Tokyo: Japan will start using the traditional order for Japanese names in English in official documents, with family names first, a switch from the Westernized custom the country adopted more than a century ago, government officials said Friday. China and South Korea traditionally stick with the surname first order both at home and internationally. But Japan has chosen to be seen more as part of the West rather than Asia. AP

Top Russian executive arrested in Italy on US charges

Washington: The US Justice Department has said the Italian police arrested Alexander Korshunov, a top executive of Russia’s state-owned aircraft-engine maker, on American charges that he tried to steal aviation secrets. Korshunov, head of business development at United Engine Corp (UEC), was detained last week on his arrival at an airport in Naples, Italy. IANS

Moon’s Justice Minister nominee in ‘class privilege’ row Seoul: South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s nominee for Justice Minister may soon take office under the cloud of a prosecution inquiry and public outcry over a scandal that has reignited debate over class privilege. At issue are scholarships and other perks granted to the daughter of the nominee, Cho Kuk, allegedly out of line with her academic performance. Cho hasn’t not denied his daughter’s academic perks and expressed regret that he had “disappointed the younger generation”. Reuters