Economic news(2025/02/07)
"Hon Hai Precision Industry and Nissan in discussions on possible partnership" Taiwanese media
2025-02-07 22:51:00
With talks between Honda and Nissan Motor Co. expected to be terminated, Taiwanese media reported that executives from Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., a major Taiwanese electronics manufacturer that had been secretly considering taking part in Nissan's management, visited Japan ahead of the Lunar New Year last month to meet with Nissan executives and discuss a possible partnership.
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US January employment report: 143,000 more employed than expected
2025-02-07 22:50:00
The U.S. employment statistics for last month, which will affect the yen exchange rate and stock prices, were released, and although the number of people employed outside the agricultural sector increased by 143,000 from the previous month, this was below market expectations.
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SBI Holdings-affiliated investment trust management company becomes major shareholder of Fuji parent company
2025-02-07 21:30:00
It has been revealed that an investment trust management company affiliated with the major online financial company SBI Holdings has acquired over 5% of the shares of Fuji Television's parent company, becoming a major shareholder. Although the purpose of the acquisition is purely investment, future actions as a shareholder will be closely watched.
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Household survey: Real decline of 1.1% from last year; trend toward saving on food, etc. due to high prices
2025-02-07 20:00:00
In the Family Income and Expenditure Survey for the past year, the real amount spent by households with two or more people, excluding price fluctuations, was down 1.1% from the previous year. This is the second consecutive year that the amount has fallen below the previous year, and as prices continue to rise, this shows a tendency to save on food and other items.
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Mitsubishi Chemical Group to sell Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma to US investment fund
2025-02-07 19:46:00
Mitsubishi Chemical Group, a major chemical manufacturer, has announced that it will sell its subsidiary Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma to an American investment fund for approximately 510 billion yen. The company plans to separate its pharmaceutical business, which requires a large amount of money to develop new drugs, and focus its management resources on its core chemical business.
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Meiji Yasuda Life to acquire US insurance company for 500 billion yen including parent company investment
2025-02-07 19:37:00
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance has agreed to acquire an American insurance company and will invest 500 billion yen, including an investment in the parent company in the UK. As the domestic market is expected to shrink due to a declining population, the company continues to strengthen its overseas business through acquisitions.
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Honda and Nissan to decide to terminate merger talks next week
2025-02-07 19:31:00
Honda and Nissan Motor, who have been in talks about a business integration, plan to decide next week to terminate the talks on the business integration, as Nissan has not accepted Honda's proposal to make Nissan a subsidiary. The two companies will consider continuing their collaboration in areas such as the development of advanced technologies, but it is unlikely that a business integration between the two major Japanese automakers will come to fruition.
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"Deepseek" generative AI usage restrictions spreading in South Korea
2025-02-07 19:23:00
As countries around the world move to restrict the use of generative AI developed by the Chinese company Deepseek, South Korea is also seeing a series of measures taken to block its use at public and private institutions.
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What is the path to repaying the "public funds" that are a negative legacy of the bubble collapse? [Economics column]
2025-02-07 19:06:00
A total of over 12 trillion yen... this is the amount of public funds (i.e. tax money) that the government injected into financial institutions from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, when the Japanese economy was facing a serious financial crisis. A quarter century has passed since then. Now, the liquidation of this "negative legacy" is reaching its final stage. Will 2025 be the year that marks the end of the "lost 30 years"? (Economics reporters Yokoyama Taichi/Mineta Tomoyuki)
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Sharp, which is undergoing management restructuring, has recorded a new extraordinary loss of 26.1 billion yen
2025-02-07 19:03:00
As Sharp, a major electronics manufacturer, works to restructure its business, it has announced that it has booked a new extraordinary loss of 26.1 billion yen ($26.1 billion) due to the sale of its smartphone camera module business and the suspension of production of large LCD panels for televisions.
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Japan-U.S. summit: Will there be an exchange of views on economic security, defense industry cooperation, etc.?
2025-02-07 19:02:00
The first Japan-U.S. summit meeting between Prime Minister Shinzo Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump will be held in the early hours of the 8th. U.S. media reports that the two leaders will discuss trade and investment, as well as economic security and defense industry cooperation, and are expected to exchange views on a wide range of topics.
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Sanrio Puroland operator leaks information due to unauthorized access
2025-02-07 18:46:00
The company that operates Sanrio Puroland, which features popular characters such as Hello Kitty, has announced that it has been illegally accessed, resulting in the leakage of up to approximately 2 million pieces of customer personal information.
