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☆ Dollar steady ahead of jobs data; yen hits two-week high
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The yen, while still close to the 152 range, hit a two-week high against the greenback as safe-haven bids and fresh warnings from Japanese authorities buoyed the currency. The dollar has had a turbulent week, falling from a five-month high to a two-week low after an unexpected slowdown in U.S. services growth supported expectations of bringing interest rates down. The dollar index , which measures the greenback against a basket of major currencies, was last largely unchanged at 104.18. Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki on Friday reiterated the government's resolve to take appropriate action against sharp yen falls. The yen strengthened 0.29% versus the greenback to a two-week high of 150.92.

Persons: payrolls, Neel Kashkari, Jerome Powell, Charu Chanana, Joe Biden, Matt Simpson, Shunichi Suzuki, Kazuo Ueda, bitcoin Organizations: U.S, The U.S, greenback, Minneapolis Federal, Saxo, Biden, Finance, Bank of Japan, Asahi Locations: The, Minneapolis, Gaza, Iran

☆ A factory in Japan is ramping up measures to avoid animals sneaking in after a cat fell in a toxic vat and went on the loose
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A cat snuck into a factory in Fukuyama, Japan, and fell into a toxic vat before escaping. AdvertisementOfficials in Fukuyama, Japan, put the city on alert after a cat snuck into a metal plating factory and fell into a toxic vat before then escaping. The factory, Nomura Plating, now plans to ramp up security measures to prevent animals from causing problems in the future. AdvertisementA spokesperson told AFP that it immediately alerted police, city officials, and neighboring buildings. In turn, the city's environmental division warned residents of the potential health risks, urging them to keep their distance if they spotted the toxic cat.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Nomura, Asahi Shimbun, UK Health Security Agency, Agence France, Press, Business, AFP, Agency, Toxic Substances, Japan's Nippon TV Locations: Fukuyama, Japan

☆ If you've always dreamed of wandering the alleys in the famous geisha district in Kyoto, your time might be running out
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Gion, a historic district in Kyoto, is set to bar tourists from entering its private streets from April. Gion is famed for its traditional teahouses where geisha work and entertain guests. AdvertisementGion, Japan's popular geisha district in Kyoto, will be barring tourists from entering certain alleys, the news agency AFP reported on Friday. The district council comprises several residents of Gion. While Gion's private streets will be closed, tourists will still be allowed to enter the main Hanamikoji Street, which is public, per AFP.

Persons: Gion, —, Isokazu Ota, Ota, It's, Kotaro Nagaski Organizations: Service, AFP, Asahi Shimbun Locations: Kyoto, Gion, Ota, Japan, Yamanashi, Fuji

☆ Japan’s millennia-old ‘naked man festival’ ending because of population decline
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Chris Lau | Himari Semans | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

They now face a ballooning elderly population and shrinking workforce, in a challenge to fund pensions and health care as demand from the aging population surges. Participants wearing only "Fundoshi" loincloths at the Somin-sai festival at Kokusekiji Temple in Iwate prefecture, Japan, on February 17, 2024. The Asahi Shimbun/Getty ImagesThe Somin-sai festival was one of three major “naked man” or Hadaka Matsuri festivals held in the country. It took place annually on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year at the Kokusekiji Temple in the northeastern prefecture of Iwate. Participants purify themselves with cold water on Yamauchigawa river during Somin-sai festival at Kokusekiji Temple in Iwate prefecture, Japan on February 17, 2024.

