Japan

New Japanese PM plans to finalize talks on Kuril Islands

TOKYO, October 26. /TASS/: The new Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga plans to finalize the talks on the Kuril Islands, aiming for comprehensive development of relations with Russia, including the signing of a peace agreement, he said during his first program speech at the Japanese parliament transmitted on national TV.

Asian shares little changed on uncertainty over US election

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were little changed in muted trading Monday amid widespread uncertainty over what the U.S. presidential election will portend for markets and economic policy.

Investors remain worried over surging cases and deaths related to COVID-19, especially in parts of the U.S. and Europe, and the implications for trade, tourism and economic activity.

Post-Abe agenda: Suga says Japan to go carbon-free by 2050

TOKYO (AP) — Japan will achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared Monday in his first policy speech as leader, outlining an ambitious agenda as the country struggles to balance economic and pandemic concerns.

The policy speech at the outset of the parliamentary session reflects Suga’s pragmatic approach to getting things done. Suga, formerly chief cabinet secretary, took office on Sept. 16 after his boss Shinzo Abe resigned over health problems.

Britain signs deal with Japan, its first major trade agreement post-Brexit

TOKYO, Oct 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain today signed a trade agreement with Japan, its first major post-Brexit trade deal just as negotiations on its pact with the European Union are still ongoing.

AFP reported that the pact, which was agreed after just a few months of talks over the summer, would boost business between the two by £15.2 billion (US$19.5 billion). The deal was also seen as proof that the UK would be able to sign similar deals with other countries.

JAPAN: Tokyo refuses to comment on alleged Russian attempts to derail Olympics

TOKYO, October 20. /TASS/: Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato declined to comment on the UK Foreign Office’s claims that Russian special services had allegedly tried to disrupt the Tokyo Olympics using cyber attacks before it was delayed until 2021 over the pandemic.

Asian shares mixed as U.S. virus aid hopes fade

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mixed Tuesday, after Wall Street’s overnight decline as hopes faded Washington will come through with badly needed aid for the U.S. economy before the U.S. presidential election.

Investors have been focusing on U.S. economic stimulus amid global uncertainty about the continuing economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, which has slammed growth with social distancing restrictions, unemployment, crimped trade, as well as tourism and business closures.

Japan exports fall amid slow recovery from pandemic downturn

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s exports fell at a slower pace in September in a sign that trade damage from the coronavirus pandemic is easing, according to Finance Ministry data released Monday.

The report showed Japan’s exports in September declined 4.9%, better than the nearly 15% drop in August. The nation’s imports fell 17.2% overall, compared with 20.8% in August.

Exports to China jumped 14% while shipments to the U.S. inched up 0.7%, in another possible sign of a gradual rebound. By sector, computer exports to the world surged nearly 45%.

Japan’s populist, pragmatic new PM Suga pushes Abe’s vision

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s new prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, leaves Sunday on his first overseas foray since taking over from his former boss Shinzo Abe last month, heading to Vietnam and Indonesia.

The choice to visit Southeast Asia underscores Japan’s efforts to counter Chinese influence and build stronger economic and defense ties in the region, much in line with Abe’s vision.

Japan Unveils New 3,000-Tonne Submarine To Boost Fleet As Defence Spending Balloons

TOKYO, Oct 15 (NNN-NHK) – Japan, yesterday, unveiled its newest 3,000-tonne submarine, named Taigei, which was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., amid no signs of the nation reining in its ever-increasing and constitutionally questionable “defence” spending.

The submarine was unveiled at a shipyard in western Japan and is slated to go into service as the 22nd vessel in the Maritime Self-Defence Force’s (MSDF) submarine fleet, in Mar, 2022.

Japan's Suga to order new economic stimulus as early as November, Nikkei says

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will order his government to compile extra economic stimulus measures as early as November, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The move would signal the government’s readiness to deploy more support to cushion Japan’s economy from the significant disruption to consumers and businesses by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measures could focus on supporting tourism and the restaurant industry from declining consumption, the Nikkei said.

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