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Japan provides $13.5 mn humanitarian aid to Afghanistan: WFP

The aid will help the WFP deliver emergency food and nutrition assistance to food-insecure people…reports Asian Lite News

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the humanitarian aid of USD 13.5 million from Japan to the Afghan people, as reported by TOLO News.

The aid will help the WFP deliver emergency food and nutrition assistance to food-insecure people, support schoolchildren to learn better and keep the United Nations Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) operational.

Najib, a 12-year-old student who works with his father in Kabul, said that he is trying to support his five-member family by working and wishes that their economic challenges would end.

“We want the government to provide work opportunities for my father so that we can continue our studies,” he added.

The World Food Programme highlighted that with the help of this aid, the organisation will reach nearly 6,00,000 food-insecure people through food assistance, TOLO News reported.

“With this contribution, WFP plans to reach nearly 630,000 food-insecure people through food assistance and treat more than 42,000 malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children. Almost 36,000 schoolchildren in primary school will receive fortified biscuits as daily school snacks to help them stay healthy and learn better,” they stated.

Some residents of the capital, facing economic challenges, asked the Taliban to distribute id to the needy in a transparent manner, according to TOLO News.

Barat Khan, a Kabul resident, said, “We earn 200 to 250 Afghanis a day and our family members are large, so the money is not sufficient.”

Ziaullah, another resident of Kabul, emphasised that help should be given to those who really deserve it.

“Help should be given to those who really deserve it, and the government should have full cooperation in this area.”

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, appreciated the help received by the organisation and said that they want more help from them.

“The economic situation in Afghanistan is normal and it is affected after the war and forty years of war have passed in this country. The countries that help us should increase their cooperation. We appreciate their help and we want more help from them, but the distribution of aid will be good,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy welcomed the aid of the countries of the world to Afghanistan and emphasised the continuation of this aid in the development and infrastructure programmes of the country, according to TOLO News.

Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesman for the Ministry of Economy, said, “In addition to humanitarian aid, donor organisations and countries should focus on employment-generating sectors that lead to job opportunities through the implementation of development projects.”

Earlier, WFP announced USD 2.2 million from Denmark for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and said that the total aid of this country to Afghanistan since 2015 has reached USD 36.4 million. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India advocates stability, development in Afghanistan

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Japan Looks Forward to Promoting Space Cooperation With India

The team is also working to gather all of the scientific data obtained by the lander. The lander was able to release its two lunar rovers, LEV-1 and LEV-2…reports Asian Lite News

Japanese Ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for congratulating Japan on its soft landing on the Moon. Suzuki stated that he looked forward to promoting cooperation between India and Japan in space exploration.

In a post shared on X, Hiroshi Suzuki stated, “Thank you, Prime Minister Modi ji !Looking forward to promoting Japan-India cooperation in space exploration.” He made the comments on social media platform X in response to PM Modi’s post on X.

PM Modi on Saturday congratulated Japanese PM Fumio Kishida for achieving its first soft landing on the moon and said that India is looking forward to the cooperation between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Japan became only the fifth nation to successfully complete the soft landing on the moon in the late hours of Saturday.

Taking to X, PM Modi stated, “Congratulations Prime Minister @Kishida230 and everyone at JAXA on achieving Japan’s first soft Moon landing. India looks forward to our cooperation in space exploration between @isro and JAXA.”

PM Modi responded to the post of his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida who had congratulated everyone involved in the mission for the successful landing of the ‘Slim’ on the moon.’

Taking to X, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida stated, “It is very welcome news that the small lunar landing demonstration vehicle “Slim” (@SLIM_JAXA) has successfully landed on the moon, although detailed analysis is required as the solar cells are not generating electricity. We would like to express our respect to everyone involved for their efforts thus far, and we will continue to support them as they take on further challenges.”

Japan created history by becoming only the fifth nation to successfully complete the soft landing on the moon with its ‘Moon Sniper’ robotic explorer, but fear looms that the mission may end prematurely since the spacecraft’s solar cell is not generating electricity, CNN reported, citing the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The lander’s solar power system was not working, with its battery believed to have run out within a few hours of landing, Kyodo News reported. Earlier, JAXA officials said they suspected that the built-in power generation system was not properly facing the sun and could start to function once sunlight conditions change.

The solar cell issue persisted as the spacecraft is not pointing in the intended direction, JAXA officials earlier said. According to CNN, there is still hope that as the solar angle changes on the moon, the solar cell may be able to charge again. However, that may take some time and will depend on whether SLIM can survive the frigid lunar night, the team shared during a news conference.

