Japan

News Digest for 12/06/13

vladgon — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:08:50 GMT

South Korea continues to show a willingness to engage in dialogue after the failure of the North to participate in negotiations

South Korea once again called on North Korea to engage in bilateral talks after the North canceled inter-Korean meeting, scheduled for Wednesday.

South Korean Minister of Unification Ryu Jae Gil told reporters on Wednesday that the impasse in the negotiations suggests that the re-alignment of inter-Korean relations is a painful process.

In this case, Ryu Jae Gil added that North Korea must show sincerity if Pyongyang wants to move forward.

North and South Korea have agreed to hold, starting Wednesday, two days of high-level intergovernmental meeting in Seoul. However, on Tuesday evening, after the parties failed to resolve differences on the question of who should lead the delegation of each party informed the North South on its refusal to participate.

VIEW: Senior NHK commentator Tadashi Ideisi about the prospects of negotiations between North and South Korea

In today's installment, we asked senior VIEW NHK commentator Tadashi Ideisi talk about the prospects of negotiations and North and South Korea.

According to him, the negotiations may not begin immediately. But both sides are ready to repeat attempts to resume the dialogue. Pyongyang has said that "lays" its delegation, while Seoul says it will continue to urge North Korea to begin negotiations. According to Tadashi Ideisi when the heat subsides over the latest dispute, the two sides once again renew their efforts by conducting preparatory talks at the working level.

Both countries realize that they must soften its stance to some extent, because otherwise you can end the war. They understand the need for dialogue.

South Korea, supported by the United States, North Korea - China. Recently passed the US-China summit talks. Both the U.S. and China do not want to worsen the situation on the Korean peninsula. North Korea is willing to hold direct talks with the United States, and for this to happen, it is necessary to improve relations with South Korea. Given the current situation, the expert believes that the changes to the plan will not search for a dialogue, although the process may be delayed for a while.

The ceremony in memory of those killed in the latest fighting in Okinawa Prefecture, may be held with the participation of Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs of Japan

A senior Japanese government announced that the ministers of foreign affairs and national defense may be present during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the events of World War II, to be held in Okinawa later this month, along with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Every year on June 23 in Okinawa Prefecture held a mourning ceremony in memory of the ground combat that took place in these areas in the last days of the war. It is believed that by this date ended fighting between the parts of the armies of the United States and Japan.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Esihide Suga on Wednesday held a press conference. He said that based on the position of the Government, headed by Shinzo Abe, is the desire to remember the feelings of the people, whose share fell out of suffering, and the desire to work together with the residents of Okinawa in order to reduce the burden that this prefecture is due to placement in her numerous U.S. military bases.

So far in this annual commemorative ceremony was attended by a prime minister, the ministers of defense and foreign affairs were not present on it.

The governor of Fukushima Prefecture inquired about the elimination of all nuclear reactors in the region

The governor of Fukushima prefecture requested the Japanese government to eliminate all its nuclear reactors in the region severely affected by the accident at the nuclear power plant after the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

The head of the prefecture Yuuhei Sato gave a written request to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi on Wednesday in Tokyo.

Sato asked to decommission all nuclear reactors, "Fukushima Dai-ichi" and "Fukushima Dai-ni." He said the prefecture is aimed at sustainable social development with zero dependence on nuclear power.

The governor told the minister that most of the requests of its prefectures associated with the disaster at the plant. According to Sato, the reconstruction of the region are carried out successfully, but the prefecture is still in a difficult situation after the accident.

Japan's parliament approved a bill related to the accession to the Hague Convention on Child Custody

Japan's parliament removed the last obstacle to the entry into force of an international agreement on the basis of which resolved disagreements over child custody.

Last month, Japan's parliament approved the country's participation in the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

On Wednesday, the upper house of parliament unanimously approved a bill that would bring the provisions of this Convention.

