The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Okinawa loses legal battle with central government over U.S. base landfill
TOKYO - Japan's top court on Monday turned down an appeal by Okinawa Prefecture against the central government's order, which will allow it to proceed with landfill work for the relocation of a key U.S. base within the southern island prefecture.
The Supreme Court's First Petty Bench has upheld the Fukuoka High Court's Naha branch ruling, confirming the central government's authority to instruct the local government to approve modifications to its plans aimed at reinforcement of soft ground at a designated construction site.
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Japan giving 20.7 billion more yen for fisheries amid China import ban
TOKYO - Japan will allocate 20.7 billion yen ($141.4 million) as an additional relief package for the fishery industry amid China's blanket seafood import ban following the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Monday.
The support measures will include steps to increase domestic consumption, ensure the sustainable production of seafood, mitigate reputational damage, and secure the development of strategies for finding new overseas markets, as well as making sure there is sufficient provision of swift and thorough compensation.
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China's Xi to skip G-20 summit for 1st time, Premier Li to attend instead
BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping will skip a summit of the Group of 20 major economies for the first time since becoming the nation's leader in 2012, as Beijing said Monday Premier Li Qiang will attend a gathering in New Delhi this weekend.
The United States had explored the possibility of a summit between President Joe Biden and Xi in the Indian capital. The two governments are expected to arrange the talks on the sidelines of a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in San Francisco in November.
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Russia proposed 3-way drill with North Korea, China: South Korea spy agency
SEOUL - Russia proposed holding a trilateral naval exercise involving North Korea and China when Russia's defense minister met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in late July, South Korea's spy agency was quoted as saying on Monday.
During a closed-door briefing to the parliamentary intelligence committee, South Korea's National Intelligence Service reported that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made such a proposal at his meeting with the North Korean leader, according to Yoo Sang Bum of the ruling People Power Party.
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Japan ruling parties end spat over election cooperation in Tokyo
TOKYO - The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito agreed Monday to cooperate again in all constituencies in Tokyo for the next House of Representatives election, dispelling concerns that their decades-long alliance might end.
The LDP, led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Komeito had faced difficulties in coordinating candidates for the capital as the electoral map will be redrawn under legislation enacted last year to narrow the vote disparity between densely and sparsely populated constituencies in the lower house of parliament.
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Japan's delayed H2A rocket carrying lunar lander to launch on Sept. 7
TOKYO - The postponed liftoff of an H2A rocket carrying the Japanese space agency's lunar lander has been set for Thursday, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. said Monday.
The domestically produced rocket is planned to take off around 8:42 a.m. Thursday from Tanegashima Space Center on Tanegashima Island in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima, the company said. The move follows a postponement due to strong winds a week earlier that was decided around 30 minutes before the planned liftoff.
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Russia commemorates WWII victory over Japan on disputed islands
TOKYO - Russia held events Sunday on islands disputed with Japan to commemorate its World War II victory over the country after changing the name of the anniversary to include the phrase "militaristic Japan."
Soldiers paraded on Etorofu off northern Japan while flowers were offered at cenotaphs to fallen Soviet soldiers on the islands of Kunashiri and Shikotan. Crowds also gathered at a weapons exposition on Etorofu showcasing tanks and multiple rocket launchers.
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Baseball star Hotaka Yamakawa suspended indefinitely over alleged rape case
TOKYO - The Seibu Lions baseball club announced an indefinite suspension Monday for infielder Hotaka Yamakawa after Tokyo prosecutors decided not to indict him over an allegation of rape due to insufficient evidence.
The 31-year-old, a three-time Pacific League home run leader and member of Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning team, was referred to prosecutors for allegedly raping a female acquaintance at a Tokyo hotel last November.
Video: Welcome ceremony for Japanese rugby squad held in Toulouse
