Japan cuts economic view in Jan. as COVID-19 surges in China

TOKYO, Jan 25 (Kyodo) - The Japanese government on Wednesday downgraded its economic outlook for the first time in 11 months, reflecting a fall in exports amid a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in China.

The Japanese economy is "picking up moderately, although some weaknesses have been seen recently," the Cabinet Office said in its overall assessment report for January, noting that it continues to be weighed down by a multitude of factors including price hikes and supply chain constraints. ...continue reading

Student's Homemade Bomb Sparks School Lockdown in Sapporo

A suspicious object feared to be explosive was discovered at a high school in Sapporo on the afternoon of November 22nd, causing temporary chaos. The object was found to have been brought to the school by one of its students.

China to resume visa-exemptions for short-term Japanese travelers

China says it will resume allowing visa-free visits by Japanese nationals on short-term trips from the end of this month. (NHK)

Japan Grapples with Poverty and Rising 'Invisible Homeless'

Japan is facing a deepening crisis of poverty and inequality, with rising reports of 'invisible homeless' individuals and growing economic hardships among the population. Discussions over reforms to the country's tax and welfare systems have taken center stage, as policymakers grapple with how to provide meaningful support.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine Shines in Gold with Special Lighting

A special lighting ceremony was held on November 20th at Ueno Toshogu Shrine, located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo. The event featured a unique lighting design created by renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii.

World's First Fiber Made From Bagworm Silk Revolutionizes Industry

A Japanese pharmaceutical company has announced the successful commercialization of fiber made from silk produced by bagworms.

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About 1,000 Nissan employees in US accept early retirement offers

Struggling Japanese automaker Nissan Motor says about 1,000 of its employees in the United States have accepted early retirement offers. That figure represents 6 percent of the firm's US workforce. (NHK)

Japan Allocates Budget for Securing Copper Mine Interests

The Japanese government plans to incorporate securing copper mine interests into its upcoming economic measures, according to a report by TV Tokyo. Copper, an essential material for electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors, and data centers, faces increasing global demand, raising concerns over supply shortages.

Beaujolais Nouveau hits shelves without price hike

This year's bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau have hit store shelves across Japan. And in some more good news for wine drinkers, many retailers and importers have kept prices unchanged despite the weak yen. (NHK)

Japanese chipmaker Kioxia to debut on TSE in mid-December

Japanese semiconductor maker Kioxia Holdings is expected to be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange next month after years of postponement. (NHK)

New Osaka Marubiru to Open in 2030

The iconic Osaka Marubiru in Umeda, closed last year due to aging, will be replaced with a new 192-meter skyscraper, the tallest in the Osaka Station area.

Tokyo Condo Prices Surge as Demand for Luxury Units Grows

The average price for a newly built condominium in Tokyo’s 23 wards has remained above 100 million yen for six consecutive months.

Rice Trade Prices Reach Record High for Second Consecutive Month

The average transaction price of newly harvested rice between agricultural cooperatives and wholesalers reached a record high for the second consecutive month in October. The price of unpolished rice was 23,820 yen per 60 kilograms.

NVIDIA Invests in Japan's 'Sakana AI'

NVIDIA has thrown its weight behind Sakana AI, a Tokyo-based startup rapidly gaining traction in the booming generative AI field. Since ChatGPT's debut in November 2022, industry giants like Google and Meta have entered the fray, intensifying the competitive landscape.

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