The Convention provides that a child who was one of the parents took with him to another country without the consent of the other parent must be returned to the State of habitual residence.

According to Japanese law, the hearing of the cases which fall under the scope of this convention will be held only in the Tokyo and Osaka family courts.

These cases will be closed. The courts granted the right to take a child from a parent who refuses to cooperate.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Tokyo Stock Exchange stock quotes partially played a morning dip

In Wednesday trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange ended with a slight decline in stock prices. In the course of the morning session on the trading floor was a sharp drop in prices caused by the strengthening of the exchange rate of the Japanese currency.

Applications for the sale of shares on the entire list of names has led to the fact that the Nikkei briefly dropped to below 13,000 points, which is more than 300 points below the previous day's results.

In the afternoon, the index regained some positions, mainly due to the request of the acquisition of shares in companies related to the export of products.

According to analysts, in the short term among investors remain nervous as they experience fatigue from the prolonged period of instability in the market.

The Bank of Japan intends to stimulate lending to businesses

The Bank of Japan is launching a new program of low-interest loans to financial institutions, to encourage companies to make loans.

Representatives of the Bank of Japan said that this month will provide borrowings 70 financial institutions that increased their lending business from January to March.

Loans will be issued under 0.1% per annum and can be provided every three months to five times.

The total debt will exceed $ 31 billion.

The representatives of the central bank's claim that the new program is aimed at improving the effectiveness of the current policy of monetary easing.

At the exhibition in Los Angeles, Sony and Microsoft to show off their new models of game consoles

Two companies, the leading competition in the market of gaming consoles, met face to face on the world's largest exhibition game industry in Los Angeles.

In the exposition of Sony a queue of visitors wanting to try out a new game console PlayStation 4. This model is equipped with a function to allow users to see the same image of the gaming scene, passed on their TV screens via the Internet.

Attracted the attention of visitors and a new game console from Microsoft called Xbox One. This model allows the user to control the gameplay via voice commands and gestures.

In the lists of victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima name will be added to 3,234

In Hiroshima, began work to supplement the annual lists of names of the dead at the time of the atomic bombing of the city in 1945.

Two former employees of the municipality enter the names and dates of death of newly identified victims and survivors of a nuclear attack, who died last year.

This year, 3,234 will be added to the name. Who is on the list of victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima - 280,968 people.

The police and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan held joint anti-terror exercise

On Wednesday, officials of the Ground Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the police conducted a joint anti-terrorist exercises, which involved the scenario of confrontation between armed agents.

According to the scenario, which was practiced during the exercise, by order of the Prime Minister's Self-Defense Forces conducted security operations from the entry into the country of foreign agents.

The employees of the police and the Self-Defense Forces stationed in Tokyo and neighboring Chiba Prefecture, jointly conducted a search of agents combing the streets and checking vehicles.

Source: NHK

News Digest for 11/06/13

vladgon — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 04:55:22 GMT

Shinzo Abe will travel to Europe to participate in the summit of the G8

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, from 15 to 20 June to visit three countries in Europe, where he will go for the summit the G in the UK.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Esihide Suga said Tuesday the program Abe's visit to Europe.

Suga said that the Summit of Eight, which will be held in Northern Ireland on 17 and 18 June, the Prime Minister explain his economic policies, as well as talk about the progress at the recent Tokyo International Conference on African Development.

Before heading to the UK, Abe will visit Poland, where he will meet with leaders of the country, as well as the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. After the summit, Abe's visit to Ireland.

BOJ sees no need to adopt new measures to preserve the low level of interest rates

The head of Japan's central bank said it sees no need for new measures aimed at preserving the low long-term interest rates.

Bank of Japan Haruhiko Kuroda said, speaking at a news conference that the country's central bank will closely monitor the fluctuations in the levels of long-term interest rates in view of the undesirability of their skyrocketing. Kuroda also said that large-scale purchase of government bonds by the Bank of Japan helps to reduce interest rates.

