Latest news with #Kei
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former Princess Mako Welcomes Her First Child
Mako Komuro, formerly Princess Mako, gave up her royal status to marry Kei Komuro, a commoner. After their wedding, the couple moved to New York City, where Kei works as a lawyer and Mako reportedly spent time interning at the Met Museum. Now, the couple are new parents, as confirmed by Japan's Imperial Household Agency. The baby, whose name and gender have notbeen disclosed, is the first grandchild for the Crown Prince of Japan and Crown Princess. If Prince Akishino ascends to the Chrysanthemum Throne, the baby will become the grandchild of the Japanese Emperor. 'This is a matter for a person who has left the Imperial Family, and we had hoped that she would spend her time in a quiet environment,' Naomasa Yoshida, grand master of the Crown Prince's Household, said in a press conference, per Japan Times. 'We decided to make the announcement, however, in light of some media reports.' Mako and Kei, both 33, met as students at the International Christian University in Tokyo. Paparazzi photos published by a Japan paper show the couple pushing a stroller in a suburb of Manhattan. 'We found out she was pregnant around fall of last year, and from then on, we started planning the move at a rapid pace,' a friend of the Komuro family told Josei Seven. 'Kei searched for a property in the midst of his busy schedule, hoping to fulfill Mako's wish that they should raise their child in a detached house, and finally found their ideal home. This time, they decided not to rent, but to buy so that they could live together as a family for a long time.' You Might Also Like 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion 13 Beauty Tools to Up Your At-Home Facial Game
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- The Guardian
Liverpool parade collision: driver arrested as city grapples with shock
Update: Date: 2025-05-27T06:19:55.000Z Title: Opening summary Content: Welcome to today's live coverage of events in Liverpool after a car ploughed into pedestrians at Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade on Monday evening. Nearly 50 people, including children, were injured including 27 taken to hospital. Police said they arrested a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area but have said they did not believe the incident was terrorism-related. The man was arrested at the scene of the collision on Water Street in the heart of the city, after roads had been reopened following the parade. Scenes of jubilation, with thousands of Liverpool fans lining the streets to celebrate their club's victory, quickly turned to horror and confusion as emergency services arrived at the scene about 6pm. In other key developments: Twenty people were treated at the scene. Ambulance officials said of the 27 taken to hospital, four were children. One child and one adult were in a serious condition. Four people trapped under the vehicle had to be released by firefighters. When the car stopped, angry fans reportedly converged on the vehicle and began smashing the windows as police intervened to prevent them from reaching the driver. Police said they believed 'this to be an isolated incident' and were not looking for anyone else in relation to it. 'The incident is not being treated as terrorism,' said Jenny Sims, the assistant chief constable of Merseyside police. Prime minister Keir Starmer said the scenes were appalling and thanked police and emergency services for their 'swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident'. Home secretary Yvette Cooper called the incident 'shocking and horrendous'. Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool city council, said the incident 'has cast a very dark shadow of what had been a joyous day for the city and the finale to a fabulous bank holiday weekend'. Liverpool FC said 'our thoughts and prayers are with those' affected.
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Straits Times
Food Picks: New sushi-ya Keijo marks a new chapter
Appetisers at Keijo include (clockwise from top left) akami or lean tuna, burdock puree, abalone steamed for five hours, scallops with turnips and boiled octopus. PHOTO: KEIJO SINGAPORE – What was once Shinji by Kanesaka at the lobby level of Carlton Hotel is now Keijo, a new omakase sushi restaurant. The owners, who also run Shinji by Kanesaka at The St Regis, are building a new brand. The name and decor might be different, but the kanji for Kei in the name means continuity, and diners can expect the same quality of food and service. Lunch is priced at $98, $168 and $268 a person, while dinners are $198, $298 and $398 a person. With the $298 and $398 courses, diners can opt for less food and have a flight of three sake, for the same price. Chefs Naoya Nakamura, 45, and Andrew Lin, 44, take the focus on rice seriously – the kanji for it is worked into the restaurant logo. Their shari is close to perfection – it is the right temperature, the grains a good balance of tenderness and bite, and the level of acidity is pleasing. I could have it a little more tart, but that's just me. At my meal, it is the silver-skinned fish that shine – iwashi or sardine with red vinegar shari, shima-aji or striped jack, and aji or horse mackerel with shiso in between fish and shari. Other standouts are delicate kisu or Japanese whiting, usually used in tempura, and springy kinmedai or splendid alfonsino. Fans of tuna fatty and lean, and of crowd pleasers such as sea urchi n will be well-provided for. I appreciate