1. Renowned Japanese tea master Sen Genshitsu, who made a valuable contribution to the development of tea ceremony culture in Japan and overseas, died on Thursday. He was 102. Sen was born in Kyoto as the eldest son of the 14th head of the Urasenke School of tea ceremony. He headed the school for nearly 40 years from 1964 to 2002. Urasenke is one of Japan’s major schools for tea ceremony.
2. Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has called on the leaders of Western countries to unify in efforts to realize an early ceasefire and peace in Ukraine. During an online meeting on Wednesday night through Thursday morning Japan time, he expressed his renewed respect and solidarity for the Ukrainian people who are facing Russian attacks on a daily basis. He urged the other leaders to act in a unified manner to bring about an early and complete ceasefire as well as fair and lasting peace.
3. The only subway line serving the venue of the 2025 World Expo in Osaka was suspended due to a power outage late on Wednesday, stranding many visitors. The suspension forced the closure of Yumeshima Station, the nearest stop to the Expo venue, leaving large crowds unable to leave.