Video footage showed members of the public fleeing and a man being arrested following the incident.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday was evacuated unscathed after an object that appeared to be a smoke bomb was thrown at him during a public event in Wakayama City, local media reports said, adding that the suspect has been arrested.
The reports said that Kishida immediately took cover and left the scene at Saikazaki Port after the incident, adding there were no injuries or damage, reports Xinhua news agency.
The suspect has been arrested, national broadcaster NHK confirmed in a report citing police sources, without giving any further details.
NHK footage showed crowds of people running away as smoke filled the area where a loud explosion was heard, and police officers pressing the suspect to the ground.
The object, resembling a flare with smoke, was thrown at Kishida at around 11.30 a.m. (local time) while he was preparing to deliver an outdoor address supporting the by-election of the House of Representatives, Kyodo News said.
The reports said that Kishida immediately took cover and left the scene at Saikazaki Port after the incident, adding there were no injuries or damage. (Photo: Xinhua/IANS)
Kishida, currently at the Wakayama Prefecture main police headquarters, has cancelled the addressed, the news outlet added.
The incident occurred as Japan is hosting G7 ministerial meetings in Sapporo and the city of Karuizawa in Nagano ahead of the bloc’s leaders’ summit in Hiroshima next month.
The incident comes less than a year after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead during a campaign event in July 2022.
Kumar, who is familiar with the Japanese language and culture is likely to spearhead the programme…reports Asian Lite News
Nagpur based Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) will launch a special training programme on Japanese language, work culture and communication for its students. The programme will commence in January next year. This initiative, though one of the first of its kind, is likely to be replicated at several other education institutes. The programme is expected to facilitate employment of Indians in Japanese companies while also making it easier for them to relocate there. A public university, VNIT is among the 31 National Institutes of Technology in the country.
“Japan would now look to hire a large workforce from India and this would include both blue collared and white collared. We need to have a plan in place. The initiative undertaken by VNIT will be a big step,” Aditya Kumar, promoter and chairman, Kizuna, a platform connecting Indian and Japanese businesses, said.
Kumar, who is familiar with the Japanese language and culture is likely to spearhead the programme.
Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) under the aegis of the country’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), with the aim to boost economic activities and people to people connect is running a similar programme with IIT Hyderabad.
Suzuki Takashi, Chief Director General, Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), India told India Narrative that more such programmes are needed to increase job opportunities for citizens.
“We have a programme with IIT Hyderabad but we are now looking to have similar tie-ups with other top education institutes in India,” Takashi said, adding that it is critical to increase people to people connect between the two countries especially at a time when the supply chain network is under pressure.
At present, the Indian diaspora in Japan is not a sizeable one.
Japan is currently dealing with an ageing population. A report by Japan Times published in September noted that 29.1 per cent of the country’s population is over 65 years of age.
Japan tops the world rankings for the oldest society by proportion of over 65s, well above Italy in second place at 24.1 per cent and third place Finland with 23.3 per cent, the report said, adding that a rise in elderly people is a problem for the country that affects health care system and efforts to reverse low birth rates and sustain regional communities.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida paid a visit to New Delhi in March this year and thereafter Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Tokyo to attend the QUAD summit between India, Japan, Australia and the US. The two leaders concurred to further develop Japan-India relations and work closely toward the realisation of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Javelin thrower Chopra was awarded Rs 1 crore while the hockey team was given Rs 1.25 crore in total. Boxer Lovlina Borgohain was awarded Rs 25 lakh…reports Asian Lite News
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) spent Rs 4 crore in giving cash awards to India’s Tokyo Olympics medallists earlier this year, a report said.
During its recent Apex Council meeting, the Indian cricket board revealed its expenditure on other stuff besides cricket to its members. As per the BCCI document, the board donated Rs 10 crore to the Indian Olympic Association to support the country’s athletes competing at the Tokyo Olympic Games, a Times of India report said.
Earlier, late in March, the Indian cricket board felicitated Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and members of the bronze-medal-winning Indian men’s hockey team before the IPL’s opening match.
