Page 3 - Japan

China deploys 90 naval vessels from Japan's Southern Islands to S China Sea

China is also forming two walls in the western Pacific, deploying large numbers of vessels to the eastern end of Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone

Nippon Life in talks to buy US' Resolution Life in deal worth $8.2 bn

Nippon Life will purchase the shares it does not already own in Resolution Life from Blackstone and others to make it a wholly owned subsidiary in the second half of 2025

Japan's megabanks flushed with cash; look at India, US for fresh deals

All of the companies have more cash on their balance sheets than their target common equity tier 1 ratios and have plans to reduce their strategic holdings over the next several years

US def secy in Japan to discuss safety of Osprey aircraft, security ties

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin is in Japan on Tuesday to meet with Japanese officials and reaffirm the importance of their alliance and the US commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea. Austin's visit also comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Osprey military aircraft, which have been grounded in the United States following a near-crash at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico last month. The incident, caused by weakened metal components, was similar to a fatal crash off southwestern Japan last year. The US measure has not affected Ospreys operated by Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force. Japanese officials are discussing the issue with the US military and will respond appropriately," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters Tuesday. Austin is scheduled to hold separate talks with his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba later Tuesday, according to Japanese officials. Nakatani told reporters t

Japanese AI-powered human washing machine: Wash, dry your body in 15 mins

The "Mirai Ningen Sentakuki," a "human washing machine of the future" made by Japanese engineers, analyzes your body uses artificial intelligence before applying a customized "wash-and-dry" procedure

Nobel for atomic bombing survivors shows need for peace: Japan's Empress

Japanese Empress Masako said the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, an organisation of survivors of the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was a key event of this year that impressed and reminded her of the importance of global peace efforts. Masako, the wife of Emperor Naruhito, said she thought of the pain and suffering of the survivors and struggles of those who have long led the nuclear disarmament effort. She felt anew the importance for the people of the world to strive for mutual understanding and work together in order to build a peaceful world, Masako said in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency for her 61st birthday Monday. Her comment comes one day before a group of 30 atomic bombing survivors will attend Tuesday's Nobel prize award ceremony in Oslo. Hidankyo was awarded for its decadeslong activism against nuclear weapons. The 30 survivors, known as hibakusha, see the prize and the international attention as a last chance to get the

Paytm arm to sell stock acquisition rights in Japan's PayPay for Rs 2.3K cr

Fintech firm and owner of Paytm brand One97 Communications' Singapore-based arm has approved the sale of its Stock Acquisition Rights in Japan's PayPay to Softbank Vision Fund 2 for Rs 2,364 crore, the company said in a regulatory filing on Saturday. Paytm and Paytm Singapore had signed an agreement with the Japanese digital wallet firm, Softbank Corp, Softbank Group Corp and Yahoo Japan Corporation to provide technology services to PayPay. In lieu of the services, Paytm Singapore had acquired Stock Acquisition Rights, convertible into 1,59,012 shares or a 7.2 per cent stake in PayPay on a fully diluted basis. "One97 Communications Singapore Private Limited has informed the company on December 06, 2024, at 12:49 pm (IST), that its Board of Directors at its meeting held on December 06, 2024, has approved the sale of all its Stock Acquisition Rights in PayPay Corporation, Japan, to SoftBank Vision Fund 2 entity for net proceeds of JPY 41.9 billion (equivalent to Rs 2,364 crore)," the

EAM discusses India-Japan ties, tourism growth, and challenges with China

EAM Jaishankar also reflected on the shared experiences of India and Japan in terms of their proximity to China

Quad growing as an expensive sort of intergovernmental coordination: EAM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that Trump's views regarding alliances and US' share and burden sharing does not apply to the Quad as everybody pays their fair share in the alliance

US, Japan, and Philippine forces jointly patrol in South China Sea

The United States deployed a reconnaissance aircraft while Japan and the Philippines sent navy ships in a joint patrol in the disputed South China Sea on Friday, two days after the allied forces condemned actions by Chinese coast guard vessels against Philippine patrol ships. The US Indo-Pacific Command said the joint patrol was conducted in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone by allies and partners to uphold the right to freedom of navigation and overflight " and "other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace." Those phrases are used by the US, Japan and the Philippines to oppose China's increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed waters. Two Philippine security officials said the patrol was staged about 40 nautical miles (74 kilometers) from Scarborough Shoal, a fishing area hotly disputed by Beijing and Manila off the northwestern Philippines. The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they didn't have authority to discuss such details ...

