Chang-Ran Kim

2 weeks ago | japantoday.com | Kaori Kaneko |Chang-Ran Kim

When a severe rice shortage sent prices skyrocketing in Japan last year, Tokyo restaurant owner Arata Hirano did what had once seemed unthinkable: he switched to an American variety.  The price of the Californian Calrose rice he buys has doubled since his first purchase last summer, but even so it's far cheaper than home-grown grains. "Unless domestic prices fall below Calrose prices, I don't plan to switch back," said Hirano, whose restaurant offers meal sets of fish, rice, soup and sides.

4 weeks ago | japantimes.co.jp | Kaori Kaneko |Chang-Ran Kim

When a severe rice shortage sent prices skyrocketing in Japan last year, Tokyo restaurant owner Arata Hirano did what had once seemed unthinkable: He switched to an American variety. The price of the Californian Calrose rice he buys has doubled since his first purchase last summer, but even so, it's far cheaper than home-grown grains. "Unless domestic prices fall below Calrose prices, I don't plan to switch back," said Hirano, whose restaurant offers meal sets of fish, rice, soup and sides.

4 weeks ago | ca.finance.yahoo.com | Kaori Kaneko |Chang-Ran Kim

When Trump announced sweeping tariffs on much of the world this month, he lambasted Japan for what he said was a 700% tariff on rice, a reference to that levy. Japanese policymakers called his remarks on the sensitive topic "regrettable". They also dispute the 700% figure, saying it's based on outdated international rice prices. It's unclear, however, just how much - if at all - rice will be discussed in bilateral tariff negotiations that began this week.

2 months ago | cp24.com | Tim Kelly |Chang-Ran Kim |Gerry Doyle

WASHINGTON - Japan's trade minister on Monday said he asked the United States not to impose trade tariffs on his country, but did not win any assurance that Japan would be exempt, including from a 25 per cent steel and aluminum duty set to start on Wednesday.

2 months ago | businesslive.co.za | Chang-Ran Kim |Daniel Leussink

Moody’s Ratings said on Friday it had downgraded its rating of Nissan Motor’scredit by one notch to junk status, citing a weak and worsening outlook for the Japanese carmaker’s credit profile. The credit-rating firm cut Nissan’s senior unsecured rating to Ba1 from Baa3 and maintained its negative outlook. In a report, senior analyst Dean Enjo cited “risks associated with the implementation of its new restructuring plan, the renewal of its ageing product range and global trade policies”.