News

Land prices in Hokkaido have soared due to a surge in foreign tourists seeking vacation homes and hotels, with Kutchan experiencing the most significant increase, driven by its popularity as a ski resort destination. The influx of tourists has also pushed up commercial land prices in other popular destinations like Kinosaki Hotspring and Osaka's Midosuji street.

Asian markets rose on Friday despite another Wall Street decline, with Hong Kong and Shanghai leading the gains after China's efforts to boost consumer spending. Meanwhile, Wall Street experienced a sell-off as President Trump's escalating trade war dragged the S&P 500 down more than 10% from its record high.

International travelers at Haneda Airport are participating in a touchless fingerprint authentication trial, marking the first use of such technology in Japan. This experiment aims to streamline entry procedures while enhancing security by comparing fingerprints with existing data to prevent potential threats.

BYD's new "super e-platform" boasts 1,000 kW charging speeds, enabling EVs to travel 400 km on a 5-minute charge, surpassing Tesla's superchargers. To combat range anxiety, BYD will build a network of over 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China, aiming to accelerate EV adoption and solidify its position as a leader in the electric vehicle market.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) decided to maintain its current interest rate policy due to uncertainties surrounding U.S. economic policies under the Trump administration and will closely monitor their impact on the U.S. and Japanese economies before making any further policy decisions. The BOJ also plans additional rate hikes in the future, believing that developments in economic activity and prices are in line with its outlook.