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☆ Red rice yeast: Japan orders recall of ‘beni koji’ products over suspected link to four deaths
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Himari Semans | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

All three supplements contain “beni koji” - rice fermented with red yeast – an ingredient said to lower cholesterol levels that is traditionally used in food seasoning and preservation, and rice wine production. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s website says its beni koji products use a strain of bacteria in fermentation that does not produce citrinin. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday said the government was investigating the deaths and the suspected link to beni koji, adding it was prepared to act. Across the Taiwan Strait, the island’s Food and Drug Administration ordered distributors to suspend the import of more than 150 products containing beni koji, including those made by Kobayashi. And in Singapore, authorities recalled a sparkling sake, a type of rice wine, by Kyoto-based Takara Shuzo, which uses beni koji in its production.

Persons: Kobayashi, beni koji, Benikoji, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s, “, Fumio Kishida, ”, Takara Shuzo, beni Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Wednesday, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, CNN, Weibo, Drug Administration Locations: Japan’s, Osaka, beni, Asia, China, Japan, Taiwan Strait, Singapore, Kyoto

Rock wall No obvious fender system Island Barrier Fender No obvious fender system Rock wall Island Barrier FenderHow Fenders Might Have Protected Against Bridge CollapseThe Francis Scott Key Bridge did not have an obvious fender system, or protective barriers, to redirect or prevent a ship from crashing into the bridge piers. Francis Scott Key Bridge Patapsco River Pier No obvious fender system Francis Scott Key Bridge Patapsco River Pier No obvious fender system The New York Times; aerial image via NearmapEngineers point out that some other bridges have more robust barriers. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York City has rock walls surrounding its piers. Verrazano-Narrows Bridge New York Harbor Pier Rock wall STATEN ISLAND Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Pier New York Harbor STATEN ISLAND Rock wall The New York Times; aerial image via Vexcel ImagingIsland barriers were installed around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge piers in Tampa Bay, Fla., after a ship crash caused the span’s collapse in 1980. Sunshine Skyway Bridge Tampa Bay Pier Island barrier Sunshine Skyway Bridge Tampa Bay Pier Island barrier The New York Times; aerial image via Vexcel ImagingEven smaller bridges like this one near Cape May, N.J., have fenders.

Persons: Francis Scott Key Organizations: New York Times, Nearmap Engineers, Sunshine, Sunshine Skyway, Creative Composites, Times Locations: New York City, York, Pier, STATEN, Tampa Bay, Fla, Tampa, Cape May, N.J, county

CNN —Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is expected to address the media Monday as Major League Baseball investigates allegations of theft against his former interpreter. “I think it’ll give us a little bit more clarity.”Roberts spoke before the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory over Ohtani’s former team, the Los Angeles Angels. Bookie’s attorney speaks to CNNVideo Ad Feedback MLB launches investigation into Ohtani allegations 03:03 - Source: CNNBass, Bowyer’s attorney, told CNN that her client dealt with Ippei Mizuhara. I don’t have access to that information,” she told CNN. • After learning about the allegations against Ohtani and Mizuhara, MLB on Friday announced it would be pursuing an investigation.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, “, Dave Roberts, ” Roberts, Ohtani’s, Ippei Mizuhara, Mathew Bowyer, “ Mathew Bowyer, Diane Bass, Scott Villiard, Bowyer, Mizuhara, Ohtani, ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, Ippei, ” Bass, ” Bowyer, ” Mizuhara, ”, Bass, • Mizuhara Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, ” Dodgers, Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Dodger, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, Mizuhara, MLB, Internal Revenue Service, “ Major League Baseball, Department of Investigations, IRS, Angeles Field Office, Nippon, Ham Fighters, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League, “ feds, Padres, Ohtani’s, San Diego Padres Locations: Bowyer, California, Ippei, San Diego, Mizuhara’s, Seoul, South Korea

