Briefly

JAPAN

Ex-admiral named as Yasukuni chief priest

The controversial Yasukuni Shrine on Friday named Umio Otsuka, a former Maritime Self Defense Force commander and one-time ambassador to Djibouti, as its new chief priest, marking the first time since 1978 that an ex-military official assumed the post. Located in central Tokyo, the shrine honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from World War II. It has long been a source of diplomatic friction for Japan and its neighbors. Visits and ritual offerings made by Japanese officials to the controversial shrine have consistently sparked criticism and hurt the feelings of the people of China, South Korea and other countries brutalized by Japan during the war.

IAEA offered $20m during Grossi's visit

The Japanese government said on Thursday it will provide the International Atomic Energy Agency about $20 million for a number of initiatives across diverse areas. It came before IAEA chief Rafael Grossi on Thursday finished his three-day visit to the country. Doubts have been raised about whether or not the IAEA will remain independent in monitoring the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea. Some Japanese people have expressed distrust of the nuclear watchdog, as neighboring countries and experts said the dumping poses an environmental threat that will last generations and may affect ecosystems all the way to North America.

ARGENTINA

Senate rejects 'mega decree' in blow for Milei

Argentina's Senate on Thursday voted to reject President Javier Milei's sprawling "mega decree" of economic reforms, a major blow to the libertarian leader's austerity agenda as he tries to remedy the country's ailing economy. Milei, an outsider economist whose party has a minority in Congress, took office in December and used his powers of presidential decree to roll out measures ranging from privatizations to labor reforms.

Xinhua - China Daily - Agencies