Tag - relations

 
 

RELATIONS

SoftBank is in talks with South Korea's Naver over control of LY, which operates the popular messaging app Line, the telecommunications firm's CEO has said.
BUSINESS
May 9, 2024
SoftBank in talks with Naver over control of Line operator LY
LY is majority owned by a joint venture between SoftBank and Naver.
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi on Sept. 11, 2023. During Biden's visit to Hanoi last year, the U.S. and Vietnam elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 9, 2024
Vietnam's China ties loom large in U.S. hearing on market economy upgrade
Opponents cite Beijing's outsized influence on Hanoi while proponents argue that denial of market economy status would push Vietnam closer to its neighbor.
The United States Steel's plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania. Nippon Steel is sticking to its plan to close a deal by year-end to buy U.S. Steel.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 9, 2024
Japan's Nippon Steel sticks to plan to close U.S. Steel deal by year-end
The takeover should bring Nippon Steel's global crude steel capacity to 86 million tons per year, close to its goal of 100 million.
The growing divide between U.S.-led and China-aligned blocs is taking a toll on the global economy as trade and investment flows are redirected along geopolitical lines in ways not seen since the Cold War.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 9, 2024
Cold War-type divide puts trade and investment at risk, top IMF official warns
After years of shocks, countries are reevaluating their trading partners, an IMF official has said.
The Mogami-class frigate, which features stealth capabilities and is operated by Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force, falls within the very broad guidelines of what is being sought by Canberra.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
May 9, 2024
Will Australia’s next frigates come from Japan?
While the competition is stiff, analysts say Japan's Mogami-class warships — or co-developed Australian variants — stand a fair chance in any bidding war.
China is likely around two years behind the United States in developing its own AI software.
WORLD / Politics
May 9, 2024
U.S. eyes curbs on China's access to AI software behind apps like ChatGPT
Preliminary plans the Biden administration has include placing guardrails around the most advanced AI Models, the core software of AI systems like ChatGPT.
If Donald Trump were to win a second term, his aggressive stance toward China and inclination for protectionist measures could complicate the situation for Southeast Asian nations.
COMMENTARY / World
May 8, 2024
What a second Trump term could mean for Southeast Asia
Donald Trump has made bold promises about U.S.-China policy that, if enacted, would transform the world.
Attendees stand on an escalator in the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on Nov. 25, 2016.
WORLD / Politics
May 8, 2024
Saudi Arabia AI fund would divest from China if U.S. asked, CEO says
U.S. officials have apparently told their Saudi Arabian counterparts that they need to choose between Chinese and American technology.
A Chinese flag is flown near a Huawei store in Shanghai in 2023.
WORLD / Politics
May 8, 2024
U.S. revokes some export licenses for firms supplying China's Huawei
Huawei was placed on a U.S. trade restriction list in 2019 amid fears it could spy on Americans.
Economic security has evolved to include offensive measures, such as industrial policy. Countries like Japan are increasingly on-shoring strategic industries such as semiconductors, regardless of the cost.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
May 7, 2024
The shift from economic security to geoeconomics
Economic security started out as a defensive concept, but it has now been weaponized to include an offensive element, morphing into a geoeconomic tool.
Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (right) speaks at a news conference with then-South Korean President Park Geun-hye and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after their trilateral summit at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul in November 2015.
JAPAN
May 5, 2024
Japan, China and South Korea arranging summit for May 26-27
The meeting is expected to bring together Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida holds a news conference in Sao Paulo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 5, 2024
Kishida talks up bolstered Latin American ties as China cements position
While the visit may improve ties, observers doubt countries like Brazil will jeopardize relations with Beijing, their most important trading partner.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a speech during a welcoming ceremony hosted by an organization of Nikkei immigrants from Japan and descendants in Sao Paulo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 5, 2024
Kishida meets with Brazilians of Japanese descent
At 2.7 million, Brazil has the world's largest community of Nikkei — immigrants from Japan and their descendants.
A scene from "The Maiden Benten and the Bandits of the White Waves" ("Benten Kozo") at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
CULTURE / Stage
May 5, 2024
Students from Hawaii to perform English-language kabuki in Japan
The group will perform "Benten Kozo," a play depicting the twists and turns of five thieves following their own code of honor.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and her Sri Lankan counterpart, Ali Sabry, after a bilateral meeting in Colombo on Saturday.
JAPAN
May 4, 2024
Japan seeks Sri Lanka recovery for regional stability
After talks with her Sri Lankan counterpart, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said that Colombo should secure agreements with bilateral lenders.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (right) and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands during a joint statement at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 4, 2024
Japan and Brazil vow cooperation in fighting climate change
Kishida and Lula also agreed to work together to maintain and strengthen the international order based on the rule of law.
The National Diet building in Tokyo
JAPAN / Politics
May 4, 2024
Japan says Biden's description of nation as xenophobic is 'unfortunate'
The government said it was "unfortunate that comments not based on an accurate understanding of Japan's policy were made."
From left: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Australian defense chief Richard Marles, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro hold a joint news conference in Honolulu on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 3, 2024
With eye on China, defense chiefs agree to bolster interoperability
Although “China” was not uttered by the officials during their news conference in Hawaii, Beijing’s growing assertiveness was clearly on their minds.
The U.S. Steel plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania
BUSINESS / Companies
May 3, 2024
Nippon Steel pushes back U.S. Steel acquisition until December
Nippon Steel has delayed acquiring United States Steel as the United Steelworkers union opposes the plan, along with U.S. President Joe Biden.
Optica headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday
BUSINESS / Companies
May 3, 2024
Huawei secretly backs U.S. research, awarding millions in prizes
Huawei Technologies is the sole funder of a research competition that has awarded millions of dollars since its inception in 2022.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’