Japan

Japan's PM Takaichi meets Trump as he seeks help securing Strait of Hormuz

The meeting that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will have at the White House on Thursday originally seemed like a prime opportunity to have President Donald Trump's ear before he embarked on a trip to China. But now, the war in Iran and Trump's unsuccessful call for Japan and other nations to help protect the Strait of Hormuz means the China trip has been delayed and Takaichi may be likely to get an earful. Trump has repeatedly complained on camera and online that US allies, including Japan, have rejected his request to help safeguard the critical waterway for oil and gas transport. "In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" Trump exclaimed on Truth Social after his initial call for help was rebuffed. The prime minister acknowledged before she left Japan that she expects her meeting with Trump will be "very difficult." She and her ministers have denied that ...

Japan PM Takaichi heads to US for 'tough' talks with Trump amid Iran war

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is travelling Wednesday to the United States for what she expects to be a "very difficult" meeting with US President Donald Trump after he called on Japan and other allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The three-day visit to Washington was originally expected to focus on trade and strengthening the US-Japanese alliance as China's influence grows in Asia. It is now expected to be overshadowed by the war the United States and Israel launched against Iran on February 28. "I think the US visit will be a very difficult one, but I will do everything to maximise our national interest and to protect the daily lives of the people when the situation changes daily," Takaichi told parliament on Wednesday, hours before her departure. Takaichi held her first meeting with Trump in October in Tokyo, days after becoming Japan's first female prime minister. A hard-line conservative, Takaichi is a protege of former leader Shinzo Abe, who ...

Japan records trade surplus as export growth balances out weak China demand

Japan recorded a trade surplus of 57.3 billion yen (USD 360 million) in February, according to government data released Wednesday, reversing from a deficit a month earlier. Exports grew at a better-than-expected 4.2 per cent in February to 9.57 trillion yen, the Finance Ministry's seasonally adjusted preliminary data show. Imports grew 10.2 per cent on-year to 9.51 trillion yen following a 2.5 per cent contraction in January. Japan posted a 1.15 trillion trade deficit that month. Import costs are likely to rise as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war against Iran drives up oil and other energy prices. Japan imports almost all its oil, and Brent crude - the international standard - has jumped in recent weeks to about USD 100 a barrel. Geopolitical uncertainty, especially the war in Iran, looms large for Japan's export-reliant economy, but a weak yen is likely to work as a plus. The US dollar has been trading at about 159 yen, when it was below 150 yen a yea

Trump seeks allies' help in Strait of Hormuz. UK, Japan, Australia say no

US President Donald Trump has called on allies to send naval escorts to protect vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. However, key allies have declined Trump's request

Japan, Asia-Pacific nations to pledge $30 bn energy, mineral deals with US

The deals will take the form of purchase commitments and other transactions spanning a range of products and sectors, including coal, oil, liquefied natural gas and nuclear power

Ex-Google AI researcher launches robotics startup 'Integral AI' in Tokyo

The 15-person startup is holding initial discussions with Toyota Motor, Sony Group, Honda Motor, Nissan Motor and Mitsui Chemicals to pitch them on how AI can advance manufacturing processes

Japan set to deploy first batch of home-developed long-range missile

Japan is preparing to deploy its first batch of domestically developed long-range missiles, with their launchers arriving at an army camp Monday as the country accelerates its offensive capability in response to rising challenges in the region. The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles will be deployed at Camp Kengun in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto by the end of March, completing the process of deployment, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said. Army vehicles carrying their launchers and other equipment arrived early in the morning in a highly secretive mission criticized by local residents who protested outside the camp. Opponents have complained about the lack of transparency and said the deployment would instead escalate tension and make the missiles the target of attacks. The Defence Ministry last year moved up the schedule of the missiles' deployment by one year as Japan accelerates a military buildup in the southwestern region as China escalates tension ..

