ship-to-ship transfers banned by UNSCR," Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a news release, referring to UN&nbspSecurity Council resolutions. A Japanese P-3 maritime patrol plane detected the vessels, which lay alongside each other connected by hoses, on May 19, with one of the ships flying what seemed like a Chinese flag, it said. China's Foreign Ministry said the information provided was "unclear" and it was hard to reach any definitive conclusions. China has always fully enforced UN resolutions and if there is concrete proof of the resolutions being breached then China will handle it in accordance with the law, the ministry said in a statement sent to Reuters. Japan's decision to voice its suspicion comes as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US&nbspPresident Donald Trump prepared for what may be a breakthrough summit as early as next month. Japan is urging the United States and other countries to stick to a strict imposition of UN&nbspsanctions on North Korea until it abandons the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. In April, the UN&nbspSecurity Council blacklisted dozens of ships and shipping companies over oil and coal smuggling by North Korea, including five based in China. The vessels are subject to a global port ban and must be deregistered.

Japan says it detects apparent Chinese ship breaking North Korea sanctions

Ahead of talks with Kim, US President Trump and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe agreed that North Korea should completely dismantle it's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Trump and Abe spoke on the phone even as President Trump prepares to meet Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12th.

“The president and prime minister affirmed the shared imperative of achieving the complete and permanent dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missile programs,” the White House said in a statement.

The dismantling of nuclear infrastructure has been the bone of contention between the US and North Korea with Kim hitting out at the US a few days ago which nearly put the June 12th summit in jeopardy, later the North Korean backed down and toned down his nuclear rhetoric.

During a telephone call, the pair “discussed recent developments in North Korea and confirmed they would meet again to continue close coordination in advance of the expected meeting between the United States and North Korea,” the White House said.

Japan, a key ally of the US, has been steadfast in its view that North Korea should work towards complete denuclearisation and has often conveyed its point of view to the US openly.

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hoyHkrjUhuM" width="560"></iframe>

Trump and Abe spoke on the phone even as President Trump prepares to meet Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12th.

Ahead of talks with Kim, US President Trump and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe agreed that North Korea should completely dismantle it's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missile programs. Trump and Abe spoke on the phone even as President Trump prepares to meet Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12th. “The president and prime minister affirmed the shared imperative of achieving the complete and permanent dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missile programs,” the White House said in a statement. The dismantling of nuclear infrastructure has been the bone of contention between the US and North Korea with Kim hitting out at the US a few days ago which nearly put the June 12th summit in jeopardy, later the North Korean backed down and toned down his nuclear rhetoric. During a telephone call, the pair “discussed recent developments in North Korea and confirmed they would meet again to continue close coordination in advance of the expected meeting between the United States and North Korea,” the White House said. Japan, a key ally of the US, has been steadfast in its view that North Korea should work towards complete denuclearisation and has often conveyed its point of view to the US openly.

Trump, PM Abe for permanent dismantling of North Korea’s nuclear programme: White House

For centuries, trees have provided mankind with daily necessities such as paper and rubber, now, scientists in Japan have discovered a new use for trees: making booze.

Since 2009, researchers at Japan's Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, have been testing out environmentally-friendly ways to disintegrate and ferment wood to make fuel, or alcohol, without using chemicals or heat. They discovered the process could be done entirely with food additives, which led them to the idea of drinkable alcohol.

Yuichiro Otsuka, a researcher at the institute, explained the process involves fermenting pulverised wood with water, yeast and enzyme and can be done in ten days, producing beverages resembling alcohol that have aged inside wooden barrels.

Scientists in Japan found ways to ferment wood to make alcohol. The process takes about 10 days and doesn't use chemicals or heat.

So far, drinks have been made from cherry blossom, cedar and white birch trees.

The method involves pulverising wood into a creamy paste and then adding yeast and an enzyme to start the fermentation process.

By avoiding using heat, researchers say they are able to preserve the specific flavour of each tree's wood.

Four kilogrammes of cedar wood gave them 3.8 litres of liquid, with an alcohol content of around 15 percent, similar to that of Japan's much-loved sake.

Researchers experimented with both brewed and distilled versions of the new beverage, but "we think distilled alcohol appears better", researcher Kengo Magara said.

Wood fermentation is already used to produce biofuel but the product contains toxins and is flavourless, making it far from a suitable cocktail component.

"But our method can make it drinkable, and with a wood flavour, because it does not require high heat or sulphuric acid to decompose the wood," Magara said.

So far, drinks have been made from cherry blossom, cedar and white birch trees

For centuries, trees have provided mankind with daily necessities such as paper and rubber, now, scientists in Japan have discovered a new use for trees: making booze. Since 2009, researchers at Japan's Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, have been testing out environmentally-friendly ways to disintegrate and ferment wood to make fuel, or alcohol, without using chemicals or heat. They discovered the process could be done entirely with food additives, which led them to the idea of drinkable alcohol. Yuichiro Otsuka, a researcher at the institute, explained the process involves fermenting pulverised wood with water, yeast and enzyme and can be done in ten days, producing beverages resembling alcohol that have aged inside wooden barrels. Scientists in Japan found ways to ferment wood to make alcohol. The process takes about 10 days and doesn't use chemicals or heat. So far, drinks have been made from cherry blossom, cedar and white birch trees. The method involves pulverising wood into a creamy paste and then adding yeast and an enzyme to start the fermentation process. By avoiding using heat, researchers say they are able to preserve the specific flavour of each tree's wood. Four kilogrammes of cedar wood gave them 3.8 litres of liquid, with an alcohol content of around 15 percent, similar to that of Japan's much-loved sake. Researchers experimented with both brewed and distilled versions of the new beverage, but "we think distilled alcohol appears better", researcher Kengo Magara said. Wood fermentation is already used to produce biofuel but the product contains toxins and is flavourless, making it far from a suitable cocktail component. "But our method can make it drinkable, and with a wood flavour, because it does not require high heat or sulphuric acid to decompose the wood," Magara said.

Alcohol made from wood discovered by scientists in Japan

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