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☆ Panasonic puts productivity boost ahead of new EV plant in U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Panasonic Energy Co. headquarters in Moriguchi, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. The battery unit, Panasonic Energy, had previously said it aimed to decide on building the factory by the end of March. Panasonic Energy has a plant in Nevada and has broken ground on a second one in Kansas. The unit expects the Kansas plant to take its annual auto battery capacity to 80 gigawatt hours, or GWh, a year. Given the human resources requirements of a new plant, Kusumi said it was generally better to have fewer production sites.

Persons: Kentaro Takahashi, Yuki Kusumi, Kusumi Organizations: Panasonic Energy Co, Panasonic, EV, Bloomberg, Getty, Panasonic Energy, EVs, General Motors, Ford, U.S Locations: Moriguchi, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, North America, Tokyo, United States, Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma, Europe

☆ Amazon's AWS to invest $15 billion to expand cloud computing in Japan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

An US giant Amazon employee passes by its logo on the opening day of the new distribution center in Augny, eastern France, on September 23, 2021. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)Amazon Web Services, or AWS, said on Friday it plans to invest 2.26 trillion yen ($15.24 billion) in Japan by 2027 to expand cloud computing infrastructure that serves as a backbone for artificial technology, or AI, services. The Amazon.com unit is spending to expand facilities in the metropolises of Tokyo and Osaka to meet growing customer demand, it said in a statement.

Persons: SEBASTIEN BOZON Organizations: Amazon, Getty, Web Services Locations: Augny, France, AFP, Japan, Tokyo, Osaka

☆ Asia markets mixed after falling on Wednesday; Australia unemployment data in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Sydney Opera House Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Gallo Images | Brand X Pictures | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were set for a mixed open Thursday after stocks fell in the previous session, with mainland Chinese shares touching a near-five-year low. Investors will be watching Australia's unemployment numbers on Thursday for clues on the Reserve Bank of Australia's moves in its February meeting. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were flat, standing at 15,274 compared with the HSI's close of 15,276.9. Hong Kong stocks plunged almost 4% to hit their lowest level since November 2022 on Wednesday.

Organizations: Sydney Opera House, Getty, Reserve Bank, Nikkei Locations: Sydney Opera House Sydney , New South Wales, Australia, Asia, Pacific, Chicago, Osaka, Hong Kong

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Japan's Sekisui House Ltd. is buying Denver-based homebuilder M.D.C. Holdings Inc. for $4.9 billion in a deal that would make the Japanese company the fifth-largest builder of new homes in the U.S. The companies said Thursday that they reached a definitive agreement for Osaka-based Sekisui to acquire M.D.C. Holdings for $63 per share. The all-cash offer translates to a roughly 19% premium over M.D.C. Holdings' closing stock price Wednesday. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesIn addition to the U.S. and Japan, Sekisui House has operations in Australia, the U.K., China and Singapore. Among the U.S. home construction brands it now operates are Woodside Homes, Holt Homes, Chesmar Homes and Hubble Homes.

Persons: Toru Tsuji, Sekisui, homebuilders Organizations: ANGELES, Sekisui, Holdings Inc, U.S, M.D.C, Holdings, M.D.C . Holdings, . Holdings, Richmond American Homes, Woodside Homes, Holt Homes, Chesmar, Hubble Homes, Residential Holdings Locations: Denver, Osaka, California , Florida , Texas, Japan, Australia, China, Singapore, U.S, Woodside, Sekisui

A Chinese flag flies outside a residential compound in Beijing on April 30, 2017. Greg Baker | Afp | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets appear set to extend their declines Wednesday, ahead of a slew of economic data from China. Investors will also assess the Reuters Tankan manufacturing index for January, which is a leading indicator of the Bank of Japan's official quarterly Tankan survey that assesses business conditions in the country. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 extended its losing streak to a fourth day, falling 0.17% in early trade. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 15,793, pointing to a weaker open after the index led losses in Asia on Tuesday, closing at 15,865.92.

