Month: July 2019

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was coy about Romelu Lukaku’s Manchester United future as the Inter Milan target hinted at movement next week.

Just two years after arriving from Everton in an initial £75million deal, the 26-year-old is understood to be welcoming interest from the Serie A giants.

Antonio Conte’s side met United in recent days for discussions, but PA understands that Inter have been struggling to fund a deal for the Belgium international.

The striker missed Saturday’s 2-0 friendly win against Perth Glory due to a knock and fuelled speculation about his future as he left Optus Stadium, telling reporters: “You guys will know something next week”.

Lukaku’s brief comment came as Solskjaer faced questions about the frontman’s fitness and happiness at the post-match press conference.

“There’s been so many speculations but, yes, he should be fit for Wednesday (against Leeds),” the United boss said.

“He trained with the team yesterday, but it wasn’t useful today to risk him, to be fair.”

Quizzed on whether Lukaku will still be a player at the start of the season, Solskjaer added: “Well, let’s see when the season starts. We’ve not had any bids that we’re considering.

“All my conversations with the players I will keep confidential. That’s between us.

“That’s my privilege and I can promise them that I won’t tell (about) our discussions.”

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The top uniformed officer of the Self-Defense Forces said Thursday that Japan is in communication with the United States regarding President Donald Trump’s plan for a military coalition to safeguard commercial shipping in the Middle East.

“It’s true that Japan and the United States are communicating over a range of matters regarding the situation,” Koji Yamazaki, the chief of the SDF’s Joint Staff, told a news conference.

Calling the Strait of Hormuz off Iran and Oman “a vitally important region in terms of our country’s energy security,” Yamazaki said the Japanese government is “keeping a close watch on developments” of exchanges between the countries concerned.

But Yamazaki refrained from elaborating on talks with his American counterpart, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also declined to say whether they are discussing an SDF dispatch to the Middle East.

Due to restrictions by its pacifist Constitution, the bar remains high for Japan to send troops to the region.

On Tuesday, Dunford put forward the idea of forming a coalition of the willing to ensure freedom of navigation in key corridors through which major oil exports flow to the world such as the Strait of Hormuz, amid increasing bilateral tensions between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program and sanctions against it.

The plan was floated following attacks last month on two oil tankers, including one operated by a Japanese firm.

Trump has expressed frustration over what he perceives to be an “unfair” bilateral security treaty with Japan, saying it should be changed, though he denied he would scrap it.

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Documents apparently showing family registry records from the Meiji Era called jinshin koseki, currently prohibited due to descriptions of social classes and criminal histories, have been auctioned online again, it has been learned.

The Justice Ministry and other sources said Friday that two such documents were put on Yahoo Japan’s auction site in May. One was seized by the ministry, with the seller’s consent, but the other was acquired by a bidder.

As of Friday, the buyer had not followed a ministry request, made through the website’s operator, Yahoo Japan Corp., to hand over the document to the ministry.

With no legal basis for collecting such documents against the will of the owner, the ministry has no choice but to ask the buyer to hand it over on a voluntary basis, ministry officials said.

The two documents are believed to contain jinshin koseki data from areas in Nara and Saitama prefectures. There has been no confirmation yet on whether the documents are genuine.

In February this year, a document showing jinshin koseki data from areas around Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, was found on the same website. The ministry managed to prevent it from being sent out to the buyer.

In 1968, the Justice Ministry instructed municipalities across the country to seal such records due to concerns they may cause discrimination. Last year, the ministry drew up guidelines for storing them.

Most of the original records are kept under strict control at the ministry’s local bureaus and other locations. Some, however, are believed to remain with the families of those who were involved in compiling the records.

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A team from Weathernews Inc. is boosting efforts to amass data on air and road temperatures, humidity and other physical phenomena at venues for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, which are expected to take place amid sweltering heat.

At the request of various sports associations, the team from the Chiba-based company is visiting many locations for weather observation to help athletes accelerate preparations for performing their best in the quadrennial event.

Holding the Olympics and Paralympics in the midst of summer will be “very tough,” said Kazuo Asada, 43, who leads the company’s “sports weather team.”

“In the Tokyo Games, taking advantage of weather data will be more important than any other Olympic and Paralympic Games in the past,” he said. “Our mission is to utilize weather information to help athletes win.” The team was launched in 2015.

Weathernews has previously offered observation data for sporting and other events. The company started utilizing its know-how for competitive sports after helping Japan’s national rugby team compete the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

To prepare for the marathon, for example, the company will provide runners with weather data both recent and from the past, such as that collected on and around the same dates of the events in the years before 2020.

In the 2020 Olympics, the women’s marathon will take place on Aug. 2 and the men’s on Aug. 9, the final day of the games. The marathons for the Paralympics will both be held on Sept. 6.

