DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Japan slammed by torrential rain as typhoon nears
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, June 2 (Reuters) - Parts of Japan were slammed by torrential rain on Friday as Typhoon Mawar neared, bringing winds and heavy rain to a wide swathe of the country and prompting authorities to advise tens of thousands to evacuate. But forecasters warned there was the danger that humid air from the typhoon could feed into a seasonal rain front, touching off heavy localized rains. Similar weather patterns have caused flooding and landslides in the past, most notably in the summer of 2018, when more than 200 people were killed in western Japan. Though heavy summer rains are not uncommon in Japan, June is unusually early for a typhoon-type storm to near the islands. On Thursday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the nation had experienced its warmest spring since record-keeping began in 1898.

Persons: Mawar, Elaine Lies, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Japan Meteorological Agency, JMA, NHK, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Mawar, Guam, Honshu, Okinawa, Shikoku, Toyohashi

☆ Japan court rules that a bar on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Elaine Lies | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] People including plaintiffs' lawyers hold banners and flags, after the lower court ruled that not allowing same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, outside Nagoya district court, in Nagoya, central Japan, May 30, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. The ruling by the Nagoya District Court was the second to find a ban against same-sex marriage unconstitutional, out of four cases on the issue over the past two years. A Tokyo court later upheld the ban on same-sex marriage but said a lack of legal protection for same-sex families violated their human rights. Though opinion polls show some 70% of the public supports same-sex marriage, the conservative ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida opposes it. Kishida in February sacked an aide who sparked outrage by saying people would flee Japan if same-sex marriage was allowed, but the premier remains noncommittal about it and has said discussions must proceed "carefully".

☆ Mitsubishi Motors to extend suspension of production in China -Yomiuri
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO, May 30 (Reuters) - Mitsubishi Motors Corp (7211.T) will extend the suspension of its production in China beyond May, the Yomiuri Shimbun daily reported on Tuesday. Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

TOKYO, May 22 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is increasingly certain to call a snap election, perhaps within weeks, as domestic support surges after a G7 summit that drew a surprise visit by Ukraine's president. Although Kishida said on Sunday he was not thinking of dissolving parliament now, experts feel he may not be able to resist as favourable conditions stack up. "For Kishida, Zelenskiy's visit has a unique significance that will help boost his support rating," said Shigenobu Tamura, a political analyst and former LDP staffer. On Friday, it powered to its highest since 1990. read moreCalling an early election could mean less time for the opposition to prepare. An early election might come too soon to guarantee Kishida the LDP presidency even if the party does well, as a threat looms from rising prices, said analyst Atsuo Ito.

☆ Japan's G7 refugee balancing act: door open for Ukrainians, but not many others
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Elaine Lies | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The generosity towards Ukrainian evacuees, however, will highlight the stark contrast against Japan's track record with asylum seekers, experts and advocates say, with hopes for broader refugee policy reform still distant. Ukrainians have entered Japan under a framework set up specifically for them and are referred to as evacuees rather than refugees. "We want the world to know how bad Japan's refugee recognition system is," said Keiko Tanaka, head of Osaka-based refugee assistance group Rafiq, noting the group would hold a press conference on Sunday when the G7 summit wraps up. Private charity Nippon Foundation gave her 1 million yen ($7,400)- an annual grant it extends exclusively to Ukrainian evacuees. Advocates are guardedly hopeful the Ukrainian presence could change Japan's overall refugee policy, but Temple University Japan's political science professor James Brown thought it unlikely.

☆ Ukraine's envoy to Japan urges G7 to condemn any threat to use nuclear weapons
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Elaine Lies | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, May 9 (Reuters) - The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations must condemn any threat to use nuclear weapons and vow "decisive action" against such a move when they hold a summit next week in the city of Hiroshima, Ukraine's envoy to Japan said. read more"It should be a very clear statement from specifically those nuclear powers among the G7 that the use of nuclear weapons or nuclear terrorism will not be tolerated and will be met with almost decisive actions from major powers," he said. "It's most important that the summit when we have a real threat of nuclear terrorism, that summit will be in Hiroshima," Korsunsky added. He called for G7 talks on nuclear security and the global architecture, as both the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) and the U.N. Security Council lacked power. Last week, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said his government was examining how Russian assets could be used to help Ukraine's war effort.