Persons: Greg Baker Organizations: Afp, Getty, Investors, Reuters, Bank of Japan's, Nikkei Locations: Beijing, Asia, Pacific, China, Australia, Chicago, Osaka

☆ I was shocked by all the tiny vehicles I saw in Japan. Here are my top 16 'Kei' vehicles.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Alistair Barr | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Here are the most interesting tiny cars I saw on a recent trip to Japan, along with my top pick. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and other locations were awash with tiny "kei" trucks, cars and vans. Kei cars are also lighter, so even though most are still gas-powered, they are efficient. For passengers, these small vehicles may not perform as well as big vehicles in crashes. Still, I was won over by these kei cars.

Persons: Kei, —, Suzuki Organizations: Service, Daihatsu, Toyota Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Japanese

☆ Naomi Osaka falls to first-round defeat at Australian Open against Caroline Garcia
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Naomi Osaka’s return to grand slam tennis ended in a first-round defeat against Caroline Garcia at the Australian Open. Osaka, a two-time champion in Melbourne, was competing in her first grand slam tournament in more than a year when she fell to Garcia 6-4 7-6(7-2) on Monday. But the 30-year-old Garcia produced an assured performance against the four-time grand slam champion, hitting 13 aces – including two in the second-set tie-break – and 34 winners. This was Osaka's first grand slam appearance since the US Open in 2022. Phil Walter/Getty ImagesPrior to the Australian Open, Osaka marked her return to tennis with a victory against Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch.

Persons: Naomi Osaka’s, Caroline Garcia, Garcia, Rod Laver, Osaka’s, Edgar Su, ” Osaka, Magdalena Fręch, Phil Walter, Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch, Karolína Plíšková, ” Organizations: CNN, Rod Laver Arena, Osaka, Reuters, Getty, Australian, Brisbane International Locations: Osaka, Melbourne, Polish, Czech, “

☆ Asia markets largely poised to fall after Taiwan elections; China GDP and Japan inflation in focus this week
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

(Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images) Yasuyoshi Chiba | Afp | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to fall after Taiwanese voters handed the Democratic Progressive Party another presidential victory, delivering the ruling party an unprecedented third-straight presidential term. The DPP's Lai Ching-te, the incumbent vice-president, emerged as the winner of the self-governing island's presidential contest with more than 40% of the popular vote. Investors will be closely watching China's fourth quarter gross domestic numbers due out on Wednesday, while Japan will also release inflation figures for December on Friday. Futures contract in Chicago was at 35,635 and its counterpart in Osaka at 35,590, after the Nikkei hit levels not seen since February 1990 last week. In contrast, futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 16,306 pointing to a stronger open compared to the HSI's close of 16,244.58

Persons: Democratic Progressive Party's, Yasuyoshi CHIBA, YASUYOSHI CHIBA, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Lai Ching Organizations: Democratic Progressive, Getty, Afp, Democratic Progressive Party, Nikkei Locations: Taipei, AFP, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Australia, Chicago, Osaka

Folks in Canada and the UK, we've found the cheapest options for you, too, or we can help you tune into that free Australian coverage. How to watch Australian Open live streams free from anywhereIf you want free access to all of this year's Australian Open, then there's an excellent option direct from the source on the Australian 9Now streaming service. Watch the Australian Open. How to watch the Australian Open in the USAESPN has the rights to live stream the Australian Open in the USA. How to watch the Australian Open in the UKYou'll find the Australian Open live streams on Eurosport in the UK.

Persons: we've, You'll, you'll, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Emma Raducanu, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, ExpressVPN Organizations: ESPN, Nations, Six Nations, USA ESPN, Hulu, Disney, Eurosport, Amazon Prime Locations: Australian, Canada, Australia, USA, Fubo

☆ A new train pass is launching in Japan this winter — but travelers will have to act fast
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Jonathan Delise | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Prices for the JR Pass, as it's known, increased roughly 65%-75%, in October 2023. The East Japan Railway Company, better known as JR East, announced a new Kyun Pass in December. Kyun Pass pricesThe cost for the one-day, all-you-can-ride Kyun Pass is a flat 10,000 yen ($70). Here's a comparison of roundtrip bullet train tickets, with and without the Kyun Pass. What the Kyun Pass covers

