Japan Today

socrateos comments

Posted in: Japan's exports hit record high in 2024, but trade deficit continues See in context

grc:

The trade deficit will be a drag on growth

On the contrary, when a country is economically successful, it tends to have a trade deficit simply because it has more purchasing power. US has had trade deficit for 50 consecutive years since 1975!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: 'Japan First' mindset key for Ishiba in dealing with Trump: president's ex-adviser See in context

Here is my advice to Prime Minister Ishiba:

Don’t worry about having a “personal relationship” with Trump.

Always focus on the long-term relationship between the two states, Japan and the USA, rather than on personal ties. Trump is merely a small hiccup in U.S. history. Ignore him if necessary.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

Posted in: Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state See in context

One of few nominees Tramp got right.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Posted in: Hiroshima mayor urges PM to join U.N. nuclear arms ban treaty meeting See in context

The Mayor of Hiroshima advocates for peace, which is commendable. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Japan strives to protect the lives of the Japanese people through the best possible defense measures. Everything is as it should be, and that is good.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan launches independent mission to NATO See in context

Beijing has criticized NATO’s growing ties with the Indo-Pacific partners, worried that Washington may move to form a NATO-like alliance in the region.

A NATO-like alliance in Asia is part of Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba's vision. Yes, China should be concerned, but it is China's own imperialistic actions that have brought about this situation.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan, Philippines plan to convey to Trump need for U.S. engagement in Asia See in context

“Amid the increasingly severe strategic environment in the region, Japan places importance on our bilateral cooperation as well as on maintaining and strengthening trilateral cooperation between Japan, the Philippines and the United States,” Iwaya said.

This is the essence of Prime Minister Ishiba’s concept of an “Asian NATO,” a network of security alliances in Asia that operates with or without U.S. involvement.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan, Malaysia agree to deepen ties over security, energy See in context

There's still a long way to go, but this is a small first step toward realizing Ishiba's vision of Asian security alliances ('Asian NATO') against Chinese imperialism.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Posted in: Ishiba noncommittal over nuclear ban treaty in meeting with Nobel-winning Hidankyo See in context

(1) Japan's top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government will examine how to take a "realistic and practical" approach….

(2) "It was an occasion rather for the prime minister to explain his views on defense and security…

It is clear that Prime Minister Ishiba is a realist, which is good for Japan and democratic nations in Asia and around the world. People should know already that when it comes to defense, he envisions something akin to NATO rather than the UN.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan's foreign defense aid to rise 60% in FY2025 See in context

Excellent!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Posted in: Increased defense spending pledge taxes Japan's strained coffers See in context

Japan’s tax revenue has been increasing in recent years, reaching record highs without raising tax rate. In fiscal year 2022, tax income rose to ¥72.1 trillion ($446 billion) from ¥71.1 trillion in the previous year. Projections for the fiscal year ending March 2025 estimate tax revenues to rise to approximately ¥73.4 trillion, marking the fifth consecutive year of record-high tax revenue. This increase is attributed to strong corporate profits.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Posted in: Hamas and Israel wrangle over talks as Israeli strikes in Gaza intensify See in context

Do Palestinian people regret supporting Hamas?

No? No hope.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Posted in: South Korea's impeached president defies warrant in hourslong standoff See in context

The spectacle continues, and the Korean people are enjoying it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan to greet New Year with ‘Kohaku,’ shrine visits, shopping and heavy snow See in context

I will watch the sunrise and pray at a local shrine with the people in the small village where I was born and raised. Then, I will enjoy mochi and Osechi with my family, just as I did when I was a child.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan to put critical goods plants under state control during crisis See in context

deanzaZZR

War Preparations. USA says jump and Japan asks how high

Indeed, the Japan-US alliance poses a significant obstacle to Chinese imperialism and is essential for maintaining peace in Asia.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Posted in: Winning ticket sold for $1.22 billion lottery jackpot, Mega Millions says See in context

ibToday::

If you don't play it's not possible to win. No risk no reward.

Gambling is a type of business designed for players, as a group, to lose. Otherwise, the business wouldn’t be sustainable. The total amount of money “won” is always less than the total amount “invested.” Players always lose in the long run.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: South Korea parliament majority votes to impeach acting president Han See in context

The circus continues—what an embarrassment!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Posted in: Yoon defies second agency summons over martial law See in context

elephant200:

This is no kidding, Mr Yoon is preparing to do the same thing as Adolf Hitler…

A thoughtless comparison to Hitler belittles the monstrous evils that caused unspeakable suffering to millions of people. Try to refrain from it.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Posted in: PM Ishiba, a Christian, observes Christmas at church in Tokyo See in context

Ishiba is a fourth-generation Christian and the great-grandson of Kanamori Michitomi, a member of the Kumamoto Band and a pastor who was baptized by Niijima Jo, the founder of Doshisha University. Guided by his devout Christian mother, Ishiba attended church from a young age and was baptized at the Tottori Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan during his high school years.

As a Christian politician, he has been invited to Christian gatherings and has spoken about his faith and political philosophy.

"For me, Christian faith has been a given since childhood, and the very idea that God does not exist in this world is simply incomprehensible to me."

