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Tokyo Weekender
3 days ago
- Business
- Tokyo Weekender
US To Amend Executive Order for Japan Tariffs
In this week's news roundup we have the latest on the United States' executive order for Japan tariffs. A ceremony is held in Hiroshima to mark 80 years since the US dropped an atomic bomb on the city. Two barges carrying fireworks go up in flames in Yokohama. The population of Japanese residents continues to shrink at an alarming rate. Another sexual assault case rocks the Japanese music industry. And Miyu Yamashita wins the Women's Open. List of Contents: Japan's Chief Negotiator Says US Will Revise Executive Order on Japan Tariffs Hiroshima Mayor Warns of the Growing Acceptance of Nuclear Weapons on 80th Anniversary of Atomic Bombing Fire Breaks Out at Minatomirai Fireworks Festival Japanese Population Shrinks by 900,000 as Foreign Residents See Record Rise Pretty Chuu Idol Alleges She Was Sexually Assaulted by Producer's Boyfriend Miyu Yamashita Wins Women's Open for First Major Title Related Posts Japan's Chief Negotiator Says US Will Revise Executive Order on Japan Tariffs Speaking on Thursday, Japan's chief negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, said the US government has promised to amend its July 31 presidential executive order to ensure that the agreed 15% levy on Japanese imports will not stack on top of pre-existing duty rates. Extra tariffs that have already been collected since the new rate came into effect at 1:01 p.m. on Thursday will be reimbursed. Akazawa apologized for what he called a 'regrettable error.' The two countries reportedly reached a consensus on July 22, with a 15% baseline import tariff rate imposed on Japan. However, the verbal accord was never put into a signed document. This caused confusion in Tokyo, despite Akazawa insisting there were 'no discrepancies' in their understanding of the agreement. Yet, according to the Trump administration, the additional 15% tariff was to be imposed on all Japanese imports, whereas the Japanese government insisted it applied only to certain products. Hiroshima Mayor Warns of the Growing Acceptance of Nuclear Weapons on 80th Anniversary of Atomic Bombing Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Wednesday, the city's mayor, Kazumi Matsui, warned of the growing acceptance of nuclear weapons. Referring to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, he said , 'These developments flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history. They threaten to topple the peace-building frameworks so many have worked so hard to construct.' Matsui also urged the Japanese government to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It has been signed by over 70 countries. Japan has, thus far, refused to do so because it 'supports the retention and potential use of US nuclear weapons on its behalf.' Earlier this year, the government refused to attend an anti-nuclear meeting at the United Nations as an observer state. Terumi Tanaka, co-chair of the Nobel laureate organization, Nihon Hidankyo, called the decision 'pathetic and disappointing.' Fire Breaks Out at Minatomirai Fireworks Festival A fireworks launch system is believed to have gone out of control in Yokohama's Minatomirai district on Monday, causing two out of eight barges carrying the explosive devices to go up in flames. Five crew members on one of the flat-bottomed boats subsequently jumped into the water to escape the blaze. Fortunately, they were all rescued, though one of them was hospitalized with minor injuries. There were no people on the other barge that caught fire. The blaze broke out at around 7:50 p.m. Event organizers attempted to halt the launch system, but the fireworks continued to go off. According to the Japan Coast Guard, the fire was extinguished around 15 hours after it started. The organizing committee of the festival held a press conference on Wednesday. 'We offer our sincerest apologies for causing concern and trouble to local residents and related parties,' said committee chair, Hiroyuki Sudo. Japanese Population Shrinks by 900,000 as Foreign Residents See Record Rise According to figures released by the Internal Affairs Ministry on Wednesday, the population of Japanese nationals fell to just over 120.65 million in 2024. That's around 908,000 fewer than the previous year, a record drop. At 0.75%, it's also the largest rate of decline since record-keeping began 57 years ago. A total of 46 prefectures saw a decrease in numbers. The only place that didn't was Tokyo, which saw an increase of 0.13%. The population of Japanese residents peaked at 27 million in 2009. Since then, it has been declining year-on-year and is forecast to fall below 120 million in 2026. The total population for 2024 was a little over 124.33 million, down 0.44% (554,485) from a year earlier. As for the number of foreigners living in Japan, the number rose by more than 350,000 to 3.77 million. It's the largest increase since the ministry started keeping records in 2013. Pretty Chuu Idol Alleges She Was Sexually Assaulted by Producer's Boyfriend A member of the recently formed idol group Pretty Chuu allegedly filed a police report after claiming she was sexually assaulted and secretly filmed by Taichi Saito, the boyfriend of the group's producer, Yurinya. The news was first leaked on X last Friday by a YouTuber who goes by the name of Korekore. He posted that 19-year-old Shuna Amamiya alleges she was 'secretly undressed and filmed by Taichi' and was impregnated after being 'assaulted while sleeping.' Yurinya, an influencer with more than 430,00 followers on Instagram, responded to the allegations with a statement on Friday, denouncing Saito's actions. Pretty Chuu uploaded an apology letter on its official X page the following day. 