The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan automakers' domestic output falls nearly 50% in Sept.
TOKYO - Total domestic output by eight major Japanese automakers fell 49.7 percent in September from a year earlier to 398,075 units amid an ongoing global chip shortage and delays in procuring parts from Southeast Asia due to the COVID-19 resurgence this summer, data showed Thursday.
The drop was the sharpest since May last year, when domestic production fell 61.8 percent from a year earlier due to the initial outbreak of the novel coronavirus, and marks the second consecutive month domestic output has fallen below the previous year.
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Bank of Japan cuts economic growth, price forecasts, keeps easing policy
TOKYO - The Bank of Japan on Thursday trimmed its economic growth and inflation forecasts for the year through March, keeping its ultraloose monetary policy intact to buttress a fragile economic recovery from the COVID-19 malaise.
The BOJ gave the bleaker economic outlook after a two-day policy meeting, as parts shortages have hit automakers such as Toyota Motor Corp. that have been forced to cut output. COVID-19 restrictions that were in place until recently have delayed a recovery in the services sector.
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Taiwan leader confirms presence of U.S. troops on island: CNN
WASHINGTON - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, in an interview with CNN, confirmed that U.S. troops are on the island to train Taiwanese forces, the U.S. news channel reported Wednesday, triggering a harsh reaction from mainland China.
While avoiding clarifying how many U.S. military personnel are on the self-ruled island, which Beijing regards as a renegade province awaiting reunification by force if necessary, Tsai was quoted as saying the number was "not as many as people thought."
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Sony lifts operating profit outlook to 1 tril. yen, movie, music sales
TOKYO - Sony Group Corp. on Thursday raised its operating profit forecast for the full fiscal year to 1.04 trillion yen ($9.2 billion), as strong movie and music businesses are expected to make up for slower-than-expected growth in its electronics product segment.
The chief financial officer said the same day that the Japanese electronics giant is considering cooperating with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. in building a chip plant in Japan, the company's first comment on the matter.
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Yen weaker but not negative for Japan economy: BOJ chief
TOKYO - The yen has been weakening against the U.S. dollar, but that is unlikely to be a negative for the Japanese economy, Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference after a two-day policy-setting meeting, Kuroda said the softer yen would benefit exports and work positively for the economy.
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Former swimmer Kawai to head Japan Winter Paralympic team in Beijing
TOKYO - The Japan Paralympic Committee on Thursday named its president, Junichi Kawai, Japan's chef de mission for the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.
The 46-year-old former Paralympic swimmer also led Japan at the Tokyo Games, where the host nation claimed 51 medals.
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New Zealand to host online APEC summit on Nov. 12
TOKYO - New Zealand's government said Thursday it will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in an online format on Nov. 12.
The meetings of leaders from 21 economies in the Pacific Rim region will be held virtually for the second time due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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U.N. panel adopts Japan's anti-nuke resolution, China, Russia oppose
NEW YORK - A U.N. committee adopted Wednesday a Japan-sponsored draft resolution calling for the total elimination of nuclear arms, prompting a divided response from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.
In the vote, 152 countries supported the resolution, while four including council members China and Russia opposed it, with 30 abstaining.
