The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan's Norinchukin Bank mulls 1 trillion yen capital increase
TOKYO - Japan's Norinchukin Bank is considering a capital increase of about 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion) to bolster its financial standing that is undermined by unrealized losses from its holdings of overseas bonds, including U.S. Treasuries, a source familiar with the matter said Sunday.
Norinchukin will discuss the matter with its main investors such as the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives, as it could post a net loss of around 500 billion yen in the year ending March 2025 due to the disposal of the unrealized losses.
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Japan foreign minister retracts controversial "birthing" remark
SHIZUOKA, Japan - Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on Sunday retracted her remark the previous day that was widely interpreted as questioning the worth of women who do not give birth, saying her choice of words was liable to cause misunderstanding.
In a campaign speech Saturday in support of a Shizuoka gubernatorial election candidate, Kamikawa said she wondered "how can we women call ourselves women without birthing this person."
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Japan cram school creates AI detection system for university applications
TOKYO - A Japanese cram school has developed a system to detect whether generative artificial intelligence has been employed in the composition of personal statements by high school students applying for university, amid growing concern over the improper use of such tools.
The system developed by Kawaijuku Educational Institution combs through statements submitted for admissions processes that are placing greater emphasis on grades, essays and interviews rather than relying solely on traditional entrance examinations.
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Locals in central Japan near Mt. Fuji count on UFO craze for tourism
KOFU, Japan - Local residents in Yamanashi Prefecture, at the foot of Mt. Fuji, are striving to make their city Kofu a tourist magnet with extraterrestrial help from an alien.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of an incident in which two elementary school children claimed to have encountered unidentified flying objects and an alien. It is dubbed one of "three major UFO incidents" reported in Japan.
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Football: Machida thrash Verdy to go top of J-League
MACHIDA, Japan - Machida Zelvia returned to the top of the J-League first-division table with a 5-0 thrashing at home to Tokyo Verdy on Sunday.
In a clash between the teams that played in the second division last season, Shota Fujio scored a brace and caused an own goal at Machida Gion Stadium.
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Sumo: Hoshoryu drives Ura from Summer tourney lead
TOKYO - An overpowering display from ozeki Hoshoryu knocked No. 4 maegashira Ura out of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament lead on Sunday.
The midpoint of the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan began with five wrestlers tied for the lead and ended with just two men at the top sporting 7-1 records.
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Rugby: Brave Lupus beat Sungoliath 28-20, advance to League One final
TOKYO - Brave Lupus Tokyo fought back from an early deficit to book their place in the Japan Rugby League One championship decider with a 28-20 semifinal win over Tokyo Sungoliath on Sunday.
The Todd Blackadder-coached Brave Lupus, the No. 2 team in the regular season, turned the tide in the second half at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground with tries from Takeshi Sasaki, Shannon Frizell and Jone Naikabula.
Video: "Mikoshi" portable shrine parade in Tokyo's Asakusa