☆ Ilia Malinin: Record-breaking American teen lands quadruple axel as he wins first ever World Figure Skating title
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —For every other figure-skater, landing a quadruple axel lies outside the realms of possibilities, attempted but never accomplished by an endless parade of skating greats. For American teenage prodigy Ilia Malinin though, they are simply part of his routine. And landing one on Saturday propelled him to his first ever world title after a record-breaking performance in the free skate at the World Figure Skating Championship. I am so glad to be here on top right now.”Ilia Malinin won his first world title. His gold medal was the US’s second at this World Championships after Madison Chock and Evan Bates won the ice dance earlier on Saturday.

Persons: axel, Ilia Malinin, –, ” Malinin, “, ” Ilia Malinin, Mert Alper, France’s Adam Siao Him, ’, Malinin, Madison Chock, Evan Bates Organizations: CNN, International Skating Union, Anadolu Agency, Madison Locations: “, Japan’s Kagiyama Yuma

• But after the interview, Ohtani’s spokesperson “disavowed” Mizuhara’s account, then released a statement saying Ohtani had been the victim of theft. • Later on Wednesday, Mizuhara was fired as Ohtani’s interpreter. ESPN’s Thompson said the interpreter and Ohtani’s representatives did “a big 180” in what they were telling her. At first, Ohtani’s spokesperson told ESPN the player had transferred money to help pay off Mizuhara’s gambling debts, the outlet reported. “I’ve been told (Mizuhara) says something to the effect of ‘I’m sorry.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ippei, “, Mathew Bowyer, Scott Villiard, Bowyer, Diane Bass, Ohtani, ”, Dave Roberts, • Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Ohtani’s, Bowyer “, ‘, Bass, “ Mathew Bowyer, ” Bass, ” Mizuhara, Tisha Thompson, Thompson, –, ESPN’s Thompson, Berk Brettler, Shohei, “ I’ve, ’ ” Thompson Organizations: CNN — Major League Baseball, Internal Revenue Service, Angeles Dodgers, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, “ Major League Baseball, Department of Investigations, IRS, Angeles Field Office, CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Ohtani’s, San Diego Padres, MLB, Ohtani, Padres, ” CNN, “ feds, Los Angeles Angels, Shohei’s, Angels, The Dodgers, Nippon, Ham Fighters, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League Locations: California, Seoul, South Korea, San Diego, Mizuhara’s, Ippei

☆ Japan’s Labor Market Has a Lesson for the Fed: Women Can Surprise You
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But there’s another, longer-running trend happening in the Japanese economy that could prove interesting for American policymakers: Female employment has been steadily rising. Working-age Japanese women have been joining the labor market for years, a trend that has continued strongly in recent months as a tight labor market prods companies to work to attract new employees. The jump in female participation has happened partly by design. Since about 2013, the Japanese government has tried to make both public policies and corporate culture more friendly to women in the work force. The goal was to attract a new source of talent at a time when the world’s fourth-largest economy faces an aging and shrinking labor market.

Organizations: Bank of Japan

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s central bank raised its benchmark interest rate Tuesday for the first time in 17 years, ending a longstanding policy of negative rates meant to boost the economy. The negative interest rate policy, combined with other measures to inject money into the economy and keep borrowing costs low, “have fulfilled their roles,” Bank of Japan Gov. But it had remained cautious about “normalizing” monetary policy, or ending negative borrowing rates, even after data showed inflation at about that rate in recent months. Ueda said there was “a positive cycle” of a gradual rise of wages and prices, while stressing that monetary policy will remain easy for some time. The Japanese central bank's policy is quite different from those of the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank.

