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☆ UN sounds alarm at Israel’s ‘severe violations’ at key buffer zone with Syria
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-13 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The United Nations has accused Israel of “severe violations” of a 50-year-old agreement with Syria, saying it has engaged in “engineering groundwork activities” that encroach on a key buffer zone in the Golan Heights. The Israeli military said the strikes were part of a larger effort to target the capabilities of a Hezbollah unit responsible for weapons smuggling. Saban said that Hezbollah is unlikely to try and trigger an Israeli military offensive from the Golan, however. In July, the IDF said it struck Syrian military infrastructure in retaliation for alleged breaches. “The IDF holds the Syrian military responsible for all activities occurring within its territory and will not allow any attempts to violate Israeli sovereignty,” the Israeli military said.

Persons: Israel, UNDOF, ”, Yasushi Kaneko, Navvar Saban, Golan, ” Saban, Majdal Shams, Saban Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UN, Observer Force, Planet Labs, European Space Agency, Israel Defense Forces, Labs, Alpha, IDF, Israel, Yomiuri Shimbun, AP, Harmoon, for Contemporary Studies, Lebanese, Syrian Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry Locations: Syria, Golan, Israel, Jubata Al Khashab, Majdal Shams, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Syria Israel, Tehran, Damascus, Majdal, Qusayr, Homs

☆ Foreign buyers eye Japan's 'empty houses' with millions available for cheap — but experts warn of risks
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Ernestine Siu | In Ernestinesiu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

There are 9 million "akiyas" — empty houses — across Japan, according to official government data as of 2023. These homes, often abandoned and left empty for decades, are scattered across rural areas and big cities, offering a unique opportunity for buyers with creative ideas. Urban migration is another big contributing factor to Japan's abandoned houses. Ultimately, "many Japanese [people] look at akiya as depreciating items that are more trouble than they're worth," Michael, founder of Japan real estate blog Cheap Houses Japan, told CNBC Make It. Six years later, Wormann owns seven akiyas, and works as a full-time content creator and real estate investor in Japan.

Persons: Japan's, Tetsuya Kaneko, Kaneko, Michael, We've, Anton Wormann, Wormann Organizations: Istock, Savills Japan, CNBC, Japan Locations: Japan, New York, Europe, Sweden

☆ Fossils show that massive pterosaurs could fly millions of years ago
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The newly discovered fossils preserved 3D structures within the delicate wing bones, which typically are found flattened like pancakes within rock layers. CT scans of the fossils provided a rare glimpse inside the wing bones belonging to two species of pterosaurs, including one new to science. These are not unlike those found in the wing bones of modern birds that flap their wings to fly, Rosenbach said. In contrast, spiral ridges within Arambourgiania’s wing bones resembled the interiors of vulture wing bones, which are thought to resist the forces associated with soaring. “They represent the largest animals with the capacity to fly,” Rosenbach said of the extinct reptiles.

Persons: Kierstin Rosenbach, It’s, Tal Inab, “, philadelphiae, Jordan, Rosenbach, ” Rosenbach, Kierstin, Monique Perez, Stacy Kaneko, Danielle Goodvin, Jeff Wilson Mantilla, ”, Michael Benton, Benton, “ It’s, Dr Organizations: CNN, University of Michigan, University of Michigan’s, of Paleontology, University of Bristol Locations: what’s, Jordan, Africa, Ann Arbor, Arambourgiania, United Kingdom

☆ Princeton University Art Museum Gets Six Site-Specific New Works
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Hilarie M. Sheets | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Princeton University has a long history of commissioning public art by the likes of Henry Moore, Louise Nevelson, Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso, dating back to the 1960s. And when the Princeton University Art Museum opens to the public next year, at almost double the size of its original building, six new large-scale works by women and artists of color will have pride of place — visible beacons near the building’s perimeter, both indoors and out at this central crossroads on campus. The artworks include four site-specific commissions by Diana Al-Hadid, Nick Cave, Jane Irish and Tuan Andrew Nguyen and two acquisitions by Jun Kaneko and Rose B. Simpson. “From every access point toward the museum, there will be works of public art so that people can almost use them as visual markers of arrival,” James Steward, its director, said.