Kuroda spoke to reporters at the end of the two-day meeting of the Board of the Bank of Japan policy on which the decision was made to maintain ongoing mitigation measures now in monetary and monetary policy. The purpose of the Bank of Japan to achieve an inflation rate of 2% remains unchanged.

The dollar fell to a level of between 95 and 96 yen

The dollar on Tuesday in New York fell to a mark between 95 and 96 yen after the Bank of Japan said that he does not intend to take further steps to prevent the vibration of long-term lending rates.

Notice of the decision of the Bank of Japan caused the activation of selling dollars on the New York Stock Exchange.

Market sources report that investors buy the yen, to avoid risks in the face of falling stock prices in the United States and lower interest rates on long-term government bonds.

A number of industry sectors the U.S. is concerned about the possibility of Japan's participation in the negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Representatives of several branches of the industry in the United States have expressed concern regarding the proposed participation of Japan in the negotiations on free trade in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

They were critical of Japan at a hearing of the International Trade Commission of the United States, which took place on Tuesday.

A senior representative of the Joint Trade Union U.S. automakers said Japan lags behind in its efforts to expand access to its market for U.S. automobile export, helping to lower the yen exchange rate to assist the development of Japanese exports.

The representative also said that the United States should not reduce tariffs on imports of Japanese motor companies as long as Japan did not change its position.

In Japan, at the age of 116 years died the oldest man of the planet

In Japan, died the oldest inhabitant of our planet, who was 116 years old.

Dziroemon Kimura died Wednesday in a hospital in the city of Kyoto.

Kimura was born on April 19, 1897. In December last year, he was listed in the Guinness Book of Records, not only as the most senior person in the world, but also as a very elderly man in the known history of mankind.

In Kimura left 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Source: NHK

News Digest for 10/06/13

vladgon — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:48:23 GMT

Mobile phone use is dangerous for train passengers in Japan

The survey of railway passengers in Japan has led to increased concerns about the way people use their mobile phones.

Last month, a group of researchers of the University of Tsukuba, headed by Professor Katsumi Tokuda interviewed about 650 students who use rail to Tokyo, Osaka and the surrounding prefectures.

Approximately 60% of respondents said that during the use of mobile phones become parties to conflicts with other people and objects, or were very close to it.

It is urged not to use mobile phones at Japanese railway stations

Employees of the Japanese railway company JR Higashinihon want passengers to not use cell phones during transitions within the stations.

They decided to launch a campaign after a fifth-grader received minor injuries after falling from a platform on the way to Tokyo's Yotsuya station. The reason for the fall was that he was looking at the screen of your mobile phone.

Shinjuku Station in Tokyo there were posters that call to abandon the use of mobile phones while on the move, as well as sound radio announcements.

Consumer confidence in Japan has reached the highest level in 6 years

In May, the fifth month in a row in Japan is an increase in consumer confidence, which reached its highest level in six years.

As recent data, in May, consumer confidence was 45.7 points - 1.2 points higher than in April.

This increase is explained by growing expectations that the economic policy of the government and a weak yen will help improve corporate profits.

Japan will increase exports of medical equipment

Manufacturers of medical devices in Japan are expanding their business abroad.

This is done in accordance with the plan of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to increase exports of medical equipment and services, making the industry one of the pillars of its growth strategy.

Hitachi Company sells devices for Asian proton radiation therapy used in oncology, arguing that has fewer side effects than by chemotherapy. Before that Hitachi has penetrated the U.S. market.

In March, Toshiba Medical Systems has established in Turkey a hub for marketing in the Middle East. In this region, the demand for advanced medical equipment for wealthy patients.

The company also plans to increase training for foreign workers in the field of inspection and repair of equipment in order to break away from their American and European competitors in the services sector.

The company president says government support is needed to promote the sales of its products in the rapidly developing countries.

