Page 34 - Japan

Japan's defence ministry seeks record budget amidst growing Chinese threat

Japan's Defence Ministry Friday sought a record 8.5 trillion yen (USD 59 billion) budget for the next year to fortify its deterrence on southwestern islands against China's increasing threat, while focusing on unmanned weapons and AI to make up for the declining number of servicemembers as a result of the country's shrinking population. The ministry's request for 2025 marks the third year of Japan's rapid five-year military buildup plan under the government's ongoing security strategy. Japan aims to spend 43 trillion yen (USD 297 billion) through 2027 to double its annual military spending to around 10 trillion yen, making it the world's third-largest military spender after the United States and China. The budget request was approved at the Defence Ministry meeting Friday ahead of a submission to the Finance Ministry for negotiations through December. Japan has been rapidly building up the defense of the southwestern region in recent years amid China's growing military threats and

Slow tropical storm dumps rain around Tokyo after flooding southern Japan

A slow-moving tropical storm had a far-reaching impact in much of Japan on Friday, dumping heavy rain around Tokyo and flooding roads and riverside areas in the south. Flooding was reported in a number of areas in Kanagawa prefecture, west of Tokyo, where floodwater blocked roads, stalling vehicles and traffic. Warnings for heavy rain and potential landslides included the densely populated capital, Kanagawa and nearby Shizuoka prefecture. Muddy water flowed down the Meguro River in one of Tokyo's popular cherry blossom viewing spots, the water significantly swollen from its usual levels, NHK television footage showed. In Hiratsuka town, dozens of cars in a parking lot sat in water just below their windows. A pedestrian waded through floodwater as high as his thighs. In another Kanagawa town, Ninomiya, floodwater from a river stalled vehicles on a street and broken tree branches were stuck on a bridge over the swollen water. Tropical Storm Shanshan made landfall Thursday morning on

Typhoon lashes Japan with heavy rain, strong winds on slow crawl north

A typhoon lashed southern Japan with torrential rain and strong winds Thursday, causing at least three deaths as it started a crawl up the length of the archipelago and raised concerns of flooding, landslides and extensive damage. Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in the morning near Satsumasendai in southern Kyushu, where up to 60 cm (23.6 inches) of rain could fall in 24 hours, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. It also said the typhoon would bring strong winds, high waves and significant rainfall to most of the country, particularly the southern prefectures of Kyushu, and issued its highest-level warnings. People living in the warned areas were urged to take shelter at community centers and other public facilities. Shanshan was still around the southern island of Kyushu by midmorning, moving north at 15 kph (9 mph) with sustained winds of 144 kph (89 mph) and higher gusts, JMA said. Ahead of the typhoon's arrival, heavy rain caused a landslide that buried a house in the central

Typhoon Shanshan begins dumping rain on parts of Japan, leaves 1 dead

A typhoon moving at a bicycle speed began dumping rain on parts of Japan Wednesday, leaving one person dead and several injured as weather officials issued the highest-level warnings in the country's south, expected to be the most hard-hit. The Japan Meteorological Agency says Typhoon Shanshan is set to reach southern Kyushu and possibly make landfall Thursday where it forecasts up to 60 centimetres (23.6 inches) of rainfall in 24 hours. It also said the typhoon will bring strong winds, high waves and significant rainfall to most of the country, particularly the Kagoshima prefecture. The warm, humid air around the typhoon and a separate high-pressure system caused heavy rain in the central Japanese city of Gamagori, where a landslide buried a house with five people inside. Four of them were rescued but one later died and a fourth was found unconscious. Workers were searching for the fifth person, according to the city's disaster management department. On the southern island of Amami

Rice on the ropes: As Japan faces a supply crunch, govt appeals for calm

The shortage of rice in Japan has become so severe that several stores are limiting consumers to one bag per person

Japan prepares for Typhoon Shanshan affecting transportation, services

Japan was preparing for powerful typhoon as it slowly approached the country's southwest at a bicycle speed, threatening to bring heavy rains and strong winds and causing airlines to cancel flights and train operators to delay or suspend services through the weekend. Typhoon Shanshan was at about 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of the southern island of Yakushima on Wednesday morning as it headed north toward Kyushu, packing winds of up to 180 kilometers (112 miles) per hour, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The agency said the typhoon is expected to reach southern Kyushu and possibly make landfall Thursday, and issued a high-level warning against violent winds, high waves and heavy rain for the Kagoshima prefecture. Disaster Management Minister Yoshifumi Matsumura, at a taskforce meeting Wednesday, urged residents in Shanshan's predicted path to take precautionary measures early, such as by checking their nearest shelters, to save their own lives. Matsumura urged ...

