Japan’s real wages declined for the third consecutive year in 2024, failing to keep pace with rising prices, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. (News On Japan)

Honda has proposed making Nissan a subsidiary as part of ongoing discussions on a potential business integration, according to sources. (News On Japan)

Costco announced on February 3rd that it will raise the annual cost of its Gold Star membership by 440 yen to 5,280 yen, while the Executive membership, which offers a 2% rebate on purchases, will increase by 660 yen to 10,560 yen, starting May 1st. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Ishiba, ahead of the US-Japan summit with President Trump, is set to present a specially prepared map showcasing Japanese corporate investments across the United States, a strategic move aimed at emphasizing Japan’s economic contributions while negotiating key issues such as tariffs, defense spending, and security commitments. (News On Japan)

The signing of a presidential order imposing a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico by U.S. President Donald Trump has sent shockwaves through the markets, with the Nikkei Stock Average plunging sharply on February 3rd. Concerns are mounting over the impact on the Tokai region’s auto industry, a key pillar of the local economy. (News On Japan)

Universal Studios Japan (USJ), a major theme park in Osaka, continues to draw large crowds from both Japan and abroad. Behind the scenes, thousands of employees keep the park running smoothly. (News On Japan)

SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have launched a new AI services company in Japan, aiming to drive innovation in enterprise AI. At the unveiling, Son introduced the company’s first service, "Crystal," which he described as a revolutionary AI solution that will transform business operations. (News On Japan)

Nara Governor Yamashita has announced the cancellation of a large-scale solar power project in Gojo City, citing the inability to secure local consent. The project, initially proposed as an alternative to a previously planned 2,000-meter runway, was intended to support power supply stability during disasters and include a disaster-response heliport. (News On Japan)

Honda and Nissan's negotiations over a potential business integration have hit a roadblock, with concerns that Nissan’s restructuring measures are inadequate. (News On Japan)

Manga-based movies were big hits in Japan last year. They took the top three spots, helping Japanese films see record box-office proceeds. (NHK)

Banks are engaged in an intense battle to attract deposits, pushing interest rates higher. While savings account holders may benefit from increased interest earnings, rising rates also mean heavier mortgage burdens and potential rent hikes. (News On Japan)

Fuji TV held a press conference on January 27 at 4 p.m. to address allegations reported in the media that an employee was involved in a dispute between TV personality Nakai and a woman. Fuji TV explained that investigating Nakai at this stage might negatively impact the woman’s mental health and risk further harm if Nakai attempted to contact her. (News On Japan)

Leaders of Fuji Television announced their resignations on Monday amid growing pressure on the Japanese broadcaster over a major scandal involving a TV personality. (NHK)

金融市場の世界では、取引の人気が高まっており、取引へのアクセスを提供するプラットフォームはトレーダーの成功に重要な役割を果たしている。 (News On Japan)

The world's two largest electric vehicle makers want to make bigger inroads into Japan's struggling EV market. America's Tesla and China's BYD both have plans to roll out new SUVs in April. (NHK)

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has decided to raise its policy interest rate from an annualized 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent. This marks the first rate hike in six months and appears aimed at correcting the historically weak yen. (News On Japan)

Japan is facing significant challenges in its food supply chain as new laws and rising prices create widespread concern among farmers and consumers. The recently introduced Food Supply Crisis Management Law, set to take effect on April 1, will prohibit farmers from leasing unused farmland, with severe penalties for violations. (News On Japan)

Japan is facing an unprecedented rice shortage, with recent data highlighting alarming supply-demand imbalances in the domestic market. The Agricultural Newspaper reported on January 10 that the DI (Demand-Supply Index), a measure of rice market balance, reached a record high of 80. This figure indicates a critical shortfall in rice availability, surpassing even last year's levels when supermarket shelves were emptied. (News On Japan)

A partnership agreement was signed on January 20th to promote cargo transportation using electric aircraft based at Kitakyushu Airport. A test flight to Miyazaki Airport is planned for this summer. (News On Japan)

Nissan Motor announced on Wednesday that it will construct a new battery plant for electric vehicles (EVs) in Kitakyushu, signing an agreement with the city and Fukuoka Prefecture. (News On Japan)