Persons: “, Kazuo Ueda, Ueda, Harumi Taguchi, Haruhiko Kuroda, ___ Yuri Kageyama Organizations: TOKYO, ” Bank of Japan Gov, Bank of, Analysts, P Global Market Intelligence, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan Locations: Japan, Bank of Japan, U.S, China

Tokyo, Japan CNN —Tokyo Fashion Week concluded perhaps its most successful edition since the Covid-19 pandemic, with more international guests and buyers returning to Japan’s capital for the Fall-Winter 2024 edition. Up-and-coming labels were joined on the program by mainstays of Japanese fashion, like Mikio Sakabe. “Every person in Japan has their own style.”Scroll down for some of the best street style looks from Tokyo Fashion Week. Moeri Karasawa/CNNAttendee Bunta Shimizu wearing a colorful outfit at Tokyo Fashion Week on Thursday. Matt Jelonek/Getty ImagesGuests in eye-catching looks on the fourth day of Tokyo Fashion Week.

Persons: —, Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake, Hanae Mori, Yu Masui, “, ”, Christopher Kane, Uniqlo, Natsumi Maso, Ryu Kobayashi, Soga Takahashi, Moeri Karasawa, CNN Ryu Kobayashi, Marc Jacobs, ” Kobayashi, Bunta Shimizu, Matt Jelonek, Ui, Yves Saint Laurent, Daisuke Fujii’s, Himari Semans, Daisuke Fujii, Sena, Karasawa, CNN Daikokudou Nero, Justin Shin, Yu, Ashley Williams, Reishito, Bill Whitten Organizations: Japan CNN, Tokyo, Tokyo Fashion, CNN Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Russia, “, Osaka, Himari

☆ Shigeichi Negishi, Japanese inventor of first karaoke machine, dies aged 100
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Shigeichi Negishi, the entrepreneur who invented the world’s first karaoke machine, has died aged 100. Negishi, whose 1967 “Sparko Box” prototype is among several devices credited with ushering in Japan’s karaoke craze, died from natural causes in January. His death, which was made public last week, was confirmed to CNN by Shiro Kataoka, managing director of the All-Japan Karaoke Industrialist Association. “When I asked the factory engineer, he said, ‘It’s easy,’” Negishi recalled in an account published by the All-Japan Karaoke Industrialist Association, an industry body for Japan’s karaoke operators. Subsequent developments, including the introduction of video karaoke and networked karaoke systems, helped the phenomenon spread across Asia and the world in the following decades.

Persons: Shigeichi Negishi, Shiro Kataoka, Negishi, ‘, ” Negishi, Leon Harris, Matt Alt, Yoshio Kodama’s, ”, “, I’d, Association’s, ” Shigeichi Negishi, Hiroko Yoda, Daisuke Inoue, Inoue Organizations: CNN, Japan Karaoke, Association ., Association, “ Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Asia

☆ Japan Raises Interest Rates for First Time in 17 Years
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Joe Rennison | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Japan’s central bank raised interest rates for the first time since 2007 on Tuesday, pushing them above zero to close a chapter in its aggressive effort to stimulate an economy that has long struggled to grow. Negative interest rates — which central banks in some European economies have also applied — mean depositors pay to leave their money with a bank, an incentive for them to spend it instead. But Japan’s economy has recently begun to show signs of stronger growth: Inflation, after being low for years, has sped up, cemented by larger-than-usual increases in wages. Even after Tuesday’s move, interest rates in Japan are far from those in the world’s other major developed economies. The Bank of Japan’s target policy rate was raised to 0.1 percent from minus 0.1 percent.

Organizations: Bank of Japan Locations: Japan

Germany’s DAX added 0.1% to 17,959.35 and the FTSE 100 in London edged 0.1% higher to 7,731.73. Markets are awaiting a decision by the Bank of Japan on Tuesday on whether to raise its benchmark interest rate for the first time in 17 years. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong edged 0.1% higher to 16,737.12, and the Shanghai Composite index gained 1% to 3,084.93. Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1% higher to 7,675.80, and the Kospi in South Korea advanced 0.7%, to 2,685.84. A report on consumer prices last week showed inflation remains stubborn, ticking up to 3.2% in February from 3.1% in January.

Persons: Germany’s DAX, Australia’s Organizations: Japan’s, Federal Reserve, CAC, Dow Jones, Nikkei, Bank of Japan, Honda Motor, Dongfeng Motor, Nasdaq, Software, Adobe, Microsoft, Broadcom, Google, University of Michigan, Fed, Traders, CME Group, New York Mercantile Exchange, Brent, U.S Locations: HONG KONG, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, China, South Korea, India, Bangkok, U.S

HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks advanced Monday ahead of policy decisions this week by Japan’s central bank and the Federal Reserve. Markets are awaiting a decision by the Bank of Japan on Tuesday on whether to raise its benchmark interest rate for the first time in 17 years. A report on consumer prices last week showed inflation remains stubborn, ticking up to 3.2% in February from 3.1% in January. Another report on prices at the wholesale level also showed inflation remains hotter than Wall Street expected. The Fed's main rate remains at its highest level since 2001.

Persons: Australia’s Organizations: Japan’s, Federal Reserve, Nikkei, Bank of Japan, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Technology, Software, Adobe, Microsoft, Broadcom, Google, University of Michigan, Fed, Traders, CME Group, New York Mercantile Exchange, Brent, U.S Locations: HONG KONG, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, South Korea, India, Bangkok, U.S

☆ FBI returns looted artifacts found in Massachusetts attic to Japan
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The FBI has returned a trove of looted Japanese art to its country of origin after a family found a stash of artifacts in their late father’s Massachusetts attic. They looked old and valuable,” Special Agent Geoffrey J. Kelly, art crime coordinator for FBI Boston and a member of the FBI Art Crime Team, said in a statement. A typewritten letter found alongside the artifacts in Massachusetts helped confirm they were looted during the last days of World War II, the FBI added. “When taken together, they really represent a substantial piece of Okinawan history,” Kelly said of the artifacts. The artifacts were returned to Okinawa last week, the FBI said, but noted that several Okinawan objects are still missing and are listed in the National Stolen Art File.

Persons: Geoffrey J, Kelly, ” Kelly, ”, you’re Organizations: CNN, FBI, FBI Boston, Okinawa FBI, Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian, Washington , D.C Locations: Massachusetts, Japan, Okinawa, Washington ,

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Shohei Ohtani may be South Korea's most-beloved Japanese athlete, a testament to his charm in softening any lingering animosity between the two neighbors. “I think Ohtani would perhaps be the first Japanese athlete who we can say we like. After his arrival in South Korea, he told reporters that he’s always respected South Korea’s national teams and called South Korea “one of my favorite countries." In 2019, a forced-labor issue triggered widespread public campaigns in South Korea to boycott Japanese goods and services. But despite their often-rocky political relations, South Korea and Japan are closely linked to each other culturally and economically.

Persons: covets, ”, Lee Jong, “, Hwang Seon, he’s, Yoon Suk, Heung, ” Lee, ___ Organizations: Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Korean, Dodgers, Seoul’s Hanyang University, Ohtani’s South, South, Twitter, Tottenham Hotspur Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Korean, Japan, Korea, South Koreans

☆ Travel news: These are the global airports passengers love the most
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —In travel news this week: passenger–pleasing airports, cool streets around the world, France’s frog-leg crisis and Ireland’s best food and drink. World’s best airportsThe busy beavers at Airports Council International have gathered nearly 600,000 surveys from travelers at more than 400 airports around the world and have revealed the passengers’ favorites. What’s Japan’s most international city? DenisTangneyJr/iStockphoto/Getty Images Topeka, Kansas: Choose Topeka doesn’t just focus on remote workers. Ron Buskirk/Alamy Stock Photo Rochester, New York: The Greater ROC Remote program offers $10,000 in grants and incentives (plus another $9,000 for home-buying grants).

Persons: South Carolina • Gerald R, Mohammed, Patrick’s, you’ll, –, Saint Patrick, ”, they’ve, John Hope Franklin, Tyler Layne, Ali Majdfar, Roberto Galan, Ron Buskirk, Denis Tangney Jr, Walter Bibikow, Ann Arbor, Paul Brady, Titanic, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Council International, Spartanburg International, Ford International, Mohammed V International, Turkey • Guayaquil International, Salalah, Oman • Sultan Hasanuddin International, Green, of, US Centers for Disease Control, John Hope Franklin Reconciliation, Getty Images, Topeka doesn’t, Getty, Shoals, ROC Remote, Images, Miami Beach Locations: Greenville, South Carolina, Michigan, Rome, Italy, Morocco • Izmir Adnan Menderes, Turkey, Ecuador, Oman • Sultan, Indonesia • Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Asia, Tokyo, Spain, Valencia, of Europe, Happy, Ireland, South Korea, Tulsa , Oklahoma, Tulsa, Tulsa West Virginia, New, West Virginia, Getty Images Indiana, Evansville, Getty Images Topeka , Kansas, Topeka, Kentucky, Mayfield, Graves, Alabama, Tuscumbia, Rochester , New York, Images Alaska, Alaska, Sitka, Getty Images Michigan, Ann

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani says the upcoming Major League Baseball season opener against the San Diego Padres in Seoul will provide “great memories” for him and his wife, but he’ll attempt to focus on baseball. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesThe Dodgers-Padres games on March 20-21 will be Ohtani’s debut with the Dodgers, and they will be the first MLB regular season games in Seoul. Ohtani says he is aware of the intense international media focus on the games in Seoul. Members of his fan club in South Korea put up placards welcoming Ohtani’s arrival at Incheon international airport on Friday. I’ve always watched the games between Japan and Korea and I always respected, looked up to Team Korea and Korean players,” Ohtani said.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, ”, Ohtani, Mamiko Tanaka, “, ” Otani, hadn’t, Tanaka, I’m, ” Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, That’s, they’ve, I’ve, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres, Dodgers, Fujitsu Red Wave, Japan Basketball League, Padres, MLB, Incheon, Team Korea Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Seoul, Ohtani, Japan, Korean, Korea

☆ Biden says it’s ‘vital’ US Steel remain American owned and operated
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —President Joe Biden on Thursday said he believes it’s “vital” that US Steel remain American owned and operated, dealing a blow to the iconic company’s planned sale to Japan’s Nippon Steel. “It is important that we maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers. I told our steel workers I have their backs, and I meant it,” Biden said in a statement. “US Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.”The Biden administration is concerned about some of Nippon’s assets in China, a person familiar with the administration’s thinking told CNN. After the Biden statement, the US Chamber of Commerce warned against politicizing the US Steel deal and said the transaction should proceed if the CFIUS review reveals no national security concerns.

Persons: Joe Biden, it’s, ” Biden, ”, Biden, Lael Brainard, Fumio, ” John Murphy, ” Michael Leiter, Skadden, Arps, ” Leiter, isn’t Organizations: CNN, US Steel, Japan’s Nippon Steel, Steel, Nippon, National Economic Council, Washington Post, Foreign Investment, Treasury, US Chamber of Commerce Locations: American, China, Pittsburgh, Washington, United States

(Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)At Japan's highly anticipated "shunto" spring wage negotiations this year, the world's largest automaker Toyota agreed to the biggest annual pay increase for workers in 25 years. Market speculation reached fever pitch this week as various corporate giants announced robust negotiated salary increments that in some instances exceeded what unions petitioned for. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda has repeatedly said the outcome of this year's wage negotiations will influence the central bank's decision on when to exit the world's last negative interest rate policy. Japan's largest trade union grouping, known as Rengo, will announce the first collation of ongoing wage negotiations on Friday. Here's what you need to know about this year's spring wage talks, which takes place annually in March.

