Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on Saturday asked central Japan constituents how "we women can call ourselves women without giving birth," equating the importance of childbirth to electing a new governor in a speech ahead of a gubernatorial election.

Kamikawa made the remarks during a visit to her native Shizuoka Prefecture in an attempt to garner support for a candidate backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

While known for her efforts to further gender equality, the comments are expected to garner criticism for their lack of sensitivity.

Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa gives a speech in Shizuoka, central Japan, on May 18, 2024. (Kyodo)

Related coverage:

Head of fringe group arrested for obstructing rival lower house candidates

Japan's maglev project in focus as Shizuoka election campaign starts

Online reservations were introduced Monday for visitors climbing Mt. Fuji on the most commonly used trail situated in Yamanashi Prefecture to ease congestion, with local authorities set to start charging 2,000 yen ($13) when the trail opens this summer.

Supplied photo shows the online reservation website for climbing Mt. Fuji's Yoshida Trail on the Yamanashi Prefecture side of the mountain. (Kyodo)

Bookings can be made on the official website for climbing Mt. Fuji, which is operated by the prefecture and other stakeholders, until the day before the climb.

The Yoshida Trail on the Yamanashi Prefecture side of the 3,776-meter mountain is usually open from July 1 to Sept. 10. The prefecture accepts a maximum of 4,000 climbers per day and 3,000 slots will be available via online booking.

The remaining slots will be available on the day of the climb, with the fee collected at the site.

Climbers reserving online will receive a QR code via email that they must scan at the 5th station of the trail. They will be given an identification wristband.

Designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2013, Japan's highest peak, straddling Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, is a popular tourist destination in Japan.

Yamanashi Prefecture will set up a gate this summer at the 5th station to close the trail between 4 p.m. and 3 a.m. except for those who have made prior reservations to stay overnight in huts. Local authorities are seeking to deter "bullet climbing," or the attempt to reach the summit and return without staying the night near the top.

Related coverage:

Online reservations to begin for climbing Mt. Fuji

Town begins work to block Mt. Fuji photo spot due to unruly tourists

Another Japanese prefecture to restrict night climbing on Mt. Fuji

Jagger Eaton (C) of the United States raises the victor's trophy after winning the men's street skateboarding final during the Paris Olympic qualifier series in Shanghai on May 19, 2024, alongside Ginwoo Onodera (L) of Japan and Chris Joslin of the United States, who finished second and third, respectively. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

----------

Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te to take office amid tensions with China

TAIPEI - Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te, the serving vice president, is set to become leader of the island on Monday amid rising tensions with mainland China, which condemns him as an independence advocate.

Lai, leader of the ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, will take an oath of office at a swearing-in ceremony at the presidential office in Taipei, with his inaugural speech to be closely watched for signs concerning the new Taiwanese government's policy toward Beijing.

----------

Iran president's fate unknown after suspected helicopter crash

TEHRAN - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the nation's foreign minister and other officials were on a helicopter that is thought to have crashed Sunday in the country's mountainous northwest, local authorities and media said, with the fate of those aboard unknown.

Rescuers are battling heavy rain and fog to reach the crash site in the mountains of East Azerbaijan province, according to Iran state media.

----------

Japan's Norinchukin Bank mulls 1 trillion yen capital increase

TOKYO - Japan's Norinchukin Bank is considering a capital increase of about 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion) to bolster its financial standing that is undermined by unrealized losses from its holdings of overseas bonds, including U.S. Treasuries, a source familiar with the matter said Sunday.

Norinchukin will discuss the matter with its main investors such as the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives, as it could post a net loss of around 500 billion yen in the year ending March 2025 due to the disposal of the unrealized losses.

----------

Japan foreign minister retracts controversial "birthing" remark

SHIZUOKA, Japan - Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on Sunday retracted her remark the previous day that was widely interpreted as questioning the worth of women who do not give birth, saying her choice of words was liable to cause misunderstanding.