Seven & I seeking govt protection tests Japan's appetite for reform

The Japanese operator of 7-Eleven stores is seeking designation as a core company under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act

Pilot shortage in Japan threatens its goal for 60 million tourists by 2030

Japan currently has about 7,100 pilots and the government projects another 1,000 will be needed by 2030 to help meet its target of attracting some 60 million tourists that same year.

Japanese technology firm NTT Data aims to double market growth India

Company wants all units to clock 'hyper growth', says CEO of NTT Data India

Japanese firms interact with K'taka colleges to enable young Indians hiring

The Japan External Trade Organisation organised University Connect, an interactive event here to bring together Japanese businesses that are keen on hiring Indian talent and the best colleges of Karnataka. University Connect is a global campaign to connect with universities outside of Japan in order to encourage students to pursue employment opportunities in Japanese businesses. "This was the first one held in Bengaluru. Ten Japanese companies and seven Indian institutions attended. There was a more than anticipated exchange of view points and excitement. The Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) is determined to keep growing its network of universities in Karnataka actively and will do everything in its power to assist Japanese businesses in hiring skilled Indians," said Toshihiro Mizutani, Director General of JETRO Bengaluru. During the event, held on August 26, seven of Karnataka's best universities presented an overview of their institutions, programmes, placement procedures

Why convenience store chain 7-Eleven is indispensable part of life in Japan

For many residents, more than 55,000 cheerful, jingle-filled stores, known as konbini, are an indispensable part of daily life.

116-year-old Japanese woman all set to be named as world's oldest person

According to Guinness World Records, Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka will soon be named as world's oldest woman after the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas

Yen firms after BOJ's Ueda flags readiness to hike; markets await Powell

Bouts of Japanese interventions and the interest rate hike in July tripped up investors who unwound the popular carry trade, in which traders borrowed yen to finance high-yielding assets

Asian shares turn cautious with US Fed in focus, yen up as BOJ chief speaks

Traders see very little chance that BOJ could hike rates in Oct after recent sell-off, but Ueda said the central bank stood ready to raise rates if economy and prices move in line with its forecast

Seven & i takeover proposal tests Japan's investment-friendly stance

The new M&A guideline from the economy ministry isn't binding, but its impact has already been seen in a handful of domestic deals with multiple competitive bidders

Amid China threat, India and Japan to update 2008 security cooperation pact

India and Japan held a fresh edition of their 2+2 dialogue on Tuesday, amid China's increasing muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region

'2+2' dialogue: India asks Japan to remove bottlenecks in tech sharing

India on Tuesday called on Japan to remove regulatory bottlenecks that exist in sharing of critical technologies even as the two sides vowed to work vigorously towards the common goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific in the face of China's aggressive military posturing in the region. At the third '2+2' foreign and defence ministerial dialogue, India and Japan also agreed to prepare a new framework for security cooperation in line with the desire to further expand the overall strategic ties. The Indian delegation at the talks was headed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Japanese team was led by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defence Minister Kihara Minoru. A joint statement said the ministers appreciated the successful completion of the cooperation in the areas of Unmanned Ground Vehicle/Robotics. It said they also appreciated the progress made for the transfer of Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) and related ...

Local manufacturing will offer 25K cr annual opportunity for vendors: ICRA

Currently, India imports nearly 50 per cent of its component requirement (by value) from suppliers based out of China, Japan, and South Korea, among others

Japanese FM Yoko arrives in India to participate in '2+2' ministerial meet

Japanese Foreign Minister, Kamikawa Yoko arrived in India on Monday, to participate in the India-Japan 2+2 ministerial meeting.Confirming her arrival, the Ministry of External Affairs said that substantive discussions covering various spheres of the "India-Japan multifaceted partnership" lie ahead."Welcome to India! FM @Kamikawa_Yoko of Japan arrives in New Delhi for the Third India-Japan 2+2 Foreign & Defence Ministers' meeting to be held tomorrow. Substantive discussions covering various spheres of India-Japan multifaceted partnership lie ahead," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.Earlier this week, the Ministry of External Affairs informed that the third round of India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministers' Meeting will be held on August 20.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent the Indian side and hold meetings with Japanese Defence Minister Minorou Kihara and Foreign Minister

India-Japan defence ties vital to ensure free, open Indo-Pacific, says govt

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa arrived here on Monday to hold the third India-Japan '2+2' dialogue that is expected to review the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and explore ways to expand bilateral strategic ties. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold the talks with their Japanese counterparts Kihara Minoru and Kamikawa on Tuesday. "Strengthened India-Japan defence partnership is vital for ensuring a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific in the prevailing global environment," India's defence ministry said. The two sides are expected to delve into further expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in the face of China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the region. The first edition of the dialogue was held in India in 2019 while the second one took place in Japan in 2022. Besides the '2+2' dialogue, Singh and Jaishankar will also hold separate bilateral talks with Defence Minister Minoru and Foreign Minist