The Japan Business Federation has urged its member companies to provide larger pay raises, aiming for at least 4% amid the country's inflation. This comes after major companies raised their wages by 3.99% last year, the largest increase in 31 years, due to increased prices following the events in Ukraine and a weaker yen.
The credit research agency, Tokyo Shoko Research, announced that corporate bankruptcies in Japan exceeded 8,000 for the first time in four years. The number of business failures with debts of at least 10 million yen rose by 35.2 percent from the previous year to 8,690. This surge was attributed to factors such as increases in material prices and labor costs, particularly in the construction industry, and the burden of repayment of loans obtained under the government's pandemic-relief program.
Republican governors in more than a dozen states have chosen not to participate in a federal food assistance program meant to support lower-income families during the summer months. The program, part of a bipartisan budget agreement from two years ago, provides an additional $120 per child to help families buy food when these resources are not available through school meal programs.
The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research has reported that social security spending by both central and local government reached a record high in fiscal 2021, amounting to ¥138.7433 trillion, an increase of 4.9% compared to the previous year. This spending, which accounts for 25.20% of Japan’s gross domestic product for the first time, includes outlays for pensions, medical care, and welfare.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving Starbucks and a judicial decision that required the rehiring of seven employees at a Memphis cafe, who were determined to have been fired for supporting unionization efforts. The lower court found that Starbucks had likely discouraged other employees from exercising their rights under U.S. labor law. This is the first case to reach the Supreme Court concerning the ongoing nationwide campaign to unionize Starbucks stores.
Fishery product buyers from the US, Canada, and Singapore have initiated a business trip to four northeastern Japan prefectures following a ban on Japanese fishery products by China. The ban was in response to the release of tritium-containing treated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. The tour, organized by the Japan External Trade Organization, aims to help Japanese fishery business operators find alternate buyers and markets for their products.
The prime minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, spoke out against Japan's decision to release treated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant into the ocean. He urged Japan to cease the discharge and proposed that if the water is indeed safe, it should be stored within Japan rather than being dumped into the ocean. Sogavare's stance aligns the Solomon Islands with China's criticism of Japan over this issue. The International Atomic Energy Agency's report, however, found Japan's release of treated water to be consistent with international safety standards.
In response to a potential fuel pump failure issue, Honda has announced a recall of more than 2.5 million cars in the U.S. and an additional 2 million vehicles internationally. The faulty fuel pump could cause the affected vehicles to stall while in motion, increasing the risk of a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that the fuel pump module in the recalled vehicles will be replaced at no cost to the owners, with notifications set to commence on February 5.
The civil war in Sudan has reached Jazeera state, endangering the lives of almost 3 million children, as the fighting disrupts the safe havens for displaced people. UNICEF has expressed grave concern over the impact of the violence, leading to a humanitarian crisis with children and families caught in the crossfire.
Redfin's report shows that less than one-sixth of homes listed in the U.S. in the first 11 months of the year were affordable for a typical household. This is attributed to rising home prices, doubling of average monthly mortgage payments, and spikes in mortgage rates, making it increasingly difficult for many to afford a home. Furthermore, the disparities in affordability are particularly impactful for Black and Latino buyers.
Argentina's new president, Javier Milei, has implemented drastic economic measures that have sparked protests from social and labor groups. These measures include a 50% devaluation of the Argentine peso, cuts to energy and transportation subsidies, and closure of some government ministries. Milei's government has also introduced a new security protocol allowing federal forces to clear streets of protesters without a judicial order and potentially bill them for the cost of mobilizing security forces. Some groups argue that this protocol infringes on the right to protest. Additionally, the government has warned that individuals who block streets could be removed from public assistance benefit lists.
New York City lawmakers have passed a bill to largely outlaw the use of solitary confinement in city jails, a move supported by a supermajority of the legislative body. Despite potential opposition from the Mayor, the decision is hailed as a significant step towards ending a practice criticized as psychological torture.
The article discusses the ongoing conflict between the central government and the people of Okinawa over the planned relocation of a U.S. military base. It highlights the frustrations and disappointment expressed by past and present governors of Okinawa and their grievances with the central government and the judiciary. The recent court decision to order the approval of the relocation project has further deepened the divide and dissatisfaction among the people of Okinawa.
The Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo recently reported the arrest of 140 women for soliciting customers for prostitution around Okubo Park in the Kabukicho district. The arrests, which have nearly tripled from the previous year, revealed that 43% of the women arrested stated that they were seeking money to visit host clubs or meet "idols.
An investigative panel uncovered that Daihatsu Motor Co.'s prioritization of quick development and ineffective management supervision led to falsification testing scandal. The company's emphasis on short-term development, tight schedules for certification tests, and a pressure-filled culture contributed to fraudulent data acquisition and a series of misconduct. The company admitted to 174 cases of misconduct on safety tests and is currently ordered to stop shipments of all vehicles until confirmed safe. The misconduct has raised concerns about declining trust in the Toyota group and Japan's manufacturing reputation.
Toyota will be recalling 1.12 million vehicles worldwide due to a potential issue with a sensor, which could result in air bags not deploying properly. The recall includes various 2020-2022 model year vehicles and is aimed at addressing the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors that may not function properly, potentially leading to air bags not deploying if a small adult or child is in the front seat. The automaker plans to begin notifying owners in February, and dealers will inspect and replace the sensors as necessary.
Transport ministry officials conducted an inspection at the Daihatsu Motor Co. headquarters in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture, following the company's admission of falsifying vehicle safety tests. The Toyota subsidiary could face penalties and recalls based on the investigation's findings. The company's president admitted to misconduct in safety tests for numerous vehicles and suggested that pressure on engineers led to the test rigging. The ministry ordered a halt in vehicle shipments and is inspecting all models for compliance with safety standards.
Two years after the 2021 arson attack on a mental health clinic in Osaka, a woman who lost her husband in the incident is speaking out about the limited financial support she has received through the national victim compensation system. Her husband, who had quit his job due to physical and mental health issues, was a victim of the attack, and the woman is troubled by the smaller amounts of compensation provided to families of victims who were unemployed at the time of the crime. The government has announced a review of the system, but details are still pending.
An Australian court has ruled that Airbnb must pay a $10 million fine for making false or misleading representations to Australian users by displaying prices in U.S. dollars instead of Australian dollars. The company could also compensate affected customers with an additional $10 million and has been ordered to pay $400,000 in prosecution costs.
A research study conducted by Professor Etsuko Yuhara from Nihon Fukushi University in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, has revealed that there were 443 cases of murder-suicide involving people aged 60 and over in the country over a decade. The incidents were driven by caregiver fatigue or pessimistic attitudes toward the future. The study analyzed data from news reports and highlighted the increasing challenges faced by aging caregivers, leading to tragic outcomes.
