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

----------

KDDI to deploy drones at 1,000 Japan locations to aid disaster relief

TOKYO - KDDI Corp. said Monday it will deploy drones at 1,000 locations across Japan to use the flying devices, equipped with cameras and sensors, as part of efforts to respond quickly to earthquakes and other natural disasters.

Through a partnership with U.S. drone company Skydio Inc., the Japanese telecom company aims to build a network of drones, enabling the devices to reach disaster-hit areas anywhere in Japan in about 10 minutes, to help find people stranded at disaster sites, inspect roads, bridges and other disaster-affected structures, KDDI said.

-----------

Online reservations to begin for climbing Mt. Fuji

KOFU, Japan - Online reservations will be introduced for visitors climbing Mt. Fuji on the most commonly used trail situated in Yamanashi Prefecture, with the prefectural government set to start collecting entry fees this summer, it said Monday.

The new system, which will begin at 10 p.m. on May 20, is aimed at easing congestion at reception by enabling climbers to pay 2,000

yen ($13) in advance.

-----------

Bank of Japan cuts bond buying, sends yields higher amid weak yen

TOKYO - The Bank of Japan on Monday offered to buy a smaller amount of Japanese government bonds in a regular operation, sending yields higher in a move that some market participants saw as the central bank's latest effort to counter yen weakness.

The BOJ trimmed the purchase amount of bonds with five to 10 years left to maturity to 425 billion yen ($2.7 billion) from the previous 475 billion yen on April 24. The benchmark yield on the 10-year Japanese government bond subsequently rose to a six-month high of 0.935 percent at one point.

-----------

Japan's FamilyMart opens unmanned, mobile shop at Osaka Expo

OSAKA - Japanese convenience store operator FamilyMart Co. on Monday opened an unmanned, mobile shop at the venue for next year's 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, with hopes of eventually utilizing such stores in disaster-stricken areas and depopulated regions.

The shop on wheels, measuring approximately 14 square meters, will make its debut at the expo venue under construction on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. The first of its kind in Japan, it is slated to carry around 280 products, including refrigerated and frozen goods, and will have two self-checkouts.

----------

Japanese ex-career bureaucrat gets 10 years for raping drugged women

TOKYO - The Tokyo District Court on Monday sentenced a former trade ministry career bureaucrat to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting six women after drugging them with sleeping pills.

Dai Sato, 34, raped or groped the women at Tokyo hotels or restaurants after spiking their drinks between July and December 2022, according to the ruling.

----------

Sumo: Yokozuna Terunofuji, ozeki Takakeisho withdraw from summer meet

TOKYO - Lone yokozuna Terunofuji and ozeki Takakeisho pulled out of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament due to injury Monday after losing their respective opening bouts at Ryogoku Kokugikan the previous day.

Terunofuji has effectively been ruled out from the rest of the 15-day competition after submitting a medical certificate to the Japan Sumo Association saying he would need around three weeks to recover from damaged rib cartilage and osteoarthritis in his right knee.

----------

Snake on train causes commotion in Tokyo, none hurt

TOKYO - A train on a busy Tokyo line was temporarily stopped Sunday evening after a passenger reported seeing a small snake on board, with the reptile later captured. No one was injured in the incident.

The counter-clockwise service on the JR Yamanote Line, which loops around central areas of the capital, was brought to a halt at Komagome Station after the report was made by a passenger who got off at Shibuya Station.

----------

All Black Cane set for long-term deal with Sungoliath

TOKYO - All Blacks captain Sam Cane on Monday announced he will retire from international duty at the end of the year before taking up a long-term contract with Japan Rugby League One side Tokyo Sungoliath.

The 32-year-old backrower will return home to New Zealand following the current Japanese club season and will be eligible to be selected by the All Blacks for their 2024 test slate, which includes a meeting with Japan on Oct. 26 in Yokohama.

==Kyodo

© Kyodo News International, Inc., source Newswire