Latest news with #Seki
Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
'So Trump-like': relief but no surprise in Japan as US cuts tariffs
In the Japanese city of Seki, famed for its razor-sharp artisan knives, news that incoming US tariffs will be lowered is welcome but not entirely unexpected. Around 40 percent of kitchen blades produced in Seki, where knifemaking expertise dates back 700 years, are exported to the United States, local authorities say. The two countries announced Wednesday they had cut a deal to lower the 25-percent tariffs on Japanese goods threatened by US President Donald Trump -- starting on August 1 -- to 15 percent. "Lower tariffs are better" but "I'm not that surprised" at the trade deal, said Katsumi Sumikama, head of Sumikama Cutlery in Seki. "I don't know what truly happened, but I feel like maybe Trump thought tariffs up to 15 percent were acceptable, and boldly proposed a higher tariff rate at first," Sumikama told AFP. "Then as the negotiations took shape, he tried to create a good impression in the public eye by lowering it from 25 percent. That kind of strategy would be so Trump-like." The US leader, who hailed the Japan deal as "massive", has vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariffs if they do not hammer out a pact with Washington by the end of July. Japan is one of five nations to have signed an agreement -- along with Britain, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines -- after Trump said in April he would strike "90 deals in 90 days". Headlines have focused on the impact of US tariffs on the likes of Toyota and others in Japan's huge auto industry, as well as trade in steel, rice and other key goods. But Japanese knives have in recent years become a luxury must-have in kitchens worldwide including the United States, partly fuelled by a pandemic-era home cooking boom. 'Weathered the storm' Blademaking in Seki dates back to the 14th century, when the city in the mountains of Gifu region became a major producer of swords thanks to its rich natural environment. Today its knives are prized for their precision, sleek finish and long lifespan, with record tourism to Japan also boosting sales for companies like Sumikama Cutlery. Exports to North America, including Canada, account for just five percent of the firm's sales on a value basis. The company exports more knives to Europe and other Asian countries. CEO Sumikama, who is in his 60s, said he did not plan price hikes for the US market, even before the tariffs were reduced. Seki's industry has "weathered the storm" through the decades, including during exchange rate fluctuations -- with one dollar worth 80 yen or more than 300 yen at times, he told AFP. On the US side, clients have also survived tumultuous events such as the 2008 financial crisis, meaning they are "not worried at all" about tariffs, he added. If Trump is "trying to make America strong by deliberately raising tariffs" he should know that "problems cannot be solved by such simple means", Sumikama said, adding that "American people will have to bear the burden of higher costs". Sumikama Cutlery, which has about 30 workers, uses machines that guarantee accuracy to one-thousandth of a millimetre to make the knives, then artisans finish the job by hand. Japanese knives make food taste better, "have unique 'wabi-sabi' aesthetics" -- meaning beauty in imperfection -- "and when it comes to sharpness, they're second to none", Sumikama said. "Different countries have different strengths and weaknesses... even if President Trump tells people to make (Japanese-style) knives, they cannot."
France 24
7 days ago
- Business
- France 24
'So Trump-like': relief but no surprise in Japan as US cuts tariffs
Around 40 percent of kitchen blades produced in Seki, where knifemaking expertise dates back 700 years, are exported to the United States, local authorities say. The two countries announced Wednesday they had cut a deal to lower the 25-percent tariffs on Japanese goods threatened by US President Donald Trump -- starting on August 1 -- to 15 percent. "Lower tariffs are better" but "I'm not that surprised" at the trade deal, said Katsumi Sumikama, head of Sumikama Cutlery in Seki. "I don't know what truly happened, but I feel like maybe Trump thought tariffs up to 15 percent were acceptable, and boldly proposed a higher tariff rate at first," Sumikama told AFP. "Then as the negotiations took shape, he tried to create a good impression in the public eye by lowering it from 25 percent. That kind of strategy would be so Trump-like." The US leader, who hailed the Japan deal as "massive", has vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariffs if they do not hammer out a pact with Washington by the end of July. Japan is one of five nations to have signed an agreement -- along with Britain, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines -- after Trump said in April he would strike "90 deals in 90 days". Headlines have focused on the impact of US tariffs on the likes of Toyota and others in Japan's huge auto industry, as well as trade in steel, rice and other key goods. But Japanese knives have in recent years become a luxury must-have in kitchens worldwide including the United States, partly fuelled by a pandemic-era home cooking boom. 'Weathered the storm' Blademaking in Seki dates back to the 14th century, when the city in the mountains of Gifu region became a major producer of swords thanks to its rich natural environment. Today its knives are prized for their precision, sleek finish and long lifespan, with record tourism to Japan also boosting sales for companies like Sumikama Cutlery. Exports to North America, including Canada, account for just five percent of the firm's sales on a value basis. The company exports more knives to Europe and other Asian countries. CEO Sumikama, who is in his 60s, said he did not plan price hikes for the US market, even before the tariffs were reduced. Seki's industry has "weathered the storm" through the decades, including during exchange rate fluctuations -- with one dollar worth 80 yen or more than 300 yen at times, he told AFP. On the US side, clients have also survived tumultuous events such as the 2008 financial crisis, meaning they are "not worried at all" about tariffs, he added. If Trump is "trying to make America strong by deliberately raising tariffs" he should know that "problems cannot be solved by such simple means", Sumikama said, adding that "American people will have to bear the burden of higher costs". Sumikama Cutlery, which has about 30 workers, uses machines that guarantee accuracy to one-thousandth of a millimetre to make the knives, then artisans finish the job by hand. Japanese knives make food taste better, "have unique 'wabi-sabi' aesthetics" -- meaning beauty in imperfection -- "and when it comes to sharpness, they're second to none", Sumikama said. "Different countries have different strengths and weaknesses... even if President Trump tells people to make (Japanese-style) knives, they cannot." © 2025 AFP