Persons: Matsumoto, Kyun Organizations: The East Japan Railway Company, East, JR, Yokohama — Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Aomori, Nagano, Kanto, Yokohama, Niigata

TOKYO (AP) — The bid-rigging trial around the Tokyo Olympics played out Tuesday in a Japanese courtroom — more than two years after the Games closed — with advertising giant Dentsu and five other companies facing criminal charges. Executives or management-level officials at each of the accused companies, and Tokyo Olympic organizing committee official Yasuo Mori, have been charged with violating anti-monopoly laws. Speaking in Tokyo district court, he said no bid process was ever decided upon or set up by the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee. Once the Olympics landed in Tokyo, Dentsu became the chief marketing arm of the Games and raised a record $3.3 billion in local sponsorship. Takahashi was a member of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee and wielded powerful influence over the Olympic business.

Persons: Koji Henmi, Yasuo Mori, Cerespo, Dentsu, Sebastian Coe, Thomas Bach, Genta Yoshino, Henmi, ” Yoshino, Yoshino, Yoshiro Mori, Toshiro Muto, Tsunekazu Takeda, Haruyuki Takahashi, Takahashi Organizations: TOKYO, Tokyo Olympics, Tokyo Olympic, Tokyu Agency, Olympic Committee, IOC, Bank of Japan, Tokyo, Japanese Olympic Committee, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Olympic, Aoki Holdings, Paris Locations: Tokyo, Dentsu, Switzerland, Japan, Sapporo, French, Salt Lake City, Osaka, paris

☆ I'm Black and my wife is Japanese. Here's why raising my biracial kids in Japan is better than in the US.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Darryl Wharton-Rig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In 2005, I visited Japan for work and ended up meeting my wife, with whom I have two boys and a girl. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAs biracial Japanese stars such as Rui Hachimura and Naomi Osaka shine on the world stage, being Black and Japanese is having a moment. AdvertisementTheir lives include a mix of Japanese and Black cultureOur tranquil suburban enclave in Saitama, which I call the "New Jersey of Japan," offers my children a typical Japanese lifestyle. And like other kids in Japan, they frequent the mall, savor ramen and melon pan, and belt out tunes at karaoke.

Persons: —, Rui Hachimura, Naomi Osaka, shoji, Finn Organizations: Service, Japan Exchange, YouTube Locations: Japan, Saitama, Jersey, Tokyo

As tech heavyweights such as Apple (AAPL.O) and Amazon (AMZN.O) spend heavily on custom cutting-edge chips, companies using legacy chips are also looking to introduce custom silicon. Inverters adjust the speed of an air conditioner's motor to save energy. The custom chips, to be made by Taiwan's TSMC (2330.TW), cost more than off-the-shelf alternatives but offer better energy efficiency and allow a reduction in the use of other components, according to a Daikin executive. The company, which developed Japan's first packaged air conditioner in 1951, is also working on customised power modules, which help manage the air conditioner's electricity supply. The number of air conditioners globally is expected to more than triple to 5.6 billion units by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency.

Persons: Sam Nussey, Taiwan's TSMC, Yuji Yoneda, Daikin, Jamie Freed Organizations: Daikin, REUTERS, Rights, Daikin Industries, Apple, European Union, International Energy Agency, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Osaka, United States

☆ Asia markets slide as investors assess private factory activity surveys; U.S. inflation cools further
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Neon ads in Dotonbori district, Osaka, Kansai region, Japan Alexander Spatari | Moment | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets started Friday lower even as Wall Street mostly saw gains and ahead of private factory activity surveys from across the region. Most notably, investors will be watching China's Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers' index for November, after official numbers Thursday showed the country's manufacturing sector contracting for a second straight month. PMI readings are also due from Japan, South Korea and India on Friday. Japan's Nikkei 225 was marginally below the flatline, but the Topix bucked the trend and opened 0.21% higher. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 17,052, also pointing to a positive open compared with the HSI's close of 17,042.88.

