Latest news with #OfficialSecurityAssistance
Kyodo News
4 days ago
- Business
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: May 31, 2025
KYODO NEWS - 7 minutes ago - 09:03 | All, Japan, World The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan, U.S. agree tariff talks making progress toward deal WASHINGTON - Japan's chief tariff negotiator said Friday that he and U.S. Cabinet members agreed in their talks that they are making progress toward a potential tariff deal as early as next month. After a meeting in Washington with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's minister in charge of economic revitalization, told reporters that they plan to hold another round of negotiations before a Group of Seven summit in mid-June. ---------- Trump says U.S. to double tariffs on steel imports to 50% WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he will raise tariffs on steel imports to 50 percent from the 25 percent that his administration imposed earlier this year. Trump made the announcement during a speech at a United States Steel Corp. plant in Pennsylvania. Trump praised Nippon Steel Corp. for planning to invest $14 billion in the struggling iconic U.S. producer. ---------- China agrees to begin steps to resume Japanese seafood imports: Tokyo TOKYO - Japan's government said Friday that China has agreed to begin procedures to resume imports of Japanese seafood, lifting a ban imposed after the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea. Chinese authorities are expected to issue a public notice easing the blanket ban that has been in place since August 2023 and soon open registration for Japanese facilities that process and preserve marine products, sources familiar with the matter said. ---------- Japan consumer watchdog warns of rice scam websites as prices soar TOKYO - Japan's consumer affairs center has called on people grappling with soaring rice prices to beware of websites claiming to sell the staple at heavily discounted prices. The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan said complaints related to such websites have spiked since March, with some claiming the rice was never delivered though payment had been made. ---------- Japan, Cambodia agree to bolster security cooperation TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet agreed Friday to strengthen security cooperation as Tokyo seeks to deepen ties with other Asian countries amid China's growing regional influence. At a press appearance in Tokyo, Ishiba expressed a desire to strengthen security ties with Cambodia, citing Japan's Official Security Assistance program, which is aimed at deepening cooperation with like-minded partners. ---------- Authorities launch joint probe into securities account hijackings TOKYO - Tokyo police and other authorities have launched a joint investigation into a recent spate of cases in which hacked securities accounts at multiple firms were used for unauthorized stock trading, investigative sources said Friday. The Metropolitan Police Department will work with the National Police Agency's cyber unit and the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission to investigate suspected unauthorized access and market manipulation, in which specific stocks were purchased to artificially inflate their prices and secure profits. ---------- Japan's Dai-ichi Life to take 15% stake in British insurer M&G TOKYO - Japan's Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc. said Friday it will buy about a 15 percent stake in a British life insurance and asset management firm, aiming to expand its overseas reach and compensate for declining revenue from the shrinking domestic market. The Japanese life insurer said it will invest approximately 160 billion yen ($1.1 billion) to buy the shares in M&G PLC from the stock market, making it an affiliate and a preferred asset management partner. The deal will mark Dai-ichi Life's first entry into the European market. ---------- Sumo: Onosato performs ring entry ceremony at Meiji Jingu shrine TOKYO - New sumo grand champion Onosato performed his first ring-entering ceremony Friday at Tokyo's Meiji Jingu shrine to mark his promotion to the sport's highest rank. The 24-year-old from Ishikawa Prefecture officially became sumo's 75th yokozuna on Wednesday, having attained the rank at a record pace after just 13 professional tournaments. Video: Universal Studios Japan's special performance at Osaka Expo
Yomiuri Shimbun
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Philippines Agree to Strengthen Security Cooperation; Nations Hope to Work Together to Counter Expanding Chinese Maritime Presence
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The Foreign Ministry in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo With China's aggressive expansion of its maritime presence in the East and South China Seas in mind, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo agreed to strengthen security cooperation between their two countries when they met in Tokyo on Wednesday. At the start of the discussions, Iwaya declared that Japan hopes to collaborate with the Philippines, its 'near-alliance' partner, to realize a 'free and open Indo-Pacific.' He also expressed his intention to further promote cooperation through the Official Security Assistance program, in which Japan provides friendly nations with defense equipment free of charge. The two sides also agreed to deepen Japan-Philippines and Japan-U.S.-Philippines cooperation. Iwaya also held talks with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn on Wednesday, in which the two sides exchanged views on issues such as the situation in the East and South China Seas.
The Mainichi
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Japan gives rescue boat to Fiji in 1st provision of security aid
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's government on Monday provided the Fiji navy with a rescue boat and other equipment for surveillance activities, in the first such delivery to a foreign military under Tokyo's security aid framework launched in 2023. The provision was made under Japan's Official Security Assistance program that is intended to deepen security ties with like-minded countries. The scheme was launched as China intensified its military activities in the Indo-Pacific region. A handover ceremony was held at the Stanley Brown Naval Base in the Fijian capital of Suva, attended by senior officials from both governments, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. The assistance is expected to "contribute to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific through maintenance and enhancement of maritime security in the seas around Fiji and the Indo-Pacific region," the ministry said. Having set aside 400 million yen ($2.8 million) for aid to Fiji in fiscal 2023, Japan will deliver additional items such as patrol and rescue boats to the Pacific island nation. The defense aid program was created months after the National Security Strategy, Japan's long-term policy guideline, was updated in December 2022 amid a worsening security environment, including North Korea's expanding missile and nuclear activities and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Japan has also decided to supply defense equipment to Bangladesh, Djibouti, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia and the Philippines under the program. For fiscal 2025 that began in April, the government earmarked 8.1 billion yen for OSA assistance, up from 2 billion yen in fiscal 2023 and 5 billion yen in fiscal 2024.
