Kyodo News Digest: Feb. 20, 2025
Maiko and geiko traditional Japanese entertainers pose for a photo in Kyoto on Feb. 19, 2025, ahead of their annual “Miyako Odori” dance performance in April. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan, Britain to hold economic talks in Tokyo in March
TOKYO – Japan and Britain are arranging to hold a ministerial economic dialogue in Tokyo on March 7, government sources said Thursday, amid concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policies, including tariffs.
It will be their first such meeting of the economic version of the “two-plus-two” gathering, with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoji Muto set to discuss the importance of free trade with their British counterparts, the sources said.
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Trump says new trade deal with China “possible”
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he believes it is “possible” to strike a new trade deal with China, partly because he has a “very good relationship” with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
“But remember, he loves China, and I love the USA. So, you know, right there, there’s a little bit of competitiveness,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One, claiming that he achieved a “great trade deal” with China during his first presidency.
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Yen hits 2-month high in 149 zone vs. dollar on BOJ rate hike bets
TOKYO – The yen strengthened to around a two-month high against the U.S. dollar in the 149 zone in Tokyo on Thursday, amid rising speculation that the Bank of Japan could raise its benchmark interest rate at its next policy meeting.
Investors snapped up the yen, pushing it to 149.95, as stronger-than-expected gross domestic product data earlier this week fueled speculation of further BOJ tightening, lifting Japan’s benchmark 10-year government bond yield to a fresh 15-year high.
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Japan trade minister eyes U.S visit to push for tariff exemptions
TOKYO – Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto is arranging a visit to the United States to ask the U.S. government to exempt Japanese products from higher tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump, a government source said Thursday.
The Trump administration has said it will impose 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports from March 12, and Muto is looking to make a trip to the United States before that, the source said.
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Suzuki to invest 4 tril. yen over 6 yrs in electrification push
TOKYO – Suzuki Motor Corp. said Thursday it will invest 4 trillion yen ($27 billion) in the six years through fiscal 2030 as the automaker tries to accelerate vehicle electrification.
Under the newly revealed management plan, Suzuki said it will spend 2 trillion yen each for capital expenditures as well as research and development, with software development and India, its key market, listed as its main areas of focus.
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Trump calls Zelenskyy “dictator” as tensions rise over how to end war
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator,” ramping up his criticism of the wartime leader and escalating tensions while efforts to end Russia’s invasion of its neighbor are ongoing.
Trump asserted in a social media post that Zelenskyy has taken billions of dollars from the United States to fight against Russia while failing to end the conflict.
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Afghan opposition airs disappointment over Japan-Taliban meet
VIENNA – A senior representative of a Taliban opposition group expressed disappointment Wednesday that a high-ranking Japanese foreign ministry official met a delegation from the hard-line Islamist organization during its first-known Japan visit since its 2021 takeover of Afghanistan.
Abdullah Khenjani, head of political office for the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, an armed group loyal to the previous government, told reporters in Vienna that he believes “the people of Afghanistan felt so disappointed” with the meeting in Tokyo.
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3 nabbed for illegally exporting 30 tons of wagyu beef to Hong Kong
FUKUOKA – Three people were arrested for illegally exporting around 30 tons of wagyu beef from Japan to Hong Kong by falsely claiming it would be sent to Cambodia, local police said Thursday.
Sun Yongchao, 53, a trading company executive from China, Wang Ennian, 71, a corporate officer at a separate firm, and Wang’s daughter Hana Kiriyama, 45, were arrested on suspicion of violating the customs law and the law on the prevention of infectious diseases in livestock.
Video: Kimono unveiled for “Miyako Odori” dance performance
