Kaori Kaneko

2 weeks ago | gurutrade.com | Kaori Kaneko |Sam Holmes

TOKYO, May 1 (Reuters) - Japan's factory activity shrank for the 10th straight month in April on weaker overseas demand and worsening concerns about U.S. tariffs, a private-sector survey showed on Thursday. The final au Jibun Bank Japan manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) edged up to 48.7 in April from 48.4 in March, indicating a modest contraction in business conditions.

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.

3 weeks ago | zawya.com | Kaori Kaneko

Japan's government warned of uncertainty over the impact of U.S. trade policies as tariffs could hurt the global economy but it also said in a monthly report on Friday that the domestic economy was recovering moderately thanks to a solid corporate sector. Tokyo also said the downside risks to its economic outlook were growing due to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and it warned of the impact of market volatility.

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 They also dispute the 700% figure, saying it's based on outdated international rice prices.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.