Latest news with #Japanese-designed
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Trump's trade demands go beyond tariffs to target perceived unfair practices
For years, U.S. potato growers have sought access to Japan's potential $150 million market for table potatoes. Japan has engaged in talks but taken years simply to supply a list of concerns to U.S. negotiators. The delay is "pure politics," intended to protect domestic growers, says National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles. If Japanese politicians perceive the pain from Trump's tariffs might be worse than from their own potato growers, "that makes it more likely to make a deal," Quarles said. But "if they perceive the pain domestically will be worse than the Trump administration can bring to them ... we're going to be stuck where we are." Korea's beef restrictions started as a measure to keep out bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. The 30-month rule has been maintained in the wake of mass protests in 2008, even as the U.S. has become the largest beef exporter to Korea. "It's still politically controversial because of the scar at the time in 2008. I think the government will be very cautious," said Jaemin Lee, professor of law at Seoul National University and an expert on trade issues. TAXATION Trump has railed against value-added tax as a burden to U.S. companies, although economists say this kind of tax is trade-neutral because it applies equally to imports and exports. Value-added tax, or VAT, is paid by the end purchaser at the cash register but differs from sales taxes in that it is calculated at each stage of the production process. Trump's view could mean higher tariffs for Europe, where individual countries levy VAT of 20% or more depending on the type of good, and for the more than 170 countries that use this kind of tax system. The U.S. is an outlier in that it doesn't use VAT; instead, individual states levy sales taxes. There's little chance countries will change their tax systems for Trump. The EU for one has said VAT is off the table. "The domestic taxation system has not been a conventional topic in trade negotiation because domestic taxation is directly related to national sovereignty or the domestic economic regime," trade expert Lee said. "It's very hard to understand why VAT has become an important topic in the trade discussion." PRODUCT STANDARDS U.S. officials have complained about Japan's non-recognition of U.S vehicle safety standards and its different testing procedures for car equipment. Japan also provides subsidies for the Japanese-designed ChaDeMo plug standard for electric cars, requiring foreign makers to use an outdated technology if they want the subsidy.
Malaysian Reserve
25-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
BALMUDA Launches The Teppanyaki: A Grill That Reflects the Art of Japanese Gathering
The Japanese-designed grill that transforms dining tables into a stage for connection, conversation and unforgettable meals NEW YORK, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BALMUDA, the Japanese design and technology company known for reimagining home appliances into elevated, artful experiences, today introduces its latest innovation to the US: BALMUDA The Teppanyaki, a precision-crafted electric grill that turns everyday cooking into a live culinary moment. Priced at $449, this is not the average electric griddle—it's a refined, thoughtfully engineered premium experience that blends form, function and flavor. Rooted in the Japanese tradition of shared meals and crafted with meticulous attention to detail, BALMUDA The Teppanyaki is designed to do more than cook—it connects. With a 6.6mm-thick, three-layer clad plate and four precise heat settings (430°F, 400°F, 360°F, 320°F), it delivers restaurant-level performance with ease. The 18.1″ x 9.6″ stainless steel surface maintains even heat across the entire plate, whether searing wagyu, crisping vegetables or flipping golden pancakes. Unlike standard electric griddles that fluctuate 70°F from set temperatures, BALMUDA's design holds steady, delivering flawless results time after time. Designed to be the center of the table, literally, BALMUDA The Teppanyaki turns mealtime into a complete dining experience. Everyone has a front-row seat. Whether it's an intimate date night or a breakfast with the kids, the stage-like format invites spontaneity and shared joy. Each unit includes a precision spatula, oil tray and knife-friendly surface that's durable, easy to clean and built for real-life use. The launch of BALMUDA The Teppanyaki coincides with the opening of BALMUDA's first physical retail shop at 50 Norman—a destination that offers a curated experience of Japan's design sensibilities, culinary traditions and craftsmanship. Located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, BALMUDA joins KAMA-ASA, the renowned Japanese knife and kitchenware purveyor, and CIBONE O'TE, a design-forward gallery and concept space, as one of three new brands at the location. Together, they form a natural foundation for BALMUDA's U.S. expansion. BALMUDA The Teppanyaki ($449 MSRP) is now available for purchase at and It is also available online at Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, with MUJI and additional to come. ABOUT BALMUDA BALMUDA is a Tokyo-based design and technology company dedicated to reimagining the everyday. From steam toasters to electric fans and now teppanyaki grills, BALMUDA creates appliances that combine precision engineering with emotional resonance—making every interaction with their products a meaningful one. For press inquiries, product loans, or interview opportunities, please contact: 394005@ Press Contact: Meredith Sherbin, Krupa Consulting394005@
New York Times
25-03-2025
- General
- New York Times
Scrubbing Grout Is Annoying. This Tiny $2 Brush Makes It Easy.