Yomiuri Shimbun
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan, Vietnam Leaders Agree to Establish Framework for 2+2 Meeting; Ishiba, Chinh Agree to Advance Cooperations
The Yomiuri Shimbun Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, left, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pose for a photo at the prime minister's office in Hanoi on Monday. HANOI — Japan and Vietnam agreed to establish a new framework for a vice-ministerial level foreign and defense 'two-plus-two' meeting and to hold its first meeting in Japan by the end of the year during a summit between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on Monday. The leaders aim to strengthen cooperation in the areas of diplomacy and security at a time when China is actively trying to expand its maritime activities. During the meeting, Chinh said that Japan is the most important and long-term partner country for his nation, and he hopes Japan will contribute to maintain regional peace and stability. 'Japan will work to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific and to strengthen Japan-Vietnam relations,' Ishiba said in response. Chinh said that Vietnam will actively consider strengthening security cooperation with Japan through Tokyo's Official Security Assistance program, which provides free defense equipment to countries that share common values. If realized, it would be the first time for Vietnam to use the program. The two leaders also confirmed cooperation in areas to improve the capabilities of Vietnam's coast guard agencies amid China's expansion into the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Both Vietnam and China have claimed the islands. In the economic field, Ishiba and Chinh agreed to cooperate toward maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law and a multilateral free trade system in light of the U.S. tariff measures. In addition, the leaders agreed to cooperate in promoting human resource development, considering Vietnam's ongoing efforts to nurture semiconductor specialists. They also acknowledged the need to work together to achieve both decarbonization and economic growth through the Asia Zero Emission Community, Japan's proposed cooperation platform for decarbonization in Asia. The two leaders also confirmed cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology and space development. Many Vietnamese nationals currently live in Japan, mainly as technical interns or are working under the specified skilled worker visa. In 2024, there were 600,000 Vietnamese residing in Japan. Ishiba and Chinh also agreed to pursue the creation of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation regarding a training and employment program by the end of the year.
Japan Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Ishiba pledges deeper economic ties with Vietnam as Trump tariffs bite
Japan has stepped up its charm offensive in Southeast Asia by pledging deeper economic cooperation with Vietnam, as both countries face unprecedented economic turmoil as a result of U.S. tariffs and are seeking ways to mitigate potential damage. In a two-day visit to Hanoi, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Communist Party officials and state leaders to discuss U.S. tariffs. They talked about the effects of these measures on the global economy and the effects of China's retaliatory tariffs, according to the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo. Ishiba touched on Japan's offer to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the areas of security, economy and people-to-people exchanges. On the economic front, Japan will help Vietnam train half of the 500 Ph.D. candidates the Southeast Asian country aims to have in semiconductor-related fields, the prime minister announced at a news conference in Hanoi on Monday with his Vietnamese counterpart, Pham Minh Chinh. A total of 600,000 Vietnamese currently live, study and work in Japan. Both countries pledged to advance $20 billion in decarbonization efforts and clean energy cooperation projects, as well as promote future collaboration in city infrastructure, disaster prevention and agriculture. Defense and security were also among topics of discussion. Japan and Vietnam agreed to establish a communications framework at the vice ministerial level between their foreign and defense ministries, Ishiba and Chinh said. They also agreed to deepen security cooperation in defense equipment and technology. No consensus was achieved on Japan's Official Security Assistance initiative — a program that provides equipment and supplies to strengthen security and deterrence capabilities of partner nations. A 'constructive exchange of views' took place on Japan's proposal, Ishiba said at the news conference. Vietnam's Chinh expressed appreciation for Ishiba's commitment to develop ties, and vowed to make continued efforts to facilitate foreign investment, including that from Japan. The streets of Hanoi on Thursday. For Vietnam, the United States is the No. 1 destination for its exports. | AFP-JIJI Ishiba's visit comes less than two weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Vietnam from April 14 to 15, during which the Chinese leader presented fresh offers to import more agricultural products from Vietnam and boost investment in the country's infrastructure. Xi told Communist Party General Secretary To Lam that the countries should jointly oppose unilateral and bullying acts, uphold the global free trade system, and keep industrial and supply chains stable. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has rolled out a series of tariffs on almost all imports from nearly every country since early March. Vehicles, steel and aluminum imports are now dutied 25%, and all other goods — with a few notable exceptions — incur a 10% tariff. Higher rates could come into effect if deals with individual countries are not struck by July, with Japan set to be hit with 24% 'reciprocal" tariffs that were briefly put in place on April 9. Vietnam would be subject to 46% tariffs. Vietnam was quick in reacting to Trump's flip-flop on tariffs. Lam personally called Trump only two days after the U.S. president's 'Liberation Day' tariff announcement on April 2 — three days before Ishiba managed to get Trump on the line . It was also one of the first countries in the world to send an envoy to Washington to kick off trade negotiations. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, who traveled to Washington on behalf of Lam, met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on April 10 — only one day after Trump abruptly announced a 90-day pause of the higher tariffs imposed on individual countries. The United States accounted for 27.4% of Vietnam's total exports in 2023, making it the No. 1 destination for goods produced in the Southeast Asian country. Ishiba is set to depart Hanoi for the Philippines on Tuesday. He will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila before returning to Tokyo on Wednesday.