Persons: Japan’s, Daigo Fujinami, Priest, “, Kikuchi Toshiaki, ” Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Asahi Shimbun, NHK Locations: Kokusekiji, Japan, Iwate prefecture, Iwate, Okayama prefecture, Kuronuma, Fukushima

☆ Goldman's head of corporate engagement on what others can learn from Black Heritage Month
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailGoldman's head of corporate engagement on what others can learn from Black Heritage MonthGoldman Sachs Global Head of Corporate Engagement Asahi Pompey says American history is black history.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Asahi Pompey Organizations: Black Heritage, Goldman

☆ Lolita style, explained: Why the Japanese-born, Victorian-inspired street style enchants women around the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Her youthful obsession realized in front of her, Ella was inspired to buy her first piece of Lolita fashion in 2015, from the popular Lolita e-tailer Angel Pretty. While Lolita style is named after Vladimir Nabokov’s eponymous teen in the controversial 1955 novel, the overlap ends there. Even 1950s-style American prom dresses, with their extravagant skirts and bodices, influence contemporary Lolita fashion, he said. The skirt's fullness, achieved through the use of a petticoat, is a key characteristic of Lolita fashion. Ella says her personal Lolita style is a blend of classic and sweet, with a healthy dose of prints and patterns.

Persons: Ella hadn’t, waltzed, ”, Ella, Lauren, Shelby Knowles, Pretty, ” —, She’s, it’s, Michelle Liu Carriger, Bianca, Kandace, Vladimir Nabokov’s, Masafumi, Monden, accessorized, Lolitas, Marie Antoinette, Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin, ” Monden, ” Liu Carriger, lacy Lolita, Kei, don’t, Liu Carriger, Nghi, Mary, Jane heels, substyles Organizations: CNN, American, UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, Television, University of Sydney, New, Asahi Shimbun, Pink House Locations: California’s Bay, Japan, America, San Francisco , California, US, Oakland , California, Australia, British, Otaru, Hokkaido, Tokyo, Lolitas, California

☆ The Olympics tap its first-ever beer sponsor
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Bud Light brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev is becoming the first-ever beer sponsor for the next three Olympics and Paralympic Games — with a non-alcoholic brand taking the torch. The deal will cover the upcoming Summer Games in Paris, the Milan Winter Games in 2026, and the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, which will be the first Summer Olympics to be held in the US in about three decades. Prior to this, the Olympics never had a global beer sponsorship, but local organizing committees had enlisted beer brands in the past. “Beer and sports are better together, so we are proud to be the first beer sponsor for the Olympics at the Worldwide Olympic Partner level,” said AB InBev CEO Michel Doukeris in a statement. Global sales of non-alcoholic beer have been soaring in recent years as drinkers embrace moderation with alcohol.

Persons: Bud, Corona, “, ”, Michel Doukeris, isn’t, Marcel Marcondes, ” Doukeris, CNN’s George Ramsay Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bud Light, Anheuser, Busch InBev, Paralympic, InBev, Olympic, Milan Winter Games, Asahi Breweries, Olympics, Corona Cero, Modelo, Constellation Brands, Corona, ”, CNN, Team USA, Budweiser Locations: New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Spain, Germany, Europe, Mexico

☆ BOJ's Noguchi: Japan yet to achieve wage-driven rise in inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Japanese national flag is hoisted atop the headquarters of Bank of Japan in Tokyo, Japan September 20, 2023. "It's true the impact of elevated global inflation is reaching Japan's economy with consumer inflation exceeding the BOJ's 2% target since the spring of 2022," Noguchi said, according to the text of his speech posted on the BOJ's website. "But the rise (in inflation) is mostly due to cost-push factors amid higher import prices," contrary to the wage-driven price increases seen in the United States and Europe, he said. "To achieve our 2% inflation target, we must see price rises backed by sustained wage increases," Noguchi said. With inflation exceeding the BOJ's 2% target for more than a year, market expectations are heightening that the central bank will exit ultra-loose monetary policy next year.

Persons: Issei Kato, Asahi Noguchi, Noguchi, we've, Kazuo Ueda, Leika, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Europe

☆ I split my time between Tokyo and Singapore. I don't consider myself a digital nomad, I'm a 'shuttler.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Austin Zeng is a freelancer who splits his time evenly between Singapore and Tokyo. He calls himself a "shuttler," and thinks it has clear benefits compared to being a digital nomad. I'm not a digital nomad, I'm a shuttler. While digital nomads jump from place to place to place, I spend my time shuttling between just two cities: Singapore and Tokyo. Unlike me, a digital nomad would be unlikely to stay in Japan during the dead of winter.