'Due to the inappropriate behavior of Taichi Saito, one of the group's managers, we have decided to remove him from Pretty Chuu's management team,' it read. 'Shuna Amamiya has requested to leave Pretty Chuu, and we have accepted this request.' Miyu Yamashita Wins Women's Open for First Major Title Miyu Yamashita turned 24 on Saturday, but the real celebration began a day later as she became the third Japanese golfer to win the Women's Open, following in the footsteps of Ayako Okamoto and Hinako Shibuno. Holding a three-shot lead through the midway point of the tournament, Yamashita saw her advantage narrowed to a single shot going into the final day of action at Royal Porthcawl in the UK. A two-under round of 70, though, was enough to seal the victory. Approaching the final hole, Yamashita knew a bogey would win her the tournament. Despite hitting the rough with her first two shots, she held her nerve with a nice chip to the green. She then tapped in for par to finish on 11-under, two shots ahead of Great Britain's Charley Hull and Japan's Minami Katsu. It secured Yamashita her first major trophy. She's the fourth Japanese golfer to win an LPGA major title over the last two seasons. Discover Tokyo, Every Week Get the city's best stories, under-the-radar spots and exclusive invites delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy . 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GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Hiroshima warns against nuclear weapons as it marks 80 years since A-bomb
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba walks by wreaths presented during an event marking the 80th anniversary of the Atomic Bombing in Hiroshima, western Japan, August 6, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon HIROSHIMA, Japan — Exactly 80 years since an atomic bomb was used in war for the first time, thousands bowed their heads in prayer in Hiroshima on Wednesday, as the city's mayor warned world leaders about the nuclear warheads that still exist today. The western Japanese city of Hiroshima was leveled on Aug. 6, 1945, when the United States dropped a uranium bomb nicknamed "Little Boy," killing about 78,000 people instantly. Hiroshima was the headquarters of some military units and a major supply base during World War Two. US war planners calculated that the surrounding mountains would concentrate the force of the bomb and enhance its destructiveness. "Little Boy" unleashed a surge of heat reaching 4,000 degrees Celsius (7,200 Fahrenheit) and radiation that killed tens of thousands more by the end of the year. It was followed by a plutonium bomb on Nagasaki three days later, and Japan's surrender on Aug. 15. Representatives from a record 120 countries and territories including nuclear superpower the United States, and Israel, which neither confirms nor denies having nuclear weaponry, attended the annual ceremony at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park for the milestone year. After a moment of silence observed at 8:15 a.m., the exact time of the blast, mayor Kazumi Matsui called on leaders to heed the lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and warned of the consequences of the global trend towards a military buildup. "Among the world's political leaders, there is a growing belief that possessing nuclear weapons is unavoidable in order to protect their own countries," he said, noting that the US and Russia possessed 90% of the world's nuclear warheads. "This situation not only nullifies the lessons the international community has learned from the tragic history of the past, but also seriously undermines the frameworks that have been built for peace-building. "To all the leaders around the world: Please visit Hiroshima and witness for yourselves the reality of the atomic bombing." Yoshikazu Horie, a 71-year-old tourist, expressed a similar sentiment. "It feels more and more like history is repeating itself. Terrible things are happening in Europe ... Even in Japan, in Asia, it's going the same way, it's very scary," he said. "I've got grandchildren and I want peace so they can live their lives happily." In the decades following the attacks, those who survived, called "hibakusha," often faced discrimination as rumors spread that they carried diseases and their offspring could be tainted. Their numbers fell below 100,000 for the first time this year. Japan, the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, has stated its commitment to nuclear disarmament but is not a signatory or observer of the UN treaty to ban nuclear weapons. — Reuters
The Star
5 days ago
- General
- The Star
