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Japan turns to anti-dumping measures as international trade gets complicated

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · 1d

Japan is ramping up trade defense measures by initiating a record number of anti-dumping investigations this year, as it seeks to protect domestic industries from China’s overproduction and sweeping tariffs imposed by the United States. @japantimes.co.jp

An uptick in number of probes this year indicates an evolving strategy.

‘Takaichi trade’ takes Nikkei to record high

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Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · 10d

The “Takaichi trade” was back in full swing on Monday, as the Tokyo market cheered the election of fiscal and monetary dove Sanae Takaichi as the ruling party’s leader, with the Nikkei 225 index breaking the 48,000 level for the first time ever while the yen hitting 2-month low. @japantimes.co.jp

Takaichi is a proponent of expansionary fiscal spending and monetary easing, which is believed to have fueled market optimism and led to the rally.

Bank of Japan rate increase looking more likely

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · 15d

Anticipation is growing for a rate increase by the Bank of Japan in October as economic indicators pick up and consumer sentiment improves. @japantimes.co.jp

The Cabinet Office is becoming more positive on consumer spending.

Hot mic catches Xi and Putin talking about organ transplants and immortality

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Sep 3

Aside from possible conspiracy against the United States (as U.S. President Donald Trump said), Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin seemingly had other important issue to discuss at Wednesday’s lavish military parade in Beijing.　@japantimes.co.jp

The Chinese and Russian leaders, both 72, spoke of technology that could help humans live up to 150 years.

Japan aims to tighten rules for business manager visas from October

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Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Aug 26

The ISA cited an increasing # of fraudulent cases as a factor that led to the revision. Typical examples include the setting up of shell companies and the submission of forged documents. Lawmakers have also described the visa as an easy way for foreigners to settle in the country with little cost.

The move comes amid concerns that foreign nationals are using the visa as an easy loophole to settle in the country.

「出入国管理及び難民認定法第７条第１項第２号の基準を定める省令等の一部を改正する省令案」に係る意見公募手続の実施について｜e-Govパブリック・コメント

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Aug 26

The govt aims to bring the new rule into effect by mid-October after soliciting public opinion, but it is still deliberating on how to treat current visa holders, as only around 4% of them currently have more than ¥30 million in capital, according to the Immigration Services Agency.

パブリックコメントの「「出入国管理及び難民認定法第７条第１項第２号の基準を定める省令等の一部を改正する省令案」に係る意見公募手続の実施について」に関する意見募集の実施についての詳細です。

public-comment.e-gov.go.jp

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Aug 26

Visa applicants would also need to have at least 3 years of management experience or hold a graduate-level degree in related fields. Their business plans would need to be evaluated by a management consultant, unless they are of the size equivalent to a listed company.

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Aug 26

Under the proposed new rule, the required investment amount would be raised to ¥30 million. It also makes it mandatory to hire at least one full-time employee.

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Aug 26

Currently, applicants can acquire the visa by establishing their businesses in Japan and either invest at least ¥5 million ($33,820) in capital or hire at least 2 full-time employees. The visa allows for up to 5 years of stay and can be renewed.

在留資格「経営・管理」 | 出入国在留管理庁

www.moj.go.jp

Japan aims to tighten rules for business manager visas from October

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Aug 26

Japan is looking to raise the bar for business manager visas from October amid rising concerns of foreign nationals using it as an easy loophole to settle in the country. Here’s what’s changing and what you need to know:🧵 @japantimes.co.jp

The move comes amid concerns that foreign nationals are using the visa as an easy loophole to settle in the country.

Japan and U.S. both claim win in surprise 11th-hour tariff deal

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Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jul 23

Japan and the US reached a surprise trade deal after months of negotiations and some tense moments, with both sides claiming wins and Japanese markets cheering the news.

The US is promoting it as the deal of the century. For Japan, it was a mission-accomplished moment. @japantimes.co.jp

The 'reciprocal' rate is set at 15%, while the rate on autos is 12.5%

Japan and U.S. reach tariff deal with ‘reciprocal’ rate at 15%

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jul 22

Japan and the United States have reached a deal with the “reciprocal” tariff rate set at 15%, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday. @japantimes.co.jp
www.japantimes.co.jp/business/202...

The agreement, announced by Trump on social media, came after Tokyo's top trade negotiator arrived in Washington on Monday for an eighth round of talks.

