The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Kobayashi Pharma confirms 5th death linked to its supplements
OSAKA - Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. said Friday that it has confirmed a fifth death possibly linked to its red yeast rice dietary supplements, but has yet to determine the substance that may be responsible for causing health problems amid hundreds of reports of people falling ill.
The five people who have died include those in their 70s to 90s, according to the company, which has recalled its "beni-koji choleste help" supplements.
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Japan rail operator pushes back maglev plan, possibly to 2034 or later
TOKYO -Central Japan Railway Co. said Friday it has given up its plan to launch a new high-speed maglev train between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027 amid long-running environmental opposition in Shizuoka Prefecture, pushing back the schedule possibly to 2034 or later.
"While we cannot project a new opening date, we will continue to do everything we can toward launching as soon as possible," JR Central President Shunsuke Niwa said at a panel meeting at the transport ministry.
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Nikkei stock index finishes up 44% in FY 2023
TOKYO - Tokyo stocks advanced on the final day of Japan's 2023 fiscal year on Friday, with the Nikkei marking a 44 percent increase, a record largest point gain from the previous year boosted by a weaker yen that raised prospects of favorable performances by exporters.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 201.37 points, or 0.50 percent, from Thursday at 40,369.44. The broader Topix index finished 17.81 points, or 0.65 percent, higher at 2,768.62.
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LDP questions ex-PM Mori behind scenes over political funds scandal
TOKYO - The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has questioned former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori over the latest political funds scandal behind the scenes, but he has denied any involvement in the matter, LDP sources said Friday.
The LDP has come under intense scrutiny after some of its factions, including the largest one formerly led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, for years neglected to report some of its income from fundraising parties, instead using the money for slush funds.
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North Korean foreign minister nixes any contact with Japan: KCNA
BEIJING - North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui reiterated Pyongyang's stance Friday that it will reject any contact with Japan and that a dialogue with Tokyo is "not a matter of concern" to her country, the official Korean Central News Agency said.
The minister criticized Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's pledge Thursday that Japan will continue to address issues related to North Korea, including its past abductions of Japanese nationals.
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Economic impact of 2025 Expo raised to $19 bil. amid inflated costs
TOKYO - The Japanese government said Friday it now estimates the economic impact of the 2025 World Expo to reach about 2.9 trillion yen ($19 billion), up 400 billion yen from the previous projection, due to inflated costs.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry revised its calculation for the new estimate, based on Japan's planned spending of up to 235 billion yen for constructing the expo venue in Osaka amid high material and labor costs, for example.
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Japan court allows 5 aging nuclear plants to continue operations
FUKUI, Japan - A Japanese court decided Friday to allow five aging nuclear reactors to continue operations at plants in central Japan run by Kansai Electric Power Co., rejecting local residents' safety concerns that led to demands for suspensions.
The Fukui District Court denied injunctions to halt the No. 3 reactor at the Mihama plant and Nos. 1-4 reactors at the Takahama plant, both in Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast. The reactors started commercial operations between 1974 and 1985.
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Japan adds driver, railway roles to skilled foreign worker visa
TOKYO - he Japanese government on Friday added four new industries to its foreign skilled worker visa program as it moves to address the nation's driver shortage by allowing more people access to stays of up to five years.
The Cabinet decision brings the eligible industries under the Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 visa to 16. The expansion, covering road and railway transportation as well as the forestry and timber sectors, is the first since the system was introduced in 2019.
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Cherry blossom season arrives across Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto
TOKYO - Cherry blossoms bloomed Friday across Japan including Tokyo and Kyoto, coming slightly later than usual following relatively low temperatures seen in many areas through March, the weather agency said.
In Tokyo, the "Somei Yoshino" variety at Yasukuni Shrine, used for the Japan Meteorological Agency's observation in the capital, came into bloom. The year's bloom in Tokyo came five days later than average and 15 days later than last year.
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Indonesian President-elect Prabowo to visit China from Sun.
BEIJING - Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto will make a three-day visit to China from Sunday and meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang during his trip, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Friday.
Prabowo, the incumbent defense minister, won the presidential election in February. The upcoming trip to China will be his first overseas trip since the election and fully reflects high-level bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.
Video: Open air salons set up for evacuees in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture
