Japan

Japan has imposed sanctions on nine russian entities for supplying arms from North Korea, condemning russia's arms purchases from North Korea as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and a move that could worsen the situation in Ukraine.

Iran's President Raisi died in a plane crash, Saudi Arabia's crown prince postponed his visit to Japan due to the king's health, and oil prices remained stable amid political uncertainty in major producing countries.

The G7 allies are set on a US plan to freeze Russian assets for Ukraine even before a potential Trump presidency, the FT reports.

Almost 300 foreign-made microelectronics components were found in North Korean missiles by KFI specialists, said Oleksandr Ruvin.

Emissions from the fighting in Ukraine have already amounted to 180 million tons of CO2, according to the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.

The United States and Japan have signed a contract to jointly develop a hypersonic missile interceptor over the next 10 years, with Japan allocating $480 million for the project in its 2024 budget.

Diplomats are trying to secure the participation of the Global South in the Peace Summit for Ukraine by focusing on a narrow set of goals. More than 160 countries have been invited to the Summit, which will take place on June 15-16.

An Australian court has overturned an order by the country's cybersecurity regulator to remove a video of an attack on an Assyrian bishop, rejecting the regulator's proposal in a legal dispute that has sparked heated conversations between Elon Musk and Australian officials.

Kherson region discussed further cooperation with Japan, including waste management, opening a waste processing plant, and assistance in demining to ensure security in the region.

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko discussed with Japanese officials the restoration of damaged energy systems and winterization, thanking Japan for its assistance and requesting additional equipment and cooperation to strengthen the protection of energy facilities.

Japan, South Korea, and Australia are tightening regulations to limit the market power of large tech groups such as Apple and Google, creating new regulatory challenges similar to those in the EU and the US.

Unprecedented heat waves in Asia and Africa have forced governments to close schools, highlighting how climate change threatens the education of millions of children.

Microsoft is closing Tango Gameworks, the studio that created the critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush, along with other studios, and Xbox CEO Matt Booty emphasizes the need to create more "prestigious and rewarding" games like Hi-Fi Rush.

Japan has completed the fifth stage of discharging about 7,800 tons of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean, with plans to discharge about 54,600 tons more during 2024.

Researchers from Kyoto University and Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered a new species of lily called Lilium pacificum, the first new species of Japanese lily found in 110 years, growing in coastal areas facing the Pacific Ocean on the island of Honshu.

The G7 plans to provide Kyiv with $50 billion in aid from frozen Russian assets, and the US is negotiating to sign an agreement at the G7 summit in June.

Ukraine's agricultural exports are set to grow by 15% in 2024, with April already a record month for Ukrainian exports since Russia's full-scale invasion, generating revenues that will help Ukraine defend itself.

Since April 18, nearly 2,000 people have been arrested during pro-Palestinian protests at about 40 universities in 25 states.

Despite Ukraine's insistence, the G7 countries reportedly no longer have the idea of full confiscation of frozen Russian assets on the table, instead exploring alternative ways to obtain funds from these assets to support Ukraine.

Biden called Japan, India, Russia, and China "xenophobes" for not accepting more immigrants, arguing that encouraging immigration would boost their economies.

Apple reported disappointing quarterly results due to weak demand in China and stiff competition from Huawei, but remains optimistic about the long-term potential of China and other markets such as India, announcing a record $110 billion share buyback plan and hinting at future AI product launches.

The United States and Japan will jointly develop a new missile defense system worth about $3 billion to intercept hypersonic weapons by 2030.

The United States plans to impose new sanctions on organizations that facilitate arms and oil trade between Russia and North Korea by the end of the month, in coordination with allies such as the EU, the UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.

The Philippines summoned China's ambassador after the Chinese coast guard used powerful water cannons against Philippine ships patrolling the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, damaging the vessels and escalating tensions around the disputed area.

Biden believes that "xenophobia" in China, Japan, and India is contributing to the slowdown in economic growth in these countries.

South Korea held talks on joining the second phase of the AUKUS defense pact, aimed at exchanging military technologies, with the possibility of providing its defense, scientific and technological capabilities.

73 farms in Kherson Oblast received 300 tons of spring wheat seeds and 145 farmers received sunflower seeds from international partners such as FAO, with support from the governments of Japan and Norway.

Japan's Osaka-Kansai Airport hasn't lost a single piece of luggage in its 30 years of operation thanks to careful design optimized for efficient baggage handling and tracking.

The G7 energy ministers are discussing setting a common target date of 2035 for the closure of coal-fired power plants, a significant step toward the phase-out of fossil fuels.

Japanese authorities will block one of the most famous photo spots near Mount Fuji to combat bad tourist behavior, including littering and illegal parking.