"As this nation faces unprecedented decisions, I must not forget to pray that God's will be done, and that even someone as insignificant as I, like dust, may be used for His purpose." (The Christians キリスト教新聞)

(https://xn--pckuay0l6a7c1910dfvzb.com/?p=47451)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan's ruling bloc OKs FY2025 tax reforms to fund defense spending See in context

Surrounded by rogue nations with nuclear ambitions, Japan today needs to enhance its defense capabilities continuously. It’s good to see the budget has been approved.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Posted in: Man arrested for assaulting wife after argument over pajamas in washing machine See in context

Divorce him already.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Posted in: Foreign visitors to Japan top 33 mil in Jan-Nov, breaking annual record See in context

SomeWeeb:

tourism is going to be one the major income streams of the future for Japan

I doubt it. Tourism accounts for only 2.3% of Japan's GDP. It's small compared to countries like:

Thailand: Tourism accounts for roughly 20-25% of GDP.

Spain: Tourism contributes around 12-13% of GDP.

Italy: Similarly, tourism contributes about 13% of GDP.

Even if Japan achieves its goal of 60 million visitors per year by 2030, it will still account for less than 5% of Japan's GDP.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Foreign visitors to Japan top 33 mil in Jan-Nov, breaking annual record See in context

crowds ruin the fun

I was born and grew up in the quiet countryside of Japan. Visiting big cities as a child was the most exciting thing to me. I loved the chaotic, noisy crowds back then, and I still love them today when I visit the big cities.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan's trade deficit shrinks 85.5% in November on chip equipment exports See in context

Japan's trade deficit in November shrank...to 117.62 billion yen....

Japan had a 664.03 billion yen trade surplus with the United States....

Japan had a trade surplus of 360.52 billion yen with Asia, including China....

The country was in the red... with the European Union, logging a trade deficit of 210.19 billion yen....

These figures do not add up. What's missing?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: China's economy logs a lackluster performance in November as retail sales slow See in context

happyhere:

5% growth for an economy that size does not strike me as lackluster. 

Of course, whenever there is an economic problem in China, a superhero always comes to the rescue: the National Bureau of Statistics of China (国家统计局)!

No problems in China—none at all!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Russian military's chemical weapons chief killed in Moscow blast See in context

Every death of a Russian soldier or leader is a step toward world peace and humanity. It is estimated that 50,000 to 80,000 Russian casualties have occurred in Ukraine so far, thanks to the brave Ukrainian fighters. It’s no wonder that Putin no longer had the power to protect Assad in Syria.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: UK, Italy, Japan launch joint venture to develop next-generation fighter jet See in context

Samit Basu:

Wrong. 

It still remains true that Japan's decision to develop a domestic fighter jet was initiated because of sales ban by the US congress.

"The replacement of the F-2 has been an extremely long process. It started back in 1997 when the United States Congress took the decision not to export the F-22 Raptor. Despite strong interest from Japan, technologies inside the fighter jet, the first of its generation, were judged too critical.

This forced Japan to design its own fifth-generation fighter jet, leading to the birth of the experimental X-2 Shinshin. Despite a successful maiden flight in 2016, the project was deemed too costly. A subsequent proposal was made by Lockheed Martin for a hybrid that would merge both designs of the F-35 Lightning II and of the F-22 Raptor – a unique opportunity, but too pricey and too risky for the Japanese Ministry of Defense." (Aero Time)

https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/25807-mitsubishi-to-obtain-f-x-stealth-fighter-jet-development-contract

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: UK, Italy, Japan launch joint venture to develop next-generation fighter jet See in context

Sven Asai:

Under military considerations this is a rather outdated attempt... [D]rones would surely make some more sense.

You have not read the documents. The new jets wil be designed to drive drones.

'Japan plans on introducing unmanned combat aerial vehicles that can operate alongside the F-X, called the Combat Support Unmanned Aircraft. The drone program is similar to the Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie or Boeing Airpower Teaming System project in which the drone acts as a "loyal wingman" to the controlling aircraft. There are two versions of the drone: one that is a sensor carrier and scouts for targets, and another that fires munitions and directs incoming missiles away from the parent aircraft. Both versions share the same design as each other. The drones are expected to be fully developed by the 2030s.' (Wikipedia)

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: UK, Italy, Japan launch joint venture to develop next-generation fighter jet See in context

Meiyouwenti:

Brace for it. The tripartite joint venture will face all kinds of interference, both direct and indirect, from the U.S. government and U.S. weapons industry.

This project was initiated after the U.S. refused to sell the F-22. Therefore, your concerns are unlikely to be an issue.

"The F-X program began when the United States banned exports of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor under the 1997 Obey Amendment, intended to protect sensitive technology. With the F-22 no longer an option, Japan opted to develop a domestic fighter to replace its aging fleet of fighter jets." (Wikipedia)

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: Trump to meet widow of former Japan PM Abe on Sunday, source says See in context

Mocheake:

Can't see why she wants to do that. 

In a conversation with one of Abe's supporters and Ishiba's critics, she said:

*Personally, I want Ishiba-san to do his best. I want him to work hard for the sake of Japan. Since everyone chose him, I feel that once the decision has been made, we all need to come together and support him**.*

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Trump to meet widow of former Japan PM Abe on Sunday, source says See in context

Akie Abe said this three weeks ago to one of Ishiba's critic:

Personally, I want Ishiba-san to do his best. I want him to work hard for the sake of Japan. Since everyone chose him, I feel that once the decision has been made, we all need to come together and support him.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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