Persons: Henry Moore, Louise Nevelson, Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, Diana Al, Hadid, Nick Cave, Jane Irish, Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Jun Kaneko, Rose B, Simpson, “, ” James Steward Organizations: Princeton University, Princeton University Art Museum

☆ Japan's Message for Donald Trump: Don't Cut a Deal With China
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +8 min

Trump, who reached a trade agreement with Beijing in 2019 that later expired, has not mentioned any potential deal with China during his campaign for the 2024 nomination. Two Japanese foreign ministry officials said they fear that Trump may be prepared to weaken U.S. support for nearby Taiwan in pursuit of a deal with China. A Trump aide told Reuters that no recent meetings have taken place between Trump and Japanese officials. "If he is going to cut a deal with China, Japan needs to try and get ahead of the curve and understand its potential role to support its interests in both the U.S. and in China," said Machida. Robert O'Brien, Trump's former national security adviser, also has connections with Japanese officials, two of the sources said.

Persons: John Geddie, Tim Kelly, Yoshifumi, America's, Donald Trump, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden's, Trump, Xi, Kim Jong Un, they're, Ado Machida, Machida, Shinzo Abe, Aso, Japan's, Shigeo Yamada, Mike Pence, Jim Mattis, Mike Pompeo, Michael Green, Bill Hagerty, Yamada, Hagerty, Robert O'Brien, Trump's, O'Brien, Shigeru Kitamura, Biden, Tsuneo Watanabe, John Bolton, Watanabe, Yukiko Toyoda, Kaori Kaneko, Sakura Murakami, David Brunnstrom, Tim Reid, Ben Blanchard, Laurie Chen, Liz Lee, David Crawshaw Organizations: Trump, Republican, Group, North, Reuters, Fox News, U.S, Steel, Japan's Nippon Steel, U.S ., Liberal Democratic Party, . Studies, University of Sydney, Japan's U.S, Taiwan, Peace Foundation Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Asia, China, Beijing, Tokyo, Iowa, New Hampshire, U.S, Taiwan, Washington, Trump, Taipei

☆ Biden-Kishida Summit in Washington Likely Around April 10 -Yomiuri
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan and the United States are working to reschedule a summit in Washington between Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Joe Biden around April 10, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Thursday, citing diplomatic sources from both nations. Kishida said in November that Biden had invited him for a formal state visit in early 2024. The premier may also address the U.S. Congress during his visit to demonstrate the two nations' deepening ties, the Yomiuri said. (Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Kishida, Biden, Kaori Kaneko, Chang, Ran Kim Organizations: Yomiuri, Congress Locations: TOKYO, Japan, United States, Washington

☆ U.S. Military in Japan to Deploy to Earthquake-Hit Area - Sources
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. military forces in Japan are set to deploy to the earthquake-hit Noto peninsula to help with relief efforts, sources familiar with the matter said. Details of the mission are expected to be announced later on Tuesday, the sources said on condition of anonymity as the plans have not yet been made public. The quake is Japan's deadliest since 2016 when quakes in the southwestern region of Kumamoto claimed 276 lives. U.S. forces have been stationed in Japan since World War II, marking the country's biggest military presence abroad. (Reporting by Yukiko Toyoda, Nobuhiro Kubo, Tim Kelly, Kaori Kaneko; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Michael Perry)

Persons: Yukiko Toyoda, Nobuhiro Kubo, Tim Kelly, Kaori Kaneko, John Geddie, Michael Perry Organizations: Authorities Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Noto, Kumamoto, U.S

But the $290 billion outlay comes without a parallel plan to prepare Yonaguni for a possible humanitarian crisis that residents like Sakihara say could quickly overwhelm their shores. Tokyo, they said, has no plan to deal with them, and locals' pleas for help have gone unanswered. A spokesperson for Japan's Cabinet Secretariat said that "if large numbers of refugees came to Japan, relevant government departments would work together to respond". Even if he had a refugee plan, Kishida would still face an obstacle: his contentious relationship with the Okinawa government that administers Yonaguni. NOT ENOUGH TO SHAREBack in Yonaguni, resident Satoshi Nagahama, 33, was surprised to learn the government had no humanitarian plan for refugees.