The uncrewed Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, mission landed just after 10:20 am ET Friday (12:20 am local time), according to telemetry data shared on JAXA’s live broadcast.

The agency believes the mission has met the criteria to declare it a “minimum success,” because the spacecraft achieved a precise and soft lunar landing using optical navigation. The landing makes Japan the third country to land on the moon this century, and the fifth overall.

When asked to score the landing operation for SLIM, JAXA director general Hitoshi Kuninaka gave it a “60 out of 100,” while also mentioning that he is known for making “harsh comments.”

The team is also working to gather all of the scientific data obtained by the lander. The lander was able to release its two lunar rovers, LEV-1 and LEV-2.

The LEV-1 rover moves using a hopping mechanism and is equipped with wide-angle visible light cameras, scientific equipment and antennas that allow it to communicate with Earth, CNN reported. The LEV-2 also outfitted with cameras, can change shape to move across the lunar surface.

The small-scale SLIM robotic explorer, which launched in September, goes by the nickname “Moon Sniper” as it carried new precision technology to demonstrate a “pinpoint” landing.

Previously, lunar missions have been able to target and reach specific zones that spanned many kilometres, but the SLIM lander targeted a landing site that stretches just 100 meters (328 feet) across.

The lander’s “smart eyes” — an image-matching-based navigation technology — rapidly photographed the lunar surface on approach and autonomously made adjustments as the spacecraft descended to touchdown on a sloped surface, as reported by CNN. The JAXA team is still working to determine the accuracy of SLIM’s landing, which could take up to a month. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Japan Makes Historic Moon Landing But Suffers Hiccup

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Japan Makes Historic Moon Landing But Suffers Hiccup

The spacecraft’s solar cell is not generating electricity. Currently, the lander is operating on limited battery power, only expected to last several hours, reports Asian Lite News

Japan created history by becoming only the fifth nation to successfully complete the soft landing on the moon with its ‘Moon Sniper’ robotic explorer, but fear looms that the mission may end prematurely since the spacecraft’s solar cell is not generating electricity, CNN reported, citing the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The agency said it is currently receiving a signal from the lander, which is communicating as expected.

The uncrewed Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, mission landed just after 10:20 am ET Friday (12:20 am local time), according to telemetry data shared on JAXA’s live broadcast.

Currently, the lander is operating on limited battery power, only expected to last several hours, and the JAXA team is analyzing the data to determine the cause of the solar cell issue and the next steps for the lander. The solar cell issue may be because the spacecraft is not pointing in the intended direction, JAXA officials said.

According to CNN, there is still hope that as the solar angle changes on the moon, the solar cell may be able to charge again, but that may take some time and will depend on whether SLIM can survive the frigid lunar night, the team shared during a news conference.

The agency believes the mission has met the criteria to declare it a “minimum success,” because the spacecraft achieved a precise and soft lunar landing using optical navigation. The landing makes Japan the third country to land on the moon this century, and the fifth overall.

When asked to score the landing operation for SLIM, JAXA director general Dr. Hitoshi Kuninaka gave it a “60 out of 100,” while also mentioning that he is known for making “harsh comments.”

The team is also working to gather all of the scientific data obtained by the lander.

The lander was able to release its two lunar rovers, LEV-1 and LEV-2. The LEV-1 rover moves using a hopping mechanism and is equipped with wide-angle visible light cameras, scientific equipment and antennas that allow it to communicate with Earth, CNN reported. The LEV-2 also outfitted with cameras, can change shape to move across the lunar surface.

Meanwhile, the team is receiving a signal from LEV-1 and will see if its cameras were able to capture any images, and they will not definitively confirm the status of LEV-2 until more data is received.

The small-scale SLIM robotic explorer, which launched in September, goes by the nickname “Moon Sniper” because it carried new precision technology to demonstrate a “pinpoint” landing.

Previous lunar missions have been able to target and reach specific zones that spanned many kilometres, but the SLIM lander targeted a landing site that stretches just 100 meters (328 feet) across. The lander’s “smart eyes” — an image-matching-based navigation technology — rapidly photographed the lunar surface on approach and autonomously made adjustments as the spacecraft descended to touchdown on a sloped surface, as reported by CNN.

The JAXA team is still working to determine the accuracy of SLIM’s landing, which could take up to a month. (ANI)

ALSO READ: ‘US to Include Int’l Astronaut on NASA’s Artemis Moon Mission by 2030’

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Japanese Communist Party Makes History with First Female Chairperson

The decision was made during the JCP’s four-day quadrennial party congress which concluded on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency… reports Asian Lite News

The Japanese Communist Party (JCP) on Thursday decided to appoint incumbent policy chief Tomoko Tamura as the new chairperson, marking the first female head in the party’s century-long history.

