News

A new vending machine that generates electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen was unveiled at the Osaka Kansai Expo, offering drinks powered by hydrogen cartridges. The machine, developed by Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. and Fuji Electric Co., operates with zero carbon emissions and reduced electricity consumption compared to conventional machines.

Alaskan representatives are traveling to Japan to pitch a $44 billion natural gas project that aims to export LNG to Asia, a venture backed by President Trump but met with caution from Japanese energy firms due to economic and technical concerns. The project, which includes a 1,300-km pipeline and ambitious production plans, remains uncertain as investors and partners assess its long-term financial and operational viability.

At the LDP convention, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called for cohesion and personal sacrifice among party members to win crucial upcoming elections despite recent setbacks. Ishiba also outlined plans to revitalize the party through reforms in economic policy, constitutional revisions, and a stronger U.S. alliance, while acknowledging public disillusionment with politics following past scandals.

Former top SDF officer Shigeru Iwasaki has been appointed as a political affairs consultant to Taiwan's Cabinet, marking a significant move by Taiwan to strengthen security ties with Japan. This appointment is likely to be met with opposition from China, which has historically been wary of Japan's military involvement in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of steep tariffs, particularly targeting auto imports, has sent shockwaves through Asian stock markets, with major indices in Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong all registering significant declines. While U.S. markets experienced modest losses overall, companies with predominantly domestic production, such as Rivian and Tesla, managed to outperform, amid broader uncertainty as the April tariff deadline near...