Corporate Japan's nerves fray as US tariff talks drag on
A survey finds most firms worry US levies will hurt earnings. An expert says Japan may need to offer more local investment if it wants the US to compromise on auto tariffs.
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NHK
29 minutes ago
- NHK
Japan supermarket rice prices drop to 4-month low
Government measures to bring down the cost of Japan's staple food appear to be bearing fruit. A nationwide survey shows the price of rice at supermarkets falling for a fifth straight week, hitting a four-month low. The agriculture ministry released results for the week through June 22. The average price of a 5-kilogram bag was 3,801 yen, including tax, or about 26 dollars -- down 3 percent from the previous week. But, that was still about 70 percent higher from a year earlier. Explaining the trend, ministry officials point to the widespread sale of cheaper grain released from national stockpiles. It's sold directly to retailers through no-bid contracts. The price of blended rice and other types fell 4 percent. There was almost no change in what shops are charging for brand varieties from a single origin.
Japan Times
32 minutes ago
- Japan Times
Cabinet Office may lease government-owned disaster food trucks to businesses
The government plans to study how food trucks owned by local governments and dispatched to serve hot meals following disasters can be used at other times. The Cabinet Office is considering a program that would allow local governments to lease such vehicles to business operators in normal times and receive maintenance fees in return, according to sources with knowledge of the matter. It plans to conduct a survey in fiscal 2025 to learn the current status of these food trucks across the country. As local governments face severe financial conditions, the Cabinet Office intends to pave the way for them to receive help from the private sector in preparing for natural disasters, which are becoming more frequent and devastating. Local governments rushed to buy food trucks and restroom trailers after such vehicles were made eligible for regional revitalization grants under the central government's supplementary budget for fiscal 2024. However, food trucks require a cook to operate, whereas restroom trailers are easier to use at events. In addition, it is necessary to confirm whether local governments are legally allowed to lease their assets for profit. "It may be efficient if business operators using food trucks in normal times are mobilized in times of emergency," said a Cabinet Office official. The Cabinet Office will review laws including those on food sanitation and vehicle management to see whether there are any rules that prevent the wider use of the food trucks.
Japan Times
an hour ago
- Japan Times
Japanese prefectural governors earned average of ¥24.13 million in 2024
The average income of Japan's prefectural governors stood at ¥24.13 million ($167,852) in 2024, a survey showed Monday. The average rose by over ¥4 million from the previous year owing to an increase in revenue from real estate rentals, as well as stock disposals and increased bonuses, according to the survey. Among 38 governors whose income levels were comparable to those of the previous year, 27 saw increases. The total average income consisted an average salary of ¥19.54 million and other sources totaling ¥4.59 million. Okayama Gov. Ryuta Ibaragi recorded the highest total income, at ¥122.22 million — ¥22.86 million in salary and ¥99.36 million from other sources, including stock disposals. The lowest was ¥13.71 million, earned by Ishikawa Gov. Hiroshi Hase, whose salary was reduced by 30% under a local ordinance. Among the surveyed mayors of 18 of the country's 20 ordinance-designated major cities, the average income rose by more than ¥2 million to ¥22.02 million. The highest figure, at ¥40.79 million, was reported by Okayama Mayor Masao Omori. Hideki Nagafuji, the mayor of Sakai, a city in Osaka Prefecture, had the lowest, at ¥14.34 million. The survey covered 42 out of the 47 prefectural governors. Gifu, Shizuoka, Hyogo, Wakayama and Kumamoto prefectures and the cities of Nagoya and Kyoto were excluded from the data mainly because their governors or mayors changed during 2024. The income data was disclosed under the municipal regulations, which require public reporting of the incomes of prefectural governors and mayors of ordinance-designated cities who served throughout 2024.