Persons: Sonkichi Sakihara, chancing, Kenichi Itokazu, Itokazu, Hirokazu Matsuno, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Lai Ching, Matsuno, Fumio Kishida, Kevin Maher, Maher, Yoshihide Yoshida, Japan's, shouldn't, Kishida, Denny Tamaki, it's, Hironobu, Satoshi Nagahama, Sakihara, Koji Sugama, Tim Kelly, Kaori Kaneko, Yukiko Toyoda, Ben Blanchard, Kentaro Sugiyama, David Crawshaw Organizations: Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, U.S, Japan Coast Guard, Migration Policy Institute, Nations, NMV Consulting, State Department, Defense Forces, it's, University's Research, of Disaster Management, Thomson Locations: YONAGUNI, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Tokyo, Yonaguni, Taipei, Myanmar, Europe, East, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Washington, East Asia, Okinawa

☆ Japan's factory activity shrinks for 6th month on weak demand - PMI
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The au Jibun Bank flash Japan manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) slipped to 48.1 in November from 48.7 in October. "Demand conditions at private sector firms remained muted in November and were little-changed from October." The au Jibun Bank flash services PMI stood at 51.7 in November, little changed from 51.6 in October, showing modest expansion in the sector, but it was the second-weakest reading so far this year. Firms stayed confident about the business activity outlook for one year ahead, the survey said. The au Jibun Bank Flash Japan composite PMI, which combines both manufacturing and service sector activity, stood at 50.0 in November from 50.5 in October.

Persons: Toru Hanai, Usamah Bhatti, Kaori Kaneko, Kim COghill Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, P Global Market Intelligence, PMI, Firms, Jibun Bank Flash Japan, Thomson Locations: Kawasaki, Japan

☆ Japan cuts view on economy for first time in 10 months
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Japan's government on Wednesday slashed its view on the economy for November in its first such downgrade in 10 months, as weak demand weighed on capital spending and consumer expenditure. The new assessment by the Cabinet Office came after data last week showed the economy shrank in July-September for the first time in three quarters as demand waned. "The economy is recovering moderately, although some areas showed stalemate recently," said the report issued by the Cabinet Office on Wednesday. It was the first time the government has cut its view on the overall economy since January. The government expects the economy to continue to recover moderately but there are risks such as those from global monetary tightening and the Chinese economy.

Persons: inflation's, Fumio, Kaori Kaneko, Sam Holmes Organizations: Cabinet, Thomson Locations: TOKYO

☆ Japan's Daisaku Ikeda, longtime Soka Gakkai lay Buddhist leader, dies at 95
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Anton Bridge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Ikeda died on Wednesday evening from natural causes at age 95, Soka Gakkai said in a statement on its website. Soka Gakkai, founded in 1930, says it has 12 million members in 192 countries and territories worldwide. He also founded Soka Gakkai's umbrella organisation, Soka Gakkai International, in 1975, where he served as honorary president from 1979 until his death. But those dropped off in recent years leading to some speculation about his health and role in Soka Gakkai International. In 1947 he met Josei Toda, then leader of the Soka Gakkai organisation, who was to become his mentor.

Persons: Daisaku Ikeda, Ikeda, Zhou Enlai, Mikhail Gorbachev, Arnold Toynbee, Polly Toynbee, Ichi, Josei Toda, Succeeding Toda, Kaneko, Hiromasa, Takahiro, Anton Bridge, David Dolan, William Mallard aand Kim Coghill Organizations: Soka Gakkai, Kyodo, Rights, Soviet, government's, Soka, Soka Gakkai International, SGI, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, British