☆ Japan's Honda, GS Yuasa to invest $3 bln for battery development, build plant -Nikkei
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, April 27 (Reuters) - Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267.T) and battery maker GS Yuasa Corp (6674.T) will invest over 400 billion yen ($2.99 billion) and team up to produce batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and homes, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Thursday. The companies will start by building a new plant in Japan, targeting a production capacity of at least 20 gigawatt hours (GWh), the Nikkei added, without citing sources. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry would provide a subsidy of about 150 billion yen, the newspaper added, without specifying whether that would be only for building the factory. GS Yuasa could not be immediately reached outside of regular office hours. ($1 = 133.9700 yen)Reporting by Daniel Leussink, Maki Shiraki and Elaine Lies; Editing by Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Sudan fighting resurges as UN envoy says ceasefire partly holding
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Khalid Abdelaziz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire beginning on Tuesday after negotiations mediated by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. U.N. special envoy on Sudan Volker Perthes told the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday that the ceasefire "seems to be holding in some parts so far." The fighting has paralysed hospitals and other essential services, and left many people stranded in their homes with dwindling supplies of food and water. The U.N. humanitarian office (OCHA) said shortages of food, water, medicines and fuel were becoming "extremely acute", prices were surging and it had cut back operations for safety reasons. Since the fighting erupted, tens of thousands have left for neighbouring Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

☆ DeSantis praises 'strong Japan' military build-up in PM Kishida meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as he pays a courtesy call to Kishida at the latter's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, 24 April 2023. KIMIMASA MAYAMA/Pool via REUTERSTOKYO, April 24 (Reuters) - Potential U.S. presidential candidate Ron DeSantis on Monday met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and lauded bilateral ties, especially the idea of a "strong Japan". "We really appreciate what a great ally Japan has been to the U.S. for many, many decades," DeSantis told Kishida at the start of their meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo. We understand it's a tough neighbourhood out here ... and we really believe that a strong Japan is good for America, and a strong America is good for Japan," he said. DeSantis, who is set to meet with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi later on Monday, will head to South Korea, Israel and Britain after leaving Japan.

☆ Japanese fete LGBTQ progress, demand marriage rights as G7 summit looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Elaine Lies | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Masako Mori, a special advisor to Kishida on LGBTQ affairs, attended, but did not mention same-sex marriage in brief remarks before the parade began, instead urging "greater understanding of LGBTQ." Crowds lined the sidewalks, waving rainbow flags and shouting "Happy Pride" at marchers, who included a group from Taiwan - the only Asian nation with same-sex marriage. Kishida in February sacked an aide who sparked outrage by saying people would flee Japan if same-sex marriage was allowed, but the premier remains noncommittal about same-sex marriage, even as polls show some 70% of the public in favour. Allowing same-sex marriage would require amending the civil code. The situation has long limited the talent pool for global firms, but even traditional Japanese companies now find their international competitiveness endangered without diversity, including LGBTQ rights.

☆ Support for Japan PM Kishida jumps, but policies still a hard sell, survey shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, April 17 (Reuters) - Support for the government of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida jumped in a survey taken at the weekend, but voters remained dubious about its proposals, including new childcare plans aimed at reversing the declining birthrate. A survey conducted by ANN television on Saturday and Sunday found 45.3% of respondents supported Kishida's government, up 10.2 points from the previous month. But roughly 80% did not think the government's childcare plans would do much to solve the low birthrate problem and some 60% disagreed with funding those plans by increasing the burden on taxpayers. Though Kishida struggled with sliding support late in 2022, more recent polls have showed a slight uptick in his ratings. A survey by the Mainichi daily also conducted at the weekend found support for Kishida at 36%, up from 33% in March.

☆ Buffett says he holds 7.4% stake in five Japanese trading houses, including Itochu, Nikkei reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO, April 11 (Reuters) - Berkshire Hathaway Inc's (BRKa.N) Warren Buffett is considering additional investment in Japanese stocks and said he holds a 7.4% stake in each of five Japanese trading houses, including Itochu Corp (8001.T), the Nikkei reported on Tuesday. In an interview with the newspaper, Buffett also said he would visit Japanese trading houses and Tungaloy Corp offices during his stay in Japan this time. Berkshire Hathaway had more than a 6% stake in each of those five trading houses, according to regulatory filings made in November last year. read moreThe other trading houses are Mitsubishi Corp (8058.T), Mitsui & Co(8031.T), Sumitomo Corp(8053.T) and Marubeni (8002.T). Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Vending machine in remote Japan town sells meat from intruding bears
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Irene Wang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] A vending machine menu offering Asian Black Bear meat, Akita Beef and dried mountain stream fish is seen in front of a Soba Noodle restaurant in Semboku, Akita prefecture, Japan April 6, 2023. REUTERS/Irene WangSEMBOKU, Japan, April 6 (Reuters) - A remote Japanese town has taken to selling bear meat from a vending machine, sourcing its supply to Asian black bears, listed as a vulnerable species, caught in traps or in the mountains by hunters. Asian black bears are listed as vulnerable, but not critically so, and it is legal to eat bear in Japan. Vending machines throughout Japan offer everything from drinks, snacks and surgical masks to more exotic fare such as edible insects and whale meat. "Bear meat isn't very common so we want tourists who come to visit the town to buy it," Sato said.

