News

Despite President Trump's push for the Alaskan natural gas project and his efforts to secure support from Japan and South Korea, Japanese energy firms remain hesitant to invest due to concerns about the project's high cost and feasibility. The Alaskan representatives' visit to Japan aims to address these concerns and attract potential investors, but the project's future remains uncertain as Japanese companies remain cautious.

Nissan's new CEO, Ivan Espinosa, aims to revitalize the struggling automaker by accelerating decision-making, fostering a more collaborative culture, and introducing a diverse lineup of new models within shorter development times. He faces the challenge of restoring profitability and rebuilding trust after years of financial losses and the Carlos Ghosn scandal.

Japan is scrambling to find ways to get the United States to exempt its automakers from a 25% tariff due to take effect on April 3rd. The government is exploring various options, including relaxing non-tariff barriers and industrial standards, to reduce the US trade deficit and convince the Trump administration to change its mind.

Part-time workers in Japan saw their average pay surge by a record high of 6.53% during this year's spring labor negotiations, driven by a nationwide trend of wage increases and a severe labor shortage. This marks the highest increase since the labor union organization UA Zensen was established in 2012.

Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's office gave gift certificates worth 100,000 yen to parliamentary secretaries attending a social gathering at his official residence, raising questions about the practice within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. This revelation follows a similar admission by current Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, suggesting the possibility of an established custom.