Persons: Japan Alexander Spatari, Kospi Organizations: PMI, Nikkei Locations: Dotonbori district, Osaka, Kansai, Japan, Asia, Pacific, South Korea, India, Australia

☆ Singapore, Zurich world's most expensive cities - EIU
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Singapore and Zurich tied for the world's most expensive city this year, followed by Geneva, New York and Hong Kong, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) said on Thursday as it cautioned that the global cost-of-living crisis was not yet over. Singapore regained the top of the rankings for the ninth time in the past eleven years due to high price levels across several categories. The city state has the world's highest transport prices, owing to strict government controls on car numbers. Zurich's rise reflected the strength of the Swiss franc and high prices for groceries, household goods and recreation, it said. Geneva and New York tied for third place, while Hong Kong was fifth and Los Angeles in sixth.

Persons: Hong Kong, Farah Master, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore, Swiss, New York, Los Angeles, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Singapore, Zurich, Geneva , New York, Hong Kong, Geneva, New, Hong, Asia, Nanjing, Wuxi, Dalian, Beijing, Osaka, Tokyo, Japan

A huge billboard advertising Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as candidate of the World Expo 2030 is seen in Paris as the host country of The World Expo 2030 will be elected by BIE Member States that will gather in the 173rd General Assembly in Paris, France, November 25, 2023. South Korea's southeastern city of Busan is competing against Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and Italy's Rome. More than one vote will be necessary if no country gets a majority at the first ballot. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni personally got involved in trying to persuade international leaders to back the Rome bid, giving it her full political backing. Rome is looking to use the Expo as a way of attracting investment, much as Milan did when it successfully hosted the 2015 Expo.

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes, Roberto Gualtieri, Crown Prince Mohammed bin, Prince Mohammed, Jamal Khashoggi, Yoon Suk Yeol, Giorgia Meloni, Michel Rose, Elizabeth Pineau, Crispian Balmer, Giselda Vagnoni, Hyonhee, Christina Fincher Organizations: BIE Member, 173rd, Assembly, REUTERS, PARIS, Saudi, City, Crown, Paris . South, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Paris, BIE, BIE Member States, France, Busan, Saudi's Riyadh, Italy's Rome, Italy, South Korea, South, Rome, Saudi, Lebanon, Paris ., Korea, Italian, Milan, Europe, Dubai, Osaka, Japan, Seoul

ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX, France (AP) — In a high-profile showdown, Rome, Busan and Riyadh are the top contenders to become the host city of the 2030 World Expo, with the organizing body choosing the winner on Tuesday. The meeting started with the candidates' final presentation to be followed by the vote, which will be held behind closed doors. Political Cartoons View All 1267 ImagesThe Rome campaign also hosted BIE delegates at Paris’ luxurious Plaza Athenee hotel. The World Expo has a storied history of bringing together nations to showcase technological innovations and cultural achievements. With the world’s attention turned to Paris, the upcoming vote will set the stage for the next chapter in the rich legacy of the World Expos.

Persons: Russell Crowe, Giampiero Massolo, ” Rome’s, Psy, Emmanuel Macron, Ferris, ___ Thomas Adamson, John Leicester, Frances D’Emilio, Colleen Barry Organizations: Expo, BIE, Paris, Michelin, Eiffel, Saudi, Expos, World Expos Locations: ISSY, France, Rome, Busan, Riyadh, Paris, BIE, Issy, Italy, ”, Roman, Saudi Arabian, Elysee, Osaka, Japan, Milan

☆ Sabalenka, Rybakina to open new season in Brisbane
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Tennis - WTA Finals - Cancun, Mexico - November 5, 2023 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in action during her semi final match against Poland's Iga Swiatek REUTERS/Henry Romero Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 28 (Reuters) - World number two Aryna Sabalenka and number four Elena Rybakina will open their 2024 seasons at the Brisbane International warm-up for the Australian Open, organisers said on Tuesday. The 25-year-old will join her fellow Belarusian and twice Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in the 48-player Brisbane field as she prepares for her first Grand Slam title defence at Melbourne Park. "Australia holds a special place in my heart after winning my first Grand Slam there," Sabalenka said in a news release. "I can't wait to make my debut at the Brisbane International and play in front of the Queensland tennis fans." Russian-born Kazakh Rybakina, the Wimbledon champion in 2022, lost to Sabalenka in this year's Melbourne final.

