Business
Trump says U.S. Steel controlled by him with 'golden share'
The United States has a "golden share" in United States Steel Corp, President Donald Trump said Thursday, adding it will be controlled by him after Nippon Steel Corp's massive investment in the iconic American producer. "We have a golden share, which I control, or a president controls. Now I'm a… Read
U.S. producer prices rise modest 2.6% in May with inflationary pressures still mild
U.S. wholesale prices rose modestly last month from a year earlier, another sign that inflationary pressures remain mild. The Labor Department reported Thursday that its producer price index — which measures inflation before it its consumers — rose 2.6% in May 2024. Producer prices rose 0.1% from April to May… Read
Bento shop bankruptcies increase as Japan’s boxed lunch stores struggle in new dining landscape
Bento, boxed lunches, are practically a symbol of Japanese cuisine itself. A self-contained meal of rice and a number of meat, fish, or vegetable side dishes, they’re a quick and convenient way to get a balanced meal, easily portable back to your office or home, and their packaging means you… Read
G7 to review tax-free import rules as low-price products flood in
The Group of Seven countries plan to establish a task force to review tax exemptions on cross-border e-commerce involving small parcels, a Japanese government source said Wednesday, as retailers flood the markets of member nations with cheap goods. The issue is expected to be raised during the upcoming three-day G7… Read
GM to invest $4 billion to ramp up U.S. production
Shares of General Motors rose before the opening bell after announcing plans to invest $4 billion to shift some production from Mexico to U.S. manufacturing plants as the automaker navigates tariffs that could drive prices higher. President Trump signed executive orders in April, relaxing some of his 25% tariffs on… Read
Labubu toy sculpture sold for $150,000 at China auction
A Beijing auction house has sold a four-foot-tall sculpture of a viral plush toy character for more than $150,000, as global demand for the Chinese-designed Labubu dolls reaches fever pitch. The rabbit-like figures sporting mischievous grins began as a character created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, and are made… Read
Google offers buyouts to staff in latest round of cost cutting
Google has offered buyouts to staff in several divisions in a fresh round of cost cutting, according to reports from several news outlets. It’s not clear how many employees are affected, but the offers were made to staff in Google's search, advertising, research and engineering units, according to the Wall… Read
Toyota proposes selling U.S. cars in Japan to support tariff talks
Toyota Motor Corp has proposed to the government that it sell U.S.-made cars in Japan through its domestic dealership network, the company said in an online video. The proposal is intended to support Japan's trade negotiations with the United States over President Donald Trump's tariffs. Observers said increased imports of… Read
Japan personal data leaks double in FY2024 to record 21,000 cases
Personal data leaks in organizations in Japan more than doubled to a record 21,000 cases in fiscal 2024, a government panel's annual report showed Tuesday, highlighting inadequate protections in the public and private sectors. Contributing to the 58 percent rise were breaches reported by labor and social security attorney offices… Read
Truck units of Toyota and Daimler reach merger deal
The truck divisions of Japan’s Toyota and Daimler of Germany have agreed to merge to form “a new strong Japanese truck powerhouse” to work together in vehicle development, procurement and production. Details, including the scope and specifics of the collaboration, were still undecided. But Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck… Read
