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

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Next-gen EVs, flying cars on display at rebranded Tokyo auto show

TOKYO - Next-generation electric vehicles, flying cars and futuristic robots went on display at the rebranded Tokyo auto show on Wednesday, as automakers joined hands with wide-ranging industries to shine a light on the future of transportation.

The Japan Mobility Show, which opened to the media for a two-day run, features advanced transport technologies ranging from delivery machines to drones and robots. The event has evolved from the biennial Tokyo Motor Show and is being held for the first time in four years after a pandemic-induced hiatus.

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China removes defense minister Li after nearly 2-month absence

BEIJING - Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has been removed from his post, the country's state media said Tuesday without providing the reason and the name of his successor, nearly two months after he disappeared from public view.

Li's dismissal, which was approved the same day at a Standing Committee session of the National People's Congress or China's parliament, follows the removal of Qin Gang as foreign minister in July after he was mysteriously absent from public duties for one month.

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Chip device firm Kokusai Electric's shares jump on Tokyo bourse debut

TOKYO - Japanese chipmaking equipment firm Kokusai Electric Corp. debuted Wednesday on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with its shares, listed in Japan's largest initial public offering this year, rising by 15 percent at the start of trading.

Shares of Kokusai Electric first changed hands at 2,116 yen on the Tokyo market's top-tier Prime Market, and by the end of the morning session stood at 2,321 yen.

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China's Xi eager to stabilize ties with U.S. before possible summit

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed Wednesday his eagerness to stabilize frayed Sino-U.S. ties, saying in a message to a U.S. nonprofit organization that Beijing is willing to work with Washington to manage differences and jointly tackle global challenges, state media said.

Xi also said China-U.S. relations are "crucial to world peace" and "the destiny of mankind," according to the official Xinhua News Agency, as the world's two largest economies explore holding a summit next month on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to be held in San Francisco.

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Abused ex-GSDF member attends Time event, says speaking out is key

NEW YORK - A Japanese woman who exposed the culture of sexual abuse within her country's armed forces said Tuesday she will continue to speak out for victims as she attended a New York event for Time magazine's 100 emerging world leaders of 2023.

Rina Gonoi, a former member of the Ground Self-Defense Force, told reporters before the event that she was glad to hear Time recognized that her activities have heartened others who have experienced similar abuse.

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Tokyo's Shibuya braces for Halloween crowd despite calls to stay away

TOKYO - Tokyo's famous Shibuya district is bracing for the return of Halloween crowds this weekend, with many revelers expected not to be spooked by the ward's repeated requests to stay away.

Among the measures being taken to dissuade partygoers, a drinking ban on streets around Shibuya Station will take effect from Friday evening through the early hours of Nov. 1, with over 30 stores in the area asked to cease alcohol sales on Saturday and during the evening of Halloween.

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Football: Kubo man of the match as Sociedad win in Champions League

LISBON - Japan attacker Takefsua Kubo was named man of the match as Real Sociedad saw off Benfica 1-0 away from home on Tuesday to go top of Group D in the Champions League after three games.

Kubo was a constant menace playing on the right wing for the Spanish side, who edged their Portuguese counterparts thanks to Brais Mendez's close-range effort in the 63rd minute following an assist from the left by Ander Barrenetxea.

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Boxing: Inoue, Tapales super bantam showdown set on Dec. 26 in Tokyo

TOKYO - Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue will fight the Philippines' Marlon Tapales in a bid to unify all four super bantamweight belts in a Dec. 26 showdown at Tokyo's Ariake Arena, the event organizers said Wednesday.

Inoue seized the WBO and WBC belts after defeating Stephen Fulton of the United States in an eighth-round technical knockout on July 25 on his super bantamweight debut.

==Kyodo

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