Turns out, I was right about the odd jobs, but this little brush also ended up being the perfect tool for keeping the white grout lines in my shower clean. Originally, I bought two of these mini cleaning brushes on a whim, simply because they were cute—and less than $2 each. Sure, I also thought they might come in handy for odd jobs around the house, like scrubbing around faucets and cleaning appliance crevices, but I'm a sucker for anything miniature (see: my beloved mini dustpan set ). But one of my best Muji purchases is also one of the most unassuming: a tiny little cleaning brush that I end up reaching for more times than I can count. Give me an hour, and I could fill it with all the ways I love Muji, a store that sells Japanese-designed basics. Over the years, I've stocked up on my favorite 0.5 mm gel pens, colorful cotton socks, and little spiral-bound notebooks. I like to give the tiles in my shower a periodic deep clean (usually once or twice a quarter) when I start to notice a buildup of soap scum and that hauntingly familiar pink bacteria, but especially if dark mold spots are beginning to form. Since I'm allergy-prone and asthmatic, keeping mold and mildew at bay in my home is a constant but worthwhile endeavor. It's annoying, though, to try to clean the once bright-white grout lines between my subway tiles with any sort of efficiency, and I've tried my fair share of relatively ineffective methods. The small brush head and angled handle of this mini cleaning brush make it easy—and even fun—to really get into grout lines. Caroline Mullen/NYTWirecutter In the past I've tried a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (which turned out to be better suited to non-abrasive surfaces), a spinning brush attachment for my drill (which put more strain on my arm than simply scrubbing), and a host of wider, bigger cleaning brushes (which weren't precise enough to focus on the grout lines). To confirm that the mini Muji brush really was my new favorite tool, I also tested the OXO Good Grips Grout Brush, which Wirecutter recommends in our article on how to clean grout and tile. The OXO brush was certainly more effective than the Magic Eraser and a flatter, wider cleaning brush, and I liked the grippy handle. If your shower or floor has wide grout lines, I would definitely recommend the OXO brush for scrubbing more surface area. But my shower is covered with subway tile, and the grout lines are relatively thin, so a small brush head is ideal for my situation. Plus, instead of begrudging the tiny tool for not getting the job done as quickly as possible, I found that it worked more effectively than a larger brush because it allowed me to focus on cleaning each section of grout properly before moving on to the next. This way, I complete the task correctly the first time instead of needing to go back and touch up my work. I usually spray Clorox Clean-Up on the tile and grout, let it sit for about a minute to penetrate the grime, and then get to scrubbing. Caroline Mullen/NYTWirecutter The Muji brush is about the size of a toothbrush and angled, so it's quite comfortable to hold flush against the wall. The bristles are short and stiff, which is particularly helpful when I'm scrubbing the gritty, abrasive grout, which tends to do a number on cleaning brushes. The stiff bristles further set it apart from a toothbrush, as even the stiffest toothbrush isn't nearly as hardy as the Muji brush (and for good reason—the Muji brush would tear your gums apart). It also has a hole at the end of the handle, so you can hang it from a hook or loop a string through it. Left: My shower wall before a scrub-down with Clorox Cleanup Cleaner + Bleach and the little Muji brush. Right: The results. Caroline Mullen/NYT Wirecutter I like to use this brush in conjunction with our top disinfecting all-purpose spray, Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach, to kill the mold and bacteria living in the damp shower environment and return the grout to its original white. I always wear gloves and turn the bathroom fan on, as bleach can affect my breathing, and I never use other cleaning products with bleach to prevent noxious fumes. This little brush isn't great just for grout, though. Since my original purchase, I've picked up several more and stashed them around the house—they're less than $2 apiece, after all. I keep a couple under the kitchen sink for scrubbing the rivets on stainless steel pans with Bar Keepers Friend, getting gunk off the electric stove coils, and squirming into the nooks and crannies of the faucet for a deep clean. I have one in the bathroom for the grout (of course), faucet, and drain, and another one specifically for scrubbing inside the rim of the toilet, which is prone to mineral buildup. Caroline Mullen/NYT Wirecutter Brushes that come in contact with particularly gross bacteria, such as those that I use inside the toilet bowl, get washed with soap and water and then disinfected with Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach, the same cleaner I use on the grout. I let the Clorox cleaner remain visibly wet for at least 30 seconds, per the bottle's instructions, to kill bacteria. When I'm finished using any of the other brushes on a particular task, I pop it in the dishwasher for a cycle. However, I keep the brushes that come in contact with food surfaces separate from the others for sanitary reasons. I've fallen so in love with these little cleaning brushes that I even put them in my family's stockings last Christmas in the hopes that they'll find a little bit of joy when scrubbing their grout or getting their showerhead back to its glistening glory. Much like my affinity for my mini dustpan set, my fondness for this little brush is bound to last. I tend to think that a thoughtfully designed, adorable tool makes even the most loathsome cleaning task a bit less painful—and that's certainly worth $2. This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Maxine Builder.
