Kyodo News Update: Nov. 20, 2025

TOKYO - The following is the most recent compilation of curated news briefs from Kyodo News. ---------- U.S. envoy in Japan criticizes Chi...

TOKYO - The following is the most recent compilation of curated news briefs from Kyodo News.

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U.S. envoy in Japan criticizes China's reaction to Takaichi's comments

TOKYO - On Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass criticized China's latest reaction to comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan, describing its statements as "provocative" and its economic actions as "coercive."

China's actions are "highly unproductive and threaten regional stability," Glass said to reporters following a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. "This represents a typical example of Chinese economic pressure."

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LDP to address three non-nuclear guidelines: policy head

TOKYO - The governing Liberal Democratic Party needs to deliberate on any security measures, including Japan's three longstanding principles of not possessing, manufacturing, or allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons, according to its policy director on Thursday.

"As the governing party, it is our duty to engage in discussions without any taboos," Takayuki Kobayashi stated at a press briefing as the LDP began talks on updating Japan's three main security documents, amid escalating security threats from China and North Korea.

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Continuing dispute with Japan leads China to cancel trilateral meeting of cultural ministers

BEIJING - The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday that comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan influenced Beijing's choice to delay a trilateral meeting of culture ministers with Japan and South Korea.

The South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated that it was informed by China on Tuesday that the meeting, which was scheduled for next Monday in Macau, has been delayed.

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Taiwan's Lai expresses backing for Japan through a sushi-related social media update under pressure from China

TOKYO - Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te expressed backing for Japan on Thursday by sharing a social media post featuring a picture of himself getting ready to enjoy a sushi meal, just after China resumed its previously lifted restriction on imports of Japanese seafood amid a growing dispute between the two nations.

"Today's meal consists of sushi and miso soup," Lai mentioned in a Facebook update, highlighting that it featured "yellowtail from Kagoshima and scallops from Hokkaido." The update was also posted on X.

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A BOJ official indicates the necessity of interest rate increases to prevent market distortions

NIIGATA, Japan - On Thursday, a member of the Bank of Japan's board urged for an increase in interest rates to prevent future imbalances, stating that present levels are "considerably low" when considering inflation.

"I think the bank should move forward with interest rate normalization — meaning bringing real interest rates back to a balanced state — in order to prevent creating unexpected distortions later," Junko Koeda stated in a speech in Niigata.

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Another security issue discovered at TEPCO's Kashiwazaki nuclear facility

TOKYO - On Thursday, Japan's nuclear regulatory authority reported that another defective anti-terrorism measure was discovered at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear facility, which is managed by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority held an urgent meeting to address the recent revelation that a TEPCO employee had created an unauthorized copy of a classified document in June and kept it in his desk at the facility in Niigata Prefecture, located northwest of Tokyo.

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Major fire in southwest Japan largely under control, uninhabited areas still on fire

OITA, Japan - A large fire that has been burning for three days in a southern Japanese prefecture has been contained, except on an uninhabited island where it spread, according to the city of Oita on Thursday. The incident resulted in one fatality and approximately 170 structures being destroyed.

Local firefighters and the Self-Defense Forces collaborated to put out the fire, with an SDF helicopter pouring water over the area on Thursday morning. The blaze has burned approximately 48,900 square meters in the Saganoseki port district of Oita since it was initially reported to the police on Tuesday afternoon.

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Sumo: Onosato and Hoshoryu remain tied at the top with Ukrainian wrestler Aonishiki

FUKUOKA - Yokozuna Onosato and Hoshoryu stayed at the forefront along with Ukrainian rising star Aonishiki on Thursday, as all three top contenders advanced to 10-2 in the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Onosato recovered from two consecutive defeats by defeating sekiwake Oho, Hoshoryu surpassed komusubi Takayasu in a prolonged contest, and sekiwake Aonishiki overcame a regular-ranked opponent named Oshoma on Day 12 of the 15-day event held at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

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Video: 1 person dies as a fire destroys over 170 buildings in western Japan