the flow of the meal, with cooked dishes interspersed between the sushi. This gives me the opportunity to savour the shari with built-in breaks for the palate. Kinmedai nigiri sushi and Shima-aji or striped jack nigiri sushi at Keijo. PHOTOS: KEIJO Standouts among the cooked courses include a sweet-earthy shin gobo or burdock puree, abalone steamed for five hours and gratinated snow crab with Kyoto miso. With Japan overcrowded with tourists, might this be a good time to visit, and revisit, sushi-ya in Singapore? Where: Keijo, Lobby level, Carlton Hotel, 76 Bras Basah Road MRT: Bras Basah Open: Noon to 3pm, 6 to 10.30pm (Mondays to Saturdays), closed on Sundays Info: Call 6338-6131 or go to Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Maruti Suzuki's top boss explains why small cars that revolutionised Japan market is needed in India amid SUV craze
R C Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki , India's leading car manufacturer, has proposed the introduction of a new category of compact cars aimed at bridging the price gap between two-wheelers and entry-level cars to help revive the market. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Nuclear Power! How India and Pakistan's arsenals stack up Does America have a plan to capture Pakistan's nuclear weapons? Airspace blockade: India plots a flight path to skip Pakistan Inspired by Japan's Kei car model, which transformed urban mobility from the 1950s, these smaller, city-focused vehicles would be designed with affordability in mind. Bhargava suggests that lower taxes and relaxed compliance norms for this category could significantly reduce costs, making it easier for two-wheeler owners to upgrade to four-wheelers, reported Forbes. 'What should be done for this segment? We have not handled the problem of two-wheeler owners. Putting six airbags in cars does not help them. That makes it more difficult for two-wheeler owners to buy cars by making cars more expensive," said Bhargava in an interview with Forbes. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Bac Giang - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Reason behind Maruti Suzuki chairman's small car need Japan offered a compelling solution to affordable mobility as far back as the 1950s. In a country recovering from war, grappling with poverty, and facing shortages of steel and fuel, the government introduced the Kei car category in 1949. Short for keijidosha—meaning light or compact automobile in Japanese—these cars were designed with smaller bodies and engines to keep costs low. The move paid off: Kei cars quickly gained popularity and still account for nearly a third of all car sales in Japan. Today, they are limited to engines of up to 660 cc and dimensions of 3.4 metres in length, 1.48 metres in width, and 2 metres in height, though they have evolved to become far more advanced and refined. In contrast, India's entry-level car segment has seen a sharp decline. Sales have slumped, while utility vehicles dominated the passenger vehicle market in 2024–25, making up 65% of total sales—an increase from 60% the previous year. Live Events Maruti Suzuki, which has a capex of Rs 8,000-9,000 crore for the current fiscal, is looking to enhance exports this year with the domestic market expected to remain in slow lane. Bhargava said the company will start sales of its electric model e-Vitara from September this year with the bulk of 70,000 units to be produced to be exported.
Hindustan Times
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Maruti calls for small car revival to drive auto growth, banks on exports for near-term gains
Despite the drop in sales for entry level cars, Maruti Suzuki WagonR retained its top spot in FY25 The Indian passenger vehicle market will continue to witness muted growth unless the small car segment sees growth, re-iterated RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India, during a recent press conference. The chairman of India's largest carmaker has been of the view that sustained growth for the passenger vehicle industry will only happen with entry-level vehicles getting back on track. During the conference, Bhargava pointed out that the government has begun recognizing that without a revival of the small car market, overall car market growth in India will always remain limited. He debunked the popular belief that the shift from small cars to SUVs is driven by changing consumer aspirations and a preference for larger cars. In reality, he explained, the issue isn't about preference—it's affordability. Many people simply can't afford even small cars anymore. Also Read : Maruti Suzuki WagonR reclaims top spot in Indian PV market To shed light on the affordability challenge, Bhargava shared crucial statistics. Only 12 per cent of Indian households earn above ₹ 12 lakh annually (around $14,000), which is the income bracket needed to buy a car costing ₹ 10 lakh or more. For the remaining 88 per cent of the population, purchasing a car—especially one priced above ₹ 10 lakh—is not feasible. He made it clear that the growth of India's automotive sector cannot be expected to accelerate when the majority of the population lacks the financial means to buy high-cost vehicles. The situation worsened in FY25, with small car sales declining by 9 per cent. This decline has not only impacted the small car market but has also pulled down other segments, including SUVs. While the Indian market once grew at a rate of 8-10 per cent, it now faces a sharp slowdown, with projections showing just a 1-2 per cent growth for this year. If 88 per cent