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a family photo during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 16, 2023. They also pledged to hold high-level dialogue on economic issues and welcomed the launch of a framework to discuss export controls as they met on the sidelines of an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. In a joint statement in 2008, Japan and China agreed to pursue a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" designed to ensure frequent leadership exchanges on issues such as security and economic cooperation. On the sidelines of the APEC summit, Kishida has also met South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for their seventh meeting this year. Leaders from the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum are in San Francisco for its 30th summit from Nov. 15-17.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Xi Jinping, Carlos Barria, Xi, Kishida, Joe Biden, Biden, Washington, Rumi Aoyama, Aoyama, Yoon Suk, Yoon, Mariko Katsumura, John Geddie, Kaori Kaneko, Sakura Murakami, Ethan Wang, Stephen Coates, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Japan's, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Asia, Astellas Pharma, ., Waseda Institute of Contemporary Chinese, APEC, South, Thomson Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, China, San Francisco, Japan, Taiwan, Beijing, United States, Tokyo

The logo of Rapidus Corp. is displayed at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan February 2, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Japanese chip foundry venture Rapidus plans to open a sales office in the United States by the end of the financial year. Rapidus is led by veteran chip executives and hopes to manufacture cutting-edge chips by partnering with IBM (IBM.N) and Belgium-based research organisation Imec. The CEO of Imec said last week that what Rapidus is trying to do is "extremely difficult" adding he was "positive" about the prospects for the venture. Reporting by Kaori Kaneko and Sam Nussey; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Christian SchmollingerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Issei Kato, Rapidus, Taiwan's TSMC, Imec, Kaori Kaneko, Sam Nussey, Chang, Ran Kim Organizations: Rapidus Corp, REUTERS, Rights, IBM, Samsung Electronics, U.S, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Belgium, South, Chitose, China

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki arrives for a news conference during the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Marrakech, Morocco, October 13, 2023. REUTERS/Susana Vera/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Tuesday that the government would take all possible steps necessary to respond to currency moves, repeating his usual mantra that excessive swings were undesirable. Suzuki made the remarks when asked about impacts from the weak yen on households which have been pressured by rising living costs due to higher import prices for fuel and food. "What's important is to maximise positive effects from the weak yen while mitigating negatives," Suzuki told reporters. Japan last intervened in the currency market - selling dollars and buying yen - in October last year.

Persons: Shunichi Suzuki, Susana Vera, Suzuki, Shinichi Uchida, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Kaori Kaneko, Satoshi Sugiyama, Chang, Ran Kim Organizations: International Monetary Fund, World Bank, REUTERS, Rights, Japanese Finance, Bank, Bank of, Thomson Locations: Marrakech, Morocco, Japan, U.S

☆ UN says no aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

She did not say why the trucks had not been able to cross into Gaza from Egypt on Tuesday. The United States is negotiating with Israel, Egypt and the United Nations to try and create a delivery mechanism to get aid into Gaza. They are wrangling over procedures for inspecting the aid and bombardments on the Gaza side of the border. Since limited aid deliveries began on Saturday, 54 trucks have crossed into Gaza carrying food, medicine and water, which U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described as "a drop of aid in an ocean of need." Senior U.N. aid official Lynn Hastings had earlier told the Security Council that 20 trucks were due to cross on Tuesday.

Persons: Khan Younis, Abu Mustafa, Joe Biden, Eri Kaneko, Biden, Antonio Guterres, Lynn Hastings, John Kirby, Hastings, Michelle Nichols, Ismail Shakil, Deepa Babington Organizations: United Nations, REUTERS, UNITED NATIONS, White, Security Council, White House, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Egypt, United States, Israel, Rafah

☆ Japan's Foreign Minister Arranging Call With Iranian Counterpart
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is in the final process of arranging a telephone discussion with her Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian on Tuesday, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said. Japan maintains a friendly relationship with Iran. In September, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in New York and told that Japan will continue its diplomatic efforts toward easing tensions and stabilizing the situation in the middle east. U.S. President Joe Biden will make a high-stakes visit to Israel on Wednesday as the country prepares to escalate an offensive against Hamas militants that has set off a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and raised fears of a broader conflict with Iran. (Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

Persons: Yoko Kamikawa, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Hirokazu Matsuno, Fumio Kishida, Ebrahim Raisi, Joe Biden, Kaori Kaneko, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Japan's, Hamas Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Iran, New York, U.S, Israel, Gaza

The indicative price range was set at 1,830-1,840 yen per share, KKR-backed Kokusai said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday, compared with 1,890 yen previously. Kokusai said the lower range reflected the view of institutional investors and the state of the stock market. If its IPO prices at the top of the range, Kokusai, which manufactures machines that deposit thin films on silicon wafers, will offer 108.3 billion yen ($729 million) worth of shares and have a market valuation of 423.9 billion yen, excluding an overallotment. Capital Research and Management and Lazard Asset Management have committed to purchase shares at the offer price, Kokusai said in a separate filing. Kokusai's largest customers are Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), TSMC (2330.TW) and Micron Technology (MU.O), collectively accounting for more than 40% of its revenue.

