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The Star
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Japan's exports fall more than expected in July on US tariff pressures
Export vehicles are parked at Daikoku Pier in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae) TOKYO: Japan's exports dropped for a third straight month in July, government data showed on Wednesday, as U.S. tariffs continued to weigh on manufacturers, raising concerns about the outlook for the country's export-reliant economy. The outcome follows unexpectedly strong growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the April-June quarter, separate data showed last week, fuelled by surprisingly resilient exports and capital expenditure. Total exports from the world's fourth-largest economy dropped 2.6% year-on-year in July in value terms, more than a median market forecast for a 2.1% decrease and following a 0.5% drop in June. Exports to the United States in July fell 10.1% from a year earlier, while those to China were down 3.5%, the data showed. Imports in July dropped 7.5% from a year earlier, compared with market forecasts for a 10.4% fall. As a result, Japan ran a deficit of 117.5 billion yen ($795.4 million) in July, compared with a forecast of a 196.2 billion yen surplus. The United States imposed 25% tariffs on automobiles and auto parts in April and threatened 25% levies on most of Japan's other goods. It later struck a trade deal on July 23 that lowered tariffs to 15% in exchange for a U.S.-bound $550 billion Japanese investment package. The agreed tariff rate on automobiles, Japan's largest export sector, is still far higher than the original 2.5%, exerting pressure on major automakers and parts suppliers. Japanese automakers have mostly absorbed additional tariff costs by cutting prices to protect shipment volumes. But economists expect them to eventually pass on costs to U.S. consumers, which could hamper their sales in the U.S. market. ($1 = 147.7200 yen) - Reuters
Toronto Sun
13-08-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
McDonald's Japan's Pokemon card Happy Meals promotion comes to an unhappy end
Published Aug 13, 2025 • 1 minute read FILE - People stands outside a McDonald's store in Tokyo, March 15, 2024. Photo by Hiro Komae / AP TOKYO — Fast-food chain McDonald's Japan has canceled a Happy Meal campaign that came with coveted Pokemon cards, apologizing after resellers rushed to buy the meals and then discarded the food, leaving trash outside stores. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The meals, called Happy Sets in Japan, were meant for children. They came with a toy, such as a tiny plastic Pikachu, and a Pokemon card. They sold out in a day, according to Japanese media reports. Mounds of wasted food were found near the stores. 'We do not believe in abandoning and discarding food. This situation goes against our longtime philosophy that we have cherished as a restaurant to 'offer a fun dining experience for children and families.' We sincerely accept that our preparations had not been adequate,' the company said in a statement Monday. McDonald's said it was working on ways to prevent such a situation from happening again, such as limiting the number of meals each person can buy and ending online orders. It said it might deny service to customers who fail to abide by the rules. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We vow to return to the basics of what lies behind the Happy Set, which is about helping to bring smiles to families so we can contribute to the wholesome development of the hearts and bodies of children, who are our future,' the company said. Collecting Pokemon cards is popular among adults and children in many places, with the most popular cards selling for $1,000 or more. Unusually large crowds were seen flocking to McDonald's stores when the meals with Pokemon cards went on sale. The cards were later being resold for up to tens of thousands of yen (hundreds of dollars) online. McDonald's has been selling Happy Meals for more than 40 years. In Japan, they usually sell for 510 yen ($3.40). RECOMMENDED VIDEO Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists World Crime Editorial Cartoons
The Star
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Japan exports post first drop in 8 months as US tariffs hit autos
Export vehicles are parked at Daikoku Pier in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae) TOKYO: Japan's exports fell for the first time in eight months in May, data showed on Wednesday, indicating that sweeping U.S. tariffs were threatening the country's fragile economic recovery. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump have yet to reach a trade deal. Tokyo is scrambling to find ways to get Washington to exempt its automakers from 25% automobile industry-specific tariffs, which are dealing a heavy blow to the country's manufacturing sector. It also faces a 24% 'reciprocal' tariff rate starting in July 9 unless it can negotiate a deal with Washington. Total exports by value dropped 1.7% year-on-year in May, data showed, smaller than a median market forecast for a 3.8% decrease and following a 2% rise in April. Exports to the United States plunged 11.1% last month from a year earlier, while those to China were down 8.8%, the data showed. The tariff threat had driven companies in Japan and other major Asian exporters to ramp up shipments earlier this year, inflating levels of U.S.