Society

Egypt demands $900 million for Suez Canal blockage

Apr 15 (NHK) - Egyptian authorities are demanding the Japanese owner of the cargo ship that blocked the Suez Canal for almost a week last month to pay about 900 million dollars in compensation.

The 400-meter container ship Ever Given got stuck in the key waterway and prevented the passage of all other vessels. It is being held in a nearby lake while authorities investigate.

The ship's owner, Shoei Kisen Kaisha, based in the western Japanese prefecture of Ehime, said on Wednesday that the Suez Canal Authority is demanding about 900 million dollars. The amount is said to include costs to refloat the vessel and shipping fee losses incurred by the canal's blockage.

Shoei Kisen is covered by a major Japanese insurance company and the UK P&I Club for protection and indemnity. The SCA reportedly said the Ever Given will be held until compensation is paid.

Shoei Kisen said that the compensation claim is of an unprecedented scale and that the SCA has provided no clear basis for the claim. Company officials said the company will continue negotiating with the SCA, and hope to get the ship's cargo delivered as soon as possible.

Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

Yamagata University, which has been conducting research on the Nazca geoglyphs in Peru, announced the discovery of over 300 new geoglyphs, depicting a variety of subjects, including humans and animals.

University of Tokyo Raises Tuition Fees for First Time in 20 Years

The University of Tokyo has officially decided to increase tuition by approximately 110,000 yen for incoming undergraduate students starting next academic year, bringing the total to 642,960 yen.

Death toll rises to 9 in Japan's Ishikawa following heavy rain

Emergency officials say the death toll from record rainfall in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture has risen to nine. (NHK)

Russian military plane intrudes into Japanese airspace, Tokyo lodges protest

A Japanese government spokesperson says a Russian military airplane entered Japanese airspace three times on Monday. (NHK)

Kishida vows in meeting with Zelenskyy continued support for Ukraine

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has conveyed his country's intention to maintain support for Ukraine to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (NHK)

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