Persons: Kokusai, SoftBank Group's, Sam Nussey, Makiko Yamazaki, Miho Uranaka, Kaori Kaneko, Christian Schmollinger, Sonali Paul, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Kokusai, KKR, Capital Research, Management, Lazard Asset Management, Samsung Electronics, Micron Technology, Investors, Micron, Thomson Locations: TOKYO

☆ Japan to allocate $205 million to support electric aircraft systems, Nikkei reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Japan will subsidize hydrogen fuel cell systems and other equipment to the tune of 30.6 billion yen ($205 million), the Nikkei business daily reported on Sunday. The government's decision is aimed at supporting the development of components for electric aircraft with reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the newspaper said. The trade ministry is expected to present the policy at a working group of the ministry's council, it said. The government will allocate 17.3 billion yen for the development of hydrogen fuel cell systems for aircraft, and 13.3 billion yen for the development of fuel-efficient engine control systems, the Nikkei said. ($1 = 149.3200 yen)Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kaori Kaneko, Robert Birsel Organizations: Nikkei, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, ministry's

☆ Japan says it continues to seek release of Astellas worker detained in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Japan is continuing its efforts to seek the prompt release of an employee ofAstellas Pharma (4503.T) who has been detained in China since March, Japan's top government spokesman said on Thursday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno was speaking at a press conference after Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday that Beijing was expected to decide soon on whether to formally arrest the Japanese businessman, whom it detained on suspicion of espionage. Reporting by Kaori Kaneko Editing by Chang-Ran KimOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hirokazu Matsuno, Kaori Kaneko, Chang, Ran Kim Organizations: Astellas Pharma, Kyodo, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, China, Japan's, Beijing

☆ Japan to allocate $140 mln more to help fisheries after China's import ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Japanese imports of seafood are seen in a supermarket in Hong Kong, China July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Monday the government would allocate an additional 20.7 billion yen ($141.41 million) to support the fisheries industry after China's total import ban of Japanese aquatic products. The ban followed the start of Japan's release of treated radioactive water from the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant last month. The government had previously set up two funds worth 80 billion yen to help develop new markets and keep excess fish frozen until they can be sold when demand recovers, among other measures. With the additional funding, from budget reserves, support would total 100.7 billion yen, Kishida said.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Kaori Kaneko, Chang, Ran Kim Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China

[1/2] Union workers of Sogo & Seibu hold banners which read 'on strike' in front of the company's flagship Seibu Ikebukuro store in Tokyo, Japan August 31, 2023. In a statement, Fortress said it would work with Seven & i to support Sogo & Seibu's management to maintain its workforce "to the extent possible." It plans to invest more than 20 billion yen with partner Yodobashi to renovate Sogo & Seibu's stores, it said. Sogo & Seibu's workers had the support of labour groups from rival department stores including Takashimaya and Isetan Mitsukoshi (3099.T). The Seibu Ikebukuro store is Japan's third-largest department store by sales, according to media reports, but its owner Sogo & Seibu has been in the red for the last four years.