Persons: Kazuhiro NOGI, KAZUHIRO NOGI, Kazuo Ueda Organizations: Bank of Japan, The Bank of Japan, Getty, Toyota Locations: Tokyo, AFP

☆ Shohei Ohtani reveals his new wife’s identity – basketball star Mamiko Tanaka
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( David Close | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Two weeks after making the surprise announcement of his marriage, Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani has revealed his new wife’s identity – and she’s also a top athlete. Ohtani, 29, on Thursday posted a photo on Instagram of the couple standing shoulder-to-shoulder beside the Los Angeles Dodgers’ team plane as they traveled to South Korea. Tanaka, 27, also played for Japan at U16, U17 and U18 levels, according to her profile on international governing body FIBA’s website. Ohtani, who is known for his two-way abilities on the field, is a hugely popular figure in his native Japan. That announcement stunned fans – and Ohtani and topics related to his marriage quickly became Japan’s top five trending topics on social platform X.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, she’s, Mamiko Tanaka, Tanaka, Ohtani, “, ”, – Organizations: CNN, Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers, League, Dodgers, Fujitsu Red Wave, Japan Basketball League, Japan, U16, U18, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels Locations: South Korea, Japan

☆ Nongfu Spring: Bottled water empire of China’s richest man Zhong Shanshan is facing a boycott by nationalists
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Zhong and his drinks firm Nongfu Spring, the country’s biggest maker of bottled water, are the latest targets of an army of internet zealots. WeiboThe nationalists have also highlighted the fact that prominent US investment funds, including Vanguard and BlackRock, are major shareholders of Nongfu Spring. “Taking advantage of Mr Zong’s death, a lot of slander against me and Nongfu Spring appeared on the internet. “Whether Wahaha or Nongfu Spring, we always insist on the same thing — producing good products for the people,” he said. Nongfu Spring is just the latest major target of China’s nationalists.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Zhong Shanshan, Zhong, Zong Qinghou, Zong, Zhong’s, —, “ Zhong Shuzi, ”, “, He’s, Mr Zong’s, ” Zhong, influencers, netizens, “ Zong, Wei Jiang, Mo Yan, Mao Zedong, Stringer, Li Ning Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Wahaha, Danone, Weibo, ”, Vanguard, BlackRock, Nongfu, American, Wahaha’s, CNN, Zhejiang Daily, Communist Party, Auto, Zhejiang University of Finance, Economics, People’s Liberation Army, AFP, Getty, Nike, Adidas, United, Toyota, Honda Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, American, Weibo, Nongfu, Zhejiang, Hami, China's, Xinjiang, AFP, United States, Japan

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares mostly rose Wednesday, encouraged by a record rally on Wall Street that was led by technology companies. Speculation is rife that Japan's central bank is getting ready to end its super-easy monetary policy, which has set interest rates below zero, and start raising rates. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesOn Wall Street, the S&P 500 jumped 1.1% to top its all-time high set last week. The worse-than-expected data kept the door closed for long-sought cuts to interest rates at the Federal Reserve meeting next week. On Wall Street, big technology stocks did heavy lifting.

Persons: Australia's, Korea's Kospi, ”, Tim Waterer, Brian Jacobsen, Chris Larkin, Morgan Stanley, ” Larkin, “, Dow, Brent Organizations: TOKYO, Nikkei, Bank of, KCM, U.S, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Annex Wealth Management, Fed, Treasury, Oracle, Nvidia Locations: Hong, Shanghai, Wall

☆ Space One Rocket Explodes Seconds After Launch in Japan
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Yan Zhuang | More About Yan Zhuang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The first rocket launched by the Japanese start-up Space One exploded seconds after takeoff on Wednesday, denting its ambition to become the country’s first private company to put a satellite into orbit. The Kairos solid-fuel rocket launched just after 11 a.m. local time and burst into flames less than ten seconds later, livestreams of the launch showed. The explosion left behind a large plume of smoke and set off a fire in a nearby forest that firefighters were battling to extinguish. The 60-foot-long rocket weighs 23 tons and was launched from Space Port Kii in Wakayama Prefecture on Japan’s main island, according to the company’s website. Space One did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday afternoon.

