Japan

Police are investigating whether the blaze was started deliberately, public broadcaster NHK said.

The victims suffered cardiopulmonary arrest, a term often used in preliminary reports before a death is officially confirmed, reports say.

Footage showed blackened windows after dozens of firefighters extinguished the blaze on the fourth floor.

All of those feared dead were reportedly in a psychiatric clinic on the fourth floor of the building, located in a busy commercial and entertainment district.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the decision was in response to "human rights abuses" in China's Xinjiang province and "many other issues that Australia has consistently raised".

Athletes would still attend, he added.

China has condemned the US announcement and threatened to retaliate, without giving further details.

On Monday, the US said it would not send diplomats to the Games in Beijing over concerns about China's human rights record.

The vehicles were handed over by the Japanese Ambassador Kensaku Munenaga to the Minister of Health Dr 'Amelia Tu'ipulotu.

Ambassador Munenaga said, “Even if vaccines are available, we cannot fully utilize them without an appropriate supply system. Vaccines, especially those for COVID-19, require swift distributions and more importantly, a very sensitive temperature control. Therefore, its supply system is called a Cold Chain.”

The vehicles will support vaccination programs in Tonga, especially outer islands, she said.

The water tanker which has a capacity to carry 7000 litres of water was donated through a grant of USD$63,417 provided through Japan's ongoing Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects.

Japan’s Ambassador to Tonga, Kensaku Munenaga said, "In the aftermath of natural disasters, such as cyclones, this water tanker will also quickly deliver essential water sources to vulnerable people," he said.

The large tank on the truck was donated by one of Japan’s cities, Isehara, while the truck itself was donated by Kansai Airports.

Under Japanese law, female imperial family members forfeit their status upon marriage to a "commoner" although male members do not.

She also skipped the usual rites of a royal wedding and turned down a payment offered to royal females upon their departure from the family.

She is the first female member of the royal family to decline both.

Wingers Tom Wright and Jordan Petaia crossed for tries in the first half, while forwards Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota and Connal McInerney added scores after the break to maintain Australia's 100% record in six tests against Japan.

Japan, who scored tries through Lomano Lemeki and Ryoto Nakamura, drew within four points of the lead at 27-23 with five minutes remaining but debutant hooker McInerney touched down off the back of rolling maul to snuff out home hopes of an upset.

The Government of Japan committed to ongoing dialogue with Forum Members as a priority follow up to the PALM9 Summit in July. This followed Japan’s announcement in April of plans to begin discharge in 2023, for a period of up to 40 years. The announcement drew strong global response, including from the Forum Chair and Leaders.

In his opening comments at the third briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Henry Puna noted the issues require “open and frank consultation” along with sustained dialogue at the political and technical level.

The new vehicles will be used by the Waste Management Ltd to collect garbage more efficiently in all villages from Lifuka to Foa.

Japan’s Ambassador Munenaga Kensaku handed over the vehicles to Waste Authority Ltd CEO,  Malakai Lomu Sika and Board Chair, Lord Lasike.

The vehicles was funded with a grant of USD$85,000 through Japan's Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects.

They include a compactor truck and two flat-bed trucks.

The Ambassador of Japan to Tonga, Kensaku Munenaga, and Prime Minister Rev Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, signed and exchanged notes for the assistance in Nuku’alofa on Friday.

Tonga’s Ministry of Public Enterprises and Ports Authority Tonga will be responsible for the tugboat.

Ambassador Munenaga said, “Maritime transportation is vital for an islands country like Tonga and Japan, and it is necessary for Tonga to enhance its maritime transportation capability for furthering economic prosperity in the Kingdom.”

A pharmacist saw several black particles in one vial of the vaccine in Kanagawa Prefecture, according to authorities.

Some 3,790 people had already received shots from the batch. The rest of the batch has now been put on hold.

It comes less than a week after Japan suspended the use of about 1.63 million Moderna doses due to contamination.

The pharmacist found the black particles while checking for foreign substances before the vaccine's use.

The jab's domestic distributor has collected the vial suspected to be contaminated.