Higher prices test Valentine's Day chocolate-buying Japan consumers

1 month ago Japan Today

People hunt out chocolates for Valentine's Day at a department store in Osaka, western Japan, on Jan. 18, 2023. (Kyodo) zoom photo People shop for chocolates for Valentine's Day at a department store in Osaka. Demand for chocolate grows in February in Japan, when many women buy them as gifts for someone they love, their crush, or friends for Valentine's Day. On top of that, increased spending on "special occasions" like Valentine's Day is also evident, economists say. We are busy coping with extremely strong demand for items related to Valentine's Day," said a worker at a supermarket.
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Russia declares end of mobilization for Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, Russia, October 28, 2022. In the south, Ukrainian forces have advanced this month towards Kherson, the biggest city Russia has captured intact since the invasion in February, at the mouth of the wide Dnipro River that bisects Ukraine. Russia has ordered civilians out of a pocket of land it occupies on the west bank of the Dnipro River, which includes Kherson city. Kyiv says the evacuation of the area is cover for a forcible deportation of civilians by Russian forces, which Moscow denies. Ukraine's general staff said hospital and business equipment was being removed from the area, while extra Russian forces were being deployed in empty homes.

4 months ago Japan Today

Britain's political turmoil shatters its standing in the world

Demonstrators protest opposite parliament after Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned in London, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. Events of the past 12 months, with three British prime ministers occupying No. Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt tweeted after Truss’s resignation: “Downhill downhill from Brexit. “It’s good for us, and it’s good for our Europe.”Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin agreed that a lot is at stake. “No one should or can be happy about the political & economic turmoil in the UK.” Barnier tweeted.

5 months ago Japan Today

Cabinet OKs ¥29 tril spending plan to counter inflation

By MARI YAMAGUCHIJapan’s cabinet approved Friday a hefty economic package including 29 trillion yen in government spending to counter the blow to household budgets from inflation, signaling that the greater concern of its policymakers is that the economy will stall, not overheat. While central banks around the world are raising interest rates aggressively to try to tame decades-high inflation, with its own inflation rate near 3%, Japan has stuck mainly to using fiscal measures, or government spending, to counter that challenge. The Federal Reserve has been aggressively raising borrowing costs to combat chronic inflation, raising interest rates five times this year. “The economic measures are designed to overcome rising prices and to achieve an economic recovery,” Kishida said in a news conference. “We will protect the people’s lives, jobs and businesses, and strengthen the economy for the future.”The 29 trillion yen spending package will be part of a supplementary budget that still must be approved by the parliament.

4 months ago Japan Today

S Korea advances after beating Portugal 2-1

The South Koreans had just about done their job, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates 2-1 on a stoppage-time goal. Thousands of red-and-white-clad South Korea fans had whipped out their phones, too. “It really feels like a miracle," South Korea striker Cho Gue-sung said. South Korea coach Paulo Bento, who is Portuguese, waited patiently in the tunnel while the Uruguay-Ghana match played to a finish. South Korea equalized with a helping hand from Ronaldo after an outswinging corner struck his back as he turned away from the ball.

3 months ago Japan Today

Thousands of workers evicted in Qatar's capital ahead of World Cup

By Andrew MillsQatar has emptied apartment blocks housing thousands of foreign workers in the centre of the capital Doha where visiting soccer fans will stay during the World Cup, workers who were evicted from their homes told Reuters. World soccer's governing body FIFA did not respond to a request for comment and Qatar's World Cup organizers directed inquiries to the government. Around 85% of Qatar's three million population are foreign workers. Most were in neighborhoods where the government has rented buildings for World Cup fan accommodation. He said laborers who built up the infrastructure for Qatar to host the World Cup were being pushed aside as the tournament approaches.

4 months ago Japan Today

China to start issuing new passports as virus curbs ease

Top destinations included Japan, Thailand, South Korea, the United States, Britain and Australia. Japan, India, Italy, South Korea and Taiwan have responded to the Chinese wave of infections by requiring virus tests for visitors from China. China stopped issuing visas to foreigners and passports to its own people at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. The National Immigration Administration of China said it will start taking applications Jan. 8 for passports for tourists to go abroad. South Korea says anyone who tests positive will be quarantined at home or in a hotel for a week.

2 months ago Japan Today

Qatar World Cup supporters' guide

Qatar is expecting at least one million people to visit during the World CupThe 2022 World Cup in Qatar has raised an unprecedented number of questions among fans over issues ranging from whether they will be able to drink alcohol, hold hands with a partner or even just getting into the Islamic Gulf state. Authorities have indicated that some leniency on social morals will be shown for the World Cup. The US embassy says that demonstrations and gatherings of big groups, "proselytising", insulting the Qatar government or Islam could all lead to criminal charges. TransportQatari authorities have warned that "congestion" is likely in the first two weeks of the World Cup when peak numbers of fans will be present. More than 3,000 extra buses have been brought in to get fans to stadiums, fan zones and the two international airports.

5 months ago Japan Today

Who's the most electable candidate? The one you like

Objectively, political scientists like myself have done a lot of research on what types of candidates win and lose. That was true in 2018 and 2020, as well as in 2022 primaries for Congress and governor. Note the “usually.”At times, electability in a primary can make a candidate less electable in the general election. But even in the high-turnout midterm elections of 2018, people under 30 voted at much lower rates than people over 65.Who then, is an electable candidate? For most primary voters, the most electable candidate is whichever one that voter favors.

5 months ago Japan Today

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