Mariko Oi

1 month ago | bbc.com | Mariko Oi

How a joke about rice cost a Japan cabinet minister his jobMariko OiGetty ImagesRice, a Japanese staple, has caused political upsets beforeWhen Japan's farm minister declared that he never had to buy rice because his supporters give him "plenty" of it as gifts, he hoped to draw laughs. Instead Taku Eto drew outrage - and enough of it to force him to resign. Japan is facing its first cost-of-living crisis in decades, which is hitting a beloved staple: rice.

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Mariko Oi |Tom Espiner

Japanese carmaker Nissan has said it will cut another 11,000 jobs globally and shut seven factories as it shakes up the business in the face of weak sales. Falling sales in China and heavy discounting in the US, its two biggest markets, have taken a heavy toll on earnings, while a proposed merger with Honda and Mitsubishi collapsed in February. The latest cutbacks bring the total number of layoffs announced by the company in the past year to about 20,000, or 15% of its workforce.

1 month ago | bbc.com | Mariko Oi

US cuts tariffs on small parcels from Chinese firms like Shein and TemuMariko OiBusiness reporter, BBC NewsGetty ImagesPresident Donald Trump has slashed the tariff on small parcels sent from mainland China and Hong Kong to the US, just hours after the world's two biggest economies said they would cut levies on each other's goods for 90 days. The flat fee per item will remain at $100 for shipments sent after 2 May, while a $200 charge due to apply from 1 June has been cancelled.

1 month ago | flipboard.com | Mariko Oi

4 hours agoFox Business Correspondent Spots Why Trump Was 'Forced To Back Off' On China TariffsCharles Gasparino added he "couldn't help" himself from predicting that Trump would try to spin the deal between the countries as a "major victory" for America.

Feb 27, 2025 | marketplace.org | Mariko Oi

This story was produced by our colleagues at the BBC. If you visit one of the two dozen Pokémon centers around the world, you’ll find toys, stationery, cards — you name it. Since Pocket Monsters was released 29 years ago, their popularity hasn’t died down, and what looks like a simple card game can be sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even if you’re not into gaming, you’ll have heard of Pokémon.