Kyoto News Digest: July 15, 2023

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Rain is falling in northeastern Japan, and Akita residents are fleeing an overflowing river

TOKYO – Heavy rains pounded northeastern Japan on Saturday, prompting some residents to rush to safety after a river in the prefectural capital of Akita burst its banks, local officials said.

Two people were taken to hospital after a landslide hit a house in the city, rescue workers said.

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Japan’s willingness to engage with North Korea will test the patience of allies

JAKARTA – Even as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says he is willing to engage in high-level exchanges with North Korea, Japan must perform a careful balancing act to avoid undermining its alliances with the United States and South Korea.

Pyongyang did not immediately reject Kishida’s offer. However, some experts do not believe the two countries have made any significant progress behind the scenes, warning that North Korea may try to negotiate with Japan to create rifts in the trilateral alliance.

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Japanese police to launch new unit to crack down on scams targeting the elderly

TOKYO – Japanese police plan to launch a new unit next spring based in the Tokyo metropolitan area to investigate a growing number of scams across the country that often target the elderly, with a new team comprising police officers from around the country, officials said Saturday.

The special fraud cases, set up in 2005, are expected to have more members and a bigger stake than the team set up to deal with scams such as impersonating children of the elderly and asking for emergency money transfers. by telephone.

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Casio’s 1st G-Shock watch model to feature the 3D trademark

TOKYO — Casio Computer Co.’s first-edition G-Shock watch has trademarked its three-dimensional shape, Japan’s patent authority says, making its unique design recognizable to consumers.

According to Casio, the product, popular for its durability and as a fashion piece, is the first wristwatch without any printed words to be listed under a specific trademark category by the Japan Patent Office. The filing is expected to help the Japanese electronics giant fight the spread of counterfeit products.

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Introduction of Men’s Team Artistic Swimming in World Cupship

FUKUGA – Male competitors took part in team artistic swimming for the first time at the World Aquatics Championships on Saturday, a change that will continue at next year’s Paris Olympics.

In the preliminary round of the acrobatic routine, 18-year-old Yotaro Sato and seven women competed for host Japan at the Marine Messe Fukuoka, where they finished fourth to qualify for Monday’s final.

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Singapore minister arrested in anti-corruption investigation

Singapore – Singapore Transport Minister S. The country’s anti-corruption agency said on Saturday that Iswaran had been arrested.

Iswaran was arrested on Tuesday but later released on bail, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau told Kyodo News.

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Baseball: Ohtani, Angels start 2nd half with tough loss

ANAHEIM, California — Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani had a disappointing start to the second half of his season on Friday, taking the loss on the mound in a shutout game against the division rival Houston Astros.

Ohtani (7-5) gave up five earned runs on five hits in five-plus innings at Angel Stadium as the Angels lost 7-5 to the Astros in their first game back from the All-Star break. The Angels have dropped six games in a row.

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Indo-Pacific talks highlight divisions over N. Korea, Ukraine

JAKARTA – Top diplomats from the Indo-Pacific region were divided at a meeting in Jakarta on Friday over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed concern over the situation in the East and South China Seas at the 27-member ASEAN Regional Forum.

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Video: Beetle-touching experience for kids at Tokyo Skytree