Fukushima radioactive soil delivered to Japan PM office as safety demo
The environment ministry stated the soil contains radiation levels equivalent to or less than one X-ray per year for those directly handling it. 'Most of the stored soil poses minimal risk, but public perception remains a challenge,' a ministry official explained. The soil will be used in flower beds at the PM's office, covered by a 20-centimetre layer of ordinary soil to further minimise exposure.
The delivery coincides with upper house elections, where polls suggest Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's coalition may lose its majority. Political analysts note the timing may be an attempt to reassure voters, though skepticism persists. 'Reusing this soil requires transparency and trust, which are still lacking,' said environmental policy expert Dr. Keiko Tanaka. - AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
EU, Japan to work more closely to address unfair trade, says EU's von der Leyen says
(Reuters) -The European Union and Japan will work more closely to counter economic coercion and address unfair trade practices, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters on Wednesday. Von der Leyen's comments came after an EU-Japan summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the EU struggles to conclude a trade deal with the United States and a day before potentially tough meetings with Chinese leaders. Von der Leyen said the EU and Japan would seek to strengthen economic security. "We will also work more closely together to counter economic coercion and to address unfair trade practices," she said, adding later: "We believe in global competitiveness and it should benefit everyone." (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Makini Brice; editing by Philip Blenkinsop)
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Japan's Nikkei soars to one-year peak on trade deal; bonds slide
TOKYO: Japanese automakers led a surge in the Nikkei share average to a one-year peak on Wednesday, after Tokyo reached a trade deal with Washington, ending a months-long stalemate. Under the agreement, Japanese exports to the United States face a 15 per cent levy, down from a threatened tariff of 25 per cent. Specific duties on autos, which account for more than a quarter of Japan's U.S. exports, also fell to 15 per cent from 25 per cent. The Nikkei rallied 3.5 per cent to end the day at 41,171.32, its highest close since July last year. The Tokyo Stock Exchange's transport equipment index soared nearly 11 per cent, with Toyota Motor surging more than 14 per cent. The clarity on tariffs bolstered the case for the Bank of Japan to resume raising interest rates, lifting short-term Japanese government bond yields. Longer-term JGB yields also climbed, with local media reporting that embattled Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was preparing to step down, suggesting a shift in the political landscape towards increased fiscal largesse. Ishiba has denied the reports. The 10-year yield shot to the highest since 2008 at 1.6 per cent, while a 40-year debt auction garnered the lowest demand since 2011. The yen weakened about 0.3 per cent to 147.02 per dollar after initially flipping between gains and losses. "As long as the political situation doesn't deteriorate too much more, we suspect Japan's equity rally has further to run," Capital Economics head of Asia Pacific markets Thomas Mathews wrote in a note. For the rates market, "our sense is that investors are still underestimating how fast the central bank will hike this year and next," Mathews said. Ishiba is facing growing opposition from within his Liberal Democratic Party for his vow to stay in power despite the ruling coalition's drubbing in Sunday's election, which resulted in the loss of the coalition's upper house majority. Opposition parties calling for debt-funded consumption tax cuts made big gains at the polls. The yield on 40-year JGBs climbed 8.5 basis points to hit 3.46 per cent. Thirty-year yields advanced as much as 6.5 basis points to 3.15 per cent, approaching last week's all-time high of 3.20 per cent. Two-year yields, which are more sensitive to the monetary policy outlook, jumped 8 basis points to 0.83 per cent, the highest since April 2, when U.S. President Donald Trump shocked markets with his aggressive "Liberation Day" tariff announcement. Expectations for tighter monetary policy also lifted the TSE's banking index by 4.4 per cent, making it the second-biggest gainer among the bourse's 33 industry groupings. The central bank will meet on policy next week. BOJ Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida said on Wednesday that the trade deal greatly reduces uncertainty over the economic outlook, but also warned that risks to activity and prices were skewed to the downside. "I don't think this (trade deal) alone will lead to a Bank of Japan rate hike next week, but the possibility of a rate hike between September and October has increased," said SMBC chief currency strategist Hirofumi Suzuki. "However, if anything, political uncertainty is having more of an impact on the market, and the pressure for yen depreciation is likely to continue."
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
ICJ climate ruling to reshape global environmental laws
THE HAGUE: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to issue a historic advisory opinion on climate change, defining nations' legal duties to curb emissions and address environmental harm. The ruling, expected to influence global climate policies, stems from a push by Pacific island nations frustrated with slow progress in UN climate talks. Vanuatu's Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu called the decision a potential 'game-changer' for climate justice. 'We've been going through this for 30 years... It'll shift the narrative, which is what we need to have,' he told AFP. The ICJ was tasked by the UN to clarify two key questions: what legal obligations states have to protect the environment from emissions, and what consequences they face for harming vulnerable nations. While the opinion is non-binding, experts believe it could pressure governments to strengthen climate policies. Andrew Raine of the UN Environment Programme noted the ruling could 'clarify how international law applies to the climate crisis,' influencing courts and lawmakers worldwide. Over 100 countries and organizations submitted arguments, with small island states urging reparations from major polluters. Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, representing Vanuatu, argued that 'responsible states are required to make full reparation for the injury they have caused.' Island nations like Tuvalu warned of existential threats, with Eselealofa Apinelu stating, 'Tuvalu will disappear completely beneath the waves.' The case highlights growing legal battles over climate inaction, with activists hoping the ICJ's moral authority will spur faster action. Vishal Prasad of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change stressed the urgency: 'The seriousness of why we're here is not lost upon all Pacific Islanders.' - AFP
