News

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi met with Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki to discuss the rising issues of sexual assaults by U.S. military personnel and the broader burden of the U.S. military presence in Okinawa. During the nearly 20-minute meeting, both officials underscored the need for stronger preventative measures and tangible steps to return U.S.-controlled land to Japanese administration.

JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi has embarked on a mission to the International Space Station, leaving behind the Operations and Checkout building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Meanwhile, the replacements for NASA's two astronauts who were stranded on the space station have finally launched, paving the way for their return after a grueling nine months.

Japan is scrambling to avoid a 25% tariff on its auto exports to the US by exploring options like relaxing non-tariff barriers and increasing imports of American products. However, with no exemption granted and economists predicting significant economic pain, the future of the Japanese auto industry remains uncertain.

Asian markets showed mixed performances on Friday as investor uncertainty over U.S. trade policies, particularly those tied to President Trump’s actions, influenced global equities. The report detailed fluctuating stock indices across Asia and Wall Street along with shifts in commodity prices, reflecting a complex economic environment impacted by varied regional developments.

Toyota Motor Corporation has postponed the construction of a lithium-ion battery factory in Fukuoka Prefecture due to sluggish demand for electric vehicles in the global market and higher construction costs. The company is also considering pushing back the release date of its first next-generation EV model to ensure the quality of new technologies.