Latest news with #Komatsu
Japan Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Ishiba inspects MSDF vessels in apparent bid highlight shipbuilding prowess
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Maizuru base in Kyoto Prefecture on Sunday to inspect vessels. Ishiba also talked with officials of Japan Marine United, which builds SDF ships, in an apparent move to highlight his country's technological capabilities in the shipbuilding sector. Tokyo has offered cooperation in shipbuilding as a bargaining chip in its tariff negotiations with the United States. On Sunday, Ishiba boarded the sophisticated Mogami-class frigate Agano and the Hyuga, a helicopter-carrier, to inspect the ships for about two hours. After that, he gave a speech to MSDF members. "The current size of the SDF personnel is only 90% of the prescribed level. This is an extremely serious problem," he said. "How to secure enough crew members for MSDF ships is also a problem," he added, expressing his eagerness to improve the treatment of SDF personnel. Ishiba also had a dialogue session with members at the MSDF Maizuru District Headquarters. Japan Marine United is building an Aegis system-equipped ship for missile defense and the country's first Arctic research vessel with ice-breaking capability. After visiting the company's Maizuru shipyard, Ishiba will move to Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, for talks with officials of construction machinery maker Komatsu.
Yomiuri Shimbun
25-05-2025
- General
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Syrian Comfort Food for Spring: Broad Bean Rice with Gentle Twist
The Yomiuri Shimbun Broad bean rice with yogurt Challenging the notion that Arab cuisine is heavily spiced, a food researcher specializing in Middle Eastern gastronomy is highlighting a comforting, home-style Syrian dish perfect for spring. Aki Komatsu, who has gained extensive knowledge during her visits to more than 10 Middle Eastern countries including Syria and Egypt, presents broad bean rice with yogurt. 'Contrary to the common perception that Arab food is strongly spiced, many dishes offer a surprisingly gentle taste,' Komatsu said. She lived in Syria for about two years and was treated to broad bean rice after being invited to the home of a local whom she met. 'It's like Japanese mixed rice, with a mild and gentle flavor and not too many spices.' The creation of the dish begins by sauteing ingredients like lamb and broad beans in oil in a pot. Rice is then added, and everything is cooked together. While ground lamb is common in Syrian households, this recipe opts for diced lamb to create a more substantial texture. Frozen broad beans can be added directly to the pot without thawing, and leaving their thin skins intact is the traditional approach. Ensure a generous amount of oil is used to prevent burning. In Syria, short-grain rice, similar to Japanese varieties, is common. However, as Syrian rice tends to be firmer, opting for a variety like Nanatsuboshi is advisable. Feel free to season with spices such as cumin. Locally, a common practice is to serve the rice with a topping of yogurt, which serves as a refreshing sauce. 'In Syria, they also add oil when cooking the rice,' Komatsu said. 'The dish gets slightly rich, so the acidity of the yogurt complements it well.' Although plain yogurt is sometimes used as a sauce, this recipe incorporates cucumber and garlic for a more appealing flavor profile. A taste of the freshly prepared dish reveals its appealingly gentle seasoning. The fluffy broad beans and the rice infused with the flavor of the lamb create an irresistible combination. The pairing of the yogurt and the rice offers a delightful surprise. This recipe is highly recommended for those seeking a unique culinary experience. Broad bean rice with yogurt Ingredients (serves 2):
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Fusitu'a And Demant Take Top Honours At Blues Awards
Two outstanding leaders of Blues rugby, Joshua Fusitu'a and Ruahei Demant, have taken top honours at the 2025 Blues Awards held on Thursday night. Following a breakout season, Fusitu'a was honoured with the club's top accolade, named as the Better Blues Company Player of the Year. A model of professionalism, discipline, and growth, Fusitu'a cemented his spot in the starting XV with consistent, high-impact performances throughout 2025. His tireless preparation and attention to detail set the benchmark within the Blues environment. Meanwhile, talented playmaker Demant capped off an incredible season by being named nib Blues Player of the Year. With her vision, composure, and game-winning instincts, she played a defining role in the nib Blues' campaign that saw them win back-to-back Super Rugby Aupiki titles. Her Player of the Match performance in the Super Rugby Women's Champions final capped off one of many standout moments in a stellar year. In other awards, AJ Lam was named nib Players' Player of the Year - an award voted on by his