Kyodo News Brief: Nov. 13, 2025

Here is the most recent compilation of selected news summaries from Kyodo News. ---------- China calls on Japanese PM Takaichi to quickly ...

Here is the most recent compilation of selected news summaries from Kyodo News.

----------

China calls on Japanese PM Takaichi to quickly withdraw her comments regarding Taiwan

BEIJING - China called on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to promptly correct and withdraw her recent "serious" comments regarding her nation's possible role in a Taiwan crisis, cautioning that Tokyo will face "all the consequences" if she does not.

At a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, "If Japan attempts any military involvement in the Taiwan Strait, it would be considered an act of aggression, and China will react firmly."

----------

Japan and Fiji leaders commit to enhancing relations in security and other important fields

TOKYO - On Thursday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Fijian counterpart, Sitiveni Rabuka, pledged to take bilateral relations to "new levels" in critical areas like security, as Japan seeks to tackle Pacific island nations' worries regarding China's growing naval influence.

In a joint declaration following their meeting in Tokyo, the leaders committed to tackle "shared challenges affecting regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity" grounded in mutual principles such as "resistance to any unilateral efforts to alter the current situation through force or pressure."

----------

Taiwan notes an unusual break in nearby Chinese military operations

TAIPEI - In an unusual occurrence, Taiwan's Defense Ministry stated on Thursday that no mainland Chinese military aircraft or naval vessels were observed near the island during the last 48 hours.

The government has noted nearly daily military actions by mainland China near the island this year, such as naval vessels and fighter jets crossing the central line of the Taiwan Strait or entering Taiwan's air defense identification zone.

----------

Japan's government increases gasoline subsidy to lower costs before tax is eliminated

TOKYO - On Thursday, the Japanese government increased its gasoline subsidy by 5 yen ($0.03) to 15 yen per liter as a short-term action to control prices and reduce the financial pressure on families before the scheduled removal of the current temporary fuel tax at year's end.

The government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to raise its subsidy every two weeks, aiming for approximately 25 yen by December 11, at which point it will essentially eliminate the temporary tax, according to the energy agency.

----------

Chinese court confirms 7-year prison term for journalist due to information disclosure to Japan

BEIJING - A senior editor from a prominent Chinese newspaper linked to the ruling Communist Party has had his seven-year prison sentence confirmed by the Beijing high court, following an appeal. He was convicted of leaking information to Japanese diplomats, according to sources involved in the case.

The Beijing High People's Court dismissed an appeal from Dong Yuyu, a former deputy editor of the Guangming Daily, who maintained his innocence in the espionage charges during the initial hearing of his appeal in March.

----------

Olympics: International Olympic Committee exploring the possibility of relocating certain events from the Summer to the Winter Olympics

GENEVA - The International Olympic Committee is seriously thinking about relocating certain events from the Summer Olympics to the Winter Olympics, according to several sources involved in the discussion who informed Kyodo News on Wednesday.

The concept stems from the IOC's attempts to reduce expenses as the cost of organizing a Summer Olympics continues to rise, although the practicality of such a major shift is uncertain given resistance from sports federations.

----------

A man received a suspended sentence for a hit-and-run incident near Tokyo that injured four boys.

SAITAMA, Japan - A Japanese court on Thursday handed down a prison sentence of two years and six months, with a four-year suspension, to a man involved in a hit-and-run incident north of Tokyo that resulted in injuries to four elementary school boys.

The Koshigaya Branch of the Saitama District Court determined that Chinese citizen Deng Hongpeng, 43, "left the scene in an attempt to evade detection for driving while intoxicated."

----------

Sumo: Aonishiki suffered his first loss as Onosato and Fujinokawa take the lead in the Kyushu tournament

FUKUOKA - New sekiwake Aonishiki faced his initial loss at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday, confirming that yokozuna Onosato and No. 12 maegashira Fujinokawa are the sole undefeated competitors following five days of competition.

Aonishiki (4-1) suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of Wakatakakage (1-4), who was not in good form, during the event held at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. The top-ranked maegashira moved to his left to avoid the Ukrainian rising star's usual low drive and then pushed him down from behind.

----------

VIDEO: Bear causes interruptions at Iwate Hanamaki Airport