japanese

Japan Exports To US Drop 14% As Trump Tariffs Bite

September 17, 2025 8:50 am

Japanese exports to the United States fell sharply in August, plunging nearly 14 percent as President Donald Trump’s tariffs continued to disrupt trade flows and weigh heavily on Japan’s key industries. Official data released by Japan’s finance ministry showed a 13.8 percent year-on-year decline in the value of goods shipped to the US, the steepest drop in more than four years. The auto sector, which accounts for about a third of Japanese exports to the American market, was hit hardest.

Car shipments tumbled 28.4 percent, while auto parts slid 7.1 percent, underscoring the pressure on manufacturers already struggling with a …

Japan Firm Offers Spouses Apartments To Avoid Divorces

April 15, 2020 6:27 pm

Worried about a “coronavirus divorce”? An enterprising Japanese short-term rental firm is marketing its empty apartments as a way for stressed couples to get some time apart during the virus lockdown.

“Please consult with us before thinking about ‘coronavirus divorce’,” the Tokyo-based Kasoku urges customers, offering its Airbnb-like fully-furnished units as “temporary shelters” for people to escape the family, whether to work or just get some peace and quiet.

Japan’s government has declared a state of emergency in seven regions over the virus outbreak. While the measures do not include prohibitions on going out, people have been asked to avoid …

Japanese Magazine Ridiculed For ‘Socrates’ Dating Advice

December 5, 2019 3:18 pm

A Japanese magazine that advised women to compliment men on their intelligence by saying “You sound like Socrates” has been ridiculed in the country ranked one of the world’s worst for gender parity.

“JJ”, a major fashion magazine targeted at young women, encouraged readers to compare men to the classical Greek philosopher when they say something complicated.

A picture of the page sparked mirth when it was shared on Twitter — with some users noting that Socrates did not live happily ever after, as he was sentenced to death by drinking poison.

Users of both genders poured scorn on the …

Japanese Doctor Who Helped Afghans For Decades Killed

December 4, 2019 2:35 pm

A Japanese doctor whose long career was dedicated to helping some of Afghanistan’s poorest people was among six people killed Wednesday in an attack in the east of the country, officials said.

The armed assault in Jalalabad city, the capital of Nangarhar province, was the second deadly incident involving aid workers in recent days and prompted appalled reaction in Afghanistan and internationally.

Tetsu Nakamura, 73, was the head of Peace Japan Medical Services — known as Peshawar Kai in Japanese — and had been working in the region since the 1980s, when he began treating patients with leprosy in Peshawar …

Udo Udoma Receives Japanese Government Highest Award

November 4, 2019 7:19 am

The Government of Japan has named former Minister of National Planning and Budget, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, as one of the foreign recipients of the 2019 Autumn Imperial Decorations.

A press statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Embassy of Japan said that Udoma would receive “the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star,’’ which is one of the highest orders awarded in the name of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, in recognition of his contributions towards strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendship between Japan and Nigeria.