Trump clears way for Nippon Steel to buy US Steel
TOKYO -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday cancelled the decision by former President Joe Biden to block Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel, paving the way for the Japanese company to finalize its takeover of its American counterpart.
Alongside Trump's decision, the two companies also signed a National Security Agreement (NSA) with the U.S. government, which includes handing Washington a "golden share" in U.S. Steel.
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Japan Times
29 minutes ago
- Japan Times
Trump's military parade steps off after day of protests against him
U.S. President Donald Trump's long-sought military parade rolled though the streets of downtown Washington on Saturday, but the celebration of the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary was marred by a day of violence and discord. In the hours before the parade began, hundreds of thousands of Americans marched and rallied in streets in cities from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles protesting Trump's actions while in office. Earlier in the day, a gunman assassinated a Democratic lawmaker and wounded another in Minnesota and remained at large. Meanwhile, Israel on Saturday pounded Iran with a second barrage of strikes in a bid to destroy its nuclear program after Iran retaliated with strikes the evening before, stoking fears of a mushrooming conflict between the two nations. All of it followed a week of tension in Los Angeles, where protests over federal immigration raids resulted in Trump calling in National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to help keep the peace. Trump's parade, which falls on his 79th birthday, started earlier than expected. Thunderstorms were forecast in the Washington area. Thousands of spectators lined up along Constitution Avenue near the National Mall as the parade got underway with a brass band. Trump watched the proceedings from an elevated reviewing stand and was cheered when introduced. U.S. President Donald Trump stands and salutes troops during the Army 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington on Saturday. | POOL / VIA AFP-JIJI The president has long desired to hold a military-style parade in the United States, but such events have been rare in U.S. history. In 1991, tanks and thousands of troops paraded through Washington to celebrate the ousting of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait in the Gulf War. The U.S. Army has brought nearly 7,000 troops into Washington, along with 150 vehicles, including more than 25 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Stryker armored vehicles, four Paladin self-propelled artillery vehicles, and artillery pieces including the M777 and M119. The celebrations will cost the U.S. Army between $25 million and $45 million, U.S. officials have said. That includes the parade itself as well as the cost of moving equipment and housing and feeding the troops. Critics have called the parade an authoritarian display of power that is wasteful, especially given Trump has said he wants to slash costs throughout the federal government. Bryan Henrie, a Trump supporter, flew in from Texas to celebrate the Army's anniversary and did not see any issues with tanks rolling down the streets of Washington. "I don't see a controversy. I will celebrate safety and stability any day over anarchy,' 61-year-old Henrie said. Demonstrators hold up signs as they march on the streets during a "No Kings" protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, in New York City, on Saturday. | REUTERS Earlier in the day, thousands marched in Washington and in other cities in protest of Trump's policies. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, and marked the largest outpouring of opposition to Trump's presidency since he returned to power in January. Anti-Trump groups planned nearly 2,000 demonstrations across the country to coincide with the parade. Many took place under the theme "No Kings," asserting that no individual is above the law. All planned No Kings protests in Minnesota were canceled following that Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said was the "politically motivated assassination" of one Democratic lawmaker and wounding of a second. In Los Angeles, a large crowd of protesters faced a large contingent of Marines guarding the Roybal federal building downtown, the site of clashes between protesters and officers last week. Standing about 3 meters away from the Marines, the crowd yelled in unison, "Shame! Shame!' and "Marines, get out of LA!' Despite rain, thousands of people of all ages turned out in and around Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan, many carrying homemade signs that played off the "No Kings' theme. "No crown for a clown,' said one. Actor Mark Ruffalo was among the demonstrators, wearing a hat that read "immigrant." Police officers detain a person during a "No Kings" protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, in New York City on Saturday. | REUTERS "We're seeing dehumanizing language towards LGBT people, towards people with autism, towards people with other disabilities, racial minorities, undocumented people,' said Cooper Smith, 20, from upstate New York. "Somebody's got to show that most Americans are against this.' Protestors in downtown Chicago stood off against police on Saturday, with some waving upside-down American flags and chanting: "Who do you protect? Who do you serve?' and "No justice, no peace.' Allan Hallie, a 70-year-old retired gastroenterologist, traveled from the northwest Indiana town of Ogden Dunes to protest policies of the Trump administration. "I am quite afraid of the direction of this country,' he said. Members of the far-right Proud Boys, ardent Trump supporters, appeared at an Atlanta No Kings protest, wearing the group's distinctive black and yellow colors. About 400 protesters, organized by a group called marched through Washington and gathered for a rally in a park opposite the White House. Trump had warned people against protesting at the parade itself, saying that "they're going to be met with very big force." Sunsara Taylor, a founder of RefuseFascism, told the crowd, "Today we refuse to accept Donald Trump unleashing the military against the people of this country and in the streets of this country. We say, 'hell no.''