teammates to reflect character, effort, and consistent contribution. A work horse on and off the ball, Rieko Ioane took out CMC Markets Back of the Year, while Ricky Riccitelli was named MG Forward of the Year for his consistency in the engine room. For the women, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe was named 2degrees nib Blues Back of the Year, following a shift to the midfield this season. Maama Vaipulu earned Barfoot & Thompson nib Blues Forward of the Year, recognised for her unmatched work rate and impact. Braxton Sorensen-McGee won Komatsu nib Blues Rookie of the Year and Women's Fans' Player of the Year after a sensational debut season, which included a Black Ferns debut. Xavi Taele was named Blues Rookie of the Year, while Beauden Barrett was the Men's Fans' Player of the Year. 2025 BLUES AWARDS WINNERS nib Blues Player of the Year Ruahei Demant Better Blues Company Player of the Year Joshua Fusitu'a nib Players' Player of the Year AJ Lam 2degrees nib Blues Back of the Year Portia Woodman-Wickliffe CMC Markets Blues Back of the Year Rieko Ioane Barfoot & Thompson nib Blues Forward of the Year Maama Vaipulu MG Blues Forward of the Year Ricky Riccitelli Komatsu nib Blues Rookie of the Year Braxton Sorensen-McGee Hello Fresh Blues Rookie of the Year Xavi Taele Blues Supporters 4Life Fans' Player of the Year Beauden Barrett and Braxton Sorensen-McGee KFC Community Award Katelyn Vaha'akolo Lockton Development Player of the Year Cohen Norrie NZ Funds nib Blues Team Member of the Year Amy Courtney
Business Recorder
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
US-China trade truce may ease Komatsu's tariff pain by $140 million, CEO says
TOKYO: Komatsu should see a nearly 20 billion yen ($140 million) mitigation in the impact of U.S. tariffs on its bottom line after the U.S.-China trade truce last week, the Japanese company's CEO said, suggesting its outlook for lower profits may not be as bad as feared. With more than one-quarter of Komatsu's sales coming from North America, the reduction in the tariff impact - a roughly 20% easing in its forecast of a 94.3 billion yen hit from the tariffs - would have an outsized effect on its profit outlook. In an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, Takuya Imayoshi, the head of the world's second-largest construction and mining machinery maker, did not say it is officially revising its forecast last month of a 27% drop in current-year profit as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. But the 90-day pause of extra U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports may mitigate the impact on Komatsu, which buys Chinese steel for its American-made machines, he said. 'Countries' retaliatory tariffs haven't been like what we previously feared, so the negative impact on our performance appears limited,' he said. The company forecast operating profit would be 478 billion yen for the business year to March 2026 because of the tariffs and a stronger yen, a far more conservative outlook than the consensus of analysts' estimates compiled by LSEG for operating profit of 597.5 billion yen, down only 9% from the previous year. Still, Imayoshi remained cautious on Komatsu's outlook, saying 'if tariff rates are adjusted with countries, the impact will likely settle within the previously made estimate.' Despite the easing of Chinese tariffs, about half of Komatsu products sold in the U.S. are manufactured overseas and imported, such as construction machines from Japan, Brazil and Thailand, which remain subject to higher levies. Supply shifts Komatsu would consider shifts such as bypassing U.S. warehouses when exporting spare parts to Canada or Latin America, and rebasing the production of U.S.-bound items from China to Thailand in case the higher U.S. tariff rates on China at the end of the 90-day truce, Imayoshi said. But 'it's never the case' that the tariffs can make manufacturing in the U.S. cost-competitive and drive Komatsu to ramp up U.S. production, he said, citing U.S. steel prices that are more than double those of China. Overall, tariffs will have little impact on its competition with Caterpillar, the world's biggest heavy equipment maker, and other rivals because they have similar global supply-chain structures, he said. However, Komatsu will watch how other companies pass on tariff costs, he added. Caterpillar last month estimated additional tariff-related costs at between $250 million and $350 million in the April-June quarter. Caterpillar shares are down 4.8% year-to-date, while Komatsu is up 1.5%. Chinese rivals Imayoshi, who led Komatsu's China office for three years from 2021, said competition with Chinese construction machinery makers is becoming as demanding as with Caterpillar. Komatsu 'still leads in durability and reliability, but they have largely caught up in offering decent performance at lower initial costs - in electrification, they are actually ahead,' Imayoshi said. Electrification and solutions for software-defined and autonomous vehicles require technologies from outside Komatsu, he said, suggesting these fields are a consideration for an acquisition after its 2023 purchase of Detroit-based battery startup ABS. The company has not made major purchases since buying U.S. mining equipment manufacturer Joy Global for $2.9 billion in 2017. Hapag-Lloyd boosted by US-China trade truce, CEO says In a mid-term business plan announced last month, Komatsu added a free cash flow target of 1 trillion yen in the next three years. 