Society

'Unfriendly' nations must pay for Russian natural gas in rubles

Mar 24 (NHK) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has disclosed plans to demand that countries Russia deems "unfriendly'' pay for natural gas exports only in rubles.

The move is seen as an effort to stop the volatile Russian currency from plummeting further.

At an online meeting with his Cabinet on Wednesday, Putin criticized the West and its allies for having frozen Russia's foreign currency reserves.

Putin said it "makes no sense whatsoever" to supply Russian commodities to the European Union and the United States and receive payment in dollars, euros and other currencies.

He said he made the decision to implement as soon as possible measures to transfer payments for Russia's natural gas supplied to the so-called unfriendly nations to rubles.

Russia earlier released a list of countries and territories that had taken what it called "unfriendly" action against Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.

Japan, the United States and European Union member states are included on the list.

City of Los Angeles names May 17 Shohei Ohtani Day

or as long as Shohei Ohtani plays for the Dodgers -- which will be at least for the next decade -- May 17 will be known as “Shohei Ohtani Day” in Los Angeles County. (MLB)

Two Die After Consuming Toxic Plant

Two residents of Sapporo who died earlier this month likely succumbed to food poisoning caused by mistakenly consuming toxic autumn crocus, according to the Sapporo City Health Department. The department confirmed on May 17 that the deaths were indeed due to poisoning from this plant.

Japan Approves Joint Custody After Divorce

A revised Civil Code introducing 'joint custody' for children after divorce has been passed by the Diet. This marks the first time in 77 years that Japan has reviewed the approach to post-divorce custody.

'Challenge to Democracy': Tokyo Police Arrest Three Tsubasa Party Leaders

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested three leaders of the political group 'Tsubasa Party' on suspicion of violating the Public Offices Election Act by disrupting the speeches of other candidates during a House of Representatives by-election in Tokyo's 15th district. Investigators view this as a "challenge to democracy" and plan to pursue a thorough investigation.

Experience Future Living in 2050: Space Elevators and Smart Living Rooms

An event allowing visitors to experience life in 2050 has launched in Tokyo, including an elevator which enables transportation to space via a cable extending from a satellite to Earth.

MORE Society NEWS

80s Pilot Forgets to Lower Landing Gear

A pilot in his 80s explained that he 'forgot to lower the landing gear,' leading to a belly landing of a small propeller plane at Fukui Airport on May 15. The incident has been classified as a "serious incident" by national authorities.

Katase-Enoshima Station Ranked 4th in 'Best Places to Live' Survey

A ranking of the 'most livable places' in the Tokyo metropolitan area has been announced. While the top three remained unchanged from last year, Katase-Enoshima Station made its debut at fourth place in this year's survey.

Explosion in Central Kyoto Injures Two

An explosion in central Kyoto on Thursday morning has left two injured and caused significant disruptions. The scene immediately after the fire was captured on video, with loud sirens blaring and the area filled with thick smoke, reducing visibility to less than 20 meters.

Man Dies After Being Thrown into Sea During Birthday Celebration; Two Arrested

Two men have been arrested for throwning a friend off a pier causing him to drown during a birthday party in Yaiz, Shizuoka Prefecture.

American Man Arrested for Assault and Robbery in Osaka

An American man has been arrested and sent to prosecutors on charges of robbery and assault after attacking a man on the streets of Nishinari Ward, Osaka, stealing cash.

The 'Van Gogh' of Bathhouses: Rare Artist Revitalizes Mt. Fuji Mural

In Osaka, a public bathhouse famous for its painted Mt. Fuji mural underwent a much-anticipated restoration on May 15, the first in seven years.

Man Admits to Pushing Two People onto Train Tracks

A 32-year-old man has been arrested for pushing two men from the platform onto the tracks.

Two Men Arrested over Bondage Robberies

Police in Tochigi Prefecture have arrested two Vietnamese men. They are investigating whether the two men were involved in a series of robberies that have taken place over the past month in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, and the nearby prefectures of Nagano, Gunma and Fukushima. (NHK)

< 2 3 4 5 >