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"Deepseek" generative AI usage restrictions spreading in South Korea
2025-02-07 18:26:00
As countries around the world move to restrict the use of generative AI developed by the Chinese company Deepseek, South Korea is also seeing a series of measures taken to block its use at public and private institutions.
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NTT President: "We will review the Fuji TV third-party committee's investigation and consider action with Docomo"
2025-02-07 18:24:00
Regarding the series of problems at Fuji Television, NTT President Akira Shimada indicated that after reviewing the results of the third-party committee's investigation, he intends to consider future responses together with NTT Docomo, which is a major shareholder in Fuji Television's parent company.
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Norinchukin Bank posts deficit of over 1.4 trillion yen in first nine months due to huge losses in foreign bond management
2025-02-07 18:23:00
The Norinchukin Bank announced its financial results for the period from April to December last year, posting a net loss of over 1.4 trillion yen due to huge losses in the management of foreign bonds. The net loss for the fiscal year ending March this year could be as high as 2 trillion yen, and the bank will now have to consider how to revise its management structure.
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Yen exchange rate rises to 150 yen per dollar, yen buying movement on expectations of interest rate hike
2025-02-07 18:18:00
On the 7th in the Tokyo foreign exchange market, there was an increase in buying of the yen in anticipation of rising interest rates due to widespread speculation that the Bank of Japan's next interest rate hike may come soon, and in the morning, the yen rose to the 150 yen range against the dollar for the first time in about two months since December 10th of last year.
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Table Mark's packaged rice prices to increase by up to 36% from April
2025-02-07 17:34:00
In response to rising rice prices, major food manufacturer TableMark has announced that it will increase the price of packaged rice by up to approximately 36% from April of this year.
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Household survey: Real decline of 1.1% from last year; trend toward saving on food, etc. due to high prices
2025-02-07 17:33:00
In the Family Income and Expenditure Survey for the past year, the real amount spent by households with two or more people, excluding price fluctuations, was down 1.1% from the previous year. This is the second consecutive year that the amount has fallen below the previous year, and as prices continue to rise, this shows a tendency to save on food and other items.
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Yamagata City is number one in ramen, Hamamatsu City is number one in gyoza - Household survey [video included]
2025-02-07 17:30:00
On the 7th, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced the results of a household budget survey conducted over the past year targeting prefectural capitals across the country. The survey included the amount spent on eating out for ramen, which Yamagata and Niigata are competing over, and the amount spent on gyoza, which Hamamatsu and Utsunomiya have been fiercely competing for the top spot in Japan for many years.
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Fuji Television to set up "Revitalization and Reform Project Headquarters"
2025-02-07 17:05:00
Fuji Television has announced that it will set up a project headquarters headed by the president in order to review the organization's structure in a way that reflects the opinions of those on the front lines. It will set up multiple working groups made up of mid-career and junior employees, aiming to rebuild trust and the brand.
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President Trump meets with US Steel CEO; could be on the agenda for Japan-US summit?
2025-02-07 17:02:00
On the 6th, US President Trump met with US Steel CEO John Britt at the White House, according to Western media reports. It is possible that they exchanged views on Nippon Steel's plan to acquire US Steel.
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Long-term interest rates: 10-year government bond yield rises to 1.3%, lowest since April 2011
2025-02-07 16:47:00
As long-term interest rates continue to rise, speculation spread in the bond market on the 7th that the Bank of Japan may implement its next interest rate hike sooner than expected, and the yield on 10-year government bonds, which is a representative indicator of long-term interest rates, rose to 1.3%, the highest level since April 2011.
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Listed companies' April to December final profits up 10% year-on-year
2025-02-07 16:44:00
The announcement of financial results from April to December of last year by listed companies reached a peak, with the weak yen leading to growth in manufacturing performance, and financial institutions also saw an increase in profits thanks to the Bank of Japan's interest rate hike, resulting in a total net profit of 10% higher than the same period last year. Looking ahead, experts point out that the impact of the Trump administration's tariff policy will be a focus of attention.
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Stock prices fall as yen strengthens, leading to sell orders for export-related stocks
2025-02-07 16:37:00
On the 7th, the Nikkei average fell on the Tokyo stock market as sell orders were placed on export-related stocks such as automobiles due to the yen's appreciation in the foreign exchange market.
