Tokyo, July 3 (IANS) Japan on Wednesday started issuing new 10,000 yen (61.9 U.S. dollars), 5,000 yen and 1,000 yen banknotes, which marked the first redesign since 2004.

The current banknotes will remain legal tender following the circulation of new bills, according to the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Japan, Xinhua news agency reported.

The redesigned 10,000 yen bill features the portrait of industrialist Eiichi Shibusawa, known as the “father of Japanese capitalism” and “pioneer of modern Japanese society,” who was involved in the establishment of around 500 companies during his lifetime.

Featuring a female image for the first time, the portrait of Umeko Tsuda, an educator who pioneered women’s higher education, will be carried by the new 5,000 yen bill,

Meanwhile, the new 1,000 yen note features microbiologist Shibasaburo Kitasato, who developed a serum therapy for tetanus.

The new banknotes incorporate three-dimensional hologram technology to combat counterfeiting, the first use on any country’s currency.

Paper money, despite the spread of cashless payments, still serves as the main payment method in Japan, Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki told a press conference on Tuesday.

Universal design that takes the visually impaired and foreigners into consideration has been incorporated into the new banknotes, he added.

On the new bills, the tactile mark is shaped to 11 diagonal lines for excellent finger sensitivity, while being placed in a different position to make it easier to identify denominations.

Arabic numerals are used for face value numbers and have a larger font than that of current notes(1 Japanese yen equals 0.0062 U.S. dollars).

–IANS

int/rs/svn

Yangon, July 3 (IANS) Floods displaced more than 2,500 households in several towns of northern Myanmar following heavy rains and rising river levels, official daily Myanma Alinn reported on Wednesday.

In Myitkyina of Kachin State, the water level of the Ayeyarwady River exceeded its warning mark on Monday and Tuesday, displacing 2,064 households, the report said.

In Hpakant Township of Kachin State, people from 386 households affected by floods caused by heavy rains were also evacuated on Tuesday, reported Xinhua news agency.

In Hkamti Town of Sagaing Region, the water level of the Chindwin River surpassed its warning mark on Tuesday and displaced 188 households, the report said.

Local authorities, fire service personnel, and rescue organisations have conducted rescue operations and evacuated the flood victims, the reports said, adding that the flood victims were taking shelter in relief centres, which have been set up in monasteries, churches, and schools.

According to the country’s Meteorology and Hydrology Department, the water level of the Ayeyarwady River in Myitkyina was about 4.5 feet above its warning mark on Tuesday, and the water level of the Chindwin River in Hkamti was about 5.5 feet above its warning mark.

On Wednesday, the water level of the Ayeyarwady River and creeks in several towns in northern Myanmar’s Kachin State, including Mogaung and Bhamo, exceeded their relevant warning marks, the weather agency reported.

The weather agency also advised residents living near river banks and in low-lying areas in the townships to take precautionary measures.

In Myanmar, July and August are the middle of the rainy season, and heavy rains are typical during the period, according to the weather agency.

–IANS

int/sd/svn

Washington, July 3 (IANS) A Pentagon spokesperson criticised North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launches as “irresponsible,” and reiterated the US’ calls for the recalcitrant regime to return to diplomacy.

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder made the remarks after Pyongyang claimed to have conducted a multiple warhead missile capability test last week, and test-fired a new tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a super-large warhead this week, Yonhap news agency reported.

“Again, we continue to highlight the fact that this kind of destabilising, disruptive behavior is irresponsible. We continue to call on North Korea to return to diplomatic discussions,” Ryder told a press briefing.

“But in those particular launches, while there was no assessment that it posed a threat to the US or our allies or partners in the region, it is something that we will continue to take seriously,” he added.

The North’s stated pursuit of multiple warhead technology has been a new source of security concern as the technology, if acquired, would enable the regime to strike multiple targets with a single missile.

Commenting on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit slated to take place from July 9-11 in Washington, Ryder said that the transatlantic alliance’s partnership with South Korea and other regional partners would be an agenda item.

“During the summit, Secretary Austin will be engaged in discussions to ramp up transatlantic defence industrial production, ensure adequate defence investments from allies and the deepening of practical cooperation between NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners to include Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea,” he said, referring to South Korea by its official name.

He further said, “Since its creation 75 years ago, NATO has been the greatest defensive alliance in human history. Next week’s summit underscores the US’ unwavering commitment to NATO and the alliance’s critical role in maintaining global security and stability.”

–IANS

int/rs/svn

Seoul, July 3 (IANS) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited major munitions and machinery factories, calling for efforts to expand production in the overall economic sector, according to state media.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the inspection took place Tuesday, a day after North Korea wrapped up four days of a plenary meeting of the eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, reports Yonhap news agency.

Accompanied by party officials, Kim visited a defense industrial enterprise, which the North said plays a key role in bolstering the country’s defense capabilities.

