TOKYO (Reuters) - Mazda Motor Corp does not expect to have problems maintaining production in Japan for the time being despite COVID lockdowns in China as the automaker has sufficient inventories of parts, a company executive said on Wednesday.

A draconian two-month lockdown in Shanghai earlier this year forced the Hiroshima-based automaker to suspend production for 11 days at its two domestic plants due to a lack of parts. 45lbs Weight Plates

"One of the measures that we are taking now to reduce the risk is to bring the inventory to Japan," said Takeshi Mukai, senior managing executive officer.

The automaker wants to ensure it can withstand one month of COVID restrictions in China and another subsequent month of after-effects, he added.

Mazda said in August it would ask its parts suppliers to increase stockpiles in Japan and produce components outside China as part of efforts to strengthen its supply chain.

Activity for Chinese manufacturers and service industries shrank further in November to seven-month lows, data showed on Wednesday, as China sticks with its zero-COVID policies that aim to stamp out every outbreak.

The curbs have also sparked rare public protests since the weekend.

(Reporting by Satoshi Sugiyama; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)

Gareth Southgate's contract runs through Euro 2024 with England and Gary Neville has backed him to remain at his post.

West Ham are closing in on the signing of Brazilian defender Luizao from Sao Paolo. The 20-year-old will be a free agent when his contract at the Brazilian club expires at the end of January, and is set to move to east London. The centre-back will initially join the Irons’ U21 set-up and is not expected to play a part for David Moyes’ senior side this season.

Embiid became only the third player in 76ers history to score 50+ points in multiple games of a season

Naseem Shah will not feature in the third Test in Karachi after failing to recover from an injury to his right shoulder.

Manchester United show their derby mettle, Arsenal learn from last season’s slump and Jelena Cankovic arrives at Chelsea

Remaining on the grid and struggling in 2023 would have spelled a permanent end to his F1 career, believes Daniel Ricciardo...

The Football Association will consider foreign candidates to replace Gareth Southgate if the England manager stands down from his post.

Graham Potter has confirmed a number of Chelsea stars are nearing a return from injury as the Blues boss gave a positive update on his squad. Reece James and Ben Chilwell both missed England’s World Cup campaign, after picking up knee and hamstring injuries respectively, while a knee problem has also kept Wesley Fofana out since early October. The club’s injury concerns grew on Saturday, when Armando Broja was stretchered off in Chelsea’s friendly defeat to Aston Villa in Abu Dhabi.

Didier Deschamps appeared to shut down claims Karim Benzema could return for the World Cup final, and the striker has now posted a message.

Saracens boss Mark McCall expressed relief after his side secured a 30-26 bonus-point win over Edinburgh in their Champions Cup opener on Sunday.

Sunday’s World Cup final is the 22nd in the competition’s history, with Argentina taking on France at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. Both sides have won the trophy twice, but this is Argentina's sixth final and France’s fourth.

Morocco have already reduced Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal to firing blanks. Why shouldn't they fancy their chances in their semi-final against France?

Cristiano Ronaldo has received his fair share of criticism from Gary Neville in recent months but the tune has now changed after Portugal's elimination from the World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo remains without a club after leaving Manchester United, and Patrice Evra is far from certain the 37-year-old will play on.

The 18-year-old Moukoko's contract at Dortmund is set to expire at the end of the Bundesliga season. The striker has scored six goals in 14 Bundesliga games this season. Moukoko became the youngest player to represent Germany at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when he came off the bench to face Japan.

Gareth Southgate has sparked positivity within the Football Association that he will decide to stay on as England manager and save them from a potential backlash over the search for a successor.

Ben Doak was one of several young stars to catch Jurgen Klopp’s eye in Liverpool’s friendly win over AC Milan. Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Thiago Alcantara were on target in the 4-1 win to round off their preparations for the return of competitive football.

Former Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has been mentioned as a possible successor to Gareth Southgate if the England manager decides to leave

OK, it sounds like nonsense, but... no yeah, it almost certainly is nonsense. Anyway, Edu is chasing Ronaldo according to this report...

Hex Dumbbells Black Rubber England earned a first away Test series win against Pakistan since 2000-01, with Mark Wood delivering the goods.