-bound exports during that period. The data showed imports dropped 7.7% in May from a year earlier, compared with market forecasts for a 6.7% decrease. As a result, Japan ran a trade deficit of 637.6 billion yen ($4.39 billion) last month, compared with the forecast of a deficit of 892.9 billion yen. The hit from U.S. tariffs could derail Japan's lacklustre economic recovery. Subdued private consumption already caused the world's fourth-largest economy to shrink in January-March, the first contraction in a year. They also complicate the Bank of Japan's task of raising still-low interest rates and reducing a balance sheet that has ballooned to roughly the size of Japan's economy. The BOJ kept interest rates steady on Tuesday and decided to decelerate the pace of its balance sheet drawdown next year, signalling its preference to move cautiously in removing remnants of its massive, decade-long stimulus. According to an estimate by the Japan Research Institute, if all the threatened tariff measures against Japan were to take effect, U.S.-bound exports will fall by 20-30%. Some economists say those duties could shave around 1 percentage points of the nation's gross domestic product. Japan exported 21 trillion yen worth of goods to the United States last year, with automobiles representing roughly 28% of the total.($1 = 145.3400 yen) - Reuters
Yomiuri Shimbun
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Here's Why May the 4th Is Celebrated as Star Wars Day across the Galaxy
AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File A Star Wars supporter poses for a photo during a fan convention called the Star Wars Celebration Japan in Chiba, near Tokyo, April 18, 2025. It didn't begin a long time ago or in a galaxy far far away, but every May 4 it feels like images, memes and promotional deals involving 'Star Wars' have an inescapable gravity. May 4 — or May the 4th, as fans say — has evolved over the years into Star Wars Day, an informal holiday celebrating the space epic and its surrounding franchise. What is Star Wars Day? Star Wars Day was created by fans as a sly nod to one of the films' most popular catchphrases, 'May the force be with you.' Get it? Good, now May the 4th be with you too. It's not an official holiday but has become so well-known that even former President Joe Biden marked it last year when 'Star Wars' actor Mark Hamill dropped by the White House a day beforehand. 'I think it's a very clever way for fans to celebrate their passion and love for 'Star Wars' once a year,' said Steve Sansweet, founder and executive chairman of Rancho Obi-Wan, a nonprofit museum in California that has the world's largest collection of 'Star Wars' memorabilia. How did it begin? The phrase 'May the 4th be with you' was used by fans in the years after the first film was released in 1977, and even appeared in a British political ad in 1979 celebrating Margaret Thatcher's victory as prime minister on May 4 that year. For some fans, the official Star Wars Day comes on May 25, the date of the first film's release. The Los Angeles City Council even declared the date to be Star Wars Day in 2007, although the California Legislature voted in 2019 to designate May 4 as Star Wars Day. How has it spread? May the 4th caught on informally among fans through inside jokes shared on social media and viewings of the films to mark the occasion. Businesses eventually joined in on the fun, with brands ranging from Nissan to Jameson Whiskey running ads or posting on social media about it. Disney, which acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, embraced the day as a way to further promote the franchise with merchandise, special screenings and other events surrounding the brand. Not all 'Star Wars' fans are enthused about how ubiquitous the once-underground joke has become. Chris Taylor, a senior editor at Mashable and author of 'How Star Wars Conquered the Universe,' labels himself a 'May the 4th grinch' in part because of its commercialization. 'I love a good dad joke as much as anyone, but my God you can take it too far,' Taylor said. How is it being celebrated this year? The day is being celebrated on a large and small scale this year. Disney+ is launching the new series 'Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld' on the date, and it comes as the second season gets underway for another franchise series, 'Andor.' It also follows the announcement that a new stand-alone 'Star Wars' film installment starring Ryan Gosling will be released in 2027. Disney marks the day with the launch of new 'Star Wars' merchandise, ranging from lightsaber sets to jewelry. Most Major League Baseball teams have marked the day in recent years with special events incorporating 'Star Wars' characters. For example, the San Francisco Giants sold special tickets for Saturday's game that included a bobblehead portraying pitcher Logan Webb as 'Obi-Webb Kenobi.' It's hard to find a place where May the 4th celebrations aren't occurring, from bakeries serving cookies with a 'Star Wars' theme to concerts featuring the memorable scores of the films. It's a town-wide celebration in New Hope, Pennsylvania, which shares its name with the subtitle of the first 'Star Wars' film. The town of about 2,600 people, located 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Philadelphia, plans to have costumed characters throughout town with restaurants serving themed items like a 'YodaRita.' 'I would always joke around and wish people 'May the 4th' — but taking it to this level, I've definitely upped my 'Star Wars' nerdiness,' said Michael Sklar, president of the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce.