Persons: Austin Zeng, it's, —, I'm, Tokyo Austin Zeng, Shinjuku Austin Zeng I'm, It's, Zeng, FOMO Austin Zeng, Austin Zeng FOMO, I've, you'll Organizations: Service, Asahi Locations: Singapore, Tokyo, Shinjuku Austin, Japan, Shinjuku, —, It's, Airbnbs, I'm

[1/5] Taiko Nakamura samples whisky barreled in the year he founded at his distillery in Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan October 25, 2023. The explosion of craft whisky in Japan follows a boom and bust in the industry. Last week, Sotheby's offered what it claimed was the most valuable collection of Japanese whisky at auction, headlined by a 52-year old bottle that sold for 300,000 pounds ($373,830). Suntory, Japan's biggest and best-known whisky maker, recently invested 10 billion yen ($67 million) to upgrade its distilleries, including its Yamazaki site. "I believe we need to put all our effort into making Japanese whisky that lives up to the quality of the Japanese whiskies made by our predecessors," he said.

Persons: Rocky Swift, Suntory's, Taiko Nakamura, Long, whiskies, Sotheby's, Shinji Fukuyo, Casey Wahl, Kamui, Shizuoka's Nakamura, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Suntory, trailblazer, Nikka, Asahi Group, Japan's, Japanese distillers, Diageo, IJW Whiskey, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Yamazaki, Scotland, Hong Kong, Japanese, Komasa Kanosuke, Kentucky, Hokkaido, American, Rishiri

☆ Goldman Sachs asked over 2,000 Black women in the US about their money and the numbers are grim — but ripe for change
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jennifer Streaks | Senior Personal Finance Reporter | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementGoldman Sachs' Black Women Initiative released a new report that asked over 2,000 Black women about money. In an effort to shed light on critical workforce disparities affecting Black women, Goldman Sachs' Black Women Initiative released a new report: "Money Matters: One Million Black Women Economic Mobility Survey." In fact, 63% of Black women report that they are optimistic about their futures. This comprehensive investment in Black women includes direct investing, which emphasizes financial health and digital connectivity across areas that directly impact Black women and their lives. It's led by Black women, advised by a council of Black leaders from across the country in partnership with Black women-led organizations, and most importantly centers Black women with the goal of positively impacting over 215,000 Black women across the core investment pillars of healthcare, job creation and workforce development, education, affordable housing, digital connectivity, financial health, and access to capital.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, —, Asahi Pompey, It's, Black, Pompey Organizations: Service, Economic Mobility Survey, Asahi, Goldman Sachs Foundation, Goldman, Goldman Sachs Investment Locations: Black, America, United States

☆ Japan new economic package to total about $112 bln - Asahi
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

A woman points at the high prices of fruits at a market in Tokyo, Japan March 3, 2023. REUTERS/Androniki Christodoulou/ File photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 1 (Reuters) - A package of economic measures Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government is compiling will likely come to about 17 trillion yen ($112.15 billion) in size, the Asahi Shimbun reported on Wednesday. Kishida said last week his government hoped to compile the package to cushion the economic blow from rising inflation on Nov. 2. ($1 = 151.5800 yen)Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Androniki, Fumio, Kishida, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Asahi Shimbun, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ An embarrassing Russian defeat a century ago is a warning about the risks of losing a war to China now, top US Air Force official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In May 1905, Russia's navy suffered a resounding defeat by the Japanese at the Battle of Tsushima. The battle is a lesson about complacency in the face of new threats, a top US Air Force official says. AdvertisementAdvertisementGreat-power competitionJapanese soldiers relieve Russian troops in an outer fort at Port Arthur after the Russian surrender in 1905. Proctor via Wikimedia Commons"The Battle of Tsushima Straits did not go well for Russia," Kendall, a self-proclaimed history buff, said at the conference. If our power-projection capability and capacity are not adequate to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan or elsewhere, war could occur," Kendall said.

