Sport

Toyota is on track to introduce an electric prototype powered by state-of-the-art battery technology in 2021, but its chief executive warned that banning the internal combustion engine too quickly is a short-sighted decision. He explained that blanket bans could trigger job losses and electricity shortages while making cars more expensive.

"When politicians are out there saying, 'let's get rid of all cars using gasoline,' do they understand this?," said Toyota president Akio Toyoda during a Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association news conference. He's the organization's chairman, and his comments were first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Japanese rugby star Goromaru Ayumu is set to retire after the coming season that starts in January. He spoke about the sport and his legacy.

Goromaru said, "It is sad that I'll finish my rugby career as a player, which I started when I was 3 years old. But I have been running with all my might for 32 years."

A survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima has given an online lecture on her experience to tour guides at UN facilities around the world.

Kajimoto Yoshiko spoke on Thursday, Japan time, at an event organized by the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation. Her audience included tour guides from UN facilities in New York and Geneva.

Japanese swimming star Ikee Rikako delivered a speech at an event marking the start of the one-year countdown to the Tokyo Olympics.

The Tokyo organizing committee held the closed-door event on Thursday at the National Stadium, the main venue for the games.