Japan Today
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Here's why May the 4th is celebrated as Star Wars Day across the galaxy
FILE - A Star Wars supporter poses for a photo during a fan convention called the Star Wars Celebration Japan in Chiba, near Tokyo, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File) By ANDREW DeMILLO It didn't begin a long time ago or in a galaxy far far away, but every May 4 it feels like images, memes and promotional deals involving 'Star Wars' have an inescapable gravity. May 4 — or May the 4th, as fans say — has evolved over the years into Star Wars Day, an informal holiday celebrating the space epic and its surrounding franchise. Star Wars Day was created by fans as a sly nod to one of the films' most popular catchphrases, 'May the force be with you.' Get it? Good, now May the 4th be with you too. It's not an official holiday but has become so well-known that even former President Joe Biden marked it last year when 'Star Wars' actor Mark Hamill dropped by the White House a day beforehand. 'I think it's a very clever way for fans to celebrate their passion and love for 'Star Wars' once a year,' said Steve Sansweet, founder and executive chairman of Rancho Obi-Wan, a nonprofit museum in California that has the world's largest collection of 'Star Wars' memorabilia. The phrase 'May the 4th be with you' was used by fans in the years after the first film was released in 1977, and even appeared in a British political ad in 1979 celebrating Margaret Thatcher's victory as prime minister on May 4 that year. For some fans, the official Star Wars Day comes on May 25, the date of the first film's release. The Los Angeles City Council even declared the date to be Star Wars Day in 2007, although the California Legislature voted in 2019 to designate May 4 as Star Wars Day. May the 4th caught on informally among fans through inside jokes shared on social media and viewings of the films to mark the occasion. Businesses eventually joined in on the fun, with brands ranging from Nissan to Jameson Whiskey running ads or posting on social media about it. Disney, which acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, embraced the day as a way to further promote the franchise with merchandise, special screenings and other events surrounding the brand. Not all 'Star Wars' fans are enthused about how ubiquitous the once-underground joke has become. Chris Taylor, a senior editor at Mashable and author of 'How Star Wars Conquered the Universe,' labels himself a 'May the 4th grinch" in part because of its commercialization. 'I love a good dad joke as much as anyone, but my God you can take it too far,' Taylor said. The day is being celebrated on a large and small scale this year. Disney+ is launching the new series 'Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld' on the date, and it comes as the second season gets underway for another franchise series, 'Andor.' It also follows the announcement that a new stand-alone 'Star Wars' film installment starring Ryan Gosling will be released in 2027. Disney marks the day with the launch of new 'Star Wars' merchandise, ranging from lightsaber sets to jewelry. Most Major League Baseball teams have marked the day in recent years with special events incorporating 'Star Wars' characters. For example, the San Francisco Giants sold special tickets for Saturday's game that included a bobblehead portraying pitcher Logan Webb as 'Obi-Webb Kenobi.' It's hard to find a place where May the 4th celebrations aren't occurring, from bakeries serving cookies with a 'Star Wars' theme to concerts featuring the memorable scores of the films. It's a town-wide celebration in New Hope, Pennsylvania, which shares its name with the subtitle of the first 'Star Wars' film. The town of about 2,600 people, located 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Philadelphia, plans to have costumed characters throughout town with restaurants serving themed items like a 'YodaRita.' 'I would always joke around and wish people 'May the 4th' — but taking it to this level, I've definitely upped my 'Star Wars' nerdiness,' said Michael Sklar, president of the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