☆ Ryuichi Sakamoto, composer of 'The Last Emperor' film score, dies aged 71
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( Elaine Lies | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and member of the jury for the upcoming 68th Berlinale International Film Festival attends a news conference in Berlin, Germany, February 15, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File PhotoTOKYO, April 2 (Reuters) - Ryuichi Sakamoto, the Oscar-winning Japanese composer famed for his scores for "The Last Emperor", "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" and other films, has died aged 71, the Yomiuri Shimbun daily reported on Sunday. Sakamoto was also known for his work with the pioneering electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) which he co-founded. Embracing electronic music, he and fellow studio musicians Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi formed YMO in 1978. His most celebrated work was 1987's "The Last Emperor" - a film in which he also acted.

☆ Mitsubishi Motors to sell only EVs, hybrids by mid-2030s
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A Mitsubishi Motors signage is pictured next to a Mitsubishi Motors electric car at the Tokyo Motor Show, in Tokyo, Japan October 24, 2019. Mitsubishi considers plug-in hybrids (PHEV), hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles (BEV) as electrified vehicles. Electrified vehicles accounted for about 7% of the company's total new car sales in fiscal 2021. Mitsubishi, an early mover in EVs in the early 2010s, currently has no BEVs in its line-up in Europe. Of the other 14 models Mitsubishi plans to launch, seven will be purely combustion engine-powered ones, five will be hybrids and the remaining two will be BEV, the company said.

☆ Mitsubishi Motors to electrify 100% of its fleet by 2035 - Yomiuri
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, March 10 (Reuters) - Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi Motors Corp (7211.T) plans to electrify 100% of its fleet by 2035 through active introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles (EV), the Yomiuri Shimbun daily said on Friday. Mitsubishi is a junior member of the partnership of French carmaker Renault SA (RENA.PA) and Nissan Motor Co (7201.T), which last month announced a deal to redesign their alliance. Mitsubishi had previously said it would have 50% of its fleet electrified by 2030, a goal the Yomiuri said would remain unchanged, with emphasis then being on pushing forward with electrification over the next five years. Mitsubishi also plans on introducing EVs in Europe, it added, saying the company would make an announcement about its plans soon. The company, which is scheduled to hold a news conference later on Friday, declined to comment when asked about the report.

☆ Rice into low-carbon plastic: bringing hope to a struggling Fukushima town
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Elaine Lies | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Last November, Tokyo-based firm Biomass Resin opened a factory in Namie to turn locally-grown rice into pellets. "Even now, we can't sell it as Fukushima rice. The same wave slammed into the nuclear plant, setting off meltdowns and explosions. "Namie was hit by four disasters - the quake, the tsunami, the reactor accident and then rumours about radiation danger," said Takemitsu Imazu, president of Biomass Resin Fukushima. The plastic isn't biodegradable, Imazu said, but using rice cuts the petroleum products involved - and growing more rice in Namie reduces overall atmospheric CO2.

☆ Progress made in Japan on gender wage gap, but more must be done - government
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, March 8 (Reuters) - Progress has been made on improving working conditions for women in Japan but more must be done, Japan's chief cabinet secretary said on Wednesday, adding that social attitudes about gender equality were poor. Japan ranked 116 out of 146 countries on gender parity in the World Economic Forum's global report last year, and efforts to promote women in management and government have stalled. There are only two women cabinet ministers among the 20 members of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's cabinet. Women did 80% of the cooking, compared to 8% of men, and other household chores had a similar weighting. The only job men did more than women was taking out the rubbish, at 49% to 43%.

