Japan to conduct big scale racism survey

TOKYO • Japan's justice ministry will conduct its first large scale survey into racism in the country, a report said yesterday, as discrimination becomes a growing social concern.

The survey will cover 18,500 foreign residents aged 18 or older, the Asahi newspaper said, adding that results would be released by the end of March and will be reflected in policy making.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Tsai reaffirms marriage equality

TAIPEI • President Tsai Ing-wen has reiterated her support for marriage equality as a massive gay pride parade marched down the streets of Taipei on Saturday.

She said she had expressed support for marriage equality on her Facebook page last year, when she was seeking to become the first female president of the country.

THE CHINA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Petronas shutters 67 gas stations

PETALING JAYA • Petronas has temporarily shuttered its 67 natural gas stations in the Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan and Johor for upgrading works, following last week's explosion of a gas tank at a station in Johor Baru that killed a maintenance worker.

The sale of petrol and diesel will continue, and convenience stores at these stations will operate as usual.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Indonesia to ship coal to Philippines

JAKARTA • Indonesia will resume some shipments of coal to the Philippines, a government official said yesterday, after a months-long halt due to concerns about piracy in the seas between the two archipelagos.

Indonesia earlier this year slapped a moratorium on coal shipments to its neighbour after a string of hijackings by militants based in the southern Philippines, in which several Indonesian sailors were taken hostage.

REUTERS