Persons: —, Frank Kendall, Kendall, aren't, George Rinhart, Port Arthur —, Korea's, Shigetada Seki, Port Arthur, Oriol, Tsushima, Oleg, Proctor, Theodore Roosevelt Organizations: Russia's, Russo, US Air Force, Service, Air Force, Air and Space Forces Association, Getty, Imperial, Siberian Railway, Asahi, Wikimedia, Imperial Japanese Navy, Russian, Baltic Fleet, 2nd Pacific Squadron, Wikimedia Commons, Mukden, Japanese Defense Ministry, US Defense Department Russia's Locations: Tsushima, Japanese, Asia, European, Imperial Japan, Imperial Russia, Pacific, Japan, Russia, China, Port, Europe, Korea, Dalian, Liaodong, Port Arthur, Tokyo, Russian Pacific, Chemulpo, Ulsan, Baltic, Russian, Vladivostok, Philippines, Madagascar, Manila Bay, Shandong, Okinawa, US, Britain, Germany, Imperial Germany, South, Soviet Union, Manchuria, Taiwan

☆ Tiger Woods: How the battle for golf’s soul gave the US golfer new-found purpose – and human connection
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

CBS Archive/Getty Images Woods, 6, sizes up a putt in Los Alamitos, California, in 1982. Getty Images/Getty Images Woods hits a tee shot during the 1995 Walker Cup, an international team event. Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images Woods plays a shot from the ninth fairway during the 2000 US Open in Pebble Beach, California. David Cannon/Getty Images Woods falls to the ground in pain after hitting a shot at The Barclays in August 2013. Jamie Squire/Getty Images Woods and his son, Charlie, warm up before the final round of the PNC Championship in December 2020.

Persons: Woods, Alan Shipnuck, LIV, ” Shipnuck, ” Bryson DeChambeau, Paul Casey, Crushers, Charles Howell III, Anirban Lahiri, Chris Trotman, “ Tiger’s, “ He’s, he’s, “, “ LIV, Greg Norman, Quentin Tarantino, Brooks Koepka, Koepka, David J, Phillip, Mike Douglas, Bob Hope, Jack D, Miller, AP Woods, Rick Dole, Bob Galbraith, David Cannon, Robert Beck, Patrick Murphy, Nike — Woods, Lennox McLendon, Stephen Munday, Earl, Dave Martin, Alexander Hassenstein, Jonathan Ferrey, He's, Andy Lyons, Allsport, Bob May, Fred Vuich, Jack Nicklaus, Nicklaus, Logan Mock, Bunting, Phil Mickelson, Mickelson, Matthew Stockman, Steve Williams, Harry, Williams, Sam, Damian Dovarganes, Rocco, Gary A, Vasquez, Barack Obama, Pete Souza, Stuart Franklin, Elin, Charlie, Ezra Shaw, Eric Gay, Jimmy Fallon, Lloyd Bishop, Arnold Palmer, Chris Condon, Jason Dufner, Lindsey Vonn, Marco Trovati, Lannis, John Amis, Donald Trump, Getty Images Woods, Warren Little, Jamie Squire, Ben Jared, Wally Skalij, Shutterstock Woods, Tiger, Sam Greenwood, Cliff Hawkins, Jonathan Ernst, they’re, Shipnuck, ‘ I’m, Justin Thomas, I’m, ”, they’ve, what’s, Rory McIlroy, Rory, “ Rory, Bryson DeChambeau, ’, he’d, DeChambeau, “ Patrick Reed, Sergio García, “ Phil Mickelson, HyFlyers, Suhaimi Abdullah, Jay Monahan, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Phil Mickelson’s, Jamal Khashoggi, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prince, Mohammad Bin Salman, Reed, Garcia Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, PGA Tour, LIV, Miami, PGA, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, CBS, AP, Tiger, US Junior Amateur, Getty, Los Angeles, Tour, Stanford University, NCAA, Nike —, Las Vegas, Green, Army, Tiger Woods Foundation, Ford, British, Woods Learning, USA, Office, Stanford, NBCU, Bank, Bay, Invitational, Barclays, Trump, Getty Images, PNC, Law, Los Angeles Times, PNC Championship, Hall of Fame, Reuters, HyFlyers GC, Sentosa Golf, European, MBS, Fox News, ” CNN Locations: Los Angeles, Saudi, Delaware, Tiger’s, Los Alamitos , California, Vietnamese, Vietnam, Orange, United States, France, Hamburg, Germany, Pebble Beach , California, St . Andrews, Scotland, Louisville , Kentucky, Fort Bragg , North Carolina, Hoylake, England, Anaheim , California, Woods, Dublin , Ohio, Beaver Creek , Colorado, Atlanta, Rancho Palos Verdes , California, Pacific Palisades , California, Singapore, London, McIroy