Persons: Poland's Iga Swiatek, Henry Romero, Elena Rybakina, Naomi Osaka, Sabalenka, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Poland's Iga Swiatek REUTERS, Rights, Brisbane International, WTA, United, Victoria Azarenka, Brisbane, Melbourne, Queensland tennis, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Cancun, Mexico, Belarus, Perth, Sydney, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Kazakh

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — Ava Marie Ziegler performed a near-flawless free skate Saturday to win the NHK Trophy and lead a U.S. 1-2 finish on the podium. Nina Pinzarrone of Belgium was third with 194.66, a result that allowed her to secure a place in the Dec. 7-10 Grand Prix Final at Beijing. The NHK Trophy is the sixth and last event of the International Skating Union’s Grand Prix series, which leads in the Grand Prix Final. The competition concludes later Saturday with the free skate in both men’s and pairs. Japan's Yuma Kagiyama upstaged two-time world champion and compatriot Shoma Uno on Friday to finish first in the men’s short program.

Persons: — Ava Marie Ziegler, Ziegler, Lindsay Thorngren, Nina Pinzarrone, South Korea's Lee Hae, Christina Aguilera, axel, lutz, “, I’m, I’ve, ”, Thorngren, Kaori Sakamoto, Isabeau, Loena, Hana Yoshida, Rion Sumiyoshi, Lewis Gibson, Charlene Guignard, Marco Fabbri, Allison Reed, Saulius, Gibson, Guignard, Fabbri, Shoma Uno, ___ Organizations: NHK, Liberation, Britain, Yuma Locations: OSAKA, Japan, U.S, Belgium, Beijing, South, New Jersey, United States, Italy, Lithuania

☆ Ava Marie Ziegler enjoys surprise win to lead American 1-2 in major international figure skating competition
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —American teenager Ava Marie Ziegler won her first ISU Grand Prix Figure Skating title, as she sealed victory at the NHK Trophy in Osaka, Japan following a sparkling routine in the free skate. “I really used my fifth-place result yesterday to motivate me because I know that I could do better and I really used it to push me to be the best that I could be,” Ziegler said, according to the International Skating Union. It (this result) definitely helped with my confidence.”Ava Marie Ziegler of the United States reacts to her score. Toru Hanai/International Skating Union/Getty ImagesHer free skate routine yielded a personal best of 138.46 points, and she scored 200.50 points overall, breaking the 200-point mark for the first time in her career. While Ziegler and Thorngren have not qualified for the final, their compatriots Isabeau Levito and Ilia Malinin will represent the USA in the women’s and men’s singles, respectively.

Persons: Ava Marie Ziegler, Lindsay Thorngren, Belgium’s Nina Pinzarrone, Thorngren, axel, “, ” Ziegler, ” Ava Marie Ziegler, Toru Hanai, Ziegler, Isabeau Levito, Ilia Malinin Organizations: CNN, ISU, NHK, International Skating Union, Skating Union, Getty Locations: Osaka, Japan, United States, Beijing, China, USA

[1/2] Russian President Vladimir Putin and Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk attend the G20 virtual summit via a video link in Moscow, Russia, November 22, 2023. "Yes, of course, military actions are always a tragedy," Putin told the virtual G20 meeting called by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "And of course, we should think about how to stop this tragedy," Putin said. Putin used the word "war" to describe the conflict instead of the current Kremlin term of "special military operation". "I understand that this war, and the death of people, cannot but shock," Putin said, before setting out the Russian case that Ukraine had persecuted people in eastern Ukraine.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Alexei Overchuk, Mikhail Klimentyev, Putin, Ukraine Putin, Narendra Modi, Joe Biden, Sergei Lavrov, Vladimir Soldatkin, Guy Faulconbridge, Gareth Jones, Alex Richardson Organizations: Sputnik, REUTERS Acquire, Ukraine, Kremlin, Indian, United Nations, Human, West, Belfer, Harvard's Kennedy School, U.S, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Kremlin, Gaza, Ukraine MOSCOW, Ukraine, United States, Ukraine's, Crimea, Russian, Palestine, Ukrainian, West, Israel, Washington, New Delhi, Nusa Dua, Indonesia, Osaka, Japan