The decision was made during the JCP’s four-day quadrennial party congress which concluded on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Key personnel changes within the party’s leadership were made.

Kazuo Shii, 69, had served as the chairperson since 2006 and is expected to transition to the role of chairman of the party’s Central Committee, filling a vacancy that has existed since the retirement of Tetsuzo Fuwa.

The 58-year-old Tamura, a native of Nagano prefecture, entered politics after working as a parliamentary secretary and secured her first election victory in the 2010 House of Councillors contest.

She is currently serving her third term in office as the JCP’s Policy Commission chairperson and House of Councillors member.

The JCP leadership change was seen as part of the party’s broader strategy to promote gender diversity and facilitate a generational shift of its top leaders, according to local reports.

The reports noted that the JCP aims to leverage these changes to expand its political influence and appeal to a wider demographic.

ALSO READ-‘India and Japan are Special Strategic Global Partners’

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‘India and Japan are Special Strategic Global Partners’

Vice Minister Shin reiterated the special strategic partnership between India and Japan, highlighting the significant investments made by Japanese corporations in India…reports Asian Lite News

The inauguration day of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 resonated with a message of deepening economic collaboration as Hosaka Shin, for InterVice Ministernational Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan, took the stage.

Vice Minister Shin reiterated the special strategic partnership between India and Japan, highlighting the significant investments made by Japanese corporations in India.

Shin said, “India and Japan are special strategic global partners. Up to this point, Japanese corporations have continued to invest in India, with a cumulative amount of investment between 2000 and 2023 reaching 38.3 billion dollars. This amount is second in the world.”

His address focused on the substantial economic cooperation, with Japanese corporations having made remarkable investments in India.

The Vice Minister’s announcement signifies Japan’s commitment to fostering stronger economic ties with India.

The cumulative investment figure stands as a testament to the confidence Japanese corporations have placed in the Indian market.

This economic collaboration extends across various sectors, reflecting the diversification of investments over the years.

As the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit serves as a platform for nations to explore and strengthen economic ties, Vice Minister Shin’s remarks highlight the special nature of the partnership between India and Japan.

The commitment to continued investment reinforces the strategic importance both nations place on each other in the global economic landscape.

Earlier, President of Suzuki Motors, Toshihiro Suzuki, expressed his honour at being invited to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 and lauded the remarkable growth of the Indian automobile market in the past decade.

Acknowledging the strong leadership and unwavering support of Prime Minister Modi, Suzuki emphasized that India has now secured its position as the third-largest automobile market globally.

During his address at the summit, President Toshihiro Suzuki announced Suzuki Motors’ groundbreaking venture into the electric vehicle (EV) market.

He said, “I am honoured to be invited to this ceremony. In the past 10 years, under the strong leadership and constant support of PM Modi, the Indian automobile market has been expanding steadily. As a result, India has become the third-largest automobile market in the world. Suzuki has also scaled up production capacity substantially in India.”

Highlighting the international scope of their EV initiative, Suzuki outlined plans to export the new model not only to the Indian market but also to Japan and European counter.

The collaborative efforts between India and Japan are not only a reflection of shared economic interests but also a demonstration of the trust and friendship that have flourished over the years.

Vice Minister Hosaka Shin’s address sets a positive tone for the summit, emphasizing the potential for further growth and collaboration between the two nations in the coming years. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Death Toll Rises to 64 in Japan Earthquake Series

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Japan plans regulation to curb Google, Apple app stores

Apple App Store, Google Play

The bill would focus on four areas — app stores and payments, search, browsers, and operating systems, the report mentioned…reports Asian Lite News

Japan is reportedly working on a regulation that would require Google and Apple app stores to allow third-party platforms and their billing systems.

The new regulation would ask Apple and Google to allow outside app stores and payments on their mobile operating systems, reports Nikkei Asia.

The move is aimed at curbing their monopolies in the Japanese market. According to the report, the legislation, slated to be sent to the parliament in 2024, would restrict moves by platform operators to keep users in the operators’ own ecosystems and shut out rivals.

The bill would focus on four areas — app stores and payments, search, browsers, and operating systems, the report mentioned.

The bill would empower the Japanese Fair Trade Commission to fine violators and likely only impact foreign companies, according to Nikkei Asia.

