This page is the news announced by NHK, a representative TV station in Japan.

Economic news(2024/04/17)


Kyoto   Hakone

US Biden administration considers tripling tariffs on Chinese steel, etc.

2024-04-17 22:00:00
アメリカのバイデン政権は中国製の鉄鋼とアルミニウムに課している関税を、3倍の20%を超える水準に引き上げることを検討すると表明しました。中国政府の補助を受けて過剰生産された製品が輸入され国内産業に打撃を与えるのを防ぐねらいがあります。

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A disappearing bookstore in the city... Ingenuity in display and unique discernment can help

2024-04-17 21:56:00
Over 4,600 bookstores have closed over the past 10 years due to the spread of online shopping and e-books. On the 17th, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito exchanged opinions with bookstore managers in order to support local bookstores, which play the role of cultural hubs. In these difficult times, some ``neighborhood bookstores'' are emerging that are increasing their fan base with unique ideas.

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President of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, eager to develop products and strengthen non-insurance fields

2024-04-17 21:19:00
In an interview with NHK, President Tetsuya Kikuta of Dai-ichi Life Holdings revealed his intention to move forward with the development of products that increase the amount received, with an eye toward a "world with interest rates." On the other hand, as the market shrinks, the company also expressed its desire to strengthen non-insurance areas through corporate acquisitions and other means.

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Long-term interest rates temporarily rose to 0.885%, the first level in about 5 months since November last year

2024-04-17 20:02:00
In the bond market on the 17th, selling of Japanese government bonds intensified, and long-term interest rates temporarily rose to 0.885%, the lowest level in about five months since November last year. When a government bond is sold, its price falls and interest rates rise.

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Toshiba undergoing business restructuring, considering reducing domestic employees to around 4,000 people

2024-04-17 19:54:00
It has been learned that Toshiba, which is proceeding with management restructuring under an investment fund, is considering reducing its domestic employees. The scale of the reduction is likely to be around 4,000 people, or about 6% of the total, and we plan to hold discussions with the labor union in the future.

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Prime Minister Kishida orders measures to increase inbound tourism, including attracting tourists to regional areas

2024-04-17 19:22:00
At the tourism-related cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Kishida announced that the target for the number of foreign tourists could be achieved ahead of schedule, and announced measures to expand inbound demand, such as attracting tourists to regional areas. instructed to consider.

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Japan-U.S.-Korea finance ministers meeting before G20; discussion over historically weak yen and high dollar level?

2024-04-17 19:10:00
The G20 = Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting of 20 major countries will be held in Washington from the 18th (Japan time). Prior to this, a meeting is scheduled between the finance ministers of Japan, the United States, and South Korea, and with the yen at a historically low level and the dollar high, the focus will be on what kind of exchange-related exchanges will take place during this series of dates.

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Yen market price falls to the upper 154 yen level per dollar

2024-04-17 18:23:00
At the Tokyo foreign exchange market on the 17th, the yen fell to the high 154 yen level to the dollar, as expectations of an early interest rate cut in the United States receded.

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Yen exchange rate falls to the low 154 yen level per dollar

2024-04-17 18:18:00
At the Tokyo foreign exchange market on the 17th, the yen fell to the high 154 yen level to the dollar, as expectations of an early interest rate cut in the United States receded.

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More than 130,000 Toyota Prius vehicles recalled, production halted and orders halted

2024-04-17 18:04:00
Toyota Motor Corporation has submitted a recall to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for more than 130,000 Prius vehicles due to insufficient waterproofing of the switch that opens the rear seat door, which could, in the worst case scenario, cause the door to open while the vehicle is in motion. Ta. Toyota is currently discontinuing production of the Prius and has said it will also stop accepting new orders in Japan.

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Semiconductor materials: TOB of world major JSR completed; going private and strengthening competitiveness

2024-04-17 17:34:00
JSR, a world leader in semiconductor materials, announced on the 17th that a TOB (tender offer) for its shares has been completed by the Japan Innovation Investment Corporation, a public-private fund. The company aims to take the company private and strengthen its international competitiveness.

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JR Tokai President reiterates his intention to aim for early opening of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen

2024-04-17 17:16:00
Regarding the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, JR Tokai President Shunsuke Niwa held a press conference on the 17th, avoiding any specific mention of Governor Kawakatsu, who has not approved construction work in Shizuoka Prefecture, resigning, and calling for early opening. I once again expressed my goal.

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In March, the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan exceeded 3 million for the first time, the highest number ever in a single month.

2024-04-17 16:54:00
Last month, more than 3.08 million foreign tourists visited Japan, exceeding 3 million for the first time and the highest number ever in a single month.

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Yen exchange rate: 1 dollar = trading in the high 154 yen range, yen depreciating

2024-04-17 16:31:00
In the Tokyo foreign exchange market on the 17th, the yen depreciated due to the view that the timing of interest rate cuts in the United States would be delayed, and the yen exchange rate was trading at the high 154 yen level to the dollar.

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Stock price falls by more than 500 yen, falling below 38,000 yen for the first time in two months

2024-04-17 16:12:00
On the Tokyo stock market on the 17th, the Nikkei average stock price fell by more than 500 yen, and the closing price fell below the 38,000 yen level for the first time in two months since February.