Javelin thrower Chopra was awarded Rs 1 crore while the hockey team was given Rs 1.25 crore in total. Boxer Lovlina Borgohain was awarded Rs 25 lakh. Apart from them, Rs 50 lakh each was also awarded to the two silver medallists — weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and wrestler Ravi Dahiya. In line with Borgohain, the other bronze medallists — shuttler PV Sindhu and wrestler Bajrang Punia — were given Rs 25 lakh each.
The BCCI spent Rs 5 crore on PM Care Mementos for Olympics participants. Close to ? 9.5 crore were also spent on ‘Support to Indian Contingent for Tokyo Olympics’ and its sub-categories.
The report further said that BCCI also donated Rs 3.8 cr to buy Oxygen Concentrators during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic last year. Notably, on May 24, 2021, the BCCI had announced that it would contribute 2000 Oxygen concentrators (10-Litre capacity) to boost India’s efforts in overcoming the deadly virus.
“The nation has been hit by an unprecedented second wave of the coronavirus with demands for medical equipment and life-saving oxygen witnessing a major spike. Over the next few months, the Board will distribute the concentrators across India with the hope that critical medical aid and care will be provided to the needy patients and this initiative will reduce the havoc unleashed by the pandemic,” the BCCI had said in a statement at that time.
During the summit, the Quad leaders reiterated their shared commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and the importance of upholding the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful resolution of disputes…reports Asian Lite News
Quad leaders have reiterated their desire to combat terrorism and have denounced the use of terrorist proxies.
During the 2nd in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday, they also emphasized the importance of denying any logistical, financial, or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks. They reiterated their condemnation of terrorist attacks, including the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks, said the Joint Statement issued after the meeting.
Today I had the pleasure of meeting with PM Kishida @JPN_PMO, @POTUS and @narendramodi at the Quad Summit in Tokyo. We affirmed our shared commitment to the Quad, and to a free, open and resilient Indo-Pacific. I look forward to hosting Quad Leaders in Australia in 2023. pic.twitter.com/pQ97B1nufQ
During the summit, the Quad leaders reiterated their shared commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and the importance of upholding the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful resolution of disputes, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Summit, along with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, President Joseph Biden of the United States of America and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia.
This was the fourth interaction of the Leaders since their first virtual meeting in March 2021, the in-person Summit in Washington D.C in September 2021 and their virtual interaction in March 2022.
According to the MEA, the Quad leaders exchanged perspectives on developments in the Indo-Pacific and the conflict in Europe. Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s consistent and principled position on the need for cessation of hostilities, resumption of dialogue and diplomacy.
The Leaders also took stock of ongoing Quad collaboration and their vision for the future.
Steps to combat Covid-19 pandemic
Reviewing Quad’s ongoing efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, the leaders welcomed the enhanced manufacturing capacity of Biological-E facility in India and called for the expeditious grant of EUL approval by the WHO so that delivery of vaccines can commence.
The leaders welcomed the gift of 525,000 doses of Made in India vaccines by India to Thailand and Cambodia in April 2022 under the Quad Vaccine Partnership.
According to the MEA, Quad leaders will continue to pursue a holistic approach to pandemic management by addressing last mile delivery and distribution challenges, augmenting regional health security through cooperation in genomic surveillance and clinical trials, and bolstering global health security architecture.
“Prime Minister Modi called for expedited WTO waiver under TRIPS for manufacture of COVID vaccines, medicines and therapeutics and the need for to enhance pediatric vaccine supplies,” the MEA added.
A Quad Climate Change Action and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP) was announced to strengthen efforts towards green shipping, clean energy including green hydrogen and climate and disaster resilient infrastructure. Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of assisting countries in the region with their COP26 commitments through mobilization of climate finance and technology transfer, the MEA pointed out.
As part of ongoing work related to critical and emerging technologies, Quad’s Common Statement of Principles on Critical Technology Supply Chains was launched.
Capacity building programmes
During the meet, the four countries also decided to coordinate capacity building programmes for the Indo-Pacific region to bolster critical cyber security infrastructure of the region.
“Prime Minister Modi called for greater Quad collaboration to build trusted global supply chains and spoke of the national framework being adopted in India to create a semiconductor ecosystem in India,” the MEA noted.
