Japan PM Ishiba says US tariffs 'extremely regrettable'

Apr 04 (CNA) - The freshly announced US tariffs are likely to be a political blow to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who has expressed extreme regret and disappointment.

With ratings for Mr Ishiba and his Cabinet already sliding, the government is taking immediate action to help cushion the impact. Mr Ishiba met US President Donald Trump face to face in February and stressed that Japan has been the US' largest foreign investor since 2019. Japanese automakers alone have made direct investments of US$418 million and created 2.3 million jobs in the US.

India Pavilion Opens at Osaka Expo After 18-Day Delay

The India Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo opened on May 1st, marking its debut 18 days after the international event began on April 13th.

Snake Causes Shinkansen Power Outage

The Tokaido Shinkansen resumed service at 7:00 p.m. on April 30th after a power outage forced a suspension of operations, but major delays continued to affect the timetable.

Shizuoka Prefecture to Adopt Year-Round Cool Biz

Shizuoka Governor Heita Suzuki announced on April 30th that the prefecture will implement its “Cool Biz” dress code throughout the year starting in May 2025. Previously limited to the warmer months from May through October, the initiative encourages relaxed attire for government workers, such as going without neckties, to create a more comfortable working environment.

Vietnam Pavilion Opens 17 Days Late

Vietnam’s national pavilion finally opened on April 30th -- 17 days behind schedule -- after delays in exhibit preparations kept it closed during the April 13th launch of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

Rules Tightened for Parental Leave Benefits

The rules surrounding benefits for parents on childcare leave were tightened in April due to concerns over the practice known as 'aiming to miss nursery placement.'

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Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan Submits Separate Surnames Bill

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has submitted a bill to allow married couples the option of keeping separate surnames, but the initiative has little momentum in the current Diet session due to a lack of support from other parties.

Shizuoka Prefecture to Adopt Year-Round Cool Biz

U.S. Deploys B-1B Bombers to Japan as North Korea Launches New Destroyer

Tensions between the United States and North Korea have been intensifying behind the scenes, despite the recent spotlight on former President Donald Trump. On April 15th, two U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers participated in a joint training exercise with the South Korean Air Force over South Korean airspace.