U.S. panel allows Nippon Steel to resubmit U.S. Steel buyout review

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has permitted Japan's largest steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp. to withdraw and resubmit its application for review of its proposed $14.1 billion acquisition of United States Steel Corp., Kyodo News reported on Wednesday. This development suggests that the Biden administration will not be able to block the deal, with a decision likely to come after the November U.S. presidential election. Th

September 19, 2024

Chinese carrier sails near Japanese islands, raising tensions

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - China's aircraft carrier Liaoning and two accompanying destroyers entered waters near Japan's southern islands on Wednesday, Japan's Defense Ministry reported. This incident marks the Chinese Navy's fourth occurrence this year. The Chinese vessels traversed the contiguous zone, an area extending 24 nautical miles from shore, between Okinawa Prefecture's Yonaguni and Iriomote islands. While not violating Japan's territorial waters,

September 19, 2024

Sharp unveils electric vehicle prototype with living room-like interior

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Sharp Corp., a Japanese electronics manufacturer, revealed its inaugural electric vehicle (EV) prototype on Tuesday, featuring a spacious interior design reminiscent of a living room. The vehicle, named "LDK+," was developed in collaboration with Sharp's parent company, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., and Kyoto-based EV startup Folofly. It boasts a 65-inch display screen in the rear, capable of transforming the vehicle into a mobile entertai

September 18, 2024

Yamaha Motor CEO wounded in alleged knife attack by daughter

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - The chief executive officer of Japanese automobile parts manufacturer Yamaha Motor suffered an arm injury on Monday in what police describe as a knife attack by his adult daughter at their residence in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, authorities reported. Law enforcement officials said that they have taken into custody Hana Hidaka, 33, on suspicion of attempted murder of her father, Yoshihiro Hidaka, 61. The incident allegedly occurred around 3:00 a.m. local

September 17, 2024

Japan's elderly population reaches new peak, workforce participation rises

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Japan's population aged 65 and above has reached a record 36.25 million, constituting 29.3 percent of the total population, according to government data released on Sunday. This figure represents an increase of 20,000 from the previous year, further solidifying Japan's position as the country with the highest proportion of elderly citizens globally. The data, published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications ahead of Respect for

September 16, 2024

Japanese, US researchers win Ig Nobel for anal breathing study

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - A team of Japanese and American scientists has been recognized for their groundbreaking research on intestinal breathing in mammals. The group, led by Professor Takanori Takebe of Tokyo Medical and Dental University, received the Ig Nobel physiology prize on Thursday for their work demonstrating that certain mammals can respirate through their intestines. The study, published in the journal Med in 2021, explored the potential of intestinal oxygen exchange

September 13, 2024

Japanese firm plans second lunar landing attempt in December

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Tokyo-based lunar exploration company ispace announced on Thursday its intention to launch a second Moon landing mission as early as December, following an unsuccessful attempt last year. The mission will utilize the company's Resilience lander, which is set to carry a rover named Tenacious to the Moon's northern hemisphere. The launch is scheduled to take place from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. If successful, ispac

September 13, 2024

Nippon Steel executive seeks U.S. support for U.S. Steel acquisition

SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - A senior executive from Japan's largest steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp. met with U.S. government officials in Washington on Wednesday to garner support for its proposed $14.1 billion takeover of United States Steel Corp., sources familiar with the matter said. The meeting between Nippon Steel Vice President Takahiro Mori and members of the U.S. committee on foreign investment comes amid reports that the Biden administration is preparing to block the dea

September 12, 2024

Korea, Japan, China aim for 40 million cross-border tourists by 2030

SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - Tourism ministers from South Korea, Japan and China set a target on Wednesday to boost cross-border travel to 40 million visitors annually by 2030, as part of efforts to reinvigorate regional economies. The trilateral meeting in Kobe, Japan, marked the first such gathering since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials agreed to expand flight connections to regional airports and address overtourism concerns while promoting accessible travel for famili

September 12, 2024

Japan's JR East to introduce autonomous bullet trains by 2028

SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - East Japan Railway Company (JR East), one of the country's largest railway operators, announced on Tuesday its plans to introduce self-driving bullet trains on a section of its Joetsu Shinkansen Line by fiscal year 2028. The autonomous service, which could be the world's first for high-speed trains, will initially operate with a driver onboard for emergencies. The 55.7-kilometer stretch between Nagaoka and Niigata stations in northwest Japan wi

September 11, 2024