Last summer, the team monitored data on air and road temperatures, humidity and wind strength and direction every 5 km along the marathon courses, taking into consideration the athletes’ expected running paces. It also checked areas expected to be in the shade when the races take place.

The team plans to conduct similar observations this year as well.

“We hope to help athletes make preparations even under the worst weather conditions,” Asada said.

How the weather data should be used will be up to the athletes themselves.

The team monitored and provided real-time weather data at venues for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea and the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

“Athletes who had been keen to check weather data with us won medals,” Asada said, adding, “Winners are highly sensitive to information.”

The team will also provide weather data to the triathlon and sailing competitors in the Tokyo Games.

Thanks to cooperation with the University of Tsukuba, the team is now able to forecast weather for an extremely localized area measuring 5 meters by 5 meters.

“We’re taking on a challenge all the more because weather conditions during the 2020 Games may not be good,” Asada said, vowing to offer the best support possible to Olympians and Paralympians.

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Marcus Rashford and teenager James Garner got Manchester United’s pre-season tour off to a winning start, with new boys Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka showing promise in a comfortable 2-0 victory against Perth Glory.

Rashford finished nicely before 17-year-old Garner came off the bench to score in the win at the mammoth Optus Stadium.

Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Lee Grant were not available for the match due to slight niggles, but Solskjaer was still able to name entirely different XIs in each half.

James, signed from Swansea last month, was handed a starting role in Perth and was United’s most impressive performer of the opening period.

Captain Ashley Young hit the side-netting from a free-kick and Anthony Martial and the impressive Jesse Lingard also had opportunities before Solskjaer made sweeping half-time changes, with wantaway midfielder Paul Pogba summoned and Wan-Bissaka handed his first United appearance.

United started the second period on the front foot and the deadlock was finally broken in the 60th minute as Pogba’s flick found Rashford to hit a lovely low finish on the turn into the far corner.

Angel Gomes, Mason Greenwood and Marcos Rojo had attempts to extend the visitors’ lead, before Garner came on for a seemingly hurt Luke Shaw in the closing stages.

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The left-back had barely made it off the giant field by the time his replacement rifled a low effort past the Perth goalkeeper from 20 yards in front of 50,206 fans.

Greenwood then saw an effort impressively tipped onto the post by Tando Velaphi as United ended strongly.

Former Arsenal favourite Ian Wright believes captain Laurent Koscielny is threatening to ruin his “legacy” at the club after refusing to go on the pre-season tour of the United States.

The 33-year-old was due to fly out to the USA with the rest of the squad on Thursday but the club announced that the defender would not be travelling.

It is understood Koscielny, whose contract runs until next year, made it clear to the club that he wished to be released this summer in order to sign for another club.

But Arsenal stood firm and refused to grant the former France international a free transfer.

Wright is confounded at the timing of the furore surrounding Koscielny as Arsenal aim to challenge for a top-four place when the Premier League gets under way on August 9.

Speaking on his own YouTube channel, Wright said: “He’s given us unbelievable service, we’ve seen him play through pain and build a legacy and legendary status he deserves.

“It’s the time in the season where everybody is meant to be together. We are in for a tough season, a transitional period, we need a lot of catching up.

“For our captain to refuse to go on a pre-season tour after nine years of unbelievable service, to destroy your legacy a little by refusing to play for a club is something that is baffling me.

“Why Laurent? Who are your advisers and what are they saying to you?

“I am so disappointed in your decision to do this at this time, if your agent sees this, and I hope they do, shame on you, shame on you, for doing this to him and convincing him. No way you can tell me he will come up with this on his own.

“You’re the one we chose as our captain, our leader, and now we’re going into pre-season with our captain refusing to go on the tour.

“This is something I cannot get my head around and I pray to god it can be resolved sooner rather than later.

“It doesn’t set a good example, Arsenal need to do something quick and disciplinary. I love you Laurent but this is a poor decision.”

Atletico Madrid look set to pursue Barcelona for an additional 80 million euros (£71.7million) after claiming the 120m euros (£107.6m) received for Antoine Griezmann is “insufficient” to cover the player’s buyout clause.

LaLiga champions Barca have announced the signing of France forward Griezmann on a five-year contract until June 2024.

However, Atletico have “initiated procedures” with a view to receiving a higher fee because they believe the transfer was agreed before the 28-year-old’s buyout clause was reduced from 200m euros (£179.3m) on July 1.

World Cup winner Griezmann announced on May 14 he would be leaving Atletico after spending five seasons in the Spanish capital.

“Atletico Madrid consider that the deposited amount is insufficient to cover his buyout clause since it is obvious the agreement between the player and Barcelona was closed before the clause was reduced from 200 million euros to 120 million euros,” read a statement on Atletico’s website.

“It was also prior to the date on which the clause was modified that the player on May 14 announced his disassociation from the club.