Japan looks forward to talks with Trump that include cutting auto tariffs

US was Japan's biggest export destination in 2023 with cars and auto parts making up a third of shipments, according to Japan's Finance Ministry

Trump's easing of regulations to trigger Japan outbound M&A: Citi executive

Trump presidency will also spark business reorganisations, which would swell the number of acquisition targets for Japanese firms, Citi Japan Vice Chairman Masuo Fukuda said

Trump pledges to block purchase of US steel by Japanese steel making firm

President-elect Donald Trump is underscoring his intention to block the purchase of US Steel by Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp, and he's pledging to use tax incentives and tariffs to strengthen the iconic American steelmaker. Trump had vowed early in the presidential campaign that he would instantaneously block the deal, and he reiterated that sentiment in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday night. I am totally against the once great and powerful US Steel being bought by a foreign company and will use tax incentives and tariffs to make US Steel Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST! he wrote. As President," he continued, "I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!! President Joe Biden, like Trump, also opposes Nippon Steel's purchase of Pittsburgh-based US Steel. Biden's White House in September said that it had yet to see a report from the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which was reviewing the transaction for .

Japanese firms eager to set up semiconductor units in India: Deloitte

Japanese firms are keen to set up semiconductor units in India and they have all the expertise and specialisation to partner with domestic firms, Deloitte has said. It also said that skilled workforce, funds and continuation of support measures are key to push growth of the semiconductor sector in India. Japanese firms are "super enthusiastic" about India, Shingo Kamaya, Deloitte AP and SRT Leader, Deloitte Japan said. In July, Japan became the second Quad partner after the US to sign an agreement with India for the joint development of the semiconductor ecosystem and maintain the resilience of its global supply chain. The two countries signed the memorandum for semiconductor design, manufacturing, equipment research, talent development and to bring resilience in the semiconductor supply chain. With around 100 semiconductor manufacturing plants, Japan is among the top five countries to have a semiconductor ecosystem. Japan houses companies that are global leaders in raw form of .

Nomura has room to cut further $187 mn in costs: CEO Kentaro Okuda

The measures come on top of Nomura's existing plan to cut 62 billion yen ($414 million) of costs in the short- and medium-term, which include optimising information technology

Donald Trump reiterates opposition to Nippon Steel's takeover of US Steel

Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba wrote to Biden, who has referred the deal to a government panel that reviews foreign investments for national security risks, asking him to approve the transaction

China sentences journalist detained at meal with Japanese diplomat to 7 yrs

A court in Beijing on Friday sentenced a prominent Chinese journalist to seven in years in prison for espionage, his family said. Dong Yuyu, a commentator and editor, was taken away by police while meeting a Japanese diplomat at a restaurant in February 2022. He has been in police custody since then. The Beijing Number 2 Intermediate People's Court read the verdict but did not share a copy with Dong's lawyers or family. No announcement was available on the court's website or its Weibo account. The verdict named then-Japanese ambassador Hideo Tarumi and Shanghai-based chief diplomat Masaru Okada as agents belonging to an espionage organization, according the family's statement. Dong had served as the deputy head of the editorial department at Guangming Daily, one of the five major state-owned papers in China. The paper was once considered more liberal than other state-backed papers. Dong also contributed to the Chinese edition of the New York Times. In his published writings, inclu

India, Japan hold first round of talks on economic security, trade

The first round of the India-Japan Dialogue on Economic Security, including Strategic Trade and Technology, was held in Tokyo on Wednesday during which the two sides underscored the need for "closer collaboration" to protect economic interests and build resilient supply chains and critical infrastructure in identified sectors. Both sides also agreed to bring "concrete results" through enhanced holistic collaboration in focus areas, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The MEA said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid his "first official visit to Japan on Wednesday in the current capacity", and had a series of meetings and interactions with senior officials in the government of Japan. His visit "reinforced the strong and enduring friendship" between India and Japan, rooted in shared values, mutual respect, mutual trust and commitment to regional stability, it said. "Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri co-chaired the 1st round of India-Japan Dialogue on Economic Security, including ...

India, Japan hold first round of economic security, strategic trade talks

The first round of the India-Japan Dialogue on Economic Security, including Strategic Trade and Technology, was held in Tokyo on Wednesday during which the two sides underscored the need for "closer collaboration" to protect economic interests and build resilient supply chains and critical infrastructure in identified sectors. Both sides also agreed to bring "concrete results" through enhanced holistic collaboration in focus areas, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri co-chaired the 1st round of India-Japan Dialogue on Economic Security, including Strategic Trade and Technology, in Tokyo on November 27, 2024 along with Vice Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Masataka Okano," the MEA said in a statement. The dialogue, attended by stakeholder ministries, departments and agencies from both the governments, was announced during the India-Japan 2+2 ministerial meeting held in New Delhi on August 20. The meeting in Tokyo provided an ..

Engine of Japan's new small rocket explodes during a test for 2nd time

The engine for a flagship new small Japanese rocket burst into flames Tuesday during a combustion test, but there was no injury or damage to the outside, officials said. The second failure in a row raises concern about the progress of the Epsilon S rocket, whose debut is expected for next year. The test was conducted inside of the restricted area at Japan's Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is investigating, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters. The fire was followed by an explosion and plumes of white smoke. Tuesday's failure comes just over a year after the explosion last year of the same Epsilon S engine during a test, according to JAXA. Last year's explosion was related to damage to the ignition systems of the engine and JAXA has since taken the necessary steps, the agency has said. Development of flagship rockets such as Epsilon S is extremely important from the perspective of ensuring autonomy of ..