Kyodo News Digest: June 14, 2025

Kyodo News

15 hours ago

KYODO NEWS - 15 minutes ago - 10:03 | All, World, Japan
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Trump effectively approves Nippon Steel's takeover of U.S. Steel
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday effectively approved a deal for Nippon Steel Corp. to acquire United States Steel Corp., reversing his staunch opposition to the Japanese company's takeover bid after it committed to investing heavily in the struggling American producer.
Nippon Steel said Trump has "approved" their "historic partnership that will unleash unprecedented investments in steelmaking in the United States."
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Japan negotiator mum on if Japan, U.S. can strike tariff deal at G7
WASHINGTON - Japan's chief tariff negotiator made a last-ditch effort Friday to smooth the way for a mutually beneficial trade deal at a planned in-person meeting next week between the leader of his country and U.S. President Donald Trump, but whether that goal can be achieved appeared to be still up in the air.
Following separate meetings with U.S Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington, Ryosei Akazawa told reporters that he had "explored the possibility" of a trade deal with them during "extremely in-depth" discussions.
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Iran retaliates against Israel with missile attacks
TEHRAN/JERUSALEM - Iran launched a missile attack on Israel on Friday, Iranian state TV reported, in retaliation for its airstrikes on various locations including facilities related to Tehran's nuclear programs.
Israel's Defense Forces said on the X social media platform, "Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles toward Israel in the past hours," with a video showing missile-like lights flying over high-rise buildings.
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Over 260 dead in Air India plane crash: reports
NEW DELHI - The total number of people killed when a London-bound Air India plane crashed into a residential area in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad has passed 260, local media reported Friday.
A day after the crash, which killed 241 passengers and crew aboard, it was confirmed that one passenger had survived.
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Ishiba, Trump to meet on G7 fringes: Japan PM
TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Friday that he agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump to meet in Canada on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit next week.
Ahead of another round of ministerial-level tariff talks in the United States, Ishiba told reporters after a 20-minute phone call with Trump that Japan's stance of urging the administration to eliminate its higher tariffs on Japanese products remains unchanged.
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Japan sets 1% wage growth target to spur economy in new policy plan
TOKYO - The Japanese government on Friday approved a policy blueprint focused on wage hikes, setting a target of approximately 1 percent real pay growth annually over a five-year period to encourage consumer spending and sustain economic growth.
The latest economic and fiscal policy plan, endorsed by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet, outlined a goal of raising Japan's gross domestic product to 1,000 trillion yen ($7 trillion) by around 2040, up from its current level of 600 trillion yen.
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Japan to ban reselling of rice as cheap stockpiles hit shelves
TOKYO - The government decided on Friday to prohibit the reselling of rice purchased at retail shops to ensure that rice reserves recently released at lower prices will stably reach consumers.
Under the ban, which will take effect June 23, those who sell rice at a higher price than they paid at supermarkets and online shops will face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 1 million yen ($6,960), or both.
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Japan parliament OKs pension reform law to ensure more contributions
TOKYO - Japan's parliament on Friday enacted a pension reform law that will scrap a 1.06 million yen ($7,400) annual income threshold blamed for prompting part-timers to limit their work hours, while opening the way for a future boost to basic pension benefits.
The enactment came as a result of a last-minute compromise by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who heads a minority government, as the ruling coalition decided to accept a demand by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, a major opposition force, to include a pledge to consider boosting the basic pension benefits in the future.
Video: Summer festival hosted by Japan's six northeastern prefectures commences at World Exposition