“If this is modelled on existing antitrust law, the penalties would generally amount to around 6 per cent of revenue earned from the problematic activities,” said the report.

Currently, in-app payments must go through Apple’s system, which takes a commission of up to 30 per cent. Although Google allows third-party app distribution platforms, it still requires apps to use its billing system.

ALSO READ-Ex-Japan PM Commends Global Peace Drive in Hyderabad

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Ex-Japan PM Commends Global Peace Drive in Hyderabad

Hatoyama, known for his advocacy of ‘fraternity’ – fostering friendship and love among nations for the greater good – expressed profound admiration for the accomplishments of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi….reports Asian Lite News

In a historic and visionary message addressed to Dr Tony Nader, esteemed Chairman of the Global Union of Scientists for Peace, Dr Yukio Hatoyama, former Prime Minister of Japan (2009-2010), enthusiastically commended the upcoming 10,000 for World Peace Assembly at the serene Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad.

This unprecedented assembly, drawing participation from world leaders, dignitaries, and esteemed guests, is dedicated to advancing global harmony through the transformative practices of transcendental meditation and TM-Sidhi programmes.

Hatoyama, known for his advocacy of ‘fraternity’ – fostering friendship and love among nations for the greater good – expressed profound admiration for the accomplishments of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

He specifically highlighted the verifiable impact of transcendental meditation and TM-Sidhi programmes as substantiated by robust scientific research.

In his address, Hatoyama emphasised the pivotal role of a global community comprising a minimum of 9,000 individuals actively engaging in these transformative practices. Under the dynamic leadership of Tony Nader, this assembly will be turning this vision into reality, offering a beacon of hope for a more peaceful world.

Drawing from his extensive experience as Japan’s former Prime Minister, Hatoyama passionately proposed that governments across the globe thoroughly examine the compelling scientific data presented at this assembly.

He underscored the urgent need for collective support in establishing permanent groups worldwide dedicated to the ideals of fraternity, peace and prosperity.

In a heartfelt conclusion, Hatoyama extended warm congratulations to all assembly participants, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to a noble goal that humanity has aspired to achieve for countless generations.

The 10,000 for World Peace Assembly is an unprecedented convergence of global leaders committed to cultivating harmony and peace through the profound practices of meditation and scientifically proven methodologies.

ALSO READ: Japan Sanctions 3 Senior Hamas Members

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Japan Sanctions 3 Senior Hamas Members

The trio’s assets will be frozen and their payments and transactions will be sanctioned…reports Asian Lite News

The Japanese government on Tuesday announced that it will sanction three senior members of Hamas to limit their ability to fund terrorism, a top government official said as quoted by media reports.

Tokyo’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that the trio’s assets will be frozen and their payments and transactions will be sanctioned, according to Reuters.

The Hamas officials, whom the report doesn’t name, are believed by Japan to have had a role in the Palestinian terror group’s October 7 massacres, and to currently be “in a position to use funds to finance such terrorist activities,” The Times of Israel reported.

ALSO READ: US, S Korea, Japan reaffirm N Korea’s denuclearisation obligation

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Quad Allies Join Forces to ‘Detect and Deter’ Cyber Threats

The Quad members–India, Australia, Japan and the United States–discussed the importance of enhanced cooperation in the field of cybersecurity while reaffirming an Indo-Pacific that is resilient and equipped against cyberattacks.

The third in-person Quad Senior Cyber Group (QSCG) Principal Meeting took place in Tokyo on December 5-6. The National Cyber Security Coordinator, Lt General MU Nair, represented New Delhi at the meeting.

Along with him, Hamish Hansford, Deputy Secretary Cyber and Infrastructure Security of Australia’s Home Affairs; Keiichi Ichikawa, Deputy National Security Advisor and Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan; and Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology participated at the event.

“Together, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is resilient and equipped to detect and deter cyber-attacks,” read the joint statement of the Quad Senior Cyber Group.

It added that the Quad countries are among the world’s leaders in advancing digital technology, connectivity, and resilience and are undertaking efforts to provide capacity building in the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen the ability to defend their government networks and critical infrastructure from cyber disruptions.

The Quad partners also reaffirmed the application of international law to cyberspace and expressed serious concern about cyberattacks in the region on critical infrastructure. They also welcomed progress on the Quad cyber initiatives.

“We reaffirmed our support for the Quad Cybersecurity Partnership: Joint Principles, including through work done in Secure Software, Cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructure, Supply Chain Resilience and Security, and Cyber Awareness through the Quad Cyber Challenge events to encourage participants across the Indo-Pacific to enhance their cyber security and cyber awareness,” the joint statement read.

