Society

US pork exporters to face tariff disadvantage

Nov 10 (NHK) - The US Agriculture Department says US pork exporters to Japan will face tariff disadvantages if 11 countries reach a broad agreement on the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade deal, or TPP.

In a report released on Tuesday, the department says a broad TPP agreement without the US would likely contain tariff concessions for a wide range of pork products and give advantage to key exporters such as Mexico. The US pulled out of the trade deal in January.

It also refers to the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. The two sides struck a broad deal in July. The report says the EPA would remove or lower tariffs on a wide range of European pork products shipped to Japan.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has expressed a willingness to negotiate a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with Japan.

Analysts say the US could increase pressure on Japan to open up its agriculture market.

Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

A new chapter opened in Japan’s political history on October 21st as Sanae Takaichi was elected the nation’s first female prime minister. Following her appointment by the Diet, Takaichi declared that her new cabinet would be one of “decision and progress,” pledging to move swiftly on policies from the very first day.

Hokkaido Launches Mass Culling After Bird Flu Detected

Authorities in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, have begun culling approximately 460,000 laying hens after a poultry farm in the region’s Iburi area confirmed infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza, marking the first confirmed outbreak of the season in Japan.

Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

Japan Tightens Rules on Foreign Business Visas

Investigators from the Immigration Services Agency conducted on-site inspections in Osaka on October 14th amid a surge in so-called 'paper companies' created by foreign nationals seeking residency.

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