Locations: Space Port, Wakayama Prefecture

Asian productions or nominees with a predominantly Asian cast have been making headway at the Academy Awards in recent years. South Korean thriller “Parasite” made history in 2020 as the first non-English language movie to win best picture, alongside three further awards. "The Boy and the Heron" producer Toshio Suzuki speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles on March 11, 2024. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty ImagesFor others, the award offered Japan a boost after a rough start to the year. Kelts, the Japan-based author, said the second Oscar win showed the Academy had recognized Miyazaki’s artistic genius and that Japanese animation is far from solely entertainment.

Persons: CNN —, Hayao Miyazaki, ”, Huy Quan, Malaysia’s Michelle Yeoh, Heron ”, Ghibli’s, “, Roland Kelts, Miyazaki, Richard Harbaugh, Toshio Suzuki, ‘, ’ Suzuki, Suzuki, ” Suzuki, Richard A, Brooks, Tatsuji Nojima, “ Oscar, Takashi Yamazaki, Fumio Kishida, Yamazaki, ” Kishida, Hideaki Omura, Godzilla’s, Chris Hemsworth, Anya Taylor, Joy, Patrick T, Fallon, Kelts Organizations: CNN, Academy, Sony Pictures, Culture, Oscar Academy, Ghibli, Japan’s, NHK, Getty, Japan, Sunday, Gov, Hollywood, American, Waseda University Locations: Japan, America, Vietnam, ” Tokyo, Hollywood, Los Angeles, AFP, Aichi prefecture, Miyazaki, Japanese, Ishikawa, Tokyo

☆ Japan economy: Avoids recession after quarterly growth data is revised up
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Tokyo Reuters —Japan’s economy expanded at an annualized clip of 0.4% in October to December from the previous quarter, better than the initial estimate for a 0.4% contraction, government data showed on Monday. The revised figure for gross domestic product (GDP) released by the Cabinet Office compared with economists’ median forecast for a 1.1% uptick in a Reuters poll. The fresh data meant Japan’s economy, now the world’s fourth-largest behind Germany, avoided a technical recession thanks to companies’ stronger-than-expected spending on plants and equipments. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, GDP grew 0.1%, compared with the initial 0.1.% drop reading and a median forecast for a 0.3% rise. Meanwhile, private consumption, which makes up about 60% of Japan’s economy, fell 0.3% in October to December, slightly worse than the 0.2% drop in the initial estimate.

Organizations: Tokyo Reuters, Bank of Japan Locations: Tokyo, Germany, Japan

☆ These tourist hot spots are introducing entry fees and price hikes for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Maureen Ohare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

See more, pay moreMore and more tourist hot spots are introducing visitor caps and entry fees to prevent overcrowding - and, whaddya know, it gives their coffers a little boost, too. There’s a new $13 charge for climbing Japan’s famous (and congested) Mount Fuji, which follows Japan’s 70% price hike for tourist rail passes. The Louvre art museum in Paris, home to the Mona Lisa, has raised ticket prices by almost a third, ahead of the Paris Olympics this summer. Walt Disney World Resort in Florida has already introduced higher park ticket prices for next year. Some of the lowest single-day, single-park ticket prices have gone up by $10 for 2025.

Persons: whaddya, Mona Lisa, It’s, Walt, Romeo, Juliet, ”, they’d Organizations: CNN, Fuji, Paris, Walt Disney World, Eiffel, United Airlines, Airbus Locations: Paris, London, Thailand, China, Seville, Spain, Louvre, Europe, Asia, Florida, Italian, Trafalgar, Bangkok, Mumbai, Houston, Australian, Lazio, Italy, Arizona, Basilicata, United States

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