Japan’s attempt at English fluency falls flat
Tokyo – Japan’s all-out effort to improve the English skills has been lost in translation. The government has canceled plans to introduce English exams from six private organizations, including the widely used Eiken proficiency test, into standardized tests for university … Continue reading Japan’s attempt at English fluency falls flat
Japan: Economic stimulus program planned
Tokyo – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will soon call for economic measures to bolster growth after next year’s Tokyo Olympics as well as recent disasters. In the wake of October’s Typhoon Hagibis, which left a trail of destruction across … Continue reading Japan: Economic stimulus program planned
Japan will remain World’s most aged country
Tokyo – Population projections from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs confirm that Japan will remain the world’s most aged country for at least the next few decades. The 2019 Revision of World Population Prospects, released in June 2019, … Continue reading Japan will remain World’s most aged country
Powerful Typhoon heading for Japan
Tokyo — With a powerful typhoon expected to make landfall on Japan’s main island this weekend, airlines will cancel most domestic flights Saturday into and out of Haneda and Narita airports. The country’s most-traveled bullet train line could also … Continue reading Powerful Typhoon heading for Japan
Chinese increasingly use WeChat Pay when traveling
Shenzhen – Leading Chinese social media and mobile payment platform WeChat reported robust overseas payment transactions during the National Day holiday as more and more Chinese users travel abroad. Japan posted the largest number of WeChat payment transactions during the … Continue reading Chinese increasingly use WeChat Pay when traveling
Sumitomo to build ‘smart city’ in Vietnam
Hanoi – A ceremony to launch a project to build a next-generation “smart city” was held in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi last Sunday. A Japanese trading firm, Sumitomo Corporation, and a Vietnamese real estate company are the main investors … Continue reading Sumitomo to build ‘smart city’ in Vietnam
Japan raises consumption tax rate to 10 percent
Tokyo — Japan hiked its consumption tax rate to 10% on Tuesday to help cover the growing cost of supporting the country’s aging population. Although the hike adds 4.6 trillion yen to the government’s annual revenue, the additional burden on consumers will test the foundations … Continue reading Japan raises consumption tax rate to 10 percent
Japan concerned about oil supplies
Tokyo — Saudi Aramco has notified Japan’s top oil distributor about a potential change in shipments, stoking concerns about the kingdom’s ability to supply crude following attacks on its major refineries a week ago. State-owned Aramco did not say why it wants to change … Continue reading Japan concerned about oil supplies
Japan and US agree on trade deal
Washington/Tokyo – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday Washington had struck trade agreements with Tokyo that could be implemented without congressional approval, but stopped short of assuring Japan that new tariffs would not be slapped on vital auto exports. … Continue reading Japan and US agree on trade deal
Hover Bike: Market entry planned for 2022
Tokyo – A.L.I. Technologies Inc., a Tokyo-based venture company, aims to release a mass-market flying motorcycle by 2022. The company, which mainly develops small drones, hopes to sell the product, called a “hover bike,” in emerging economies in Africa, the … Continue reading Hover Bike: Market entry planned for 2022