Persons: Irene Wang, Fortress, Yodobashi, it's, Yasuhiro Teraoka, Isetan Mitsukoshi, Wakana Shuto, Stephen Givens, Ritsuko Shimizu, Mariko Katsumura, Kaori Kaneko, Rocky Swift, Chang, Ran Kim, Edwina Gibbs, Stephen Coates, Miral Organizations: Union, Sogo, Seibu, company's, REUTERS, Workers, Fortress Investment Group, Yodobashi Holdings, Rikkyo, Japan Inc, Thomson, & & ' Locations: Tokyo, Japan, U.S, TOKYO, Ikebukuro, Sogo, Seibu Ikebukuro

[1/2] Union workers of Sogo & Seibu hold banners which read 'on strike' in front of the company's flagship Seibu Ikebukuro store in Tokyo, Japan August 31, 2023. Some 900 workers at the flagship Seibu store in the bustling district of Ikebukuro are protesting the sale of Sogo & Seibu, a unit of retail giant Seven & i (3382.T), to U.S. fund Fortress Investment Group. This one-day strike - the first at a major Japanese department store in 61 years - followed months of negotiations between Sogo & Seibu management and the workers' union, and comes amid a labour shortage in Japan. Other Seibu and Sogo department stores were open for business as usual. The Seibu Ikebukuro store is Japan's third-largest department store by sales, according to media reports, but its owner Sogo & Seibu has been in the red for the last four years.

Persons: Irene Wang, Isetan Mitsukoshi, Wakana Shuto, Stephen Givens, it's, Ritsuko Shimizu, Mariko Katsumura, Kaori Kaneko, Rocky Swift, Chang, Ran Kim, Edwina Gibbs, Stephen Coates, Miral Organizations: Union, Sogo, Seibu, company's, REUTERS, Workers, Fortress Investment Group, Yodobashi Holdings, Rikkyo, Japan Inc, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, U.S, TOKYO, Ikebukuro, Sogo, Seibu Ikebukuro

☆ Japan sees rare strike as workers at landmark department store protest sale
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Mariko Katsumura 清水律子 | Mariko Katsumura | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The slogan on the banner in the centre reads, 'Sogo & Seibu, strike solidarity'. This one-day strike - the first at a major Japanese department store in 61 years - followed months of negotiations between Sogo & Seibu management and the workers' union. Other Seibu and Sogo department stores were open for business as usual. "Considering the industry's difficulties, the conditions at Sogo & Seibu are not unique." Sogo & Seibu has been in the red for the last four years and has some 300 billion yen in debt.

Persons: Satomi Saito, Isetan Mitsukoshi, Daimaru, Wakana Shuto, Ritsuko Shimizu, Mariko Katsumura, Kaori Kaneko, Rocky Swift, Chang, Ran Kim, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Sogo, Seibu, company's, Kyodo, Workers, Fortress Investment Group, Yodobashi Holdings, Yodobashi, Hankyu Hanshin, Rikkyo, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, U.S, TOKYO, Ikebukuro, Sogo

☆ Japan says seawater radioactivity below limits near Fukushima
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A view of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant after it started releasing treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, seen from the nearby Ukedo fishing port in Namie town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, Aug. 25, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Bateman/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc FollowTOKYO, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Japan's environment ministry on Sunday said tests of seawater near the Fukushima nuclear power plant did not detect any radioactivity, days after the discharge of treated water that had been used to cool nuclear reactors. The east-Asian nation on Thursday started releasing water from the wrecked Fukushima plant into the Pacific Ocean, sparking protests within Japan and neighbouring countries and prompting China to ban aquatic product imports from Japan. It said the seawater "would have no adverse impact on human health and the environment". Japan's fisheries agency on Saturday said tests of fish in waters around the plant did not detect tritium.

Persons: Tom Bateman, Kaori Kaneko, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Rights Companies Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Reuters, Tokyo Electric Power Co, Tepco, Thomson Locations: Fukushima, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, China

☆ Japan lodges protest with Russia over suspension of tax treaties
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Japan's Education Minister Hirokazu Matsuno speaks at a news conference at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, August 3, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File PhotoTOKYO, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Wednesday that Japan has lodged a protest with Russia over Moscow's suspension of tax treaties. "Japan lodged a protest against Russia through diplomatic channels and asked them to withdraw their decision," he said. Matsuno also said that the government would closely examine Russia's decision, and would collect information on the situation of Japanese companies there and take appropriate action. Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hirokazu Matsuno, Shinzo, Kim Kyung, Vladimir Putin, Russia's, Matsuno, Kaori Kaneko, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Japan's, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Russia

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