The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
----------
Putin to deploy troops after recognizing Ukraine breakaway regions
MOSCOW/WASHINGTON - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognized the independence of two pro-Moscow separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and ordered troops to be deployed there for "peacekeeping" missions, a move that could pave the way for Russia to invade its neighbor.
The move drew condemnation from the United States and European countries. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken slammed Putin for attacking Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and announced a trade and investment ban on the two regions.
----------
Japan court orders damages over forced sterilization for 1st time
OSAKA - A Japanese court on Tuesday ordered the state to compensate three people with disabilities over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenics protection law, awarding damages for the first time among similar suits filed with nine courts and their branches across Japan.
The Osaka High Court told the central government to pay a total of 27.5 million yen ($239,660) in damages to the three in western Japan -- a couple and a woman in their 70s and 80s -- and recognized the eugenics law as unconstitutional.
----------
Japan condemns Russia's move as violation of Ukraine sovereignty
TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday condemned Russia's recognition of the independence of two pro-Russian separatist regions in eastern Ukraine as violating the nation's sovereignty, as well as international law and a past peace agreement.
"Russia's series of actions violate Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which we never tolerate and strongly criticize," Kishida told reporters.
----------
Japan, Germany say Russian moves "totally unacceptable" over Ukraine
TOKYO - The leaders of Japan and Germany agreed Tuesday that Russia's recent actions undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and are "totally unacceptable" amid fears of a Russian invasion.
During their phone talks, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed they will coordinate closely over the Ukrainian crisis and follow developments with serious concern, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.
----------
Japan holds annual event to press claim to S. Korea-held islets
MATSUE, Japan - Japan on Tuesday held an annual ceremony to press its claim over a group of islets controlled by South Korea but also appealed for a solution, amid protracted disputes between the two countries over wartime history and territory.
The ceremony in Matsue has been held every Feb. 22 since 2006 after the Shimane prefectural government designated the day as "Takeshima Day" in 2005, a century after a Cabinet decision was issued placing the islets in the Sea of Japan under the western prefecture's jurisdiction.
----------
Japan lower house OKs record 107.6 tril. yen budget for FY 2022
TOKYO - Japan's lower house approved Tuesday a record 107.60 trillion yen ($938 billion) draft budget for fiscal 2022 swollen by growing social security and national defense costs, setting the stage for its enactment before the year starts on April 1.
It is the second-fastest passage of an initial budget by the House of Representatives under Japan's postwar Constitution, after the Feb. 19 passage of the fiscal 1999 budget.
----------
New Zealand quietly marks 11th anniversary of Christchurch quake
SYDNEY - New Zealand on Tuesday quietly marked the 11th anniversary of an earthquake that hit the South Island city of Christchurch in 2011, killing 185 people and injuring thousands.
Of the victims, 115 people were killed when the six-story Canterbury Television Building collapsed in the magnitude 6.3 temblor. Among them were 28 Japanese and others from Asian countries including China and Thailand who were studying English at a language school on the third floor.
----------
Japanese Olympians focus on ending 2022 season on post-Beijing high
TOKYO - In the wake of the Beijing Games, Japanese Olympians must put the highs and lows of China behind them and deal with the challenge of returning their focus to training and regular competition.
After 19 days of competition across 109 events, the Winter Olympics officially ended Sunday with the closing ceremony.
