Latest news with #アメリカ
The Independent
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Japan's Ishiba warns against tension over tariffs and vows to expand Asia-Pacific trade group
Japanese Prime Minsiter Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday showed his determination to defend rules-based free and multilateral trade systems and take a leadership role to expand the Asia-Pacific trade group at a time of deepening tensions and divisions over U.S. tariffs and trade wars. 'High tariffs will not bring economic prosperity," Ishiba told a global forum in Tokyo. "A prosperity built on sacrifices by someone or another country will not make a strong economy." Japan seeks to work with the U.S. on investment, job creation and manufacturing high quality products for the prosperity of America and the rest of the world, he said. His comment comes as Japan's chief tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa travels to Washington, D.C., for a fourth round of talks attempting to convince the U.S. to drop all recent tariff measures. So far Japan has not been successful in gaining U.S. concessions and is reportedly considering purchases of more U.S. farm products and defense equipment as bargaining chips. Akazawa told reporters that defense equipment purchases could 'come into view' during the talks because Japan's purhases of defense equipment would contriubute to the U.S. trade surplus, though Japanese security policy is not subject to "a deal' with another country. Ishiba also called on other countries in Asia, a global hub of growth, to show 'the importance of rules-based, free and fair economic order," and said the way to demonstrate it is the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP. Ishiba pledged Japan will work toward further expanding and upgrading the framework, which not only contributes to the economy but also to peace and prosperity. The 12-nation CPTPP includes Japan, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The U.S. is not a member. While Tokyo is strengthening economic ties with Southeast Asia and Europe, Japan still considers the United States as its lynchpin of security policies and is not walking away from their alliance.
Japan Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Japan Times
Halt of U.S. visa process puts Japanese students' futures in question
Japanese universities and students are scrambling for information after the U.S. government paused its student visa application process just as preparations for overseas study from the new academic year get underway. The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo confirmed Wednesday that, as part of a global policy, the embassy and U.S. consulate offices in Japan have suspended scheduling new interviews for student visa applicants. The decision, which targets applicants for all levels of education, from elementary schools to graduate schools, will not affect previously confirmed or scheduled interview appointments, the embassy spokesperson said. The United States is the top destination for students from Japan studying overseas. Some 16,000 people from Japan were studying in the U.S. as of 2022, making up a third of all students studying abroad, according to the education ministry. The new policy comes as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump also prepares to heighten scrutiny of social media content posted by international applicants. Politico first reported on the policy shift Tuesday, sending shock waves through the academic community in the U.S. and elsewhere. Kwansei Gakuin University in Hyogo Prefecture, which has been planning to send 44 students to the U.S. by the summer through its study-abroad program, said it had received 10 inquiries as of Thursday from students and their parents. The inquiries included questions about not being able to log in to their accounts to make reservations for visa interview appointments and concerns over whether they will still be able to go to the U.S. to study. The university has advised them to prepare what they can so they can respond promptly when the process is normalized, said Naoko Deai, section chief of the department handling the study-abroad program. Kwansei Gakuin currently has 19 students enrolled at universities in the United States. Sophia University in Tokyo, which has been planning to send 116 students to the U.S. this autumn, said it had also received inquiries from students about not being able to arrange interviews with the embassy or finding their interview appointments have been set for after their scheduled departure date. Sophia said that it has sent out emails to the affected students asking them to keep a close eye on updates from the embassy, and have asked partner institutions to consider support measures in response to the temporary suspension and potential delays in visa processing. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in Oita Prefecture, known for having international students make up around half of its student body, said it is trying to collect more information about the U.S. policy from various sources. It has instructed 21 students — both Japanese and non-Japanese — who plan to study in the U.S. through its programs there to gather information themselves, too. 'We have heard from students who are about to make interview appointments and are very worried about what will happen to them,' said Nao Oshima, a manager overseeing the outbound study-abroad program at APU. He expects to see more inquiries in the coming days. 'We are really shocked by the recent turn of events.' The university has also heard from one student who was recently denied a student visa, Oshima said. While it is not the first time an APU student has been denied a visa, he worries cases like this could become more common in the future. The percentage of student visa refusals has surged in recent years, according to U.S government statistics, hitting an all-time high of 41% in 2024, up from 15% in 2014. 'We respect the wishes of the students who have worked hard to fulfill their dream to study in the U.S., so we would like to do our best to help them realize that,' Oshima said. 'But if the visas aren't issued, or if the suspension of the process continues, we may need to advise some students to consider other destinations or reapply at another time. Some students may have to give up their plans to study abroad.'
NHK
28-05-2025
- General
- NHK
Japanese universities move toward accepting foreign students from US
Japanese universities are moving toward accepting foreign students from the United States. This follows an announcement by the administration of US President Donald Trump that it was barring Harvard University from enrolling international students. A US district court temporarily blocked the measure, but the administration is pushing back. Japan's education ministry has asked universities across the country in writing to consider support measures such as accepting Japanese and other foreign students enrolled at US universities including Harvard. Kyoto University says it has started consideration toward accepting foreign students and is preparing to receive young researchers. The University of Osaka has decided to accept foreign students and researchers from US universities. It is looking into concrete steps and timing for such acceptance.
NHK
23-05-2025
- Business
- NHK
Japan PM Ishiba, Trump speak ahead of trade talks
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru spoke with US President Donald Trump by phone on Friday. It came just as Japan's top tariff negotiator Akazawa Ryosei, who serves as Economic Revitalization Minister, left for Washington for a third round of trade talks. The call between the leaders lasted about 45 minutes. Ishiba told reporters, "I told President Trump that I hope the discussions between both sides will be productive, and the president agreed as well."
Bloomberg
16-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Japan Aims for Currency Talks With US Based on Past Dialogue
Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said he'll seek another opportunity to talk with his US counterpart Scott Bessent next week to discuss currency matters, building on their dialogue last month. 'We confirmed that currency rates should be determined by the market, and that excessive volatility can harm the economy and financial stability,' Kato said Friday at a post-cabinet meeting press conference, referring to his April bilateral meeting with the US Treasury secretary in Washington. 'I'm looking for a chance to speak with Bessent again next week to discuss these points, if the circumstances allow,' Kato added.
