The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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China shows eagerness to develop military ties with U.S.
BEIJING - China expressed Monday its willingness to develop a military relationship with the United States after the two countries confirmed last week the importance of reopening bilateral communication channels between their forces as they prepare for a summit between their leaders.
Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission -- China's highest national defense organization -- said in a speech to an international security forum that Beijing will develop military ties with Washington "under the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation."
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Hong Kong opposition fails to secure nominations for district election
HONG KONG - Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy party said Monday that it will not field any candidates for the city's district council election slated for December after its hopefuls failed to secure the required nominations from government-appointed local committees.
The poll on Dec. 10 will be the first "patriots-only" election for the district council of the special administrative region, under an election law amended earlier this year.
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Toyota posts record global output, sales in April-September period
NAGOYA - Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday it posted record global production and sales figures for a fiscal half in the April-September period, as output picked up on the back of an easing chip shortage.
Toyota built 5.06 million vehicles worldwide in the fiscal first half, up 12.8 percent from the same period a year earlier, reaching record production levels for the first time in four years.
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Japan views economy on moderate recovery path, warns of Mideast risks
TOKYO - The government on Monday maintained its view that the Japanese economy is "recovering at a moderate pace," but warned of risks from the conflict in the Middle East.
The Cabinet Office kept the same assessment for the sixth straight month. It retained its views on most of the key components of the economy, from private consumption and capital expenditure to exports.
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2 years sought for 3 ex-SDF members in high-profile sex offense case
FUKUSHIMA - Prosecutors on Monday sought two-year prison terms each for three former members of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force on charges of sexual indecency against a female subordinate in 2021.
The case has gained wide public attention as the victim, Rina Gonoi, 24, made the rare move of coming forward to expose sexual offenses she suffered while serving as a GSDF member, prompting the Defense Ministry to dishonorably discharge the three and two others and increase its efforts in addressing harassment issues.
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FOCUS: Japan chocolate producers stamping out child labor in supply chains
TOKYO - For many years, child labor in the cultivation of cocoa beans for export as a key ingredient for making chocolate has been a rampant problem in West Africa, with children held back from attending school and forced to harvest the crop on farms.
Though not many consumers in Japan are aware of or sensitive to the issue, some chocolate producers in the country have recently decided to take a stand through a campaign to source child labor-free cocoa and provide local farmers with assistance for improving working conditions.
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Outgoing de facto Japan envoy to Taiwan awarded medal
TAIPEI - Japan's outgoing de facto ambassador to Taiwan, Hiroyasu Izumi, was awarded a medal Monday by the self-ruled island's leader Tsai Ing-wen in recognition of his contributions to enhancing bilateral ties.
Izumi received the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon, with Tsai thanking Japan's top representative in Taipei for "creating new milestones" in the neighbors' relations during his four-year tenure, her office said.
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Baseball: Orix ace Yamamoto wins 3rd straight Sawamura Award
TOKYO - Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto won the Eiji Sawamura Award as Japanese pro baseball's most impressive starting pitcher Monday, joining Hall of Famer Masaichi Kaneda as the only player to win the award three straight years.
Yamamoto, who is expected to move to MLB next season via the posting system, has led the Pacific League in strikeouts, ERA, wins and winning percentage for three straight seasons and is a strong candidate to win his third straight PL MVP award.
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Video: National Theatre to close after 57 years, renewal plan afoot