Suga expressed Japan's desire to rebuild relationships with China

Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Esihide Suga expressed his country's desire to rebuild the relationship with China. He said this after the leaders of China and the United States agreed to establish closer bilateral ties.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed at the two-day summit, a number of different issues, including cybersecurity, and North Korea.

Suga said on Monday that Japan welcomes closer ties between the two world powers. He added that the strengthening of relations will benefit the peace and security in the region and globally.

According to Suga, Obama took part in the summit with a clear understanding of Japanese positions on issues related to China. He said that Japan and the United States have discussed these issues prior to the meeting.

Suga said Japan will continue to strengthen the alliance with the United States.

He also said that Japan and China should pay attention to building mutually beneficial relationships that can not destabilize the individual questions.

Nikkei index rose in Tokyo on Monday

After the collapse of the previous week on Monday stock prices in Tokyo rose sharply and closed with the highest growth on items for about 4 years and 8 months.

On Monday morning, the Tokyo Stock Exchange saw an increase in shares of companies the full range of industries, owing to expectations of further U.S. monetary policy easing. In response to the depreciation of the yen during afternoon trading was taken more orders for the purchase of shares.

By the end of trading on Monday, the Nikkei average index was 13.514 points, which is 636 points higher than the level at the close of trading last Friday. At the same time it represents the largest increase in the Nikkei index in a single day since 30 October 2008.

Japan's current account surplus almost doubled in April

Japan's current account surplus almost doubled in April compared with the same period last year. A positive current account balance has been observed for the third month in a row.

Officials of the Ministry of Finance said on Monday that, according to preliminary figures, the current account surplus amounted to 7 billion 600 million dollars.

The trade deficit was about 8 billion 300 million dollars. On the other hand, exports increased by 2.7%, mainly due to deliveries of cars and parts.

However, imports jumped compared with the previous year by 9% in Jenova year. The weakening of the yen led to higher prices for imported products such as liquefied natural gas.

Employees of the Ministry of Finance also reported a surplus of $ 21 billion dollars in revenue from interest on capital and dividends. This figure increased by about 52% compared to last year and was the largest year-on-year since 1985.

According to them, the weakening of the yen led to an increase in revenue from the cost of interest on capital and dividends received abroad. This increase was enough to cover the increase in the trade deficit.

Evaluation of Japan's GDP in the first quarter of the year was changed upward

Japan revised its economic growth rate in the quarter from January to March upward to one per cent, which is 0.1 percentage points higher than the preliminary figure published last month.

On Monday, the Japanese Cabinet Office said that a revised GDP in real terms, based on an annual rate of 4.1%. This is 0.6 percentage points more than the original figure.

The growth of corporate investment in factories and equipment has also been revised and changed from minus 0.7% to minus 0.3%.

Nominal GDP growth was increased from 1.5% to 2.2%. This figure reflects the change in the prices of goods.

Office of the Cabinet of Ministers said that the capital investment remained lower than in the previous quarter, despite the revision of the index upward, and that the Japanese economy is still heavily relied on a weaker yen and higher stock prices.

The Office added that Japan needed to enforce its growth strategy to increase investment.

Source: NHK

In New York, the dollar dropped to a mark of 95 yen

vladgon — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:19:09 GMT

On Thursday in New York, the U.S. dollar at one point fell to a level of 95 yen. For the first time in about six weeks the dollar has gone down to the mark.

On the New York foreign exchange market dealers have stepped up selling dollars and buying yen before the announcement on Friday of data on U.S. employment. Many dealers intend to use these statistics to predict whether the Federal Reserve to reduce the scale of their fiscal policy easing.

Another factor more active dollar sales was a press conference held on Thursday, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. He did not say anything specific about additional easing credit, thereby encouraging the purchase and sale of euro dollar.

Source: NHK

In Tokyo, there was the depreciation of the dollar

vladgon — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:17:53 GMT

The dollar exchange rate on the Tokyo Foreign Exchange in early trade on Friday and went down at 12 pm was 96.6 yen.