In a campaign speech Saturday in support of a Shizuoka gubernatorial election candidate, Kamikawa said she wondered "how can we women call ourselves women without birthing this person."

----------

Japan man arrested for spinning 3-year-old girl in washing machine

MITO, Japan - A man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of injuring his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter by putting her in a washing machine and turning it on at a house.

The suspect, Hideaki Masui, 30, has denied the allegations. The incident occurred at around 8:40 a.m., leaving the girl with injuries including bruises on her legs.

----------

Paralympics: IPC chief says Paris plans on track with 100 days to go

TOKYO - The 2024 Paris Paralympics are on track for success, with organizers now focused on attracting spectators to the premier sporting event for people with disabilities, according to International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons.

"We are very happy where we are with (preparing) the games," Parsons said in a recent interview with Kyodo News. "Now, with 100 days to go, the focus is on the promotion," he said.

Video: A field full of nanohana flowers in Hokkaido

A traditional outdoor Noh play is performed at Kofuku Temple in the ancient capital of Nara, western Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

 

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

----------

Japan's Norinchukin Bank mulls 1 trillion yen capital increase

TOKYO - Japan's Norinchukin Bank is considering a capital increase of about 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion) to bolster its financial standing that is undermined by unrealized losses from its holdings of overseas bonds, including U.S. Treasuries, a source familiar with the matter said Sunday.

Norinchukin will discuss the matter with its main investors such as the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives, as it could post a net loss of around 500 billion yen in the year ending March 2025 due to the disposal of the unrealized losses.

----------

Japan foreign minister retracts controversial "birthing" remark

SHIZUOKA, Japan - Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on Sunday retracted her remark the previous day that was widely interpreted as questioning the worth of women who do not give birth, saying her choice of words was liable to cause misunderstanding.

In a campaign speech Saturday in support of a Shizuoka gubernatorial election candidate, Kamikawa said she wondered "how can we women call ourselves women without birthing this person."

----------

Japan cram school creates AI detection system for university applications

TOKYO - A Japanese cram school has developed a system to detect whether generative artificial intelligence has been employed in the composition of personal statements by high school students applying for university, amid growing concern over the improper use of such tools.

The system developed by Kawaijuku Educational Institution combs through statements submitted for admissions processes that are placing greater emphasis on grades, essays and interviews rather than relying solely on traditional entrance examinations.

----------

Locals in central Japan near Mt. Fuji count on UFO craze for tourism

KOFU, Japan - Local residents in Yamanashi Prefecture, at the foot of Mt. Fuji, are striving to make their city Kofu a tourist magnet with extraterrestrial help from an alien.

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of an incident in which two elementary school children claimed to have encountered unidentified flying objects and an alien. It is dubbed one of "three major UFO incidents" reported in Japan.

----------

Football: Machida thrash Verdy to go top of J-League

MACHIDA, Japan - Machida Zelvia returned to the top of the J-League first-division table with a 5-0 thrashing at home to Tokyo Verdy on Sunday.

In a clash between the teams that played in the second division last season, Shota Fujio scored a brace and caused an own goal at Machida Gion Stadium.

----------

Sumo: Hoshoryu drives Ura from Summer tourney lead

TOKYO - An overpowering display from ozeki Hoshoryu knocked No. 4 maegashira Ura out of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament lead on Sunday.

The midpoint of the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan began with five wrestlers tied for the lead and ended with just two men at the top sporting 7-1 records.

----------

Rugby: Brave Lupus beat Sungoliath 28-20, advance to League One final

TOKYO - Brave Lupus Tokyo fought back from an early deficit to book their place in the Japan Rugby League One championship decider with a 28-20 semifinal win over Tokyo Sungoliath on Sunday.

The Todd Blackadder-coached Brave Lupus, the No. 2 team in the regular season, turned the tide in the second half at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground with tries from Takeshi Sasaki, Shannon Frizell and Jone Naikabula.

Video: "Mikoshi" portable shrine parade in Tokyo's Asakusa