The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan, EU mull enhancing security cooperation at summit next week
BRUSSELS - Japan and the European Union are considering issuing a joint statement announcing their intention to enhance maritime, cyberspace and supply chain security cooperation after their leaders meet next week, diplomatic sources said Sunday.
European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to hold a regular summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Brussels on July 13.
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Higher land prices add to signs of Japan's recovery from pandemic
TOKYO - The average land price in Japan rose 1.5 percent in 2023 from a year earlier for the second consecutive year of increase, government data showed Monday, adding to signs of the economy recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.
A recovery in prices for commercial areas led the overall trend, according to the data as of Jan. 1, after the government eased COVID-19 measures, including immigration controls, stimulating hopes that businesses will be revived with the help of demand from foreign tourists.
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Japan FY 2022 tax revenue hits record, surplus for defense buildup
TOKYO - Japan had a record tax revenue of 71.14 trillion yen ($491 billion) for fiscal 2022 through March, along with a bigger-than-estimated surplus, part of which will be used to cover a substantial boost to defense spending in the coming years, according to government data released on Monday.
Japan's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and rising prices for everyday goods raised consumption tax revenues, while robust earnings, due in part to a weaker yen that benefited exporters, led to higher corporate tax payments.
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China seeks more communication with Japan, S. Korea for 3-way summit
QINGDAO, China - China on Monday called for enhancing communication and exchanges with Japan and South Korea to build momentum for a trilateral summit and other high-level meetings in a friendly overture to the two neighbors who have been boosting ties with the United States.
China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, said at the opening of a forum meeting on trilateral cooperation held in the eastern port city of Qingdao that the three countries should "create an atmosphere for the early resumption of leaders' meetings" and "move forward hand in hand" to "make greater contributions to the revitalization of Asia."
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North Korea, Japan officials met to discuss abduction issue: report
SEOUL - North Korea and Japan held working-level meetings multiple times last month over Pyongyang's past abductions of Japanese nationals, a South Korean newspaper reported Monday citing informed sources, although Tokyo swiftly denied the claim.
The report by Dong-A Ilbo said the officials met at least twice in third countries such as China and Singapore. While North Korea maintained that it considers the matter resolved, the report said that if talks continue, Pyongyang and Tokyo could hold higher-level meetings in the future.
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Big Japanese manufacturers' sentiment improves for 1st time in 7 quarters
TOKYO - Business confidence among major Japanese manufacturers improved in June for the first time in seven quarters, rising to 5 from 1 in March, the Bank of Japan said Monday, amid the easing of COVID-related supply bottlenecks and falling raw material costs.
The reading of the key index measuring confidence among companies such as those in the auto and electronics sectors beat the average market forecast of 3 in a Kyodo News survey.
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Japan business delegation visits China, Okinawa gov. among members
BEIJING - A Japanese business delegation led by former House of Representatives speaker Yohei Kono began a four-day visit to China on Monday, with Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki among the group's 80-some members.
Members of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade mission, sent to China for the first time since April 2019, are expected to hold talks with senior Chinese officials during their stay.
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4 injured after explosion heard in Tokyo's Shimbashi district
TOKYO - Four people were injured Monday after a fire broke out in a bar in Tokyo's Shimbashi district where many restaurants and offices are located, with an explosion heard and smoke seen billowing from a building.
Firetrucks arrived in the debris-strewn area after an emergency call was made by an eyewitness to police at around 3:15 p.m. None of the four injured people, comprising bar employees and passersby, are believed to be in life-threatening condition.
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Video: Kayaking off southwestern Japan