A Quad Partnership on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) for the Indo-Pacific was announced by the Leaders to enable more effective and timely responses to disasters in the region.
The Leaders agreed to provide countries in the region resources on earth observation data through a Quad satellite data portal to help track climate events, disaster preparedness and sustainable use of marine resources. India will play a proactive role in this effort given its longstanding capabilities in using space based data and technologiesfor inclusive development.
Quad leaders welcomed a new Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative, to help countries bolster their capacities to respond to HADR incidents and combat illegal fishing.
According to the MEA, the leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality and look forward to strengthening cooperation with partners in the region.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of delivering on Quad’s positive and constructive agenda and show tangible benefits for the region. The Leaders agreed to continue their dialogue and consultations and look forward to the next Summit hosted by Australia in 2023.
The Summit in Tokyo is the fourth interaction of Quad Leaders since their first virtual meeting in March 2021, in-person Summit in Washington DC in September 2021 and virtual meeting in March 2022…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the third Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo on May 24 along with US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Prime Minister of Australia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday.
The Summit in Tokyo is the fourth interaction of Quad Leaders since their first virtual meeting in March 2021, in-person Summit in Washington DC in September 2021 and virtual meeting in March 2022, the MEA said in a statement.
According to the MEA, the summit will provide an opportunity for the leaders to exchange views about developments in the Indo-Pacific region and contemporary global issues of mutual interest.
“The leaders will review progress of Quad initiatives and working groups, identify new areas of cooperation and provide strategic guidance and vision for future collaboration,” it said.
Quad is a key multilateral alliance consisting of India, Japan, Australia, and the US to ensure a free, open, and, secure Indo-Pacific.
Bilateral meetings on the sidelines of Quad Summit
Prime Minister Modi will have a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on May 24.
“The meeting with PM Kishida will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to carry forward their conversations from the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit held in March 2022, when PM Kishida visited India,” the MEA said.
During the visit, PM Modi will also participate in a Business Event with Japanese business leaders and also address and interact with the Indian community in Japan.
On the same day, Prime Minister Modi will have a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden. The meeting will mark a continuation of their regular dialogue having interacted most recently in virtual mode on April 11 this year.
According to the MEA, the two leaders are expected to review the India-US Strategic Partnership and follow up on discussions held during PM’s bilateral meeting with President Biden in September 2021. They will also exchange views on regional and global developments of shared interest.
In addition to this, the Prime Minister is likely to have a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Australia, where elections are to be held on May 21.
🇮🇳🇯🇵 | Today afternoon, PM @narendramodi and Japanese PM @kishida230 will meet for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit in New Delhi.
The two leaders are expected to review the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, the MEA statement said.
The last bilateral meeting between the two Prime Ministers was held virtually on 21 March 2022 followed by the signing of the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) on April 2, the MEA added.
Amit is an Arjuna Award winner. Both Bajrang and him are a part of the TOPS Core team…reports Asian Lite News
Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has approved a financial assistance of Rs 6.16 lakh for Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia for the 18-day special training camp he undertook in Iran.
Bajrang was accompanied by his coach Sujeet Mann.
He is now set to be in action in the Selection Trials on March 24 at the KD Jadhav Wrestling Indoor Stadium in the national capital. Bajrang, who will compete in the 65kg category, is looking to register his name for the Indian Senior Freestyle and Greco Roman Style Wrestling teams that will compete at the forthcoming Senior Asian Wrestling Championship to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, this April 24.
He also has his eyes set on the Commonwealth Games this August and the Asian Games this September. “Whatever tournament comes until Paris, I’m going to give my best performance and my aim is to change the colour of my medal in Paris 2024,” said Bajrang.
Similarly, the SAI Training Centre in Lucknow too will conduct the selection trials for the Indian Senior Women’s Wrestling Teams on March 25 over selection of the team for the Mongolia event this April.
The MOC meanwhile has also approved a financial assistance of Rs 2.45 Lakh for Para Athlete (Club Throw F51) Amit Saroha, under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for the fees towards his personal physiotherapist Ankit Rahodia from March 2022 to the Para Asian Games 2022.
Amit is an Arjuna Award winner. Both Bajrang and him are a part of the TOPS Core team.
