The Tohoku Kizuna Festival in Miyagi Prefecture’s capital, Sendai, saw the sparrow dance troupe marching through the streets on June 9, 2024. This event aims to revitalize the region after the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.
In other news, the G7 leaders increased pressure on China to reduce its activities in the Indo-Pacific region. They also condemned Russia and North Korea for strengthening their military ties amidst Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Financial aid was offered to Ukraine, while Israel was warned not to worsen the situation in the Gaza Strip.
China’s new regulation allowing the coast guard to detain foreigners suspected of trespassing in claimed waters for up to 60 days took effect. This has raised concerns in countries like the Philippines, with sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea.
Saipan commemorated the 80th anniversary of a fierce WWII battle between Japanese and U.S. troops. The island held a ceremony attended by U.S. and Japanese officials, as no surviving former soldiers were able to attend due to their advanced age.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to enhance relations across various fields. They also discussed collaboration for Modi’s planned visit to Japan later this year.
Japan and Italy agreed on an action plan to strengthen cooperation in diplomacy, defense, and economic security. This comes amidst China’s military rise and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. announced a 6 billion yen investment in storage facilities to increase production capacity and meet overseas demand. This investment will boost storage capacity by around 10 percent compared to 2021.
In golf news, Hideki Matsuyama surged up the U.S. Open leaderboard with a bogey-free 66, climbing to eighth place. He made four birdies on a challenging course in North Carolina, leaving him three strokes behind the leader, Ludvig Aberg of Sweden.
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda expressed caution over the impact of the yen’s fall on prices, emphasizing the need to carefully monitor developments. The recent decline in the currency threatens to drive up inflation.
Lastly, a video showcased the giant torch making ahead of the fire festival at a Wakayama shrine, highlighting the cultural and traditional practices in Japan.