Japan in talks with India to jointly explore rare earths in Rajasthan

Following on a preliminary pact on critical minerals that Japan and India signed last year, Tokyo has expressed interest in the Rajasthan deposits and plans to send experts to the site

Japan, South Korea flag regulatory hurdles for their steel firms in India

Japan, South Korea have raised concerns over India's regulatory measures, including QCO norms and anti-dumping duties, even as both nations reaffirm major investment plans in the domestic steel sector

Japan and India renew $75 bn bilateral swap pact to boost financial safety

Japan and India have renewed their Bilateral Swap Arrangement, keeping the facility size at $75 billion, to strengthen financial safety nets and deepen economic cooperation

Japan visa: Walk-in option ends from Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Puducherry

VFS Global says Japan visa applicants must now book appointments in Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad and Puducherry

Microsoft Japan raided over suspected violation of biz obstruction: Report

A Microsoft Japan spokesperson said the company is 'fully cooperating with the JFTC in their requests'

Asian shares rise; Japan benchmark hits record on optimism about AI

Asian shares mostly rose in Wednesday morning trading, with Japan's benchmark hitting a record high, as investors were cheered by an overnight Wall Street rally that seemed to reflect optimism about the artificial-intelligence boom. Japan's benchmark surged 1.3% to 58,081.62. That came despite China's move the previous day to restrict exports to 40 Japanese companies and organisations it says are contributing to Japan's "remilitarisation". The reaction was varied with the prices of some listed companies rising, like Subaru Corp and Mitsubishi Materials Corp, while others slipped, including Eneos Corp and Sumitomo Heavy Industries. Analysts said the declining yen worked to boost export shares, such as Honda Motor Co and Panasonic Corp. The US dollar slipped to 155.78 Japanese yen from 155.83 yen. The dollar traded close to 160 yen levels several months ago. The euro cost $1.1784, up from $1.1779. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.1% to 9,122.50. South Korea's Kospi surged 1.7% to ...

China imposes export curbs on 20 Japanese firms over remilitarisation

The measures target units of major Japanese industrial conglomerates such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' (7011.T), opens new tab shipbuilding and aero engines divisions, the ministry said

China puts Japanese companies on export control lists as tensions rise

China on Tuesday put 20 Japanese companies on an export control list and 20 others on a watchlist, as tensions continue over the Japanese leader's previous comments on Taiwan, the self-governed island Beijing claims as its own. Chinese exporters will be banned from selling dual-use goods, which can be used both for civilian and military purposes, to 20 Japanese companies, according to a statement by China's Commerce Ministry. Companies targeted include multiple subsidiaries of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries involved in shipbuilding and the production of aircraft engines and maritime machinery, as well as divisions of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Fujitsu, among others. Foreign organizations or individuals are also banned from providing dual-use items originating in China to the 20 entities, the ministry said. "All ongoing related activities must cease immediately," its statement read. A separate list includes 20 Japanese companies for which Chinese exporters are required to submit ..

Japan visa walk-ins end in Chennai, Hyd, Cochin; booking now mandatory

From March 2, Japan visa applicants in four Indian cities must schedule appointments in advance as walk-in submissions are discontinued

India, Japan joint exercise 'Dharma Guardian' to be held from Feb 24-Mar 9

India and Japan have been steadily deepening their defence and strategic ties

Japan to invest $36 billion in US projects under agreement with Trump

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the projects were designed to build resilient supply chains through cooperation in areas crucial for economic security

Takaichi will be reappointed as Japan's PM with goal of pushing to right

Last week Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi won a landslide election that she hopes will allow her to move her nation's policies hard right. On Wednesday she will be reappointed as prime minister by the parliament and form her second Cabinet. It's a formality, but Takaichi will look to use the symbolism of the day to further boost her Liberal Democratic Party as it looks to capitalize on a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house, the more powerful of Japan's two parliamentary chambers. Her goals include an increase in military power, more government spending and strengthened conservative social policies. The power of a supermajority Having two-thirds control of the 465-seat lower house allows Takaichi's party to dominate top posts in house committees and push through bills rejected by the upper house, the chamber where the LDP-led ruling coalition lacks a majority. Takaichi wants to bolster Japan's military capability and arms sales, tighten immigration policies, push ...