A college scholar who was working part-time as a lecturer at a cram college in Tokyo was arrested for allegedly forcing his junior highschool scholar to movie a nude video along with his smartphone and ship it to him. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the likelihood that he abused his place as a lecturer to get near college students and had them ship him dozens of movies and pictures.
Shared taxis which were suspended resume operation with diminished frequency Ishikawa Noto Town | NHK
In Noto Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, shared taxi companies within the space, which had been suspended after the earthquake, resumed operations on the twentieth with a diminished frequency.
China’s central financial institution lowers five-year rate of interest by 0.25% to help the financial system | NHK
On the twentieth, China’s central financial institution, the People’s Bank of China, introduced that it has lowered the 5-year rate of interest, which is the usual for long-term loans comparable to dwelling loans, by 0.25% out of the LPR, which is taken into account the de facto coverage price. did.
This is the primary time in eight months since June final yr that rates of interest for five-year loans have been lowered.
[Understand in 1 minute]Why is the Nikkei Stock Average hovering? Simple rationalization of the factors | NHK
![[Understand in 1 minute]Why is the Nikkei Stock Average hovering? Simple rationalization of the factors | NHK](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240220/K10014364381_2402200916_0220091920_01_02.jpg "[Understand in 1 minute]Why is the Nikkei Stock Average hovering? Simple rationalization of the factors | NHK")
The Nikkei Stock Average has been rising quickly since this yr. The worth enhance over the previous month and a half has exceeded 5,000 yen.
Market individuals and economists level out numerous components as to why stock costs proceed to rise. We have summarized 8 factors in a compact method.
“Remembering the history of internment of Japanese Americans” held 82 years after US presidential order | NHK
It has been 82 years for the reason that presidential order that led to the internment of Japanese Americans was signed in 1942 throughout World War II, and numerous occasions are being held throughout the United States to commemorate the historical past of Japanese American internment. I bought it.
Shohei Otani makes an enormous hit over the fence in batting observe to return to precise fight | NHK
Shohei Ohtani of the Major League Baseball Dodgers participated in batting observe for the primary time at a camp in Arizona, and the outcomes confirmed how good his situation is forward of his return to motion, together with hitting an enormous hit that went over the outfield fence. I confirmed it.
Vertical Reading Manga Gaining Popularity
TOKYO, Feb 20 (News On Japan) –
Vertical studying manga (webtoons), which have been hits as drama originals in Japan and Korea, have lately gained consideration. Vertical studying manga are optimized for studying by scrolling vertically on a smartphone.
The ease of studying in a smartphone-optimized format and the convenience of increasing into the worldwide market are stated to be the explanations for the fast growth. Creators, editors, platformers, and manufacturing firms concerned in vertical studying manga gathered to debate the background of this pattern.
Source: NNN
Tomato Price Surge Sends Shockwaves Through Food Industry
TOKYO, Feb 20 (News On Japan) –
Following final yr’s “Egg Shock,” there may be now concern over the current worth will increase of tomato merchandise resembling ketchup and complete tomatoes, with the time period “Tomato Shock” being utilized by some within the restaurant business to explain the brand new actuality.
At a standard Western-style restaurant in Tokyo, a well-liked dish made with loads of ketchup is being ready. The dish is omurice (omelet rice), with the ketchup’s candy and bitter style being a key taste.
Customer: “The acidity of the ketchup is just right, and it’s delicious.”
“It’s like the old Western-style restaurants, where simple is best.”
Other dishes, resembling Napolitan (spaghetti with ketchup) and hamburg steak with demi-glace sauce, additionally use ketchup. The restaurant makes use of about 10 kilograms of ketchup per day. However…
Kasahara Masahiro, Manager of Restaurant Shiratsuyu: “The purchasing price has been gradually increasing, and it’s becoming quite difficult. If ketchup prices keep rising we’re headed for a ‘Tomato Shock.'”
In a grocery store in Tokyo, the impression on retail costs is already evident.
Gomi Mamoru, President of Super Izumi: “Products related to tomatoes are expensive. Most of them have gone up. This has never happened before.”
This grocery store has raised the retail worth of tomato ketchup by about 30 yen in comparison with final yr, and the value of canned tomatoes by about 40 yen.
Several producers have additionally introduced worth will increase. Kagome has raised the value of family tomato ketchup by as much as 16.4% and tomato juice by as much as 13.6% from the February supply. Kikkoman Foods will elevate the value of Del Monte model tomato ketchup and different merchandise by about 7-15% from the April supply, and sauces containing tomato as an ingredient can even see a worth improve of about 5%.
The worth improve of tomato merchandise, that are indispensable to our diets, is critical. According to Teikoku Databank, about 160 objects of “processed tomato products” have seen worth will increase this month alone.
Why are worth will increase taking place at the moment?
Fujii Shun, Director of Information Coordination Department, Teikoku Databank: “Most of the tomatoes used for processing, over 90%, are imported. The quality of the imported tomatoes was poor, and there was a low yield.”
