Kyodo News Digest Nov. 9: Quake Hits Central Japan, 20+ Hurt
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake injured more than 20 people in Aichi and Shizuoka, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi renewed her abduction pledge, and Kao Miura reached the Grand Prix Final. Here are the main Japan stories in the Kyodo News Digest Nov. 9.
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 struck central Japan at 1:04 a.m., injuring more than 20 people in Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures, authorities said. It leads the Kyodo News Digest Nov. 9 list of Japan's main stories.
The quake originated in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture at a depth of about 40 kilometers. It registered upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale in Chita, Aichi, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. No tsunami warning was issued.
Takaichi on abductions
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed her determination to secure the return of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea decades ago. She said her administration has kept pressing Pyongyang for their release.
Speaking at a gathering in Tokyo on the issue, Takaichi voiced frustration at the lack of tangible progress since she took office. "There is no change in my resolve to find a breakthrough at any cost while I am in office," she said.
Fire in Ibaraki
Police recovered two bodies, believed to be a man and a child, after a fire engulfed a house in Yuki, Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo.
Six residents lived in the house and another six in an adjacent house on the same premises. Police said all were Pakistani.
Sports results
In football, J.League first-division title rivals Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Machida Zelvia played out a scoreless draw. Hiroshima stayed third on 30 points, three behind leaders FC Tokyo. Machida were fourth on 29.
At the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, yokozuna Onosato lost on the opening day as he began his bid for back-to-back championships. Komusubi Yoshinofuji thrust him down at the edge, improving to 5-1 in their head-to-head series.
Japan's Kao Miura won the men's title at the figure skating Cup of China in Shenzhen. He earned a berth in next month's Grand Prix Final.
Miura led after the short program and set personal bests of 190.35 points in the free skate and 293.25 overall. It was the third event of this season's Grand Prix Series.
In golf, Shuri Sakuma won the Toto Japan Classic, giving Japanese players a third consecutive victory on the U.S. LPGA Tour. The tournament at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Ibaraki Prefecture is jointly sanctioned by the U.S. LPGA Tour and the Japan LPGA Tour.
Entertainment
Nocchi of the techno-pop group Perfume has married actor Kento Shibuya, her talent agency announced on its official website. Nocchi, whose real name is Ayano Omoto, is 38.
"I will continue to take on new challenges and grow so that I can keep creating enjoyable moments with all of you," she said in a press release.
The digest also lists two items without detail: plans to bring Nagasaki's A-bombed Virgin Mary to the U.S., and Russian President Vladimir Putin placing Japan Tobacco's Russia assets under local management.
