News

The foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea will meet in Tokyo on March 22 for the first time in nearly a year and a half to discuss regional cooperation, including people-to-people exchanges, shared challenges, and regional problems. The meeting will also focus on coordinating a trilateral summit planned for later this year.

Japan's space agency, JAXA, is investing in significant upgrades to the Tanegashima Space Center to increase the launch frequency of its H3 rocket, aiming for at least seven launches annually and shorter intervals between liftoffs. These upgrades include expanding liquid oxygen storage capacity, increasing satellite assembly buildings, and implementing innovative measures to shorten the rocket production time.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi met with Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki to discuss concerns about sexual assaults by U.S. military personnel and the return of land south of Kadena Air Base to Japanese control. Tamaki demanded stronger preventative measures against sexual violence and emphasized the heavy burden Okinawa bears in hosting the U.S. military.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida resigns after the company reported disappointing financial results and the collapse of merger talks with Honda. Ivan Espinosa, currently the company's chief planning officer with extensive experience in product planning and electric vehicles, will take over as CEO on April 1st.

Starbucks is reaching out to older customers in Japan by offering hands-on barista experiences and hosting early morning radio exercise sessions in its store parking lots. These initiatives aim to create a welcoming environment for seniors and expand the company's customer base beyond its traditional young demographic.