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Kyodo news summary -3-(Japan Economic Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ---------- N. Korea leader "guided" test-firing of rockets: KCNA BEIJING - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "guided" the test-firing of short-range rockets off his country's east coast on Thursday, its official media reported Friday. Kim, who doubles as supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, visited an observation post and issued the order to launch the "ultra-precision high-performance tactical" rockets, the Korean Central News Agency reported. ---------- Park proposes creation of nuclear safety body in Northeast Asia SEOUL - South Korean President Park Geun Hye on Friday proposed the creation of a body to ensure nuclear plants in Northeast Asia are operated safely, involving mainly South Korea, China and Japan. "I propose creating a consultative body for nuclear safety in Northeast Asia with South Korea, China and Japan being the central participants," Park said in a speech delivered on National Liberation Day, marking the end of Japan's colonial rule in 1945. ---------- Abe renews peace pledge on 69th anniversary of WWII's end TOKYO - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe renewed his pledge Friday to contribute to world peace at a ceremony marking the 69th anniversary of the end of World War II, amid concern that Japan may be shifting away from pacifism under his leadership. The ceremony followed the decision of Abe's Cabinet on July 1 to approve reinterpreting the Constitution to allow the Self-Defense Forces to defend allies under armed attack in collective self-defense. ---------- Sony to make image sensors for automobile-mounted cameras TOKYO - Sony Corp. will start making image sensors for automobile-mounted cameras, with their mass production slated to begin next year, company sources said Friday. By expanding into the growing automotive camera market, as automakers seek to develop automated-driving vehicles and other smart cars, the major Japanese electronics company aims to improve its sluggish electronics business. ---------- Tokyo stocks edge down in morning after recent rally TOKYO - Tokyo shares edged lower Friday morning as investors locked in profits following recent gains in thin trading during Japan's Bon summer holiday season. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 20.66 points, or 0.13 percent, from Thursday to 15,293.91. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 1.67 points, or 0.13 percent, at 1,268.83. ---------- Japan's key bond yield falls below 0.5%, 1st time since April 2013 TOKYO - The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond fell Friday morning, dropping below 0.5 percent for the first time since April 2013, when the Bank of Japan implemented large-scale monetary easing steps. The yield on the No. 334, 0.6 percent issue, the main yardstick of long-term interest rates, ended morning interdealer trading at 0.495 percent, down 0.005 percentage point from Thursday's close. ---------- Abe to hold summit talks with India's Modi on Sept. 1 in Tokyo TOKYO - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tokyo on Sept. 1 to strengthen the two countries' "strategic global partnership," the government said Friday. In an official visit to Japan from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, Modi, who became prime minister in May, will have an audience with Emperor Akihito on Sept. 2, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a news conference. ---------- PM Abe sends ritual offering, 2 ministers visit war-linked shrine TOKYO - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a ritual offering and two of his Cabinet ministers visited the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a source of friction with neighboring Asian nations, as Friday marked the 69th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. Abe was expected not to visit this time, after his contentious December visit to the Shinto shrine, the first in seven years by a sitting Japanese leader, infuriated China and South Korea and disappointed the United States, Tokyo's key ally. ---------- Dollar firm at mid-102 yen on hopes for easing geopolitical concerns TOKYO - The U.S. dollar held firm in the mid-102 yen range on Friday morning in Tokyo as hopes for receding geopolitical tensions lessened the yen's appeal as a relative safe haven in times of uncertainty. At noon, the dollar fetched 102.50-53 yen compared with 102.40-50 yen in New York and 102.46-48 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday. (c) 2014 Kyodo News |