During the meeting, the Quad partners welcomed the idea of sharing cyber resources through capacity-building projects to improve the security of infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific.

Quad Leaders Summit in Hiroshima.

They all recognised that a safe and secure cyberspace contributes to a healthy and secure society and that international cooperation is key to this.

The Quad partners shared their recognition that cyberattacks have been increasing in frequency and sophistication.

In the wake of this, they discussed the importance of enhanced cooperation in securing the resilience of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems in critical infrastructure, ensuring mutual recognition of Quad nations’ labelling schemes for cybersecurity of Internet of Things (IoT) products, and the use of critical and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

They also reaffirmed the need for reliable, secure and resilient supply chains for critical sectors.

The Quad partners discussed fields of cooperation necessary to realise secure and resilient cyberspace in the region, including digital infrastructure and connectivity such as undersea cables, telecommunications networks, and cloud services.

They affirmed their commitment to continue working together with Indo-Pacific countries to deliver practical outcomes that will support capacity building in the region through the QSCG.

“We reaffirm our commitment to leveraging Quad partners’ respective strengths and resources to progress Quad cyber initiatives to promote a more secure cyber space and deliver Quad Leaders’ vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient, with a focus on the next Quad Leaders’ Meeting,” the statement added. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Jaishankar lauds India, Australia partnership in Quad format  

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US, S Korea, Japan reaffirm N Korea’s denuclearisation obligation

The United States and its Asian allies have responded by increasing the visibility of their trilateral partnership in the region and strengthening their combined military exercises, which Kim condemns as invasion rehearsals…reports Asian Lite News

The national security advisers of the United States, South Korea and Japan called Saturday for a stronger international push to suppress North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons and missiles, its cybertheft activities and alleged arms transfers to Russia.

The meeting in Seoul came as tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest in years, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un accelerating the expansion of his nuclear and missile program and flaunting an escalatory nuclear doctrine that authorizes the preemptive use of nuclear weapons.

The United States and its Asian allies have responded by increasing the visibility of their trilateral partnership in the region and strengthening their combined military exercises, which Kim condemns as invasion rehearsals.

Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have also expressed concerns about a potential arms alignment between North Korea and Russia. They worry Kim is providing badly needed munitions to help Russian President Vladimir Putin wage war in Ukraine in exchange for Russian technology assistance to upgrade his nuclear-armed military.

Speaking after the meeting, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington is working with Seoul and Tokyo to strengthen defense cooperation and improve its response to North Korean missile testing and space-launch activities, including a real-time information sharing arrangement on North Korean missile launches that the countries plan to start at an unspecified date in December.

He also said the countries have agreed to new initiatives to more effectively respond to North Korean efforts to bypass U.S.-led international sanctions that aim to choke off funds for its nuclear weapons and missile program.

“This will be a new effort with respect to cryptocurrency and money laundering and how we disrupt North Korea’s capacity to gain revenue from the hacking and stealing of cryptocurrency and then laundering it through exchanges,” he said.

Sullivan declined to share detailed U.S. assessments on the types and volume of North Korean arms being shipped to Russia and didn’t comment on the specifics of his discussions with South Korean and Japanese officials over the issue but insisted that “there’s no daylight among us in terms of the types of weapons transfers that we are seeing. And those continue and they represent a grave concern for us.”

South Korean intelligence and military officials have said North Korea may have shipped more than a million artillery shells to Russia beginning in August, weeks before Kim traveled to Russia’s Far East for a rare summit with Putin that sparked international concerns about a potential arms deal. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied U.S. and South Korean claims.

In a joint news conference after Saturday’s trilateral meeting, Cho Tae-yong, South Korea’s national security office director, said the three security advisers reaffirmed North Korea’s obligations under multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that call for its denuclearization and ban any weapons trade with other countries, and agreed to strengthen coordination to ensure that is implemented.

Takeo Akiba, Japan’s national security secretariat secretary general, said the “unprecedented frequency and patterns” of North Korean ballistic missile launches necessitate a deeper and more effective partnership between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo.

North Korea has said its spy satellite transmitted imagery with space views of key sites in the U.S. and South Korea, including the White House and the Pentagon. But it hasn’t released any of those satellite photos. Many outside experts question whether the North’s satellite is sophisticated enough to send militarily useful high-resolution imagery.

Kim has vowed to launch more satellites, saying his military needs to acquire space-based reconnaissance capabilities.

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