☆ Fukuoka: The Japanese city that dominates street food
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Fukuoka, Japan’s sixth largest city by population, has more open-air food stalls than the rest of the country combined. These stalls are called yatais, and they’re an indelible part of what makes Fukuoka’s food scene so special. A vendor prepares local Hakata-style pork broth ramen at a Fukuoka yatai. Hemis/Alamy Stock Photo“Yatai is the best place to make friends,” says Nick Szasz, a Canadian-born longtime resident of Japan who runs the English-language website Fukuoka Now. Though the city has always been dotted with these food carts, Takashima’s administration set up a committee to regulate them and make sure they’d remain a vital part of the city.

Persons: Yatais, oden, ”, Nick Szasz, Szasz, it’s, Sōichirō Takashima, –, Fukuoka’s, Kensuke Kubota –, London’s Zuma, Japan –, Yatai Keiji, yatais Organizations: CNN, Fukuoka Locations: Japan’s, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Hakata, Canadian, Japan, Kyushu, AsiaDreamPhoto

☆ Opinion: The people Olympic host cities don’t want you to see
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Opinion David Goldblatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

A Japanese policeman checks the signs to be used during the opening parade at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, 1964. Police officers stand guard at the rowing and kayak competitions venue at Lake Lanier near Gainesville, Georgia, ahead of the 1996 Olympic Games. Helsinki, which built the first permanent Olympic Village in 1952, created a successful and architecturally distinguished neighbourhood of social housing. Barcelona’s 1992 Olympic Village became the epicentre of a process of beachside gentrification and soaring house prices. Until that changes, we can expect the staging of future Olympic Games to look the same.

Persons: David Goldblatt, Read, David Goldblatt David Goldblatt, Douglas Miller, Charles Platiau, dockets, Buda Mendes, Barcelona’s, Urman Lionel, Denis Organizations: CNN, Olympic, Hulton, Getty, LAPD, Atlanta, Police, Housing Rights, Pan American Games, Rio de, City Council, Melbourne Olympic Games, Asahi Shimbun, City, Games, International Olympic Committee, Olympic Games Locations: British, Paris, Berlin, Roma, Tokyo, Moscow, Los Angeles, Lake Lanier, Gainesville , Georgia, Atlanta, Seoul, Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Rio, Brazil, Buda, Helsinki, Melbourne, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Athens, Portakabins, London

CNN —Japan’s flag carrier had to make last minute changes to deal with excess weight – not from baggage, but from a group of passengers who just so happened to be sumo wrestlers. The sumo wrestlers weighed an average of 120 kilograms (264 pounds) each – far more than the 70 kilogram (154 pounds) average passenger – an airline spokesperson told CNN, raising concerns over fuel capacity on the smaller aircraft that services flights within Japan. But it was still a tight squeeze on the way back from the sumo festival. We had great support, although we are a little tired,” a representative for the Gunma wrestlers said in the TV Asahi report. There are no weight restrictions or classes in sumo wrestling, but the ancient Japanese sport has been dominated by bulkier athletes.