He stressed the need for party officials to “thoroughly study and arm themselves in order to properly organise and guide the modernisation of production lines at all units in the economic field,” KCNA said.

Later in the day, Kim also visited major machine and medical appliance factories.

During the latest plenary meeting, Kim expressed his satisfaction with the economic performance in the first half of the year, saying the country’s economic situations are markedly on an upturn.

The inspection appears to be aimed at encouraging party officials to expand the modernisation of the defence industry to other economic sectors.

Photos released show that Kim was accompanied not only by top party officials and close aides from relevant sectors, but also by many other officials.

Given reports that the visit took place right after the plenary meeting, it appears that Kim led the participants of the meeting to the factory for an observational tour.

North Korea has been intensifying its efforts to revitalise the defense industry, with experts suggesting that this is not only for strengthening its defense capabilities but also to benefit from Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine.

Kim had previously visited key defence industry facilities multiple times in May.

–IANS

int/rs/kvd

New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) Will UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak succeed in retaining power in an election under his leadership, or will his Labour opponent, Sir Keir Starmer, pull off a landslide, reminiscent of 1997 when Tony Blair dislodged the Conservatives who had won the previous five elections since 1979?

And what will be the way ahead for the UK, battered by severe domestic challenges for over a decade now, let alone the volatile global environment?

People will head out to vote for a new government on Thursday, in what will be an acid test for both Prime Minister Sunak and Starmer in their first electoral contest as leaders, amid significant public disenchantment over the state of the economy, dipping standards of living, and governance issues.

While the results of the recent regional polls and pre-poll surveys indicate a landslide Labour victory, the party itself has warned members and supporters of complacency and urged them to continue their efforts. On the other hand, the Conservatives, under Sunak – the party’s third Prime Minister since the 2019 polls – are still hawkish as they engage in a last-ditch effort.

Surveys paint an advantage for Labour. As per a BBC poll tracker, as of July 1, based on 20 polls conducted by members of the British Polling Council, Labour is predicted to gain an average of 40 per cent votes (35 to 45 per cent), down from a high of 45 per cent as of June 1. On the other hand, the Conservatives are estimated to get 20 per cent (15 to 25 per cent), down from 24 per cent on June 1.

Similar to the right-wing wave sweeping Europe, as seen in the victory of Marine Le-Pen’s National Rally in both the European Parliament and the first round of the French National Assembly elections, the gains by Alternative for Democracy (AfD) in Germany, and the performance of Geert Wilders’ PVV in the recent elections in the Netherlands, the Reform UK, which had championed Brexit, is in third position.

The Nigel Farage-led party is expected to garner 16 per cent votes (13 to 19 per cent) – not far behind the Conservatives, even as two of its candidates switched over to the Conservatives over “rampant racism” in the party, while three were dropped due to their “offensive comments,” including against Sunak – the first non-white PM of the UK.

In fourth place, are the Liberal Democrats, with 11 per cent (8 to 14 per cent), even as they seek to retain their number three position. Party chief Sir Ed Davey, on Tuesday, indulged in his first bungee jump as he asked voters to take the plunge and support his party while asserting its mission of uprooting the Conservatives. The party, which helped the Conservatives come to power in 2010 by entering into a coalition with it, has ruled out any such eventuality now. However, it is open to tying with Labour.

The Greens follow with 6 per cent of the vote (3 to 9 per cent), followed by regional parties, Scottish National Party (Scotland) with 3 per cent (2 to 4 per cent) and Plaid Cymru (Wales) with 1 per cent.

The final days of the contest have both principal parties in full attack mode. PM Sunak is extolling his own record in his small stint in power and warning against the “dangers” of a Labour government and the implications of its proposed tax policies. On the other hand, Starmer, with the party slogan of “Change. Be a part of it,” stresses the need to remove the present dispensation while clarifying the party position on sensitive issues like taxation, immigration, and prison reforms.

However, a lot of voters still remain alienated.

While there are many who blame the Conservatives, in power since 2010, for most of the present economic and social malaises – especially the long waiting lists for National Health Service (NHS), deprecate as the Brexit episode, the shenanigans – and attempted coverups – of Prime Minister Boris Johnson during Covid lockdown, and the rapid leadership turnover, Labour is not an automatic alternative.

The party, deemed even a lot less radical now than under Jeremy Corbyn, after Starmer took over in 2020 and, as per his own admission, “reformed” it, also has to address the trust deficit.

Some voters, including those of South Asian origin, admit that they see no difference between both parties in addressing their concerns and problems, despite all the rhetoric and promises on the campaign stump and the manifestos.

No matter who wins, the task of surmounting the legacy social and economic issues, the tendency of distrust in major parties, the growing rise of far-right populists – as la Europe – and finally, finding the post-EU UK’s place in the world will be major and enduring challenges.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)

–IANS

vd/kvd