Sep 29, 2024 (News On Japan) - Toyota's global production has seen a decline for the seventh consecutive month. In August, Toyota Motor Corporation announced that its worldwide production totaled 709,571 units, an 11.2% decrease from the same period last year.
The domestic production volume dropped by 22.2%. This downturn was impacted by the suspension of production of three models, including the Yaris Cross, due to certification violations.
Source: テレ東BIZ
Typhoon No. 24 was moving slowly north over waters south of Japan as of 3 p.m. on September 2, with forecasts showing increasing uncertainty in its path after September 4 and the possibility of prolonged effects around the Nansei Islands.
Japan's Environment Ministry will conduct its first survey of animal cafes, where customers can interact with animals including exotic species, as concerns grow over infection risks, injuries and the welfare burden placed on animals.
Haneda Airport introduced two major changes on September 2, opening a new boarding facility at Terminal 1 while moving the checked-baggage deadline for all domestic flights to 30 minutes before departure.
Universal Studios Japan is considering its first expansion since opening in 2001, with plans to use about 60,000 square meters of former Nippon Steel factory land adjacent to the park and potentially increase its total area by roughly 10%.
Japan will lower the statutory speed limit on certain residential roads from 60 kilometers per hour to 30 km/h from September 1, with police in Hyogo Prefecture urging drivers to familiarize themselves with the new rules and drive more carefully in neighborhood areas.
Tokyo stocks fell sharply on September 2, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 64,325.64, down 1,889.70 points, as renewed U.S. strikes on Iran sent oil prices higher, pushed bond yields up globally and triggered heavy selling across semiconductor, technology and export-related shares.
Interest rates on Japanese government bonds for individual investors offered in September have risen to record-high levels, with the 10-year floating-rate bond reaching 1.95%, according to figures announced on September 2.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda that he strongly supports decisive market intervention and monetary policy measures by Japan to address excessive yen weakness, saying the currency's depreciation is contributing to inflationary pressure.
Tokyo stocks ended mixed on September 1, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 66,215.34, down 96.59 points, or 0.15%, as rising bond yields and weakness in semiconductor shares weighed on the index, while the broader TOPIX rose 25.57 points, or 0.62%, to 4,181.86 for its ninth straight gain.
Japan's benchmark long-term interest rate reached 3% on September 1, its highest level since 1996, as government bond selling accelerated on expectations of a possible Bank of Japan rate hike, rising U.S. yields and growing concerns over Japan's fiscal outlook.
Honda and Nissan Motor have agreed to jointly develop an operating system and onboard computers for next-generation vehicles, aiming to introduce the technology in new models from fiscal 2029 as they seek to compete with U.S. and Chinese automakers.
Japan began producing a commemorative 1,000-yen silver coin marking 100 years since the start of the Showa era at the Japan Mint in Osaka on August 31, with a first-striking ceremony held to mark the start of production.
Tokyo stocks ended mixed on August 31, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 66,311.93, down 93.63 points, or 0.14%, after briefly plunging more than 1,500 points in early trading, while the broader TOPIX rose 9.58 points, or 0.23%, to 4,156.29 for its eighth straight gain.