of the population is unable to afford small cars, the prospects for overall market growth are bleak, Bhargava noted. Proposed solutions: Tax reduction to revive the segment In order to regain momentum in the small car space, Bhargava proposed the introduction of tax structures tailored specifically for smaller cars—lower taxes compared to other segments. Drawing a parallel with Japan's Kei cars, which benefit from lower taxes and regulations, he suggested India should adopt a similar approach. By making small cars more affordable and accessible, India could see a shift from motorcycles to four-wheelers, helping to accommodate the 30 crore two-wheeler owners in the country, the chairman emphaised. Without these critical policy changes, Bhargava warned, India's car market will continue to struggle with limited growth, and mass car ownership will remain an exclusive goal for the vast majority of the population. Banking on exports for growth While domestic passenger vehicle sales in India appear to remain subdued, Maruti Suzuki India is banking on its export strategy to drive growth in both production and revenue for the new financial year. In FY25, the company achieved a significant milestone, surpassing the three lakh exports mark with a total of 332,585 units exported—up from 283,067 units in the previous year. This represents a year-on-year growth of 17.49 per cent, marking the highest-ever export figures for the carmaker. Also Read : Suzuki reaffirms India as growth hub, eyes top spot in EVs and 50% market share Maruti Suzuki now claims to account for approximately 43 per cent of India's total car exports. In FY25, the company also began exporting the Fronx and Jimny 5-door models to Japan. The top five markets for Maruti Suzuki's exports were South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Japan, and Mexico. Looking ahead, Bhargava indicated that the company expects a further 20 per cent growth in exports during the current financial year, which he believes will be the primary driver of total sales and revenue growth. The made in India Suzuki Jimny Nomad became an instant hit in Japan since its launch in the country early last year Despite global challenges such as the ongoing tariff disputes and recession fears, Bhargava remains confident that Maruti Suzuki's exports will not be significantly affected. He noted that the company does not export to the U.S. market, which is currently facing more volatility. Expressing optimism, he stated that the issues currently impacting the global market will likely be resolved within the next 2-3 months. While he acknowledged there could be a slight slowdown in global growth rates, he emphasized that a full-scale recession would not significantly impact Maruti Suzuki's operations, especially in the segments they cater to. One of the key models expected to drive exports in the current financial year is the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara. Bhargava revealed that while the company plans to produce around 70,000 units of its debut electric vehicle, the majority of these units will be destined for export markets. EV and Hybrids vs Petrol and Diesel While Maruti Suzuki India is set to make its entry into the battery electric vehicle (BEV) space with the upcoming e-Vitara, the company has also reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its hybrid vehicle portfolio. Chairman RC Bhargava emphasized that the goal is to reduce fuel consumption and lower pollution—objectives that can be achieved through both electric and hybrid vehicles. Also Read : Maruti Suzuki e Vitara deliveries to start in September. Check out further details 'This is not a case of hybrids versus EVs," Bhargava explained. 'It's hybrids and EVs versus petrol and diesel vehicles." He pointed out that the real challenge lies in replacing conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which are the highest consumers of fuel and the biggest contributors to vehicular pollution. Both hybrid and electric vehicles, he noted, are significantly cleaner alternatives—and both have ample room to grow. Maruti Suzuki has confirmed to be working on hybrid powertrains for smaller cars including the Swift, Baleno and WagonR Currently, hybrids and EVs combined account for just around 5 per cent of the total market, leaving a massive 95 per cent still dominated by petrol and diesel vehicles. 'There's more than enough space for both to grow rapidly, and we intend to actively promote both technologies," he said. Maruti Suzuki has already announced plans to launch four new BEVs by 2030. But alongside that electric push, Bhargava confirmed the company is also developing strong-hybrid versions of popular small cars, including the WagonR, Swift, and Baleno. At present, Maruti Suzuki offers two strong hybrid models—the Grand Vitara and the Invicto. However, Bhargava stressed that the market for EVs must scale up faster to meet the country's emission reduction targets. 'We have to identify what's holding customers back from choosing EVs and hybrids—and then work to eliminate those barriers," he said. Unless consumers are convinced that these vehicles suit their needs, he noted, demand will remain limited. He added that it is the responsibility of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and where necessary, the government, to uncover these impediments and develop effective solutions. 'We need to locate these impediments and find solutions to these impediments. That's our job," he concluded. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 26 Apr 2025, 11:15 AM IST