☆ Light show meets opera as new 'Turandot' seeks to lure people back to theatre
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Irene Wang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Cast members perform Giacomo Puccini's Turandot with immersive laser lights created by 'teamLab' during a dress rehearsal at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in Tokyo, Japan February 21, 2023. REUTERS/Issei KatoTOKYO, Feb 24 (Reuters) - A kaleidoscopic light show has helped reinvent Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot" currently playing in Tokyo - a production which aims to bring people back into theatres now that the pandemic has eased. The opera, reimagined by American director Daniel Kramer in collaboration with teamLab, the Japanese group famed for its digital art installations, employs dazzling displays of lasers and three-dimensional light sculptures. The light-infused Turandot made its debut in Geneva last year and will be performed at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan until Feb. 26. Reporting by Irene Wang; Writing by Elaine Lies; Editing by Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan's emperor gives first birthday address in four-year reign
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Japan's Emperor Naruhito accompanied with Empress Masako wave well-wishers as he appears on the balcony of the Imperial Palace to mark the emperor's 63th birthday in Tokyo Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Tokyo. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERSTOKYO, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Japanese Emperor Naruhito on Thursday gave his first public birthday address since ascending the throne almost four years ago, after delays due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and urged support for people struggling with inflation and the pandemic. Naruhito, who turned 63, was crowned emperor on May 1, 2019, after his father Akihito became the first emperor to abdicate in two centuries. Public birthday appearances by the emperor are an annual tradition but the event had been suspended from 2020 due to the pandemic. "I feel very happy to have my birthday celebrated before the public for the first time," Naruhito said.

☆ Tears and photos as Japan sends giant panda 'home' to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Elaine Lies | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A baby panda Xiang Xiang, born from mother panda Shin Shin on June 12, 2017, walks on the ground during a press preview ahead of the public debut at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, Japan December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Yoshikazu Tsuno/PoolTOKYO, Feb 21 (Reuters) - With tears, waves and shouts of farewell from fans, a Japan-born giant panda set off for China on Tuesday from the Tokyo zoo where she was raised. Xiang Xiang was originally supposed to be returned in December 2020 but this was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The zoo's first naturally-conceived panda, Xiang Xiang was also the first born there for years, enhancing her popularity. "Thank you, Xiang Xiang," one fan wrote on the zoo's Twitter page.

[1/4] A Japanese flag flutters atop the Bank of Japan building under construction in Tokyo, Japan, September 21, 2017. "This is a problem that is not going to change easily," said Momoko Nojo, a prominent campaigner for gender equality in Japan. The BOJ ranked 142nd of 185 central banks on gender equality, according to a report last year by the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum. About 11% of central banks surveyed had a female governor, a record high, while 37% had female deputy governors. That target is far below the European Central Bank, where women hold 30% of management roles.

☆ Most Japanese favour recognising same-sex marriage - survey
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Plaintiffs, lawyers and supporters march as they head to the court which will rule on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage, in Tokyo, Japan, November 30, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-HoonTOKYO, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Nearly two-thirds of Japanese believe same-sex marriage should be legally recognised, a public opinion poll showed on Monday. The survey showed 64% of respondents were in favour of recognising same-sex marriage and roughly the same number said a law promoting the understanding of sexual diversity was needed. Just over a quarter of respondents said they were against same-sex marriage. In November, a Japanese court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage but said a lack of legal protection for same-sex families violated their human rights, a comment welcomed by plantiffs as a step towards aligning Japan with other economically advanced nations.

TOKYO, Feb 7 (Reuters) - The popularity of Japan's crisp powder snow among foreign skiers, surging back into the country, is luring more to seek the thrill of pristine backcountry slopes - sometimes with deadly impact. Japan's snow, prized among skiers for dryness caused by local atmospheric conditions, is a big draw. The head of Japan's National Governors Association last week said a national system of safety measures is now essential. BACKCOUNTRY CULTUREThe reputation of Japanese snow took off after the Nagano Olympics. Japan wants to welcome foreign skiers, but they need to know the reality of the risks involved, said Kenji Kubota, a researcher with the Japan Rescue Organization.

☆ China, Japan discuss concerns over disputed East China Sea islands
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi discussed disputed islands in the East China Sea on Thursday, with both expressing concerns and Qin hoping Japan could stop "right-wing" provocations. The disputed East China Sea islets claimed by both China and Japan have long been a sticking point in bilateral relations. China calls the islands Diaoyu, while Japan calls them Senkaku. Hayashi said bilateral relations face "many challenges and concerns," adding that Japanese public opinion toward China is "extremely severe," Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Hayashi also expressed "serious concerns" about the East China Sea, including China's activities around the islands, as well as its "increasingly active military activities near Japan".

Search resuls for: "Elaine Lies"

25 mentions found