The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Russia launches "full-scale invasion" of Ukraine, sparks int'l outcry
MOSCOW/WASHINGTON - Russia on Thursday launched a major attack against Ukraine following a months-long military buildup on the border, triggering international condemnation for an "unjustified" war that it is feared will result in significant loss of life in the heart of Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin moved ahead with what Ukraine called "a full-scale invasion" after announcing that Moscow would carry out a "special military operation" in eastern Ukraine known as the Donbas, where two pro-Russia separatist regions are located.
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Nikkei falls to 15-month low as Russia launches attack on Ukraine
TOKYO - The Nikkei stock index plunged on Thursday, falling below 26,000 for the first time since November 2020, as Russia launched a major attack against Ukraine, raising concerns over the outlook for energy prices and the impact on the global economy.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 478.79 points, or 1.81 percent, from Tuesday at 25,970.82, its lowest closing level since Nov. 20, 2020. Japanese financial markets were closed Wednesday for a national holiday. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 23.50 points, or 1.25 percent, lower at 1,857.58.
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Japan seeks to further ease border controls as COVID 6th wave wanes
TOKYO - Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday that the Japanese government is considering further easing border restrictions as the country prepares to "exit the sixth wave" of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We hope to gradually increase international travel while taking into consideration the infection situation at home and abroad, as well as the demand of Japanese returnees," Kishida said at a House of Councillors Budget Committee session.
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Japan condemns Russian attack on Ukraine as shaking int'l order
TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday strongly condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine, saying that the act undermines the foundation of international order.
"The Russian attack shakes the foundation of international order that never tolerates unilateral change to the status quo by force, and we strongly condemn Russia," Kishida told reporters.
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China refrains from calling Russia's attack on Ukraine "invasion"
BEIJING/SEOUL - China on Thursday refrained from describing Russia's major attack against Ukraine as an "invasion," while urging other countries including the United States to attempt to prevent the situation from getting out of control.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying did not voice support for Russia's military action, saying China believes that the legitimate security concerns of all parties should be respected, in apparent consideration of Ukraine.
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G-7 leaders to condemn Russian attack on Ukraine, sanctions in focus
TOKYO - Leaders from the Group of Seven nations are set to hold a virtual meeting Thursday at which they are expected to condemn Russia's aggression in Ukraine and discuss robust sanctions against Moscow.
The meeting will enable the G-7 leaders to coordinate their responses and urge Russia to prevent a further escalation of the crisis that has already jolted financial markets and posed a challenge to the post-Cold War architecture.
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Alert level raised for Japan's Mt. Aso with high eruption possibility
TOKYO - The weather agency said Thursday it raised its volcanic alert to level 3 out of 5 for Mt. Aso in southwestern Japan as there was a "high possibility" of an eruption, warning people not to approach due to the danger of possible falling rocks and pyroclastic flows.
The Japan Meteorological Agency decided to raise the alert level after it detected an increasing amplitude of volcanic tremors in the morning. Level 3 indicates the possibility of an eruption that could have a serious impact in locations near residential areas.
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45 killed in 3 months in accidents while clearing snow in Japan
SAPPORO - Snow-clearing accidents killed 45 people in the three months through January, emergency authorities said Thursday, as Japan's snowy regions have been hit by heavier falls than usual this winter.
Many of the victims in 10 prefectures including Aomori died after being buried by snow falling from the roofs of their homes, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.