Persons: CNN —, Amami Oshima, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Japan Airlines, JAL, Haneda Airport, Itami Airport, ITM, TV Asahi, Asahi, bulkier, Travelers, Korean Air, Air Locations: Amami, Tokyo, Osaka, Japan, Haneda, Fukuoka, Gunma, “, Zealand, Auckland, New York

☆ IMF warning on China puts 'Japanization' risk in spotlight
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Under the Xi administration, China probably shifted its attention away from economics," he told Reuters. "What's fast emerging is the risk of China slipping into deflation, or the 'Japanization' of its economy," Bank of Japan (BOJ) board member Asahi Noguchi said on Thursday. In its World Economic Outlook, the IMF cut China's growth forecast for this year to 5.0% from 5.2% in April, and warned that its property sector crisis could deepen with global spillovers. To be sure, there are differences between what is happening in China and the experience of Japan. "Overall, we believe that China can avoid a prolonged period of sub-par growth with the right policies," Srinivasan said, when asked about the chance of "Japanization" in China.

Persons: Aly, Hiroshi Watanabe's, Hiroshi Watanabe, Japan's, Watanabe, Xi, Asahi Noguchi, Krishna Srinivasan, Srinivasan, doesn't, Leika Kihara, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Chizu Organizations: China Evergrande Group, REUTERS, Japan, Reuters, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Bank of Japan, Economic, Pacific Department, Thomson Locations: Danzhou, Hainan province, China, Japan, MARRAKECH, Morocco, Marrakech, Asia, Beijing, Tokyo

☆ Analysis: IMF warning on China puts 'Japanization' risk in spotlight
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Persons: Aly, Hiroshi Wanatabe, Watanabe, Xi, Asahi Noguchi, Krishna Srinivasan, Srinivasan, doesn't, Leika Kihara, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Chizu Organizations: China Evergrande Group, REUTERS, Japan, Reuters, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Bank of Japan, Economic, Pacific Department, Thomson Locations: Danzhou, Hainan province, China, Japan, MARRAKECH, Morocco, Marrakech, Asia, Beijing, Tokyo

☆ BOJ's Noguchi says wage growth momentum is biggest focus for Japan economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Bank of Japan board member Asahi Noguchi said on Thursday that the biggest focus for the Japanese economy now was to ensure that momentum for wage growth stayed in place, with a 3% rise in nominal pay to back efforts to meet the 2% inflation target. "His emphasis on wage growth probably meant the BOJ will retain its easy policy until wage hikes are firmly in place following the labour talks next March." "The biggest focus now is whether this (wage growth) momentum will be maintained or not from now on as well." Noguchi said household inflation expectations are steadily rising, but if wage growth lags behind price hikes, consumers would have no choice but to reduce their spending, as seen lately. "The BOJ's mission for the time being is to realise it (positive growth in real wages) through patient monetary easing," Noguchi said.

Persons: Asahi Noguchi, Noguchi, Yoshimasa Maruyama, Tetsushi, Chang, Ran Kim Organizations: Bank of Japan, Nikko Securities, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Niigata, Tokyo

TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese boys-band production company at the center of an unfolding sexual abuse scandal, Johnny & Associates, chose three former judges Wednesday to head its effort to compensate hundreds of victims. “We recognize that the late Johnny Kitagawa carried out sexual assaults over a long period, and we apologize to the victims from the bottom of our hearts,” the company said. Among the latest was Kao Corp., a chemical and cosmetics company, which cited “considerations for people’s various feelings” on Tuesday. McDonald’s Japan has also said it will stop using Johnny’s stars in future deals, but past ads featuring them remained on its official site. Johnny’s stars are extremely popular, leading to sponsorship revenue and hit TV shows.

