Minoru Kihara
Coverage of Minoru Kihara in the Nexus archive.
- Powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake strikes off northern Japan. No tsunami warning
A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan's coast, causing mild shaking in Tokyo and northeastern regions. No tsunami warning was issued, and there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The government's emergency team is monitoring the situation, while railways in the area suspended operations for safety checks.
- Japan says that China has detained 2 of its citizens suspected of smuggling banned items
Japan reports China detained two of its citizens suspected of smuggling banned items, potentially linked to rare earths. Chinese authorities confirmed the detentions but provided no details, while Japanese officials emphasized privacy and ongoing investigations. The case adds to strained bilateral relations, which have been affected by previous disputes over exports and espionage charges.
- 2 Japanese held in China over alleged rare earths smuggling
China has detained two Japanese nationals over alleged attempts to smuggle rare earth-related products. One was detained on May 18, and the other a week later, accused of violating Chinese laws governing restricted goods. Tokyo confirmed the detentions but provided no further details, citing privacy.