News

Part-time workers in Japan saw their average pay surge by a record high of 6.53% during this year's "shunto" spring labor negotiations, driven by a nationwide trend of wage increases and a tightening labor market. This marks the ninth consecutive year that part-time workers' wage increases have outpaced those of regular employees.

Fujitsu Ltd. will end its traditional April-only hiring practice and instead recruit new employees throughout the year, targeting both recent graduates and experienced professionals. Additionally, the company has transitioned from seniority-based compensation to a jobs-based remuneration system, offering substantially higher salaries to attract skilled personnel.

Japan's new energy policy prioritizes nuclear power and renewables to meet rising electricity demand while achieving decarbonization goals, despite concerns about safety and waste disposal. The government aims to increase nuclear's share to 20% and renewables to 40-50% by 2040, while reducing reliance on thermal power.

U.S. stocks rebounded Wednesday after President Trump temporarily suspended some tariffs, sparking hope that a full-blown trade war could be avoided. The market reacted positively to Trump's one-month exemption for U.S. automakers from tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, easing concerns about potential harm to the Big Three automakers and their extensive cross-border production.

At a recent event, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida indirectly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" policies, arguing for greater international unity, support for Ukraine, and reinforcement of multilateral organizations. Kishida emphasized the necessity for Japan and other countries to actively contribute toward peace and stability in the face of rising isolationist tendencies.