☆ Putin Says We Must Think How to Stop 'The Tragedy' of War in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir SoldatkinMOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin told the leaders of the Group of Twenty (G20) on Wednesday that it was necessary to think about how to stop "the tragedy" of the war in Ukraine, some of his most placatory remarks to date about the conflict. "Yes, of course, military actions are always a tragedy," Putin told the virtual G20 meeting called by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "And of course, we should think about how to stop this tragedy," Putin said. Putin used the word "war" to describe the conflict instead of the current Kremlin term of "special military operation". "I understand that this war, and the death of people, cannot but shock," Putin said, before setting out the Russian case that Ukraine had persecuted people in eastern Ukraine.

Persons: Guy Faulconbridge, Vladimir Soldatkin MOSCOW, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Narendra Modi, Joe Biden, Sergei Lavrov, Vladimir Soldatkin, Gareth Jones, Alex Richardson Organizations: Kremlin, Indian, Ukraine, United Nations, Human, West, Belfer, Harvard's Kennedy School, U.S Locations: Ukraine, Russia, United States, Ukraine's, Crimea, Russian, Palestine, Gaza, Ukrainian, West, Moscow, Israel, Washington, New Delhi, Nusa Dua, Indonesia, Osaka, Japan

The Sydney Opera House Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Gallo Images | Brand X Pictures | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to fall after minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's Oct. 31 meeting revealed that policy officials maintained that monetary policy had to be restrictive and had little appetite for rate cuts. "In discussing the policy outlook, participants continued to judge that it was critical that the stance of monetary policy be kept sufficiently restrictive to return inflation to the Committee's 2 percent objective over time," the minutes said. The federal funds rate currently stands at 5.25%-5.5%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 17,702 following a volatile trading session on Tuesday, pointing to a weaker open compared with the HSI's close of 17,733.89.

Organizations: Sydney Opera House, Getty, U.S, U.S . Federal, Nikkei Locations: Sydney Opera House Sydney , New South Wales, Australia, Asia, Pacific, U.S ., Chicago, Osaka

☆ Asia markets set to bounce at the start of the week, ahead of China benchmark lending rate release
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Investors watch computer screens displaying stock price figures at a stock exchange hall. Jiang Sheng | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were mostly set to eke out gains on Monday after most major bourses ended lower in the previous session, while investors watched for changes to China's benchmark lending rates. The People's Bank of China's one-year loan prime rate — the peg for most household and corporate loans in China — is currently at 3.45%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 17,728, pointing to a higher open compared to the HSI's close of 17,454.19. Japan's Nikkei 225 was also set to open slightly lower, with the futures contract in Chicago at 33,500 and its counterpart in Osaka at 33,490 against the index's last close of 33,585.20.

Persons: Jiang Sheng, China —, Alibaba Organizations: Visual China, Getty, People's Bank, Nikkei Locations: Asia, Pacific, China's, China, Hong Kong, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

☆ Find out why this garden has been named ‘the most beautiful in Japan’ for 20+ years
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Shimane, Japan CNN —In Japan, gardening isn’t just a hobby – it’s an art form with spiritual significance. The US-based Sukiya Living magazine (formerly Journal of Japanese Gardening) has awarded the Adachi Museum its highest honor – most beautiful traditional garden – for more than 20 years running. Despite accolades coming from outside of Japan, the museum and gardens remain relatively unknown compared to those in Kyoto and Tokyo. Many Western visitors to Japan are confused when they visit a Japanese garden, only to not see a single flower. “Before looking at Japanese paintings, you can look at these Japanese gardens and understand them in this sequence.

Persons: ”, Sophie Walker, Robert Gilhooly, Takodori Adachi, Zenko Adachi, Adachi, Adachi's, thanyarat07, Lafcadio Hearn, genji maki Organizations: CNN, Japan CNN —, Adachi Museum of Art, Adachi Museum, “, Art, Mount Fuji, UNESCO, Museum of Art Locations: Japan, Shimane, Osaka, The, Kyoto, Tokyo, Tottori, San’in, Okayama, Honshu, Matsue, Adachi, Yasugi

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