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Yen exchange rate: 1 dollar = trading in the high 154 yen range, yen depreciating

2024-04-17 15:37:00
In the Tokyo foreign exchange market on the 17th, the yen depreciated due to the view that the timing of interest rate cuts in the United States would be delayed, and the yen exchange rate was trading at the high 154 yen level to the dollar.

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“Security clearance” bill to be debated in plenary session of the House of Councilors

2024-04-17 15:12:00
A bill aimed at creating a "security clearance" system that would limit access to information important to economic security to those whose credibility has been verified by the government was debated at the House of Councilors plenary session on the 17th.

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More than 135,000 Toyota Prius vehicles recalled

2024-04-17 14:16:00
Toyota Motor Corporation is recalling approximately 135,000 Prius vehicles due to insufficient waterproofing performance of the switch that opens the rear seat door, which could, in the worst case scenario, cause the door to open while driving. I have reported it to the Ministry.

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Osaka/Kansai Expo America pavilion groundbreaking ceremony in Yumeshima

2024-04-17 12:12:00
On the 17th, the United States, which will be participating in next year's Osaka/Kansai Expo, held a groundbreaking ceremony for its pavilion in Yumeshima, Osaka City, which will be the venue.

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Yen exchange rate: 1 dollar = trading in the high 154 yen range, yen depreciating

2024-04-17 12:02:00
In the Tokyo foreign exchange market on the 17th, the yen depreciated due to the view that the timing of interest rate cuts in the United States would be delayed, and the yen exchange rate was trading at the high 154 yen level to the dollar.

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Japan-Korea Finance Ministers Meeting “Confirmation of appropriate measures to take in response to rapid exchange rate fluctuations”

2024-04-17 11:38:00
Japanese Finance Minister Suzuki and South Korean Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Finance Choi Sang-mok met during a visit to the United States. The South Korean government announced that both countries share serious concerns about currency depreciation and have confirmed that appropriate measures can be taken in response to rapid exchange rate fluctuations.

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Trade balance in 2023 The trade deficit has decreased significantly for the third consecutive year

2024-04-17 11:26:00
Last year's trade statistics for fiscal year 2023 were announced, and the trade balance, which subtracts imports from exports, was in the red at over 5.89 trillion yen. Although Japan has had a trade deficit for three consecutive years, the deficit has narrowed significantly compared to the previous fiscal year due to a decline in energy prices such as crude oil.

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U.S. Treasury Secretary accepts president's negative opinion on U.S. Steel acquisition

2024-04-17 11:12:00
Regarding Nippon Steel's plan to acquire U.S. Steel, a major American steel manufacturer, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressed her intention to accept President Biden's negative view on the acquisition.

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Welcia Holdings president Tadahisa Matsumoto resigns due to extramarital affair

2024-04-17 11:05:00
Welcia Holdings, the largest drugstore company, announced that President Tadahisa Matsumoto has resigned as of the 17th. According to the company, it has been confirmed that he had an extramarital affair in his private life, and a successor to the president has not been decided at this time.

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FY2023 trade balance in deficit for third consecutive year

2024-04-17 09:21:00
The Ministry of Finance announced trade statistics for last fiscal year, 2023, and the trade balance, which subtracts imports from exports, was a deficit of 5,891.9 billion yen. This is the third consecutive year that the trade balance has been in deficit, and the deficit has shrunk compared to the previous year, when it was the largest on record, due to the decline in energy prices such as crude oil.

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Development of technology to reproduce a specific person using generative AI progresses

2024-04-17 07:22:00
As the use of generative AI expands, the development of technology that reproduces the thoughts and voices of specific people is progressing.

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Why did a new employee who just joined the company "submit his resignation yesterday"?

2024-04-17 06:00:00
The new year has started in April. But on SNS... Many new employees are saying, ``I submitted my resignation yesterday'' and ``I'm going to start looking for a new job tomorrow.'' What exactly is happening in the new fiscal year, when labor shortages continue in many industries?

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IMF “Upward revision of the global economy, but there are risks such as rising prices due to the tense situation”

2024-04-17 05:55:00
The IMF (International Monetary Fund) has announced the latest outlook for the world economy, and the global economic growth rate for this year is 3.2%, revised upward by 0.1 points from the previous year. On the other hand, it points out future risks such as rising prices due to the situation in Ukraine and the tensions in the Middle East.

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Fed Chairman Powell: “It will take more time to cut interest rates”

2024-04-17 05:51:00
On the 16th, Chairman Jerome Powell of the Federal Reserve Board of the United States (Fed) announced that, based on a series of economic indicators showing the persistence of inflation, he decided that the inflation rate was in a sustained decline and decided to cut interest rates. He acknowledged that it would take more time.

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Yen exchange rate The yen weakened to the highest dollar level for the first time in about 34 years. At one point, 1 dollar = 154 yen and 79 sen.

2024-04-17 05:36:00
In the New York foreign exchange market on the 16th, the yen depreciated due to the expectation that the timing of interest rate cuts would be delayed in response to remarks by Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell, and the yen exchange rate was temporarily at 154 yen 79 to the dollar. The yen has fallen to the lowest level in 34 years, marking the first time in about 34 years that the yen has weakened to the dollar.

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Kyoto   Mt.Fuji


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