Japanese Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R), Empress Masako (R), Crown Prince Fumihito (L), Crown Princess Kiko (2nd from L) and Princess Kako (C) attend a garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on May 11, 2023. The biannual event was held for the first time since November 2018 after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and scheduling conflicts. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
 

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

----------

G-7 sees financial system being resilient despite challenges

NIIGATA, Japan - Finance chiefs from the Group of Seven nations view the financial system as being resilient despite an urgent need to tackle emerging challenges posed by the widespread use of messaging apps and online banking, key factors behind bank runs, a Japanese government official said Friday.

On the second day of talks in the central Japan prefecture of Niigata, the U.S. side explained the situation regarding its debt ceiling, the official said.

----------

Over 900 child mistreatment cases reported at Japan nurseries in April-Dec.

TOKYO - A total of 914 child mistreatment cases were reported at nurseries nationwide between April and December of 2022, including 90 deemed as abuse, a government survey that for the first time scrutinized all municipal governments showed Friday.

The survey by the Children and Families Agency, set up in April, sheds light on the serious situation surrounding the safety of children at nurseries and adds pressure on local authorities to take action to prevent incidents that could cause children physical or psychological harm.

----------

Japan to expand domestic violence protection to cover mental abuse

TOKYO - Japan's lower house on Friday approved legal changes that will expand the scope of domestic violence protection orders to cover psychological abuse in addition to bodily harm, responding to requests from victim support groups.

The bill, which revises a law on domestic violence and was passed and enacted by the House of Representatives, also includes stricter penalties for protection order violations, with the changes to be in effect from April 2024.

----------

G-7 science chiefs seek to ensure open data, research security

SENDAI - Science chiefs of the Group of Seven nations kicked off a two-day meeting Friday in Sendai with the goal of ensuring the benefits of scientific research are shared globally while national and economic security is protected.

The G-7 -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union -- are expected to adopt a ministers' communique Saturday in the northeastern Japan city, in which they will agree to reinforce international cooperation in the field of research and development.

----------

Australia envoy wary of China's "destabilizing" actions around Taiwan

TOKYO - Australia's new ambassador to Japan said Friday that his government is wary about China's "destabilizing" actions around Taiwan, calling for international cooperation to ensure regional security.

"Our position is very clear that any conflict or miscalculation or use of violence to change the status quo would be catastrophic," Ambassador Justin Hayhurst said in an interview with Kyodo News, ahead of a summit of Quad leaders from Australia, India, Japan and the United States later this month.

----------

Biden's debt ceiling talks with congressional leaders postponed

WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden's closely watched meeting with congressional leaders on the debt ceiling that was scheduled for Friday has been postponed until next week, creating uncertainty over his attendance at the Group of Seven summit in Japan.

The standoff between Biden and congressional Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, has intensified before the three-day summit in Hiroshima starting May 19. A White House spokesperson said staff will continue working and had agreed to meet "early next week."

----------

Judo: Saki Niizoe wins 1st world title in women's 70 kg

DOHA - Japanese judoka Saki Niizoe grabbed her first world gold medal Thursday with an ippon victory over Germany's Giovanna Scoccimarro in the women's 70-kilogram final.

The 26-year-old Niizoe became the first Japanese to win in the weight category at the world championships since Chizuru Arai in 2018, moving closer to her Olympic debut next year in Paris.

----------

Pakistan's Supreme Court says ex-prime minister's arrest illegal

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Supreme Court has declared the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier this week illegal and ordered law enforcement agencies to present Khan before a high court that is hearing a corruption case against him as violent protests by his supporters swept the country.

The court ruled Thursday Khan's arrest was unlawful because of the manner in which he was taken into custody. Khan on Tuesday had appeared for a hearing at the Islamabad High Court, where he was forcibly dragged out by paramilitary troops.

----------

Video: M5.2 quake hits Tokyo Bay area

----------