Kyodo News has highlighted several significant events in Japan and around the world. It was reported that support for opposition parties is increasing in Japan ahead of the general election on October 27, with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan gaining more support against the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
In the world of baseball, Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a spot in the World Series after defeating the New York Mets. The Dodgers will face the New York Yankees in the upcoming series, marking their first appearance since 2020.
In a heartfelt gesture, a local police chief in Japan visited an 88-year-old man who spent nearly 50 years on death row before being acquitted in a 1966 murder case. The chief apologized for the long ordeal the man endured and expressed regret for the burden placed on him.
The US military’s F-35B stealth fighter jet successfully landed on the Japanese destroyer Kaga off the coast of San Diego, marking a significant milestone in efforts to transform the ship into an aircraft carrier. The exercise is scheduled to continue until November 18.
Back in Japan, the DeNA BayStars clinched a Japan Series berth by defeating the Yomiuri Giants in a thrilling game. Captain Shugo Maki’s tiebreaking single in the ninth inning sealed the victory for the BayStars, who will be making their first Japan Series appearance since 2017.
In international news, Taiwan rejected South Africa’s request to relocate its liaison office from the capital, Pretoria, citing pressure from China as the reason behind the request. The foreign minister of Taiwan confirmed the rejection and emphasized the importance of maintaining diplomatic ties.
Japanese boxer Naoya “Monster” Inoue, the undisputed super bantamweight world champion, expressed interest in fighting WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani in the future. Inoue aims to maintain his position as a top pound-for-pound boxer and is waiting for Nakatani to move up in weight for a potential match.
Lastly, there is a focus on Yoshihiko Noda, the new leader of the main opposition party in Japan, who is expected to give the ruling Liberal Democratic Party a tough fight in the general election. Noda, a former prime minister, has pledged to shift the party towards the center to attract more supporters and improve its chances against the ruling bloc.
In a heartwarming video, an artisan in Japan’s Wajima reopened his shop after losing his granddaughter in a flood. The resilience and determination of the artisan to continue his craft despite facing personal tragedy is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
