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.

Relief on way amid Japan's rice shortage as new harvest starts

Farmers in Japan's rice-producing regions have started harvesting and shipping this year's crop, helping to ease a nationwide shortage. (NHK)

Japanese Scientists Win Ig Nobel Prize for Anus Breathing Discovery

In this year's Ig Nobels, Japanese researchers have won an award for discovering that mammals can breathe through their anuses, opening a new pathway for ventilators.

Japanese Skateboarding Prodigy Joins Guinness World Record Holders

More than 2,000 amazing records from around the world have been registered in the latest Guinness World Records 2025, including a feat by a young skateboarding prodigy from Japan.

Man Crushed to Death by Fallen Tree in Tokyo

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JAL Speeds Up Boarding Process

Japan Airlines (JAL) has introduced a new boarding method on September 11, aimed at shortening the boarding time for large aircraft on domestic flights.

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