News

Japan's trade surplus reemerged in February 2024, driven by a surge in exports, particularly to the U.S., amidst concerns over potential tariffs on automobiles. The Bank of Japan maintained its benchmark interest rate at 0.5% despite global economic uncertainty, reflecting the delicate balance between combating inflation and navigating the unpredictable international landscape.

AIREC, an AI-driven humanoid robot, is being developed in Japan to address the country's aging population and shortage of aged-care workers. While the robot is capable of assisting with daily tasks and physical interactions, it is not expected to be ready for use in nursing care facilities until around 2030 due to safety and cost considerations.

Japan Airlines has become the first airline to operate an aircraft with a riblet-shaped paint coating on an international route, inspired by the skin of sharks to reduce air resistance and carbon emissions. This innovative coating, developed in collaboration with JAXA and O-Well Corp., is expected to cut fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by a significant amount, contributing to the airline's environmental sustainability efforts.

Asian markets rose on Friday, defying Wall Street's decline, as China's efforts to stimulate consumer spending boosted investor sentiment. Meanwhile, Wall Street's sell-off deepened on Thursday, with the S&P 500 falling more than 10% below its record high due to President Trump's escalating trade war.

Former top SDF officer Shigeru Iwasaki's appointment as a political affairs consultant to Taiwan's Cabinet marks a significant development in the security relationship between the two countries. This rare instance of a former SDF senior official taking a position in the Taiwanese administration is seen as a move to strengthen security ties, potentially drawing opposition from China.