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Honda and Nissan to decide to terminate merger talks next week
2025-02-07 16:35:00
Honda and Nissan Motor, who have been in talks about a business integration, plan to decide next week to terminate the talks on the business integration, as Nissan has not accepted Honda's proposal to make Nissan a subsidiary. The two companies will consider continuing their collaboration in areas such as the development of advanced technologies, but it is unlikely that a business integration between the two major Japanese automakers will come to fruition.
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December economic activity index rises for the first time in two months, up 1.4 points from the previous month
2025-02-07 16:12:00
The Cabinet Office announced that the "coincident index," which indicates the current state of the economy, for December last year was 116.8, up 1.4 points from the previous month, with 2020 as the base year. This is the first increase in the index in two months.
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Yamagata City is number one in ramen, Hamamatsu City is number one in gyoza - Household survey [video included]
2025-02-07 16:01:00
On the 7th, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced the results of a household budget survey conducted over the past year targeting prefectural capitals across the country. The survey included the amount spent on eating out for ramen, which Yamagata and Niigata are competing over, and the amount spent on gyoza, which Hamamatsu and Utsunomiya have been fiercely competing for the top spot in Japan for many years.
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Cabinet decision on amendment to "investment in Rapidus and other companies through independent administrative agencies"
2025-02-07 15:46:00
With Rapidus aiming to domestically produce advanced semiconductors in mind, the government decided at a cabinet meeting on the 7th to amend the law to allow the government to invest in the company through an independent administrative institution.
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IMF: "Japan should start fiscal reconstruction now, rather than putting it off"
2025-02-07 15:36:00
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that the Japanese economy is seeing its first rise in inflation and wage growth in about 30 years, but that the country's large public debt remains an issue and that the country should work to improve its fiscal health.
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Household survey: Real decline of 1.1% from last year; trend toward saving on food, etc. due to high prices
2025-02-07 15:21:00
In the Family Income and Expenditure Survey for the past year, the real amount spent by households with two or more people, excluding price fluctuations, was down 1.1% from the previous year. This is the second consecutive year that the amount has fallen below the previous year, and as prices continue to rise, this shows a tendency to save on food and other items.
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Household Survey 2024: Yamagata City leads in ramen consumption, Hamamatsu City leads in gyoza consumption in Japan
2025-02-07 15:01:00
On the 7th, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced the results of a household budget survey conducted over the past year targeting prefectural capitals across the country. The survey included the amount spent on eating out for ramen, which Yamagata and Niigata are competing over, and the amount spent on gyoza, which Hamamatsu and Utsunomiya have been fiercely competing for the top spot in Japan for many years.
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Unitika, which is withdrawing from the textile business, passes proposal to improve management at extraordinary general meeting of shareholders
2025-02-07 14:25:00
An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders was held in Osaka for Unitika, which has decided to withdraw from its original textile business, which has been running at a loss. Resolutions were passed to fundamentally improve management, including amendments to the company's articles of incorporation to receive support from public-private funds and the appointment of seven new directors.
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Household Survey 2024: Yamagata City leads in ramen consumption, Hamamatsu City leads in gyoza consumption in Japan
2025-02-07 13:41:00
On the 7th, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced the results of a household budget survey conducted over the past year targeting prefectural capitals across the country. The survey included the amount spent on eating out for ramen, which Yamagata and Niigata are competing over, and the amount spent on gyoza, which Hamamatsu and Utsunomiya have been fiercely competing for the top spot in Japan for many years.
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Stock prices fall slightly. Yen exchange rate temporarily rises to the 150 yen range per dollar.
2025-02-07 13:21:00
On the 7th, the Tokyo Stock Exchange saw a slight decline in the Nikkei average as some export-related stocks were sold due to the yen's appreciation. Meanwhile, the yen temporarily rose to the 150 yen to the dollar range for the first time in about two months since December 10th of last year.
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Spring labor offensive: Labor-management negotiations at major steel companies get into full swing, with focus on making wage hikes permanent
2025-02-07 13:10:00
In this year's spring labor offensive, the focus of which will be on making wage increases permanent, labor unions at major steel companies have submitted a letter of demand calling for wage increases to management, marking the start of full-scale labor-management negotiations.
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Household survey: Real decline of 1.1% from last year; trend toward saving on food, etc. due to high prices
2025-02-07 13:05:00
In the Family Income and Expenditure Survey for the past year, the real amount spent by households with two or more people, excluding price fluctuations, was down 1.1% from the previous year. This is the second consecutive year that the amount has fallen below the previous year, and as prices continue to rise, this shows a tendency to save on food and other items.
