Japan is set to release up to 210,000 tons of its rice reserves as part of efforts to stabilize the market amid soaring prices. The move aims to ensure a smooth distribution of the staple food and bring the market back to normal.
The decision was made by farm minister Taku Eto, who described the recent price hike as unusual. The release is expected to help alleviate pressure on households and farmers.
Meanwhile, Japan’s main opposition party has called for revisions to the state budget plan, which includes funding for education-related measures. The proposed changes are worth nearly 3.8 trillion yen ($25 billion).
Nissan Motor Co., which recently scrapped its merger with Honda, may struggle to find a new partner due to concerns over management independence. Some foreign companies have expressed interest in partnering with Nissan but may lose interest if it maintains its current approach.
The US Space Force plans to boost its presence in Japan to counter threats from China and North Korea in the Indo-Pacific region. The move aims to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities.
A Japanese business delegation is set to visit China starting Sunday, where they will explore bilateral economic cooperation in areas such as digital technology and decarbonization.
According to a government survey, 51.2% of Japanese people feel that relations with South Korea are “good” or “rather good”. The positive response eclipses the previous year’s figure for the first time since the annual survey switched to mail-in in 2020.
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya has defended the handling of a murder case involving a Japanese national, stating that there was no issue with the response by the embassy.
Source: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/ffea1b198b88-kyodo-news-digest-feb-14-2025.html