The Mainichi
30 minutes ago
- The Mainichi
Machine translator breaks barriers, improves mood at Kyoto Pref. plant with foreign workers
NAGAOKAKYO, Kyoto -- A factory in this west Japan city where more than half of its employees are foreigners has overcome the language barrier by utilizing a chat translator via smartphones and computers, transforming its work environment. The number of foreign workers in Kyoto Prefecture has surpassed 30,000, marking an all-time high. Amid this increase, the language barrier in workplaces has become a significant challenge. According to a national survey, nearly half of businesses cite "difficulty in communication" as their primary issue in employing foreign nationals. Factory where a majority are Vietnamese or Thai workers When this reporter visited the metal processing company Kobayashi Seisakusho in the city of Nagaokakyo, Kyoto Prefecture, in late May, a Thai employee was seen working while glancing at a computer screen. Instructions entered in Japanese by a Japanese colleague on a smartphone were instantly translated into Thai and displayed on the screen. On a Vietnamese employee's smartphone were Vietnamese messages sent to Japanese and Thai colleagues using a work group chat function on their smartphones. The messages, automatically translated into Japanese and Thai, respectively, appeared on the recipients' smartphone screens, facilitating smooth communication. Out of 110 employees at the company, 60 are Vietnamese or Thai. Many of them are technical intern trainees or specified skilled workers whose period of stay in Japan is allowed up to five years in total. Founded in 1955, Kobayashi Seisakusho has been handling the processing of various equipment, including automobile parts, through "high-mix, low-volume production." Initially, the workforce was predominantly Japanese, but as the business expanded, there was a shortage of employees. Despite recruitment efforts through the Hello Work public employment service and newspaper inserts, Japanese applicants dwindled. About a decade ago, the firm began hiring technical intern trainees, leading to an increase in foreign employees. Hiroaki Kobayashi, 46, the company president, appreciates the foreign employees' work ethic, stating, "Everyone is earnest and eager to learn the job." However, language differences had created a wall in communication. Initial struggles in communication There were repeated mistakes due to miscommunication with Japanese employees. Wrong work processes led to delays in delivery deadlines. "If workers cannot communicate smoothly -- such as making sure everyone knows what is urgent and which tasks to prioritize, it significantly impacts workflow," Kobayashi said. Some workers would say "yes" without actually understanding what their Japanese colleagues told them and others would not speak up on important matters due to a lack of Japanese language skills. This was the case not just with Japanese employees but also among foreign workers who spoke different native languages. Kobayashi considered introducing voice translation devices from one company but abandoned the idea as they could not be used unless face-to-face. Japanese employees resorted to communicate through gestures and distributing memos with simple Japanese to prevent the language barrier from affecting work or workplace rules. Amid these challenges, Kobayashi learned about the "Kaminashi Jugyoin" translation system for smartphones and computers at an exhibition held last year at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center. Developed by the Tokyo-based startup Kaminashi Inc., the system allows information and document exchanges among site managers, general affairs departments and employees to be completed through a single service. The translation supports about 20 languages with high accuracy. Voices and thoughts of employees become 'visible' In January this year, Kobayashi Seisakusho introduced this system to all employees' smartphones and workplace computers. When instructions, consultations or other messages are input in the native language of the smartphone owner, the others receive them translated into their native language, such as from Japanese to Vietnamese, Thai to Japanese, and Vietnamese to Thai. When the general affairs department shares information with all employees in Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai workers can understand it in their native languages. The system has led to employees actively communicating and reporting to each other, changing the workplace atmosphere. A 28-year-old Vietnamese worker in his fourth year at the company who is responsible for metal cutting among other tasks smiled and commented in simple Japanese, "I can now communicate with everyone. I understand instructions and reports, and I'm making progress with my tasks." His 29-year-old co-worker from Thailand said in his native language, "It's very convenient. If there is a problem or something I don't understand, I can contact others immediately. I can now ask questions I couldn't before." Although they work in different departments, the two have become friends who communicate and consult with each other via smartphones. Kobayashi said, "The various voices and thoughts of employees have become 'visible.' The workplace atmosphere has changed, leading to improved employee skills." He also explained that by overcoming the language barrier, the company's productivity has increased, and sales have grown. In Kyoto Prefecture, the manufacturing industry has the highest number of foreign workers, at about 9,400 as of the end of October 2024, accounting for 27% of the total. Kobayashi Seisakusho's initiative could become a model case for small- and medium-sized businesses accepting foreign workers. (Japanese original by Satoshi Kubo, Kyoto Bureau)
NHK
2 hours ago
- NHK
Israel-Iran Hostilities continue, prompting cancellation of nuclear talks
Hostilities between Israel and Iran continued into Saturday, raising fears in the Middle East and prompting Iran to cancel nuclear talks with the United States. Israeli forces on Friday attacked Iranian nuclear facilities and other targets that killed military leaders. Iranian media said Israel's strike killed at least 78 people. In retaliation, Iran has begun launching ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel. Israeli media say three people have died and more than 70 others were injured. Israel continued attacking Iran on Saturday. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israel struck Iranian air defense systems, allowing some Israeli aircraft to fly freely over Tehran. Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that Iran launched drones against Israel. On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said holding talks with the US was now unjustifiable amid ongoing barbarous Israeli attacks. His comment came as negotiations on Iran's nuclear program were under way between Iran and US President Donald Trump's administration, which backs Israel. The next round of talks was scheduled to take place on Sunday. But the foreign minister of Oman, which has been mediating the talks, confirmed the meeting's cancellation.
