Japan

The report, which was published by Japan's National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTP) on Tuesday, found that China now publishes the highest number of scientific research papers yearly, followed by the US and Germany, the Guardian reported.The figures were based on yearly averages between 2018 and 2020, and drawn from data compiled by the analytics firm Clarivate. The Japanese NISTP report also found that Chinese research comprised 27.2 per cent of the world's top 1 per cent most frequently cited papers.

According to the lineup, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno remained in their posts, as Kishida aims to ensure continuity in the face of pressing economic and diplomatic issues, reports Xinhua news agency. LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi and the party's Vice President Taro Aso also retained their posts.

A moment of silence was observed at 8.15 a.m., the exact moment when a uranium bomb dropped from a US bomber detonated over the city on August 6, 1945, killing around 140,000 people by the end of the year and exposed many more to harmful radiation, reports Xinhua news agency. At a memorial ceremony held at the Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui cautioned in the Peace Declaration that dependence on nuclear deterrence is gaining momentum in the world.

The single dissenting vote came from Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, who argued that there should be less focus on security in Europe and much more on the threat from China, dpa news agency reported. US President Joe Biden has strongly backed the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, and referred the matter to the Senate for consideration in July.

The biennial Pacific Dragon exercise is scheduled to take place from Monday through August 14, according to the sources. In addition to the three countries, Australia and Canada will join the exercise in 2022's edition, Yonhap news agency reported.

According to the index, Japan has topped the list, allowing its citizens to travel as many as 193 destinations either without a visa or by providing a visa upon arrival. Japan is followed by Singapore and South Korea respectively. For a country to top the passport index, it has to allow a passport holder to travel without a visa, with a visa-on-arrival or with a visa in advance. Henley & Partners ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association, which maintains the world’s largest database of travel information.

NATO's 30 member states signed accession protocols for Sweden and Finland in early July, starting the process to admit the two Nordic countries into the military alliance, Xinhua news agency reported. The next step is for the parliaments of all NATO members to ratify their accession to NATO. Finland and Sweden's NATO bid was initially blocked by Turkey, which accused them of "supporting" anti-Turkish terrorist groups.

In response to Japan's decision to impose personal sanctions against a large group of Russian lawmakers in April this year, "a decision has been made to deny entry into Russia for 384 members of the House of Representatives of the National Diet of Japan from July 14," the statement added on Friday. Japan froze the assets of 398 Russian individuals, most of whom were members of the State Duma.

According to NHK, the attack took place at around 11.30 a.m. (local time) near the Yamatosaidaiji Station in Nara city while the 67-year-old former leader was making a speech for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate's election campaign. The police said that Abe was shot twice, with the second shot hitting him in the back, causing him to fall to the ground.

According to state broadcaster NHK, the incident took place at around 11. 30 a.m. (local time) near the Yamatosaidaiji Station in Nara city while the 67-year-old former leader was making a speech for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate's election campaign. The police said that he was shot twice, with the second shot hitting him in the back, causing him to fall to the ground.