Persons: Johnny Kitagawa, Kitagawa, Julie Keiko Fujishima, Johnny's, Noriyuki Higashiyama, Johnny’s, “, ”, McDonald’s, ___ Yuri Kageyama Organizations: TOKYO, Johnny & Associates, Asahi Group Holdings, Suntory Holdings, Kao Corp, Public, NHK, Japan Federation of Bar, Business, Rights Locations: Tokyo, Japan, McDonald’s Japan

TOKYO (AP) — Several major Japanese companies have decided to stop using stars who are represented by Johnny & Associates, an entertainment company at the center of a sexual assault scandal. Victims have come forward, demanding an apology and financial compensation from Johnny & Associates, which remains one of this nation’s most powerful entertainment companies. Critics say the mainstream news media kept silent because it didn’t want to lose access to Johnny’s stars for their programming. But public opinion has shifted dramatically in recent months, with the wave of companies dropping Johnny's expected to grow. Suntory Holdings said it will stop using Johnny’s personnel in its ads and has formally demanded improved corporate governance.

Persons: Johnny &, Junichi Okada, Toma Ikuta, Sho Sakurai, Johnny, Julie Keiko Fujishima, Johnny Kitagawa, Fujishima, Kitagawa, Hibiki, Hokuto, Atsushi Katsuki, Johnny's, ”, ___ Yuri Kageyama Organizations: TOKYO, Johnny, Johnny & Associates, Beverage, Asahi Group Holdings, Johnny’s, Japan Airlines, Nippon Life Insurance, Suntory Holdings, Asahi, Twitter Locations: Tokyo, SixTONES

☆ Japan PM Kishida plans Sept 13 cabinet reshuffle, coalition partner says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during the leaders talk of the ASEAN-Indo Pacific Forum (AIPF) in Jakarta, Indonesia September 6, 2023. Adek Berry/Pool via REUTERS/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to reshuffle his cabinet on Sept. 13, the head of the junior partner in Kishida's ruling coalition said on Friday. On Thursday, there was further bad news when former ruling Liberal Democratic Party member Masatoshi Akimoto was arrested on suspicion of taking bribes. 56% of people thought Kishida should renew his cabinet and shake up the senior executives of the ruling party. Reporting by Kantaro Komiya, Sakura Murakami, Kiyoshi Takenaka; editing by John Stonestreet and Susan FentonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Adek Berry, Natsuo Yamaguchi, Kishida, Masatoshi Akimoto, Akimoto, Kantaro Komiya, Sakura Murakami, Kiyoshi Takenaka, John Stonestreet, Susan Fenton Organizations: Japan's, ASEAN, Pacific, Rights, Public, NHK, Liberal Democratic Party, Asahi, Yomiuri, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, India

☆ Why Biden’s ban on drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge likely won’t affect gas prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The ban, announced on Wednesday, cancels seven Trump-era oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and prevents drilling on more than 13 million acres in the federal National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The Biden administration has annouced a ban on oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. “There’s little power to drill, pipeline to carry the crude oil, roads and everything needed basically to drill for oil,” he told CNN. The ban on drilling in the region would “not at all” hurt consumers in the future, De Haan said. Meanwhile, extreme summer heat has prevented many US refineries from operating at full capacity, leading to elevated gas prices throughout the peak driving season.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden, Patrick De Haan, ”, De Haan, Brent Organizations: New, New York CNN, Trump, Wildlife, National Petroleum Reserve, Asahi Shimbun, CNN, Brent, Labor, AAA Locations: New York, Alaska, Russia, Saudi Arabia, North

☆ A Japanese city is installing robots in classrooms so kids who are worried about attending school can tune in remotely
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Officials in a Japanese city are banking on robots to boost the confidence of absent pupils. The self-propelling robots will connect to pupils at home, the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported. The plan aims to help home-based pupils feel more included and eventually return to school. The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported that the initiative was due to involve two meter-high robots, which would be fitted with microphones and a camera to allow for two-way communication. Some schools in the US have also introduced robots on school campuses.

Organizations: Mainichi Shimbun, Service, Asahi Shimbun, Street Locations: Wall, Silicon, Kumamoto, Southwest Japan, Japan, New Mexico

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