Factbox-The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends an event marking the 80th anniversary of the Atomic Bombing in Hiroshima, western Japan, August 6, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (Reuters) -Wednesday marks the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bomb. Following are some facts about the bombing of the Japanese city of Hiroshima and a second attack on Nagasaki three days later -- the only times nuclear weapons have been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending its role in World War Two. HIROSHIMA: * At 8.15 a.m. on Aug. 6, 1945, an American B-29 Superfortress bomber called Enola Gay dropped a 10,000-pound uranium 235 bomb, instantly killing about 78,000 people. By the end of that year, the number of dead reached about 140,000. * The bomb, nicknamed "Little Boy," exploded about 580 metres (1,900 feet) above the centre of the city, setting off a surge of heat reaching 4,000 degrees Celsius (7,200 Fahrenheit) across a radius of about 4.5 km (2.8 miles). More than half of the city's buildings lay in ruins. NAGASAKI: * At 11.02 a.m. on Aug. 9, the United States dropped a 10,000-pound plutonium 239 bomb, nicknamed "Fat Man". * It exploded about 500 metres above the ground, instantly killing about 27,000 of the city's estimated population of around 200,000. By the end of 1945, the number of dead due to acute radiation exposure reached about 70,000. TOTAL KILLED: * Japan has so far recognised the total number of deaths from the bombings, including from radiation illness and injuries, as 344,306 in Hiroshima (as of Aug. 6, 2024) and 198,785 in Nagasaki (as of Aug. 9, 2024). (Editor Neil Fullick)
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends an event marking the 80th anniversary of the Atomic Bombing in Hiroshima. Aug 6 marks the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bomb. Following are some facts about the bombing of the Japanese city of Hiroshima and a second attack on Nagasaki three days later - the only times nuclear weapons have been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug 15, 1945, ending its role in World War II. Hiroshima At 8.15am (7.15am Singapore time) on Aug. 6, 1945, an American B-29 Superfortress bomber called Enola Gay dropped a 10,000-pound uranium 235 bomb, instantly killing about 78,000 people. By the end of that year, the number of dead reached about 140,000. The bomb, nicknamed Little Boy exploded about 580m above the centre of the city, setting off a surge of heat reaching 4,000 deg C across a radius of about 4.5km. More than half of the city's buildings lay in ruins. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 25-minute delay on East-West MRT Line between Boon Lay and Buona Vista due to track point fault Singapore Finding hidden vapes: Inside ICA's mission to uncover contraband at land checkpoints Singapore Sorting recyclables by material could boost low domestic recycling rate: Observers Singapore SM Lee receives Australia's highest civilian honour for advancing bilateral ties Asia Trump's sharp India criticism on tariffs, Russia oil corner Modi as rift deepens Singapore More train rides taken in first half-year, but overall public transport use stays below 2019 levels Singapore BlueSG needs time to develop software, refresh fleet, say ex-insiders after winding-down news Asia Cambodia-Thailand border clash a setback for Asean: Vivian Balakrishnan Nagasaki At 11.02am on Aug. 9, the United States dropped a 10,000-pound plutonium 239 bomb, nicknamed Fat Man. It exploded about 500m above the ground, instantly killing about 27,000 of the city's estimated population of around 200,000. By the end of 1945, the number of dead due to acute radiation exposure reached about 70,000. Total killed Japan has so far recognised the total number of deaths from the bombings, including from radiation illness and injuries, as 344,306 in Hiroshima (as of Aug 6, 2024) and 198,785 in Nagasaki (as of Aug 9, 2024). REUTERS
Asahi Shimbun
03-06-2025
- General
- Asahi Shimbun
VOX POPULI: Rare photos of Hiroshima A-bombing show grim aftermath
The event 'Hiroshima 1945: Special Exhibition 80 Years after Atomic Bombing' opened at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum on May 31 with many foreign visitors in attendance. (Photo by Koichiro Yoshida) There are few photographs left today that show what Hiroshima looked like immediately after the U.S. bomber Enola Gay dropped its nuclear payload on the city on Aug. 6, 1945. Of the pictures taken that day to graphically record the horrendous fate met by Hiroshima's citizens, only five film negatives still survive. They are all the works of Yoshito Matsushige (1913-2005), a photographer with the local daily newspaper The Chugoku Shimbun. Matsushige, who was 32 at the time, lived 2.8 kilometers from ground zero. Blown off his feet by the nuclear blast and bleeding from shards of broken window panes, he grabbed his camera and headed to the city. A toddler clung to its mother who could not move. A woman kept shouting her child's name. Faced with hordes of people with burnt skin and hair, Matsushige hesitated to release the shutter. 'Please forgive me,' he murmured in his heart as he steeled himself to do his job. The results are five black-and-white photographs that can be seen today. The silent witnesses show us a perspective that is decisively lacking from any aerial photo of the mushroom cloud taken from above. Matsushige's photos embody the 'suffering Hiroshima' its citizens gazed up at from under the mushroom cloud, not the Hiroshima as seen from the sky by the people who dropped the bomb. Some people may wonder about the scarcity of photos that remain. But far too many lives were wiped out by the bomb. The Chugoku Shimbun lost one-third of its workers—or 114 people. After World War II, the military incinerated many pictures, the disposal of some was regulated by the General Headquarters for the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ). At the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, an exhibition of rare, valuable photos opened on May 31. Titled 'Hiroshima 1945: Special Exhibition 80 Years after Atomic Bombing,' it highlights these weighty words of one of the photographers: 'As a record, may our photographs remain final forever.' —The Asahi Shimbun, June 3 * * * Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
