The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
----------
Over 3 million people gamble online despite ban in Japan: police
TOKYO - More than 3 million people in Japan are estimated to have gambled at online casinos, with around 1.24 trillion yen ($8.4 billion) being spent annually, even though the practice is illegal, a police survey showed Thursday.
The National Police Agency released the findings of its first study on virtual casino use following recent cases involving athletes and celebrities, amid a lack of public awareness about its illegality.
----------
Couche-Tard not considering hostile takeover of Seven & i: chairman
TOKYO - Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., the operator of Circle K convenience stores, said Thursday that its discussions with Seven & i Holdings Co. to acquire the Japanese rival have been "friendly" and that it is not considering a hostile takeover.
At a press conference, the first held in Japan by the company since the buyout talks surfaced last year, Couche-Tard founder and Chairman Alain Bouchard said the two companies' operations combined would create strong synergy.
----------
Ticket presales, pavilion completion slow 1 month before Osaka Expo
OSAKA - With just one month to go until the World Exposition in Osaka opens, predictions of a nearly 3 trillion yen ($20 billion) economic impact are looking shaky as advance ticket sales remain slow and pavilions face delays in completion.
A visitor target of 28.2 million for the April 13-Oct. 13 event on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay is the basis for the government's estimate of an economic impact worth 2.92 trillion yen across the country.
----------
Man arrested in Japan's 1st new yen bill forgery case
TOKYO - A man has been arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit version of a newly issued banknote, police said Thursday, in the first arrest of its kind involving a renewed bill touted as having improved security features.
Mizuki Saito, 27, is suspected of using a counterfeit 10,000 yen ($68) bill on Feb. 10 to purchase coffee and cigarettes at a convenience store in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward. The police said Saito has admitted to the allegation.
----------
Japanese conveyer-belt sushi chain building strong following in China
BEIJING - Japanese conveyor-belt sushi chain Sushiro has been building a strong following in China despite Beijing's total ban on Japanese seafood imports, with its affordable prices appealing to belt-tightening consumers amid an economic slump and some queuing for hours to enter an outlet.
When its first store in Beijing opened last August, some customers waited for more than 10 hours to eat sushi items priced at a minimum 10 yuan ($1.4) per dish. On recent weekends, people still had to wait for as long as eight hours, according to the chain operator.
----------
Japan MSDF frigate makes port call in Australia amid contract bid
SYDNEY - A Maritime Self-Defense Force frigate has made a port call in Western Australia as Japan bids for a contract to build Australia's new fleet of general-purpose frigates.
The Mogami-class frigate Noshiro arrived at the HMAS Stirling naval base near Perth on Australia's west coast earlier this week, the Australian Defense Department confirmed Thursday. The vessel made a port call at Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory, from Feb. 28 to March 3, according to the MSDF.
----------
Baseball: Dodgers, Cubs arrive in Tokyo for MLB opening series
TOKYO, March 13 Kyodo - The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs have landed in Japan from their spring training homes in Arizona for Major League Baseball's season-opening series beginning Tuesday.
When the World Series champion Dodgers landed Thursday, the arrival lobby of Tokyo's Haneda airport was packed with fans trying to get a glimpse of superstars such as Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
----------
Sumo: Chiyoshoma stuns yokozuna Hoshoryu on Day 5 in Osaka
OSAKA - Newly minted yokozuna Hoshoryu suffered another upset loss Thursday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, succumbing to a force out against rank-and-file opponent Chiyoshoma.
The Mongolian grand champion squandered a chance to grab a share of the lead after the joint overnight leaders, No. 9 maegashira Endo and No. 12 maegashira Onokatsu (4-1), took their first losses on Day 5 at Edion Arena Osaka.
Video: One-month countdown to 2025 World Exposition in Osaka