We heard from folks on the road. We met a pair who each love ketchup.
Husband: “I love ketchup so much that I can eat it on its own. I usually pour it thick on my omurice.”
They burn up two bottles a month, however…
Husband: “It’s putting pressure on the household budget. It’s frustrating…”
At the grocery store…
Customer: “I buy the advertised products when they’re on sale.”
“I heard that the prices are going up, so I thought I’d buy a little extra than usual.”
How far will the value improve of tomato merchandise unfold?
Source: NNN
Armenian Prime Minister clearly states his place towards the invasion of Ukraine, leaving Russia clearly | NHK
Regarding Russia’s army invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Pashinyan of former Soviet Union Armenia said on the 18th that “Armenia shouldn’t be an ally of Russia,” clarifying his stance towards the invasion of Ukraine and making his transfer to interrupt away from Russia even clearer. I’m.
Struggle for Wage Increases Despite Booming Stocks
TOKYO, Feb 20 (News On Japan) –
The Nikkei common stock worth is nearing its all-time excessive from 34 years in the past. We examine the “bubble period” with at present and discover the impression on each day life.
Despite stock costs reaching ranges similar to the bubble interval, it would not essentially point out total financial prosperity.
Hibiki Maoniko, Anchor: The Nikkei common stock worth approached its all-time excessive on the sixteenth, however why is there an absence of tangible impression?
The all-time excessive of 38,915 yen was recorded in 1989, in the course of the bubble period. This quantity was approached on February sixteenth.
Factors contributing to the present stock worth ranges embrace the robust efficiency of Japanese firms coping with data expertise, corresponding to semiconductors and generative AI, attracting overseas traders as a result of weak yen, and a shift in the direction of Japanese shares because the Chinese economic system slows down.
Furthermore, an rising variety of firms are reporting record-high web income for 3 consecutive years, primarily amongst listed giant firms.
We spoke to N-Star commentator Harold George May, who mentioned, “There is a recovery in demand since the end of the pandemic, but it’s not a widespread economic boom like during the bubble period.” May, who has served as a director for numerous firms, shares his perspective.
Harold George May: I began my profession proper in the midst of the bubble. But we should do not forget that the time period “bubble” did not even exist again then.
The Japanese economic system was unstoppable, and there was a way that it’d change into the world’s main economic system. The mindset was all about working 24/7 with out even desirous about financial savings.
The assumption was that earnings would hold coming in, so spending all of it was nice. This complacency was widespread in society.
Inoue Takahiro, Anchor: Those from that technology might have been a bit extra prudent, however the bubble interval was marked by robust home demand, with finance and actual property booming and wages rising.
However, at present’s stock market rise is pushed by overseas traders, with out a corresponding improve in wages. Moreover, Japan’s GDP has been unfavorable for 2 consecutive quarters, so there isn’t any actual sense of enchancment.
The solely tangible signal is likely to be the efficiency graph of NISA investments. There’s actually nothing else that feels actual.
Harold George May: Back then, we weren’t desirous about financial savings or working arduous for the longer term. It was all about dwelling day after day.
Inoue Anchor: But that mindset did not trigger any issues.
Harold George May: We solely thought issues would get higher.
Looking again, it is simple to see the overheating and information, however on the time, we have been utterly unaware.
■The problem lies in wage will increase for small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for 70% of home employment.
Hibiki Anchor: Even although the Nikkei common stock worth is nearing its all-time excessive, there isn’t any sense of safety in our lives.
We requested individuals in regards to the impression on their lives, and listed here are some responses:
60-year-old self-employed: “It feels like only the stock market is rising on its own. There’s no change in everyday life, just continuous price increases.”
40-year-old firm worker: “There are only price hikes, and my own life hasn’t improved as wages haven’t risen. I don’t feel any better.”
Regarding the potential for future wage will increase, Saizuke Sakai, Chief Economist at Mizuho Research & Technologies, says, “There’s a trend of wage increases centered around large corporations with good performance in semiconductors and information technology (generative AI),” however it’s not nearly giant firms.
Harold George May: That’s the important thing level. For society to enhance, wages want to extend.
Indeed, in response to the Labor Administration Research Institute, the typical wage improve for prime-listed firms is 3.7% in 2023. So, firms with good efficiency are seeing will increase, however the level is that, in response to the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, about 70% of Japan’s employment is in small and medium-sized enterprises. These SMEs discover it troublesome to boost the costs of their services or products.
As a end result, they really feel a dilemma in elevating wages, which we should not overlook.
Inoue Anchor: According to a survey performed by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in January, about 60% of SMEs plan to boost wages in 2024. So, there’s a rise from 2023.
Therefore, a optimistic cycle is beginning. It’s essential for SMEs to not have to chop corners and to have the ability to move on the prices of uncooked materials will increase of their product costs, resulting in wholesome inflation. This is a crucial second.
Source: TBS
