Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Archives - Lokmarg

Modi Writes To Japan PM, Condoles Loss Of Lives In Earthquake

By LokMarg 5th January 2024

In the wake of the major earthquake in Japan on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased.

As per sources, PM Modi told the Japanese PM that he is deeply anguished and concerned to learn about the major earthquake that struck Japan on January 1, 2024.

PM Modi added, “I express my deepest condolence to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives. We stand in solidarity with Japan and its people affected by the disaster.”

PM Modi also said “As a special strategic and global partner, India values its relationship with Japan, and is ready to extend all possible assistance at this hour.”

At least 64 people were killed in the massive earthquake of 7.5 magnitude that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas in central Japan on Monday, Kyodo News reported. The rubble and severed roads still prevent search and rescue operations in the quake-hit regions.

The earthquake has caused structural damage and fires in the city of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture. However, the full extent of the disaster caused by the powerful earthquake remains unknown.

The northern area of the remote Noto Peninsula was restricted access for more than 24 hours after the earthquake, although the Meteorological Agency of Japan cancelled all tsunami advisories along portions of the country’s western coast on Tuesday.

Following a disaster emergency meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida informed the media that the location was no longer accessible due to a wrecked road.

According to fire department officials, 25 buildings, including houses, have collapsed in Wajima City, NHK World reported, adding that firefighters have also been pressed into the ongoing rescue operations across locations.

A total of about 200 buildings, including shops and houses, are believed to have been burned around Asaichi Street, a popular tourist spot. The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture around 4.10 pm (local time), at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles). (ANI)

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Japan PM Vows To Keep World Leaders Safe

By LokMarg 16th April 2023

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed on Sunday to keep world leaders safe during Group of Seven (G7) meetings in Japan, CNN reported. Kishida’s statement comes a day after a man threw what appeared to be a “smoke bomb” at him during a campaign speech in Wakayama.

“Japan as a whole must strive to provide maximum security during the dates of the summit (in Hiroshima next month) and other gatherings of dignitaries from around the world,” Kishida said on Sunday, reported CNN. His remarks came as G7 Foreign Ministers, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on Sunday began three days of talks in the Karuizawa region of Nagano prefecture.
On Saturday, a small explosive device was thrown at the venue where Kishida was about to make a speech to showcase support for the ruling party’s candidate in a by-election in Wakayama. Kishida was evacuated unhurt from the venue in Wakayama.

The attack has caused shockwaves in Japan and drawn comparisons with the assassination of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in July last year, as per the news report. He was shot in July last year during a campaign speech in the Nara region of Japan.

Campaigning has started for Japan’s nationwide local elections. Speaking to reporters from his official residence in Tokyo, Kishida vowed that the attack will not affect the democratic process in Japan. He said, “Violent acts taking place during elections, which are the basis of democracy, can never be tolerated.”

“What is important is to carry through this election to the end. It is important for our country and for our democracy that the voice of the voters is clearly expressed through the election,” Kishida said, as per the CNN report.

A man had been arrested after throwing “what appeared to be a smoke bomb,” CNN reported citing Kyodo News. Meanwhile, police in Japan have been carrying out a search at the home of a man who threw an apparent pipe bomb prior to the speech by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, NHK World-Japan reported.

Police urged residents in the neighborhood to stay away as explosives were used in the incident on Saturday. The police have arrested Kimura Ryuji on the spot on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business.

Kimura Ryuji is a 24-year-old man from Hyogo Prefecture, as per the news report. The suspect reportedly said that he will only submit to questioning in the presence of his lawyers.

An investigative source revealed that one cylindrical object was connected with what is believed to be a wire, NHK World-Japan reported. According to investigators, two such objects were found at the site – one exploded while the suspect had other when he was subdued.

As per the news report, investigators have been analyzing the structure of the explosive devices, suspecting that the devices could have been iron pipe bombs. (ANI)

Japan PM Kishida To Visit India For 3 Days From March 19

By LokMarg 3rd March 2023

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to visit India later this month for talks with his counterpart Narendra Modi, a government source said on Friday, even as Tokyo holds the presidency of the Group of Seven nations this year, the Nikkei Asia reported.

Kishida’s trip to India, currently chair of the Group of 20 economies for 2023, would come weeks after his government did not send Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi to a meeting of the G-20 top diplomats, held for two days through Thursday in New Delhi.

Hayashi’s absence triggered a backlash that Japan’s decision not to dispatch the country’s foreign minister to the G-20 gathering could cast a shadow over relations between the two Asian nations.

Nikkei Asia reported that Kishida, who is likely to visit India for three days from March 19, has been eager to confirm with Modi that Tokyo and New Delhi, as this year’s G-7 and G-20 presidents, will work together more closely to tackle issues stemming from Russia’s war in Ukraine, the source said.

In tandem with other G-7 members, Japan has been bolstering economic sanctions on Russia. But India has abstained from implementing punitive measures against Russia.

India has also emerged as a key nation of the “Global South,” a term that collectively refers to developing countries in areas such as Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Nikkei Asia reported that Kishida has been keen to deepen ties with such countries to pave the way for the success of the G-7 in-person summit scheduled for May in Japan’s western city of Hiroshima, which was devastated by a U.S. atomic bomb in World War II, the source said.

During the envisioned meeting, Kishida is expected to invite Modi to participate in the G-7 summit, the source added.

Along with the G-7, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union, the G-20 also includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey. (ANI)

North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile, Ahead of Kamla Harris’ Visit To Demilitarized Zone

By LokMarg 28th September 2022

North Korea fired an apparent ballistic missile on Wednesday evening, just a day ahead of US Vice President Kamla Harris’ visit to Demilitarized Zone dividing South and North Korea.

Notably, this is the second launch from nuclear-armed North Korea in four days, The Japan Times reported.
South Korea’s military also confirmed the launch of an unidentified ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan.

After the missile launch by North Korea, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida issued an instruction where it stated that one needs to dedicate maximum effort to gather and analyze the information and provide the public with speedy and adequate information. The second one was to ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels, and other assets. Lastly, “Take all possible measures for precaution, including readiness for contingencies.”

Earlier, on Sunday, North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile for its first major weapons test since early June

This apparent missile launch came as US Vice President is all set to visit the Demilitarized Zone dividing South and North Korea on Thursday, Voice Of America reported.

Harris is spending most of this week in South Korea and Japan, two East Asian nations the Biden administration sees as alternative options in the region as China grows bolder.

Harris was among dozens of foreign dignitaries in Tokyo on Tuesday to pay respects to assassinated former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, who was killed on July 8.

“The alliance between Japan and the United States is a cornerstone of what we believe is integral to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” Harris said. “And this is something we prioritize because we also believe it is in the best interest of the American people in terms of their security and prosperity and we do believe the same for Japanese people,” she added as quoted by Voice of America.

In the last week, Kim Song, North Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations, accused the US of compelling the DPRK to adopt a law on the policy of nuclear forces.

While speaking at UNGA, Kim Song said, “The United States compelled the DPRK to adopt a law on the policy of nuclear forces in defiance of the US hostile hostility.” (ANI)