Japan Forward
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Election Success for Chinese-born Critic of Japan's China Policy
このページを 日本語 で読む In Japan's House of Councillors election on July 20, it was confirmed the following day that Seki Hei, a 63-year-old political commentator and first-time candidate, had secured a seat. He ran under the proportional representation system as a candidate for Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party). Seki Hei is also a JAPAN Forward contributor with his own column, China Watch. Born in China, Seki faced a barrage of abuse over his candidacy. But throughout the campaign, he stood firm, declaring he would not "succumb to slander." Seki was born in 1962 in Sichuan Province. He became disillusioned with the Chinese government following the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, and later cut ties with China mentally and ideologically. In 2007, he became a naturalized Japanese citizen. People march through central London on June 4, 2023, to mourn the victims of the Tiananmen Massacre in China 34 years earlier. (© Kyodo) During the campaign, Seki called for constitutional reform, a tougher stance on China, stricter naturalization laws, and stronger measures to curb mass immigration. All of this, he said, was "to protect Japan." He initially announced his candidacy with Ishin in February 2025 but withdrew after facing a wave of slander and personal attacks. However, he later reversed course, saying, "I realized I must not give in to slander," and decided to run after all. When Seki re-declared his candidacy in June, he pointed to Japan's China policy, especially under the leadership of Shigeru Ishiba, as a major concern. "Japanese politics isn't responding," he said. "It's unbearable to watch. I felt I had no choice but to step up." As for why he chose to run with Ishin, Sekii explained that the party's platform matched his own views. He added that Osaka Governor and Ishin leader Hirofumi Yoshimura shared his concerns about China's growing hegemonic threat to Japan. Author: The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
New Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Mitsubishi Motors signs MoU to outsource EV model development to Foxconn unit
TOKYO: Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors and Foxconn subsidiary Foxtron Vehicle Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of an electric vehicle (EV) model, the companies said on Wednesday. The EV model will be developed by Foxtron, manufactured in Taiwan by automaker Yulon and introduced in the Oceania region in the second half of 2026, Mitsubishi Motors said in a statement. "Mitsubishi Motors and Foxtron will proceed with discussions towards a definitive agreement," Mitsubishi Motors said. The company will announce full-year financial results on Thursday. Foxconn views Japan as a major opportunity for growing its EV business and has sought to strike partnerships with Japanese companies, Jun Seki, the Taiwan contract manufacturer's chief strategy officer for EVs, said at a Tokyo seminar in April. The Apple supplier's interest in working with Japanese car makers comes as they face growing competition from Chinese brands that are aggressively making inroads in markets such as Europe, Brazil and Thailand. At last month's seminar, Seki had already confirmed that Foxconn was working with Mitsubishi but did not provide further details. Mitsubishi Motors is a junior partner in the long-standing alliance of Nissan Motor and French automaker Renault. Foxconn has previously said it would consider taking a stake in Nissan for cooperation, as it has ambitions to diversify into EVs. Foxtron, the company's EV joint venture with Yulon, counts Yulon-owned Luxgen as its main client in Taiwan. In February, Nissan and rival Japanese automaker Honda Motor broke off merger talks to forge a US$60.00 billion car company. The deal fell apart due to Honda's proposal to make Nissan a subsidiary, sources have said.
Business Times
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Times
Mitsubishi Motors signs MOU to outsource EV model development to Foxconn unit
[TOKYO] Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors and Foxconn subsidiary Foxtron Vehicle Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the supply of an electric vehicle (EV) model, the companies said on Wednesday (May 7). The EV model will be developed by Foxtron, manufactured in Taiwan by automaker Yulon and introduced in the Oceania region in the second half of 2026, Mitsubishi Motors said. 'Mitsubishi Motors and Foxtron will proceed with discussions towards a definitive agreement,' Mitsubishi Motors said. The company will announce full-year financial results on Thursday. Foxconn views Japan as a major opportunity for growing its EV business and has sought to strike partnerships with Japanese companies, Jun Seki, the Taiwan contract manufacturer's chief strategy officer for EVs, said at a Tokyo seminar in April. The Apple supplier's interest in working with Japanese car makers comes as they face growing competition from Chinese brands that are aggressively making inroads in markets such as Europe, Brazil and Thailand. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up At last month's seminar, Seki had already confirmed that Foxconn was working with Mitsubishi but did not provide further details. Mitsubishi Motors is a junior partner in the long-standing alliance of Nissan Motor and French automaker Renault. Foxconn has previously said it would consider taking a stake in Nissan for cooperation, as it has ambitions to diversify into EVs. Foxtron, the company's EV joint venture with Yulon, counts Yulon-owned Luxgen as its main client in Taiwan. In February, Nissan and rival Japanese automaker Honda Motor broke off merger talks to forge a US$60 billion car company. The deal fell apart due to Honda's proposal to make Nissan a subsidiary, sources have said. REUTERS