The euro exchange rate against the yen also fell sharply. Euro was sold at the rate of 128 yen, down 2.3 yen lower than the previous day's total trading.

Source: NHK

U.S. military command lifted restrictions on flights in the airspace near the base of Kadena

vladgon — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:16:51 GMT

U.S. military command Thursday night lifted restrictions on flights in the airspace surrounding the military and Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture in southwestern Japan.

Restrictions which were introduced in April, committed the pilots of small aircraft in advance to notify command in cases of use of the airspace in a radius of 30 kilometers around the U.S. Kadena base.

Of the employees of the base personnel equipped with anti-aircraft missiles Patriot Advanced Capability-3. It is believed that the restrictions were the measure taken in response to a likely missile launch by North Korea.

However, about a month ago, North Korea exported missile launchers from their base on the coast of the Sea of Japan.

Source: NHK

Japanese government has approved a bill to establish the National Security Council

vladgon — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:16:09 GMT

Japanese government has prepared a draft law on the establishment of the National Security Council, which will deal with issues of foreign and security policy.

The bill was approved at a cabinet meeting on Friday.

It says that the Prime Minister will chair this council, and its members would be the ministers of foreign affairs and defense, as well as Cabinet Secretary.

Members of the Board will determine the medium-and long-term strategy on foreign policy and security. This board will also take primary action in response to natural disasters nationwide and various emergencies, such as the January terrorist attack on the gas industry in Algeria, where they were killed by Japanese citizens.

This board will hold regular meetings to discuss the basic policies on defense.

Source: NHK

Government of Japan has decided on a strategy for science and technology

vladgon — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:15:06 GMT

Japanese government on Friday decided to implement policies to promote science and technology innovation.

Leading role in the implementation of this policy will be performed by the Board provided a comprehensive strategy of the government.

The Council will make decisions on research projects and development projects with the aim of revitalizing the country's economy, as well as provide them with subsidies, regardless of the available items in the budget.

This policy aims to achieve greater efforts to promote innovation in five areas, including the establishment of adequate clean energy infrastructure and the next generation.

The strategy identifies specific goals such innovative projects as the practical use of wind turbines on floating platforms in the five-year term, and artificial fish farming on a commercial scale in the seven-year period.

Accepted rules for runners jogging around the Imperial Court in Tokyo

vladgon — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:14:17 GMT

The Tokyo District Administration has adopted rules to prevent problems due to the increasing number of runners jogging around the Imperial Court.

In recent years, the sidewalks around the Imperial Court in Chiyoda attract more and more people doing jogging for health. Sometimes their number goes up to 10,000 people a day.

Such an accumulation of runners causes numerous complaints from pedestrians who say they just do not face the runners. This prompted the local government district to form a committee composed of experts, the runners and the police to discuss security issues.

On Thursday, the committee adopted the 9 rules. They include running anti-clockwise, as well as jogging in a row, if the pavement is shrinking.

Source: NHK

Manufacturers plum fruit liqueurs in Japan on June 6 Day celebrated drain

vladgon — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:13:33 GMT

June 6 manufacturers plum fruit liqueurs in Japan celebrated the Day of the harvest of plums.

According to legend, about 450 years ago, the Emperor of Japan made an offering Gonar Shinto temple, asking the gods for that they sent down a country rich harvest. It happened on 6 June and the offering were just plum.

On Thursday, the producers of liqueurs from plums in Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan, the traditional way to celebrate the Day of the drain.

First, employees of local shops producing liqueurs washed with pure water to about 10 tons of freshly picked plums. Plums then dried approximately one hour, and then they were placed in the bottle with pure alcohol with sugar.

As they say manufacturers, cordials that are different strong plum flavor and a very pleasant taste, are ready to eat in a year and go to the stores in the country and abroad.

Source: NHK