Japan ruling bloc projected to lose majority in Upper House election drubbing

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Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jul 20

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito, were projected to lose their majority in the Upper House, media reports said Sunday, a defeat that could trigger Ishiba’s resignation or political deadlock in parliament.
@japantimes.co.jp

The ruling LDP-Komeito bloc’s devastating loss in Sunday’s poll could lead to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation or political gridlock in parliament.

Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations enter uncharted territory

Reposted by Francis B. Tang

The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · Jul 4

In tomorrow's edition of The Japan Times Weekend: White-water thrills in Wakayama

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Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jul 4

My latest: With a July 9 deadline fast approaching, Washington is ramping up pressure on trading partners to strike quick deals, but Tokyo’s intentions remain hard to decipher. @japantimes.co.jp

A deal seems impossible as both sides refuse to budge just days ahead of the deadline.

Vietnam steals a march and leaves Japan in a tough spot on U.S. tariffs

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Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jul 3

A tariff deal negotiated between the United States and Vietnam has set a high bar for Japan, which has made no concrete progress over 11 weeks of intense trade talks with Washington and has earned itself the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump in the process. @japantimes.co.jp

The deal sets a high bar for Japan and other countries still negotiating with the United States.

Trump hammers away at Japan for a third day, threatening 35% duties

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jul 2

Trump's contentious remarks about Japan signal that the U.S. is losing patience after months of unproductive talks, and is now trying to force Japan to make concessions to claim a win. Japan should keep dragging out the talks and avoid making major compromises, observers said. @japantimes.co.jp

The U.S. president said he might simply end negotiations and set a tariff rate for Japanese products.

Trump doubles down on Japan again by threatening 35% tariff

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Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jul 2

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to raise reciprocal tariffs on Japan to the even higher rate of 35% — higher than what was initially set for China — as part of another attempt to force Japan’s concession after broadsiding the ally over the past two days. @japantimes.co.jp

Japan is currently subject to 25% auto tariffs and a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum, as well as a 10% reciprocal tariff that could return to 24% if no deal is struck by July 9.

Japan-U.S. trade negotiations stall as Trump fumes

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jul 1

Trump went on Fox News on Sunday and complained about the lack of U.S.-made cars in Japan. He followed that up on Monday by taking aim at rice.

“Negotiations didn't collapse,” said Ryo Sahashi, a professor at the University of Tokyo. “But the incentives for Japan to compromise became very small.”

The two sides remain far apart, and no new talks are scheduled.

Japan needs a big, beautiful trade deal with the United States

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jun 24

My latest @japantimes.co.jp: Nippon Steel's acquisition of United States Steel could be a model for a trade deal between Japan and the United States.

A big, beautiful trade deal, one academic quips.

A creative solution along the lines of the U.S. Steel 'golden share' has been suggested.

Nippon Steel drops lawsuit against U.S. government after acquiring U.S. Steel

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jun 20

The suit has been rendered moot as a result of the successful purchase of the American steel-maker, Hashimoto said in reply to a question from The Japan Times after his meeting with trade minister Yoji Muto on Thursday evening. @japantimes.co.jp

The Japanese company had challenged the legality of U.S. President Joe Biden's rejection of the acquisition.

Nippon Steel completes U.S. Steel acquisition after 18-month slog

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jun 19

Nippon Steel completed the purchase of U.S. Steel, bringing to a close an 18-month saga that involved 2 CFIUS reviews, an outright rejection by one president and contradictory statements from another, all in the context of the most consequential U.S. election in recent history and a global trade war

The firm now owns all the stock of the American steel-maker, other than a 'golden share' that gives the U.S. government a degree of control

No breakthrough on tariffs at Ishiba-Trump meeting in Canada

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jun 17

Trade negotiations between Japan and the United States are set to continue, as a meeting between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump in Canada on Monday failed to yield an agreement on tariffs or a breakthrough of any kind. @japantimes.co.jp

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump met for 30 minutes on Monday during the annual Group of Seven gathering in Alberta.

Nippon Steel may have gotten the deal it wanted all along

Francis B. Tang @francisbtang.bsky.social · Jun 16

The incredibly restrictive conditions, which are permanent, might have been accepted because they align with what the Japanese steelmaker was planning on doing all along; the conditions might not restrain the future parent at all. @japantimes.co.jp

The Japanese company has already committed to heavy investment in U.S. Steel and a U.S.-controlled board of directors at the American steelmaker.