Japan looks beyond ASEAN to Uzbekistan, Bangladesh for more workers
KENTA SHIMAI
TOKYO -- Japan is eyeing South and Central Asian countries as sources of foreign talent, preparing for a decline in workers from Southeast Asia as economic growth in the region makes them less inclined to go abroad.
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will appoint a private-sector organization to speak with dispatch agencies in South and Central Asian countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan. They will look at labor needs in Japan as well as systemic obstacles.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asahi Shimbun
11 minutes ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Akazawa denies election defeat will impact U.S. tariff talks
Japan's chief trade negotiator with the United States, Ryosei Akazawa, speaks to reporters on July 21 in Washington. (Ken Sakakibara) WASHINGTON—Japan's chief trade negotiator with the United States has dismissed concerns that his government's latest electoral setback would weaken Tokyo's position in ongoing tariff negotiations with Washington. Speaking to reporters here on July 21 during his eighth visit for the trade talks, Ryosei Akazawa emphasized the importance of national interest over domestic political outcomes. 'This is a negotiation about our national interest,' Akazawa said. 'Whether we win or lose an election is fundamentally unrelated to this process.' His remarks follow Japan's Upper House election on July 20, in which the ruling coalition led by his Liberal Democratic Party lost its majority. The development raised questions about the administration's political leverage in critical international negotiations. Akazawa is expected to hold talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The bilateral talks have intensified ahead of an Aug. 1 deadline set by President Donald Trump, who has announced plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on Japanese goods if no agreement is reached. Akazawa signaled optimism, stating that both sides share a mutual desire to strike a deal before the deadline. 'There is a strong will on both the Japanese and American sides to come to some form of agreement,' he said. Bessent, appearing earlier on CNBC, sidestepped questions about whether the Japanese election results would impact trade negotiations. 'Our priorities are not the internal workings of the Japanese government,' he said. 'Our priorities are getting the best deal for the American people.' Akazawa kept his tone diplomatic in responding to Bessent's comments. 'He is, after all, a Cabinet member of the 'America First' Trump administration,' he noted. 'It's only natural that he would say that.' 'We aim to find a common ground that protects the interests of both nations,' he added. Talks have stalled over Japan's request for the reduction of tariffs on automobile exports, a sector that has long been a source of tension in U.S.-Japan trade relations. Trump has repeatedly called the current trade balance unfair, in particular regarding cars and agricultural products.
Yomiuri Shimbun
41 minutes ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Akazawa Downplays Election's Impact on Tariff Talks;Bessent Denies Interest in Japan's ‘Internal Workings'
With the approach of an Aug. 1 deadline after which the U.S. government says it will impose 25% tariffs on imports from Japan, economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa arrived in the U.S. for ministerial talks on tariffs and met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Monday in Washington D.C. According to the Japanese government, the two held a 'very candid and in-depth discussion, once again.' It was Akazawa's eighth visit to the U.S. for the series of tariff negotiations. Efforts were also being made to hold a meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the chief U.S. negotiator for the talks and Akazawa's counterpart. Speaking with reporters upon his arrival at an airport in the suburbs of Washington, Akazawa had downplayed the possible impact of the House of Councillors election results on the prospect of tariff negotiations by saying that 'Basically, it doesn't matter [for the negotiations] whether the ruling parties win or lose in the election.' He added, 'Both sides [Japan and the United States] hope to reach some sort of agreement,' showing his intention to continue negotiations. Meanwhile, in a CNBC interview on Monday, Bessent commented: 'Our priorities are not the internal workings of the Japanese government. Our priorities are getting the best deal for the American people.' Asked about the remarks, Akazawa responded 'Bessent is a Cabinet member in the Trump administration, which advocates 'America First,' so it is only natural he said that.' U.S. President Donald Trump announced the 25% tariffs to be imposed on Aug. 1. Japan and the United States have been trying to reach an agreement, but the negotiations are facing difficulties.
NHK
an hour ago
- NHK
Knitting makes a comeback among Japanese youth
An old pastime is making a comeback among Japanese youth. They're increasingly taking up knitting, providing new opportunities for businesses and ways of building community.
