News

Japan and Britain, the world's fourth and sixth-largest economies, pledged to promote free and open international trade during their first "two-plus-two" dialogue on the economy, held in Tokyo on March 7th. The dialogue aimed to counter rising protectionist threats, particularly those posed by US President Donald Trump's recent tariff threats.

Chinese and Korean electric vehicles are gaining traction in Japan, with BYD and Hyundai showcasing their latest models at the Tokyo Auto Salon. Despite their relatively low market share, these automakers are making significant strides globally, challenging the dominance of Japanese and European brands in the Japanese EV market.

Nissan conducted self-driving car experiments on public roads in Yokohama, showcasing its ambition to develop autonomous driving-based transportation services within the next three years. The company plans to expand its fleet of self-driving cars and launch transportation services in several municipalities as early as 2027, aiming to ensure safety and fully realize unmanned driving operations.

Hyundai and General Motors are close to finalizing a deal for Hyundai to share two electric commercial van models with GM, while GM might provide Hyundai with pickup trucks to sell under its own brand in North America. This potential partnership could extend beyond just vehicles, with discussions including joint purchasing or development of computing chips, next-generation batteries, and battery materials.

Alimentation Couche-Tard's founder, Alain Bouchard, believes his company's $47 billion offer for Seven & i Holdings could be strengthened if the Japanese firm became more cooperative and revealed more financial information. However, Seven & i remains hesitant about the deal, citing antitrust concerns in the United States.