TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan approves air force reorganization to boost space defense
TOKYO - Japan's parliament on Friday enacted legislation to rename the Japan Air Self-Defense Force as the Japan Aerospace Self-Defense Force, reflecting the country's push to bolster its space defense capabilities amid a rapidly changing security environment.
The restructured unit, to be launched during the fiscal year ending March 2027, will establish a space operations group under the command of a lieutenant general to improve space domain awareness and satellite surveillance capabilities.
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Ukraine foreign minister to visit Japan next week to deepen ties
TOKYO - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is scheduled to visit Japan next week to hold talks with his counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi to deepen bilateral ties, the Japanese government said Friday.
Sybiha's three-day visit from Tuesday comes after Japan recently sent government officials to Russia, accompanied by members of its top business lobby, despite backing continued sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.
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Japanese emperor, empress return from Europe, stress next-generation ties
TOKYO - Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako returned to Tokyo on Friday after official visits to the Netherlands and Belgium, saying they hoped the trip had helped strengthen ties with the two countries for future generations.
In a statement released through the Imperial Household Agency, the couple thanked both countries for their warm welcome and said the visits had deepened their understanding of the friendship Japan has nurtured with them.
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IAEA chief says had "initial" contact with Iran over nuclear inspections
TOKYO - International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said Friday the nuclear watchdog has had "initial technical contact" with Iranian officials over nuclear inspections following a preliminary agreement reached by Tehran and the United States to end their war.
Since the agreement was signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last week, "We had one technical meeting and we hope to continue, either at my level or at technical levels, in the next few days," he said in an interview with Kyodo News in Tokyo, adding that there is no specific date.
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Honda CEO apologizes for 1st annual net loss, vows return to growth path
TOKYO - Honda Motor Co.'s top executive apologized Friday to shareholders for the company's first full-year loss since its 1957 listing for the year ended March and vowed to transform its automobile business into a stable and profitable source of earnings over the next three years.
Due to losses tied to a revamp of its electric vehicle business, the automaker reported a net loss of 423.94 billion yen ($2.6 billion) for fiscal 2025. However, it expects to return to profitability this fiscal year.
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Godiva Japan mulls sponsorship amid poor sales, soaring raw material costs
TOKYO - Godiva Japan Inc. is considering restructuring its business by securing sponsorship as the Japanese branch of the premium chocolatier continues to struggle with poor sales since the COVID-19 pandemic, sources familiar with the matter said Friday.
In its restructuring plans, the chocolatier -- which has been hit by soaring cacao bean and labor costs -- may also reassign employees and look for ways to ease procurement costs, according to the sources.
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Japan's Takaichi to visit India next week for talks with PM Modi
TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will make a three-day trip to India next week to meet with her counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi, a government official said Friday.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato told the House of Councillors' steering committee that Takaichi will visit India from Wednesday, according to the official.
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Football: Moriyasu, players up for Brazil as Japan handed latest hurdle
ARLINGTON, Texas - After navigating through a tough group, the ultimate World Cup test awaits Japan next, when they take on record five-time champions Brazil in Houston on Monday in the round of 32.
The two nations will meet for the first time since Hajime Moriyasu's side beat the Carlo Ancelotti-led Selecao 3-2 in a home friendly last October, which was the Samurai Blue's first-ever win against the formidable South Americans at the senior level.
