By Joby Aviation Inc

Copyright kyodonews

TOKYO – The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

Japan big makers’ confidence up in Sept. on tariff deal, outlook murky: BOJ

TOKYO – Business confidence among major Japanese manufacturers improved for the second consecutive quarter after a deal to lower U.S. tariffs, but the outlook was clouded by caution over the impact of the levies, the Bank of Japan’s Tankan survey showed Wednesday.

The sentiment index measuring confidence among companies such as those in the auto and electronics sectors rose to 14 in September from 13 three months earlier, slightly falling short of the average market forecast of 15 in a Kyodo News tally.

Japan negotiator hopes next PM to follow through on tariff deal with U.S.

TOKYO – Japan’s top tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said Wednesday he hopes the country’s next leadership will continue efforts to realize the $550 billion in investments in the United States that Tokyo has promised in return for reaching a trade deal.

“The investment initiative is intended to create a supply chain that is crucial to U.S. economic security and beneficial for both countries,” Akazawa said ahead of the ruling party’s leadership contest Saturday to elect a successor to outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Chinese survey ship spotted in southwest Japan EEZ for 3rd time in week

KAGOSHIMA, Japan – A Chinese survey ship was confirmed Wednesday to have extended a pipe-like object into waters within Japan’s exclusive economic zone off Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, the coast guard said, suspecting maritime research was conducted for the third time in a week.

The Japan Coast Guard spotted the same vessel, the Xiang Yang Hong 22, on Sunday and Tuesday engaging in similar activities in the same general area.

Japan Post ordered to suspend light van use over alcohol testing failures

TOKYO – Japan’s transport ministry on Wednesday ordered 111 post offices across the nation to stop using light vans for parcel and mail deliveries for up to 160 days, after they failed to properly conduct alcohol testing for drivers.

The suspension order affecting 188 small delivery vehicles at the post offices will take effect on Oct. 8, potentially adding to the strain in some areas on one of the key everyday services. Nine post offices in five prefectures will have no light vans for delivery for up to five months.

Over 60 dead after M6.9 quake hits off Philippines’ Cebu island

MANILA – The death toll from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit off the island province of Cebu in the central Philippines reached 69, with 147 others injured, government officials said Wednesday.

The temblor struck at 9:59 p.m. Tuesday in waters 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo in the island’s north, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

U.S. government partially shut down for 1st time in nearly 7 years

WASHINGTON – The U.S. government partially shut down on Wednesday for the first time in almost seven years, after senators failed to agree on a last-minute bill to temporarily extend federal funding for seven weeks.

President Donald Trump’s Republican Party and the opposition Democrats pointed fingers at each other ahead of the shutdown deadline, and it remains unclear how they will find ways to break the impasse over a potential deal to fund the government.

Baseball: Former Yankees ace Tanaka relieved to reach 200-win milestone

TOKYO – Former New York Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka said he felt a weight off his shoulders Wednesday after becoming the fourth pitcher to earn 200 career wins spanning Japanese baseball and the U.S. majors.

The 36-year-old right-hander reached the milestone the previous day in his last game of the regular season for the Yomiuri Giants, pitching the home team to a 4-2 victory against the Chunichi Dragons at Tokyo Dome.

Luxury hotel opens near Nagoya Castle, rooms priced up to 3.75 mil. yen

NAGOYA – A new luxury hotel opened in Nagoya on Wednesday, with standard room prices as high as 3.75 million yen ($25,000) per night, as it seeks to attract affluent tourists with its panoramic view of nearby Nagoya Castle.

The 11-story Espacio Nagoya Castle, designed in the style of a Japanese castle, has 100 guest rooms themed after Japanese samurai culture and traditional crafts, according to its operator Espacio Enterprise Co.

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