The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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G-7 foreign ministers condemn Russia's atrocities in Ukraine
BRUSSELS - Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven major developed countries Thursday strongly condemned Russia for atrocities in Ukraine following reports that hundreds of civilian bodies have been found in the suburbs of the capital Kyiv.
After holding talks in Brussels, the top officials from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States plus the European Union agreed to ratchet up sanctions on Russia "by imposing coordinated additional restrictive measures" unless Moscow stops the invasion of its neighbor.
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Japan to release 15 mil. barrels of oil reserves in IEA efforts
TOKYO - The government said Thursday that Japan will release an additional 15 million barrels of oil reserves in a coordinated effort by members of the International Energy Agency to stabilize the market amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The release, tapping both private and state reserves, will be the largest such move by the country. The IEA is moving ahead with a collective oil stock release of 120 million barrels, led by the United States.
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Popular Japanese cartoonist Fujiko A. Fujio dies at 88
TOKYO - Fujiko A. Fujio, a popular Japanese cartoonist known for creating hit manga series, including "Ninja Hattori-kun" and "The Laughing Salesman," has died at his home in Kawasaki, near Tokyo, police said Thursday. He was 88.
The cartoonist was also known for works such as "Kaibutsu-kun" (The Monster Kid), which was also made into an anime series and is available in some foreign countries.
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Japan eyes resolute action against Russia's "war crimes": PM Kishida
TOKYO - Japan plans to take further resolute action in response to Russia's invasion and killings of civilians in Ukraine, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday, condemning the atrocities as "war crimes."
Kishida told reporters that the government aims to announce details as early as Friday after coordinating with the Group of Seven nations.
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Japan seeing signs of coronavirus resurgence, warns Kishida
TOKYO - Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday that there are "signs of a resurgence" in coronavirus infections in Japan, particularly among young people.
Speaking to reporters, Kishida called for the public to cooperate in stemming the virus's spread by taking thorough prevention measures, actively testing and receiving COVID-19 vaccine booster shots as early as possible.
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Japan, Philippines defense chiefs meet as China's clout looms large
TOKYO - The Japanese and the Philippine defense ministers began talks on Thursday to boost cooperation in maritime security amid China's increasing assertiveness in the South and East China seas.
The talks between Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and his Philippine counterpart Delfin Lorenzana in Tokyo were organized two days ahead of "two-plus-two" security talks also involving the two countries' foreign ministers.
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Baseball: Shohei Ohtani dwarfs other MLB players in off-field income
LOS ANGELES - Shohei Ohtani's combination of rare baseball talent as both a hitter and pitcher and his marketability has made him the Major League Baseball's biggest off-field earner, financial magazine Forbes reported Wednesday on its website.
Ohtani was the unanimous choice for American League MVP in 2021 when he was one of the hardest pitchers to hit, as well as one of MLB's top home run hitters. Forbes estimated he will earn $20 million in off-field revenues this year, roughly triple the figure he pulled in last season.
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Toyota could face $1.5 bil. payout in Australia over defect: report
SYDNEY - Toyota Motor Corp. could be forced to pay some AU$2 billion ($1.5 billion) in compensation to Australian customers who were sold cars with faulty diesel engine filters, after the automotive giant lost a class action lawsuit on Thursday, local media reported.
In a Federal Court judgement, Justice Michael Lee found thousands of customers who bought Toyota vehicles with defective diesel particulate filters had to pay for an excessive number of services and repairs as the defect caused cars to spew out foul-smelling white smoke, according to the Australian Associated Press.
