Page 38 - Japan

SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son ready for next big tech bet after hiatus

The billionaire warned his next big endeavor could be a big hit or a bad flop, but that SoftBank had no choice but to try

US wants Netherlands, Japan to further restrict chip equipment to China

In a response on Wednesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China was opposed to the US "coercing other countries and suppressing China's semiconductor industry"

HUDCO raises $200 mn from overseas lenders for its foray into loan market

Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) has raised USD 200 million (JPY 30 billion) in its maiden foray into the syndicated loan market, its arranger said on Tuesday. The state-run body has raised the five-year money as part of its inaugural "social loan", Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) said. The deal, led by SMBC's Singapore branch, saw an oversubscription with a total of nine lenders, and was upsized from its original launch size of JPY 15 billion to JPY 30 billion after exercising the greenshoe option, an official statement said. The inaugural social loan will enable further expansion of HUDCO's social housing platform to improve the quality of life for the Indian community and enhance infrastructure facilities in urban areas, the statement said. SMBC acted as the sole mandated lead arranger, book runner and social loan coordinator. "We look forward to expanding our reach to the underserved communities and strengthening the local community's access

Spread of deadly 'flesh-eating bacteria' in Japan raises global concerns

Data from Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases shows an alarming increase with nearly 1,000 reported cases of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome this year, exceeding last year's total

Toyota shareholder meeting: Focus remains on level of support for chairman

Toyoda's approval rating fell to 85 per cent last year from 96 per cent in 2022 but he only needs a majority to be re-elected and scandals aside, business has been good

Quad transformed from security dialogue into multifaceted tie-up: Report

The new report titled 'Quad: Diplomacy and Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific' assesses the Quad's achievements and potential amidst the ongoing geopolitical churn

Highlights: Odisha CM Majhi allocates portfolios to ministers; keeps home, finance with himself

Latest LIVE: Catch all the latest news from around the world here

Rare flesh-eating bacteria that can kill in two days spreads in Japan

At the current rate of infections, the number of cases in Japan could reach 2,500 this year, with a 'terrifying' mortality rate of 30%

Apple, Meta platforms likely to face charges for violating EU digital law

The European Commission, which began investigating Apple, Meta, and Alphabet's Google in March under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), considers Apple and Meta to be priority cases

G7 Summit: PM Modi, Japan's Kishida discuss Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail project

The two leaders noted that the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is in its 10th year and expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the relationship

Japan's new law forces Google and Apple to allow sale of third-party apps

The new law prohibits Apple and Google from restricting third-party companies from selling and operating apps on their platforms beyond their own app stores

AI, energy, Africa to be in focus, says PM Modi as he leaves for G7 Italy

As he embarks on a visit to Italy to attend an Outreach session at the G7 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said its focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Modi said this in a departure statement before leaving for the European nation in his first foreign trip after becoming prime minister for a third term. The prime minister said issues crucial for the Global South will also be deliberated upon at the Outreach session. The G7 summit, to be held in the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia in Italy's Apulia region from June 13 to 15, is expected to be dominated by the raging war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza. "At the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, I am travelling to Apulia region in Italy to participate in the G7 Outreach summit on June 14," Modi said. The prime minister said he was glad that his first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G-7 Summit. "During the discussions at the Outreach .

Japan should let married women keep their surname, says business lobby

Japan is the only country that still enforces such a rule, according to Keidanren's research, and it has failed to budge despite multiple calls from a UN panel on discrimination against women

Japan's economy shrinks 1.8% in Q1, slightly less than previous forecast

The Japanese economy shrank at an annual rate of 1.8 per cent in the first quarter of this year, slightly better than the initial estimate at a 2.0 per cent contraction, according to revised government data Monday. The revision was due to private sector investments, at minus 0.4 per cent, up from the previous minus 0.5 per cent. Seasonally adjusted real gross domestic product, or GDP, a measure of the value of a nation's products and services, remained in negative territory, as exports and consumption declined from the previous quarter. Quarter-to-quarter, the economy slipped 0.5 per cent in the January-March period, according to the Cabinet Office, unchanged from last month's results. The annual rate measures what would have happened if the quarterly rate lasted a year. Wage growth has been slow, and prices on imports have risen amid a decline in the Japanese yen against the US dollar. The dollar is trading at nearly 157 yen lately, up from about 140 yen a year ago. The weak yen

BOJ to drop clues on bond tapering plan next week, new rules expected

While details are not finalised, the central bank could trim monthly purchases or clarify plans to proceed with a slow but steady taper

Lupin recalls 51k bottles of generic drug due to defective containers in US

Drug firm Lupin is recalling over 51,000 bottles of a generic antibiotic medication in the US market due to a "defective container", according to the American health regulator. The US-based arm of the drug maker is recalling 51,006 bottles of Cefdinir for Oral Suspension (250 mg/5 mL) due to "defective container: lack of seal integrity," US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) said in its latest Enforcement Report. Cefrine Oral Suspension is indicated for the treatment of a range of bacterial infections. The affected lot has been manufactured at Lupin's Mandideep-based plant and marketed in the US by Baltimore-based Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc, it said. The drug maker initiated the Class II nationwide (US) voluntary recall on May 8 this year. As per the USFDA, a Class II recall is initiated in a situation in which the use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health

Japanese govt launches dating apps as birth rates hit record lows

A stable population demands a fertility rate of 2.1. Yet, Japan has struggled to meet this benchmark for over five decades, a trend exacerbated by the 1973 oil crisis

Japan's births hit record low: Can a dating app change the trend?

Japan's fertility rate, the total number of births per woman in her lifetime, dropped from 1.26 to 1.20, far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population

Asia shares set for weekly gains as major central banks cut rates

The European Central Bank (ECB) delivered a well-telegraphed rate cut on Thursday, a day after the Bank of Canada became the first G7 nation to trim its key policy rate

Japanese major Canon expects India to be No.1 in sales in APAC by 2035

Focus on improving channel strategy, create India focused products & eyes growing healthcare segment