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

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N. Korea fails in its latest attempt to launch military satellite

TOKYO - North Korea launched a military reconnaissance satellite on Monday but failed to put it into orbit due to engine problems, the country's state media said, prompting Japan to condemn it for firing a projectile using ballistic missile technology.

The satellite-carrying rocket exploded in midair after the launch, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The incident came after North Korea notified Japan of a plan to launch the rocket before June 4 and after neighboring countries held a trilateral summit in Seoul.

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Japan's 2023 net external assets hit record 471 tril. yen on weak yen

TOKYO - Japan's net external assets hit a record 471.31 trillion yen ($3 trillion) in 2023, as a sharp drop in the yen inflated the value of foreign stocks, bonds and other holdings in yen terms, while increased direct investment overseas by Japanese firms also gave the total a boost, government data showed Tuesday.

The nation's gross assets increased 51.31 trillion yen, or 12.2 percent from 2022, posting a record high for the fifth straight year. Japan was the world's largest creditor for the 33rd straight year in yen terms, ahead of Germany and China, according to the International Monetary Fund and other sources.

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Japan's transport ministry warns JAL over recent safety incidents

TOKYO - Japan's transport ministry on Monday warned Japan Airlines Co. to improve its safety record, saying a spate of recent incidents involving its aircraft could have resulted in serious accidents.

The warning came days after one of the airline's A350 jetliners made contact with the wing of another JAL plane on the apron at Tokyo's Haneda airport. No one among the 328 onboard the Sapporo-bound flight was injured but the flight was eventually canceled.

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Japan spots China ships near Senkaku Islands for record 158th day

TOKYO - Chinese ships were spotted near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Monday for the 158th straight day, hitting a fresh record since the Japanese government put the islets under state control in 2012.

A total of four China Coast Guard ships were found sailing just outside Japan's territorial waters by a Japan Coast Guard ship. One of the four vessels was equipped with what is believed to be a cannon, according to the Japanese coast guard.

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Cambodia, China hold joint naval drill as U.S. eyes Beijing's clout

PHNOM PENH - Cambodia conducted a maritime drill with China on Monday off its coast in the southwest, amid U.S. concerns that Beijing could use a Cambodian naval base to expand its influence in the region.

The maritime drill, conducted as part of a joint military exercise called "Golden Dragon 2024," was joined by two Chinese ships that have been docked at the Ream Naval Base, which is being upgraded with Chinese financial assistance, since last December.

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Holes found in black screen blocking viral Mt. Fuji photo spot

KOFU, Japan - Holes have been found in a large black screen set up by a central Japan town to block a scenic view of Mt. Fuji after criticism of tourists' behavior at the viral photo spot, the town said Tuesday.

After setting up the screen on May 21 to prevent visitors from flocking to the site in front of a Lawson convenience store in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, the town confirmed the first hole the following day, and the number has since increased to roughly 10.

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Baseball: Ohtani eager for another WBC title with Japan

NEW YORK - Shohei Ohtani reiterated his desire Monday to lead Japan to back-to-back World Baseball Classic championships in 2026 as he continues his strong start to life at his new club the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"It's important to do my best to stay among the top players first, in order to get picked," said Ohtani, who had expressed his hope to defend the title after his MVP-winning performance propelled Samurai Japan to the title in March 2023.

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Rugby: Japan qualify for 2025 Women's World Cup

TOKYO - Japan qualified for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup by winning the Asian championship Monday in Hong Kong.

The Sakura 15s, who began their title defense with a 29-12 victory over the hosts last Wednesday, trounced Kazakhstan 64-0 to finish the three-team, round-robin competition.

==Kyodo

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