Society

Toyota sharply raises FY2020 net profit outlook

Feb 11 (NHK) - Recovering demand for autos has Toyota Motor expecting a much better fiscal 2020 than it previously thought. The Japanese carmaker boosted its net profit forecast on growing sales in its main markets.

Toyota expects the group to post a net profit of 1.9 trillion yen or around 18 billion dollars for the year ending in March. That is up from the previous estimate of 1.42 trillion yen.

The revision follows another upgrade last November, when the firm almost doubled its forecast figure.

Toyota has seen a temporary slump in sales due to the coronavirus pandemic. But executives say new model rollouts in its core markets, including China, the US and Japan, have helped sales as demand picks up.

Cost reductions at factories lifted the numbers as well.

Toyota also revised upward the group's unit sales forecast for the year to 9.73 million vehicles, which is an increase of more than 300,000 from the previous estimate.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

Yamagata University, which has been conducting research on the Nazca geoglyphs in Peru, announced the discovery of over 300 new geoglyphs, depicting a variety of subjects, including humans and animals.

University of Tokyo Raises Tuition Fees for First Time in 20 Years

The University of Tokyo has officially decided to increase tuition by approximately 110,000 yen for incoming undergraduate students starting next academic year, bringing the total to 642,960 yen.

Death toll rises to 9 in Japan's Ishikawa following heavy rain

Emergency officials say the death toll from record rainfall in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture has risen to nine. (NHK)

Russian military plane intrudes into Japanese airspace, Tokyo lodges protest

A Japanese government spokesperson says a Russian military airplane entered Japanese airspace three times on Monday. (NHK)

Kishida vows in meeting with Zelenskyy continued support for Ukraine

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has conveyed his country's intention to maintain support for Ukraine to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (NHK)

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Woman in Floral Mini-Skirt Targets Zoo Outlets with Mysterious Tape

Strange incidents involving a woman placing black tape on outlets have been occurring around zoos in the Izu area of Shizuoka Prefecture.

Japanese Households with Buddhist Altars Has Drastically Decreased

As the number of households with Buddhist altars continues to decline, largely due to space limitations in modern housing, wholesalers of Buddhist goods are struggling with unsold inventory.

Twelve Referred to Prosecutors for Alleged Abuse at Kuwana Festival Horse Event

Twelve individuals involved in the traditional 'Ageuma Shinji' horse event held last year at Tado Shrine in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, have been referred to prosecutors on allegations of violent behavior toward horses, including forcing them up steep slopes.