Japan's real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annualized rate of 2.8% from October to December last year, marking the third consecutive quarter of positive growth. However, the results are not entirely encouraging, as weak consumer spending remains a concern.
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has put Arm at the centre of his plans to build a vast infrastructure network for artificial intelligence. The launch of Arm’s own chip is considered just one step in his larger plans to move into AI chip production, say people familiar with the plans. (Techmeme Ride Home Podcast)
The House of Representatives held a plenary session on February 13th, during which Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reported on his visit to the United States. Regarding Nippon Steel’s planned acquisition of US Steel, he stated after the Japan-US summit that the two countries had "agreed on making a substantial investment rather than a takeover."
The 2025 spring wage negotiations have officially begun, with major automakers submitting their demands on February 12th. The key question remains: will wage increases continue to rise this year?
The so-called 'Reiwa Rice Crisis' that emerged last summer continues to impact Japan. The government initially predicted that rice prices would stabilize once the new harvest entered the market, but as of February 11th, prices remain high. In some supermarkets, the price of a 5kg bag of rice has surged by 700 to 800 yen.
Following the Japan-U.S. summit during the Trump administration, discussions about liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports gained momentum. The agreement to expand LNG purchases from the U.S. was seen as a key development, but significant challenges remain. Will this lead to lower gas prices in Japan? And what are the five countries that pose obstacles to fulfilling this commitment?
In an age where information is as valuable as currency, effective management of knowledge assets can be the key to a company's competitive edge.
The stalled merger talks between Honda and Nissan, as well as Nippon Steel’s acquisition bid for US Steel, are in the spotlight. The negotiations for a management integration between Honda and Nissan were scrapped in just about a month after they were revealed, largely due to the size differences between the two automakers.