'We plan to spend it while maintaining balance between investments and shareholder returns, and it can also be directed toward acquisitions if opportunities arise,' Imayoshi said. 'Financial structure-wise, we have considerable leeway.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive-US-China trade truce may ease Komatsu's tariff pain by $140 million, CEO says
By Kantaro Komiya and Miho Uranaka TOKYO (Reuters) -Komatsu should see a nearly 20 billion yen ($140 million) mitigation in the impact of U.S. tariffs on its bottom line after the U.S.-China trade truce last week, the Japanese company's CEO said, suggesting its outlook for lower profits may not be as bad as feared. With more than one-quarter of Komatsu's sales coming from North America, the reduction in the tariff impact - a roughly 20% easing in its forecast of a 94.3 billion yen hit from the tariffs - would have an outsized effect on its profit outlook. In an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, Takuya Imayoshi, the head of the world's second-largest construction and mining machinery maker, did not say it is officially revising its forecast last month of a 27% drop in current-year profit as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. But the 90-day pause of extra U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports may mitigate the impact on Komatsu, which buys Chinese steel for its American-made machines, he said. "Countries' retaliatory tariffs haven't been like what we previously feared, so the negative impact on our performance appears limited," he said. The company forecast operating profit would be 478 billion yen for the business year to March 2026 because of the tariffs and a stronger yen, a far more conservative outlook than the consensus of analysts' estimates compiled by LSEG for operating profit of 597.5 billion yen, down only 9% from the previous year. Still, Imayoshi remained cautious on Komatsu's outlook, saying "if tariff rates are adjusted with countries, the impact will likely settle within the previously made estimate." Despite the easing of Chinese tariffs, about half of Komatsu products sold in the U.S. are manufactured overseas and imported, such as construction machines from Japan, Brazil and Thailand, which remain subject to higher levies. SUPPLY SHIFTS Komatsu would consider shifts such as bypassing U.S. warehouses when exporting spare parts to Canada or Latin America, and rebasing the production of U.S.-bound items from China to Thailand in case the higher U.S. tariff rates on China at the end of the 90-day truce, Imayoshi said. But "it's never the case" that the tariffs can make manufacturing in the U.S. cost-competitive and drive Komatsu to ramp up U.S. production, he said, citing U.S. steel prices that are more than double those of China. Overall, tariffs will have little impact on its competition with Caterpillar, the world's biggest heavy equipment maker, and other rivals because they have similar global supply-chain structures, he said. However, Komatsu will watch how other companies pass on tariff costs, he added. Caterpillar last month estimated additional tariff-related costs at between $250 million and $350 million in the April-June quarter. Caterpillar shares are down 4.8% year-to-date, while Komatsu is up 1.5%. CHINESE RIVALS Imayoshi, who led Komatsu's China office for three years from 2021, said competition with Chinese construction machinery makers is becoming as demanding as with Caterpillar. Komatsu "still leads in durability and reliability, but they have largely caught up in offering decent performance at lower initial costs - in electrification, they are actually ahead," Imayoshi said. Electrification and solutions for software-defined and autonomous vehicles require technologies from outside Komatsu, he said, suggesting these fields are a consideration for an acquisition after its 2023 purchase of Detroit-based battery startup ABS. The company has not made major purchases since buying U.S. mining equipment manufacturer Joy Global for $2.9 billion in 2017. In a mid-term business plan announced last month, Komatsu added a free cash flow target of 1 trillion yen in the next three years. "We plan to spend it while maintaining balance between investments and shareholder returns, and it can also be directed toward acquisitions if opportunities arise," Imayoshi said. "Financial structure-wise, we have considerable leeway." ($1 = 143.3000 yen) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
