The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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Delivery driver overtime cap introduced as worker shortage worsens

TOKYO - An overtime limit of around 18 hours per week for drivers of trucks, taxis and buses took effect on Monday, as Japan looks to improve standard work conditions in an industry struggling with an acute labor shortage.

While the move seeks to address the widespread practice of driver overwork, the change has raised concerns about a drop in transport delivery capacity. The logistics shortfall, brought about by the new overtime restriction, is known in the industry as the "2024 problem."

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Japan big makers' sentiment worsens for 1st time in 4 quarters: BOJ

TOKYO - Business confidence among major Japanese manufacturers worsened for the first time in four quarters, falling to 11 in March from 13 three months earlier, after a sharp drop in the auto sector caused by production cuts, the Bank of Japan's Tankan survey showed Monday.

But large nonmanufacturers, including the service sector, benefited from a revival of inbound tourism and the passing of higher costs on to consumers. The index improved for the eighth straight quarter to hit its highest level since 1991, rising to 34 from 32 in the previous survey in December.

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Japan OKs ride-hailing services in Tokyo, Kyoto areas

TOKYO - Japan on Monday began allowing ride-hailing services to operate in four areas including Tokyo and Kyoto, with plans to expand to other regions as early as May in a bid to address a nationwide shortage of taxi drivers.

The partial lifting of a ban on ride-hailing services permits drivers with a standard license to offer taxi services on specified days and hours using their own private vehicle, provided they are under the management of a local taxi company.

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Rakuten to reorganize financial units amid mounting mobile losses

TOKYO - Rakuten Group Inc. plans to reorganize its financial units by consolidating its banking, brokerage and credit card operations amid mounting losses in its mobile business, sources close to the matter said Monday.

Under its restructuring plan, Rakuten Securities Holdings Inc., one of the biggest online brokerages in Japan, Rakuten Card Co. and other businesses will operate under Rakuten Bank Ltd., the sources said. Its financial units have been showing solid growth.

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Princess Aiko begins 1st day of work at Japanese Red Cross Society

TOKYO - Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, began her first day of work on Monday at the Japanese Red Cross Society.

The princess joined as a contracted employee and will be assigned to a department focused on training volunteers, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

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Indonesian President-elect Prabowo to visit Japan from Tue.

JAKARTA - Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto will make a three-day visit to Japan from Tuesday, a spokesman of Indonesia's Defense Ministry said Monday.

Prabowo, the current defense minister, won the presidential election in February. He will travel to Japan in the role of defense minister following a visit to China that started Sunday, Brig. Gen. Edwin Adrian Sumantha told Kyodo News.

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Japan firms now legally obliged to accommodate disabled customers

TOKYO - Japan on Monday began requiring companies by law to meet the needs of customers with disabilities, including providing mobility aids for wheelchair users and assisting in communication for those with hearing impairments.

The law requiring private companies to "reasonably accommodate" people with disabilities broadens the scope of central and local government directives that already advise companies to assist the disabled where possible.

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Judo: Paris-bound Murao wins men's 90-kg gold at Antalya Grand Slam

ANTALYA, Turkey - Japan's Sanshiro Murao got his Olympic preparations back on track with a gold medal at judo's Antalya Grand Slam on Sunday.

The 23-year-old, who is set to make his Olympic debut this summer in the men's 90-kilogram division, was looking to bounce back in Turkey after exiting February's Paris Grand Slam in a first-round upset.

He scored an impressive ippon victory over former world champion and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Davlat Bobonov of Uzbekistan in the semifinal to set up a title match with Azerbaijan's Vugar Talibov.

==Kyodo

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