“Atletico Madrid believe the termination of the contract happened before the end of last season due to facts, deeds and actions by the player, and therefore have already initiated the procedures deemed appropriate to protect our rights and lawful interests.”

Earlier this month, Atletico claimed Barcelona and Griezmann had reached a transfer agreement in March and accused them of disrespect.

The fee paid by Barca makes Griezmann the third most expensive player in history, after Paris St Germain pair Neymar (£200.6m) and Kylian Mbappe (£128m).

His Barcelona contract, which will be officially signed on Sunday ahead of his unveiling, contains a buyout clause of 800m euros (£733m).

Griezmann was reported to have turned down a transfer to the Nou Camp last summer because he did not like the thought of being “Lionel Messi’s lieutenant”.

He appeared to reference that failed move in a video posted on Barcelona’s website, while also vowing to “defend the colours” of the Catalan club.

“When I was a boy, my dad taught me that trains don’t come around just once,” said Griezmann.

“Now it’s time to take on the challenge of a new destination. Finally, our paths cross.

“I’ll defend the Barca colours with all my determination and commitment. It’s our time. This is our path.”

Barcelona said the move can help cement Griezmann’s place among the world’s elite performers.

“With his arrival at Barcelona, the Frenchman takes another step forward in his career with the goal of consolidating his place as one of the best players in the world,” read a statement on the club website.

Griezmann, who has won 72 caps for his country, moved to Atletico from Real Sociedad in 2014 and helped the club win the Europa League in 2018, scoring twice in the final against Marseille.

He joined Real Sociedad at the age of 14, making his senior debut four years later.

As well as his World Cup success in Russia last summer, he is also a Champions League and European Championship runner-up after Atletico and France fell at the final hurdle in those respective competitions in 2016.

There is still “bad blood” between Manchester United and Inter Milan from negotiations involving Ivan Perisic, according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol.

The Red Devils made an offer last summer to bring the Croatian to Old Trafford but the Serie A side refused to sell him at the time.

And now Solhekol thinks the current negotiations over a potential deal for wantaway striker Romelu Lukaku might be affected by “bad blood” that still exists between the two clubs.

“There is some sort of bad blood between the two clubs,” Solhekol told Sky Sports.

“If you remember two years ago, Manchester United were desperate to sign Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.

“They offered €45million, Inter Milan said ‘we will not let him go unless we get €50m’ and they refused to sell him over just €5m.

“And I think people at Manchester United remember how Inter Milan behaved two years ago.”

 

CHIBA – A Chiba court said Friday a guilty verdict for a woman who was complicit in her husband’s fatal assaults on their 10-year-old daughter has been finalized.

Nagisa Kurihara, 32, did not appeal the ruling by Wednesday’s deadline. The Chiba District Court sentenced her in late June to 30 months in prison, suspended for five years with probation. Prosecutors, who had sought a two-year jail term, also did not appeal.

According to the June 26 ruling, Kurihara failed to report the abuse by her husband, Yuichiro, 41, of their daughter Mia, who was found dead on Jan. 24 in the bathroom of the family home in Noda, Chiba Prefecture, and complied with his instructions not to feed her. The court acknowledged she had also been abused by him.

The ruling found the father abused Mia in various ways, such as repeatedly soaking her in cold showers and depriving her of food and sleep between Jan. 22 and Jan. 24, with the mother failing to stop him.

The case has attracted attention as it came to light that a child welfare center, her school, and other local services did not properly respond to Mia’s repeated calls for help.

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Junnosuke Taguchi, a former member of male idol group Kat-tun, pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing marijuana in the first hearing of his trial at the Tokyo District Court.

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His partner, former actress Rena Komine, who faces the same charge, also entered a guilty plea. The two said there was “no mistake” in their indictment.

Prosecutors sought a six-month jail term for both, saying they have used marijuana for some 10 years and there is a high likelihood of re-offending.

The trial concluded Thursday and the court is due to hand down a ruling July 30. The defense is seeking a suspended sentence.

The 33-year-old Taguchi, wearing a black suit, told the court that Komine, 38, introduced him to marijuana and he began using it for stress relief.

“I betrayed my fans and people around me as well as myself. I want to rehabilitate and lead a decent life,” he said, adding he wants to continue his career in acting and maintain his relationship with Komine.

Komine said she suffered from sleep and eating disorders due to harassment she received after her relationship with Taguchi was reported by media, and she began using marijuana as a way of coping.

According to the indictment, Taguchi and Komine were found in possession of about 2.2 grams of marijuana on May 22 at the Tokyo apartment they shared.

They were released June 7, two days after being indicted, on bail of ¥3 million ($27,800) each.

Kat-tun was created by top talent agency and production company Johnny & Associates Inc., whose founder Johnny Kitagawa died Tuesday, sending shock waves through the nation’s entertainment industry.

Taguchi left Kat-tun in March 2016, 10 years after the group released its debut CD, to pursue a solo career.