News

Billions of yen in government subsidies have fueled a surge in industrial park development in Fukushima, but a lack of workers returning to the area remains a major challenge. Despite government efforts to attract businesses and create jobs, the long-term impact of the nuclear disaster continues to hinder population growth and economic recovery.

Asian markets were mixed on Wednesday ahead of a crucial interest rate decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve, with Japan's Nikkei 225 edging up while Hong Kong's Hang Seng and the Shanghai Composite remained flat. Meanwhile, Wall Street retreated on Tuesday amid a tech sell-off, with the S&P 500 dropping 1.1% and the Nasdaq composite sinking 1.7%.

Toyota Motor Corp. is postponing 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.

Japanese Prime Ministers have a long-standing tradition of handing out gift vouchers to newly elected members of the Liberal Democratic Party, with the practice dating back at least a decade. This tradition has been confirmed by several LDP politicians who have received vouchers worth around 100,000 yen ($670) from Prime Ministers Abe, Ishiba, and Kishida.

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.