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Production companies' group requests compensation for Fuji TV program suspensions and changes
2025-02-07 12:42:00
Fuji Television is facing a financial crisis due to a decline in advertising revenue, and a group of program production companies is demanding compensation for the suspension and change of programs. Fuji Television President Shimizu Kenji has stated that he wants to take every possible measure to ensure that this does not affect the management of the production companies.
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Household Survey 2024: Yamagata City leads in ramen consumption, Hamamatsu City leads in gyoza consumption in Japan
2025-02-07 12:29:00
On the 7th, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced the results of a household budget survey conducted in prefectural capitals across the country last year. The survey included information on the cost of eating out for ramen, a topic in which Yamagata and Niigata are competing, and the amount spent on gyoza, which has been the subject of fierce competition between Hamamatsu and Utsunomiya for many years.
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Trump meets with US Steel CEO to explain Nippon Steel acquisition plan
2025-02-07 12:17:00
On the 6th, US President Trump met with US Steel CEO John Britt at the White House, according to Western media reports. It is possible that they exchanged views on Nippon Steel's plan to acquire US Steel.
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Cabinet decision on amendment to "investment in Rapidus and other companies through independent administrative agencies"
2025-02-07 11:55:00
With Rapidus aiming to domestically produce advanced semiconductors in mind, the government decided at a cabinet meeting on the 7th to amend the law to allow the government to invest in the company through an independent administrative institution.
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Honda and Nissan to decide to terminate merger talks next week
2025-02-07 11:52:00
Honda and Nissan Motor, who have been in talks about a business integration, plan to decide next week to terminate the talks on the business integration, as Nissan has not accepted Honda's proposal to make Nissan a subsidiary. The two companies will consider continuing their collaboration in areas such as the development of advanced technologies, but it is unlikely that a business integration between the two major Japanese automakers will come to fruition.
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Amazon's third-quarter profits up 88.2% year-on-year due to rising demand for AI
2025-02-07 11:26:00
American IT giant Amazon's financial results for the three months ending December last year showed a significant increase in net profit, up more than 88% from the previous year, due in part to strong performance of its cloud services in the wake of rising demand for AI.
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Yen exchange rate reaches 150 yen to the dollar as speculation grows that the Bank of Japan's next interest rate hike will come soon
2025-02-07 09:58:00
On the 7th, the Tokyo foreign exchange market saw a trend of buying yen and selling dollars, with the yen temporarily rising to the 150 yen range per dollar for the first time in about two months since December 10th of last year. Following comments made by Bank of Japan policymaker Tamura in a speech on the 6th, speculation has spread that the Bank of Japan's next interest rate hike may be imminent, and there has been a growing trend to buy yen in anticipation of rising interest rates.
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Household survey: Consumption in the last year decreased by 1.1% from the previous year
2025-02-07 09:09:00
In a household survey released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications last year, the amount spent on consumption by households with two or more people was down 1.1% from the previous year in real terms, excluding price fluctuations. This is the second consecutive year that the amount has fallen below the previous year, with the average monthly consumption per household being 300,243 yen. The amount spent on consumption by households with two or more people in December of last year was also released, and the average monthly consumption per household was 352,633 yen, a 2.7% increase from the same month of the previous year in real terms, excluding price fluctuations.
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Honda and Nissan merger talks near final decision, increasing chances of failure
2025-02-07 06:37:00
The heads of Honda and Nissan Motor, who have been in talks to merge, met on the 6th, and Nissan conveyed its intention not to accept Honda's proposal to make Nissan a subsidiary. The two companies are expected to make a final decision next week on whether to terminate the merger talks, and the possibility of the merger talks between Japan's leading automakers falling through is increasing.
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New York foreign exchange market: Yen exchange rate temporarily rises to the 151 yen range per dollar
2025-02-07 05:40:00
On the 6th, in the New York foreign exchange market, there was a trend to sell dollars and buy yen against the backdrop of speculation that the Bank of Japan might raise interest rates further at an early date, and the yen temporarily rose to the low 151 yen range per dollar. This is the highest level of the yen against the dollar in about two months since mid-December last year. A market insider said, "Some investors are wary of the US employment statistics to be released on the 7th showing a slowdown in the labor market, so the yen is more likely to be bought."
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