News

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to raise tariffs on a wide range of products, expressing concerns about the potential harm to both American and global economies. Lula also emphasized the importance of free trade and multilateralism, urging Trump to reconsider his protectionist approach.

Astroscale Japan Inc. successfully approached a piece of orbital debris at a distance of 15 meters, marking a significant step towards their goal of removing space junk from Earth's orbit. The company plans to launch another satellite by the end of March 2028 to capture debris and re-enter the atmosphere for disposal.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is scheduled to visit the Philippines during the Golden Week holidays to strengthen the "quasi-alliance" between the two countries, particularly in light of China's growing military presence in the South China Sea. This visit also aims to demonstrate Japan's close ties with the Philippines to the United States, hoping to ensure that the U.S. remains committed to the region's security.

Russia has permanently banned nine Japanese citizens, including Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, in retaliation for Japan's sanctions related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This follows similar bans on other Japanese nationals and reflects Moscow's use of entry restrictions against countries opposing its military campaign in Ukraine.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has decided to maintain its current policy interest rates due to increasing uncertainties surrounding U.S. economic policies under the Trump administration. The central bank will closely monitor these developments and assess their impact on both the U.S. and Japanese economies before determining future policy actions.