The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan renews child population low in 43rd straight year of decline
TOKYO - Japan's estimated child population shrank for the 43rd consecutive year to renew its record low, government data showed Saturday, while Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government scrambles to address the issue through "unprecedented" measures.
The number of children aged 14 or younger, including foreigners, was 14.01 million as of April 1, down 330,000 from a year ago, according to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications before the national Children's Day holiday on Sunday.
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Japanese restaurants in China look for ways around seafood import ban
SHANGHAI - Japanese restaurants in China have been struggling to stay afloat amid Beijing's total ban on seafood imports from Japan, but some have found a way to keep in business by procuring the neighboring country's marine products via Hong Kong or using Chinese-sourced ingredients for their menu items.
The embargo, introduced last August in response to the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, has forced many Japanese restaurants in China to close their doors.
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Japan disappointed by Biden's "xenophobic" comments
WASHINGTON - Japan has told the United States that President Joe Biden's recent remarks describing the Asian nation as "xenophobic" were disappointing, a source close to the matter said Friday.
The Japanese government told the U.S. side that Biden's comments, made at a fundraising event on Wednesday ahead of the 2024 presidential election, were not based on an accurate understanding of Japan's policy, according to the source.
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Japan, Brazil agree to jointly protect Amazon rainforest
BRASILIA - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva agreed Friday to strengthen efforts to combat climate change, including enhancing the protection of the Amazon rainforest.
During their talks in Brasilia, Kishida and Lula signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement on decarbonization and other environmental issues.
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Japan, Philippines agree to work for early conclusion of defense pact
HONOLULU - The Japanese and Philippine defense ministers agreed Friday to work toward the early conclusion of a reciprocal access agreement to boost security cooperation and facilitate joint drills, amid concern over China's increasingly assertive actions in regional waters.
During their talks in Hawaii, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro also vowed to work together in realizing "a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law," according to Japan's Defense Ministry.
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Boxing: Undisputed world champ Inoue prepared for "monumental fight"
YOKOHAMA - Naoya Inoue, Japan's undisputed super bantamweight world champion said Saturday he has high hopes for the defense of his four belts against Mexico's Luis Nery when they fight on Monday.
"I'm convinced it's going to be a monumental fight. I want people to see me win with a knockout," Inoue told a press conference in Yokohama.
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Rugby: Wild Knights tame Eagles to complete perfect regular season
OITA, Japan - Saitama Wild Knights ended the regular season with a perfect 16-win record in Japan Rugby League One on Saturday after easing past the playoff-bound Yokohama Eagles 43-14.
The result consigned the Eagles to fourth-place, and sets up a May 18 rematch, when the two teams face each other in the semifinals for the second straight year. Second-placed Brave Lupus Tokyo will play Tokyo Sungoliath in the May 19 semifinal.
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Football: Japan edge Uzbekistan 1-0 to lift U-23 Asian Cup
DOHA - Japan secured the men's football U-23 Asian Cup on Friday after substitute Fuki Yamada struck a late winner in a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in the final.
The Samurai Blue, who had already sealed their place at the Paris Olympics with a top-three finish in Doha, also had keeper Leo Brian Kokubo to thank for saving a penalty moments later as they claimed the title for the first time in four tournaments, having last won in 2016.
Video: Tulips bloom at central Japan park
