Page 2 - Japan

Takaichi's 'work, work, work' pledge named Japan's catchphrase of the year

The pledge by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to work, work, work, work and work for her country has been named the catchphrase of the year, recognising the effort Japan's first female leader had to make to reach the top. The ultraconservative Takaichi uttered the phase in October when she was elected as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Many were initially as worried about her work ethic as supportive of her enthusiasm. In a country notorious for long working hours, especially for working women who are also burdened with homemaking and caregiving, overwork is a sensitive topic. The recognition triggered a mixed reaction, with some interpreting it as satire. Accepting her award from a private committee this week, Takaichi said she only wanted to stress her enthusiasm. I have no intention of encouraging other people to overwork, or suggesting long working hours as a virtue, Takaichi said. I hope there is no misunderstanding. Takaichi, within weeks of taking office

From Mamdani to Takaichi, 2025 emerged as defining year of political reset

Historic wins, surprise upsets, and rapid leadership changes marked 2025, as voters across major democracies demanded stability, fresh ideas and a new direction for their countries

Japan's JFE Steel to invest Rs 15,750 cr in JV with JSW Steel's BPSL

JFE Steel Corporation of Japan will invest Rs 15,750 crore to form a joint venture with Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Steel, according to a regulatory filing. The joint venture (JV) will include JSW Steel's arm Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd's (BPSL) integrated steel plant, situated in Odisha. In a BSE filing, JSW Steel said it has "entered into a strategic joint venture partnership with JFE Steel Corporation, Japan (JFE). The steel business undertaking of Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd (BPSL) will be transferred to a 50:50 joint venture with JFE through a slump sale, with a cash consideration of Rs 24,483 crore. JFE will invest Rs 15,750 crore in two tranches to acquire a 50 per cent stake in the joint venture, it added. JSW Steel had acquired BPSL in 2021 through Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process and successfully transformed it from a 2.75 2.75 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) distressed unit into a profitable company with an expanded capacity of 4.5 MTP, currently employing 25,000 ..

Xi courts Emmanuel Macron in diplomatic efforts to isolate Japan's Takaichi

A three-day visit that kicks off Wednesday comes as the democratically-ruled island claimed by Beijing is back in the spotlight

Eyeing work abroad? Here's how you can apply in Germany, Italy, Japan & NZ

Global hiring needs are expanding, creating fresh opportunities for skilled workers

Taiwan observes 9 Chinese aircraft, 11 naval vessels around its territory

Taiwan had recorded the presence of 27 PLA aircraft, 11 PLAN vessels and 3 official ships operating around its territory on Sunday

Japanese property giants deepen their push into booming Indian market

Japanese companies and funds have boosted investment in overseas real estate by a fifth this year, according to a survey by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Research Institute

Datanomics: Rupee drag may delay India overtaking Japan's economy

India posted strong 8.2% real GDP growth in Q2 FY26, but rupee depreciation trimmed its dollar GDP, keeping Japan narrowly ahead in the April-September comparison

Beijing urges France to back one-China policy during feud with Japan

China has tried to rally diplomatic support during its dispute with Japan by sending a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week accusing Takaichi of violating international law

Did Trump ask them to lower temperature on Taiwan? No comment, says Japan

Takaichi hasn't retracted remarks she made on Nov 7 that linked Japan's security to a Taiwan contingency, the first such instance for a sitting prime minister

Eating cheese weekly may lower dementia risk, finds new Japanese study

A new three-year study following thousands of older Japanese adults suggests that eating cheese at least once a week may slightly lower dementia risk, but more research is needed to confirm the link

China's pressure on Japan follows familiar tactics, could last for a while

Just days after China issued an advisory against travelling to Japan, the cancellations started. About 3,000 Chinese visit Rie Takeda's tearoom in an alley in Tokyo's historic Asakusa district every year. Some 200 have already cancelled bookings for her tea ceremony class, as far ahead as January. "I just hope the Chinese tourists return by Chinese New Year," she said, referring to the major holiday period in February. Past experience suggests it may take longer than that. China's government is turning to a well-used playbook to express its displeasure with Japan for refusing to retract a statement by its new prime minister on the hot-button issue of Taiwan. As with its tariffs on Australian wines in 2020, and restrictions on Philippine banana imports in 2012, Beijing is using its economic clout to pressure Tokyo while also hurling a torrent of invective at its government. The only question is how far China will go and how long the measures will last. "China's countermeasures are

Taiwan rallies behind Japan in 'sushi diplomacy' amid rising China pressure

One of Taiwan's largest food companies, I-Mei Foods, is also considering mass producing a limited-series chocolate bar that features pictures of Takaichi on its wrapper

Japan is turning its dairy hub into semicon centre to rejoin global race

The Hokkaido island, which supplies over half of Japan's dairy, is being remade into a major advanced semiconductor hub, with new factories, research centres and global players moving in

Japan 'crossed red line' with Taiwan military intervention remarks: China

Japan "crossed a red line" with comments by its new leader suggesting a potential military intervention over Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday. Remarks earlier this month by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that a Chinese naval blockade or other action against Taiwan could be grounds for a Japanese military response were "shocking," Wang said in a statement posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website. "It is shocking that Japan's current leaders have publicly sent the wrong signal of attempting military intervention in the Taiwan issue, said things they shouldn't have said, and crossed a red line that should not have been touched," Wang said. The most senior Chinese official to address the tensions so far, Wang added that China must "resolutely respond" to Japan's actions and that all countries have the responsibility to "prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism." Takaichi's remarks have led to rising tensions between the two countries over the pa

Japan aims to foster growth in areas of semiconductors, AI with India

Prime Minister TAKAICHI further stated that, based on the Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade launched during PM Modi's visit to Japan, she is determined to achieve tangible results

Japan presses ahead with missile deployment near Taiwan amid China tensions

When asked about the potential impact on Yonaguni of a Taiwan crisis, Koizumi said he wouldn't comment on hypothetical scenarios

PM Modi meets Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi on sidelines of G20 Summit

Earlier on October 29, PM Modi had spoken to PM Takaichi and congratulated her on assuming office. He discussed the shared vision of advancing the partnership between the two countries

Chinese envoy sends letter to UN Chief Guterres over Japan's Taiwan remark

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Fu Cong delivered the message to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency

Japan's exports rise 3.7% in Oct but US-bound shipments fall due to tariffs

Japan's global exports gained 3.7 per cent in October from a year ago, while imports from the world edged up 0.6 per cent, according to government data released Friday. Exports to the US dipped 3.1 per cent, marking the seventh straight month of on-year declines, Finance Ministry data showed. Worries remain about the possible negative impact from US tariffs. President Donald Trump announced a trade framework with Japan in July, placing a 15 per cent tax on goods imported from that nation. That's lower than the 25 per cent rate Trump initially said would kick in starting in August. Previously, tariffs on most goods stood at 2.5 per cent. Soybean imports from around the world surged 37.3 per cent from a year ago, while those in iron and steel products dipped 17.1 per cent. Imports from the US jumped 20.9 per cent in October from the previous year, especially food imports, such as cereal, as well as petroleum. Exports to the US dropped in computer parts and other machinery, as well