News

U.S. President Donald Trump questioned the U.S.-Japan treaty alliance, stating that the U.S. is obligated to protect Japan while Japan is not obligated to protect the U.S. This statement was disputed by experts, who pointed out that Japan's post-WWII reforms allow it to exercise collective self-defense and assist the U.S. under certain circumstances.

An ocean sunfish, noted for its friendly behavior, became lethargic and stopped eating during renovations at the Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki, likely due to the sudden absence of visitors. Aquarium staff addressed the issue by installing human cutouts around the tank, which quickly encouraged the fish to resume normal eating habits and recover its health.

A SpaceX crew capsule docked with the International Space Station just over a day after launch, delivering four new crew members from the U.S., Japan, and Russia to replace two NASA astronauts held up by technical delays. Amid ongoing mission adjustments, the current crew welcomed their counterparts as the station prepares for a planned return journey later this week.

Asian markets were mixed on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, with Japan's Nikkei 225 edging up 0.2% while the S&P 500 dropped 1.1% on Tuesday. Investors are awaiting the Fed's forecasts for interest rates, inflation, and the economy, with Wall Street expecting two or three rate cuts by the end of 2025.

Asian markets showed mixed performance as Chinese stocks and tech shares fell amid concerns over potential U.S. tariff moves, while other markets in Tokyo and Taiwan experienced slight gains. In the United States, major indices posted modest gains despite ongoing worries about a looming trade war and its potential impact on economic growth and inflation.