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

----------

Abe hints at Japan's possible military role in Taiwan contingency

TOKYO - Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday that an attack on a U.S. military vessel in any contingency concerning Taiwan could become a situation allowing Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense.

During a virtual appearance at a Taiwan think-tank event on Dec. 1, Abe said that any Taiwan contingency would also be an emergency for Japan and for the Japan-U.S. security alliance, stressing the need to keep pushing for clarity on the issue with Chinese leadership.

----------

G-7 finance chiefs vow vigilance over COVID variants, supply issues

TOKYO - Finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of Seven nations have pledged to keep their guard up against new coronavirus variants and work together on global supply chain issues amid growing concerns over the Omicron variant, according to the British government.

The finance chiefs agreed during their videoconference Monday to cooperate in tackling supply-chain disruptions, which have been accelerating inflation worldwide and could stifle economic recovery from the impact of the pandemic, according to a press release issued by Britain, which holds this year's rotating G-7 presidency.

----------

Taiwan minister's video cut in summit over controversial map: Reuters

WASHINGTON - The video feed of a Taiwanese minister was cut during last week's U.S.-led summit to promote democracy, as the White House was apparently concerned that her slide presentation showing Taiwan in a different color from China could spark controversy, Reuters reported.

A panel discussion involving Taiwan's digital minister Audrey Tang was one of the highlights of the virtual summit, which U.S. President Joe Biden convened for two days through Friday as part of ongoing efforts to advance democracy in the face of challenges posed by authoritarianism.

----------

Japan to simplify entry process for wealthy travelers

TOKYO - The government plans to simplify the immigration procedures for foreign travelers arriving in Japan by luxury transport such as private jets and superyachts usually used by the wealthy, sources close to the matter said Monday.

The move comes as the government hopes such affluent travelers will bring considerable spending power and help accelerate a postpandemic economic recovery, the sources said.

----------

Japan, U.S., Australia to build 5G networks in South Pacific

TOKYO - Japan, the United States and Australia will jointly fund the development of advanced 5G telecommunications networks in the South Pacific in an effort to hedge against China seizing control of critical infrastructure in the region, sources close to the matter said Monday.

The decision came to light a day after the three countries said they would help with construction of a new undersea cable to improve internet connectivity to the Pacific island nations of Micronesia, Nauru and Kiribati.

----------

Toyota plans extra domestic output halt amid S.E. Asia parts shortage

NAGOYA - Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday it is planning an additional production halt at part of its domestic assembly plants later this month as the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult to procure some parts from suppliers in Southeast Asia.

Toyota will suspend a production line at its Tahara plant in Aichi Prefecture and also a line at its Miyata factory in Fukuoka Prefecture for three days through Dec. 22, resulting in an output loss of 14,000 vehicles for December, up 5,000 from the previous estimate.

----------

H.K. media mogul Lai given 13 months jail term over Tiananmen vigil

HONG KONG - Jimmy Lai, the founder of now-defunct Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily newspaper, was sentenced to 13 months in jail on Monday over his role in a banned vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests last year.

Lai, who has pleaded not guilty in court, was convicted Thursday last week on charges of participating in the unauthorized assembly of the June 4 memorial and inciting others to do likewise.

----------

Kanji meaning "gold" picked to symbolize 2021 amid Olympic year

KYOTO - The kanji for "kin," meaning gold or money, was picked as the single most representative Chinese character corresponding to the social mood in Japan this year, a Kyoto-based organization said Monday.

The selection came after Japan had its best-ever haul of 27 gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics in the summer. It is the fourth time "kin" has been chosen as the year's kanji after 2000, 2012 and 2016, which were also Olympic years.

==Kyodo

© Kyodo News International, Inc., source Newswire