A short (3-5 min.) English language news brief; stories from in and around Japan.
Music is Motivate by Wavecont, care of Pixabay.com.
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theTokyoBill Japan news brief
theTokyoBill Japan news brief, October 21 2024
[Music] Welcome to the Tokyo Bill, a short news brief on recent events in and around Japan. The Defense Ministers of Japan, the UK, and Italy have agreed to expedite the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet. They announced the establishment of a trilateral governmental organization by the end of the year to oversee the production of the aircraft. This collaboration is part of the global combat air program to enhance cooperation in response to threats from China, Russia, and North Korea. The new stealth fighter jet will replace Japan's F-2s and Eurofighter typhoons. The ministers discuss these plans at the Group of Seven Defense Ministers meeting in Naples, Italy. The USS George Washington is replacing the USS Ronald Reagan at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan as the Navy's forward deployed aircraft carrier. The George Washington departed from San Diego and is expected to arrive in Tokyo Bay later this fall. The carrier underwent nuclear refueling and overhaul before departing Norfolk Naval Base for San Diego. Carrier Air Wing 5 will accompany the George Washington to its home base in Japan. The ship previously served as the centerpiece of the 7th Fleet's Carrier Strike Group from 2008 to 2015. In Japan, the average price of newly harvested rice increased by nearly 50% in a September compared to the previous year. This rise in prices due to higher production costs and increased market demand following a shortage. The Agriculture Ministry reported that all varieties of new rice sold by farming cooperatives to wholesalers averaged 22,700 yen for 60 kilograms. The highest price on record for September since 2006. The price increase was attributed to higher production costs and increased competition among customers. Digital wage payments have begun in Japan with pay pay becoming the first to receive government approval under a cashless drive. 10 soft bank group corporation companies, including pay pay corporation, are now offering employees the option to receive up to 200,000 yen of their salary through the app. This move follows a decision by the labor ministry to allow digital wage payments from April 2023. Pay pay aims to increase employee benefits and expand its economic sphere with over 65 million registered users. The system also includes safeguards such as a 1 million yen balance limit to protect users' funds. Scotland has appointed its first trade and investment on Boy to Japan, Stephen Baker, to explore opportunities in Japan's decarbonization transition, pharmaceutical, medical technology, and the market. Medical technology and food sectors. Baker, a former Sony executive, will work to strengthen the relationship between Japan and Scotland to boost trade and investment. The appointment aims to increase business opportunities with Japanese companies such as Sumitomo's 350 million pound investment in a manufacturing plant in NYG near Inverness, creating around 330 jobs over the next 10 years. With 265 expected in the highlands and highlands regions. This has been the Tokyo Build. These stories and more you can read at thetokobill.com. I've been and remain Tokyo Build. Thank you for listening and take care. [MUSIC]
In this episode: New joint fighter jet program to be accelerated; US Navy carrier switch; New rice harvests sell at record prices; PayPay starts cashless wage payment operations; Scotland appoints trade envoy to Japan for first time