Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba launched the task force – formally named the Office for the Promotion of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals – on Tuesday, citing “crimes or nuisance behaviors committed by some foreign nationals,” as well as “inappropriate use of various” government systems. The world’s fourth-largest economy has a long history of strict immigration policies, and a strong cultural strain of isolationism.
fredag 18. juli 2025
Why has Japan set up a task force to deal with foreigners?
Japan has worked hard to attract foreigners to boost its sluggish economy but now the perception there are too many has prompted the creation of a new task force, as competition for votes heats up ahead of Sunday’s national election. The issue is on the political agenda ahead of the upper house election, in part because of a fringe party promoting “Japanese first” policies, in a nod to the nativist rhetoric of US President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba launched the task force – formally named the Office for the Promotion of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals – on Tuesday, citing “crimes or nuisance behaviors committed by some foreign nationals,” as well as “inappropriate use of various” government systems. The world’s fourth-largest economy has a long history of strict immigration policies, and a strong cultural strain of isolationism.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba launched the task force – formally named the Office for the Promotion of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals – on Tuesday, citing “crimes or nuisance behaviors committed by some foreign nationals,” as well as “inappropriate use of various” government systems. The world’s fourth-largest economy has a long history of strict immigration policies, and a strong cultural strain of isolationism.
China was on the sidelines of the Iran-Israel war. That’s just where it wanted to be
Weeks after his country was battered by waves of Israeli strikes and the US bombed three of its prized nuclear facilities, Iran’s foreign minister came to a gathering of regional diplomats in China this week with a simple ask. Their group, the Beijing and Moscow-backed Shanghai Cooperation Organization, should have a way to coordinate response to military aggression and play a “central role” in addressing such threats, Abbas Araghchi said, according to Iranian state media.
Along with Iran, fellow SCO members China and Russia are key members of what lawmakers in Washington have dubbed an “axis” of authoritarian nations or a growing anti-American alignment of Iran, North Korea, China and Russia.
But Iran’s proposal didn’t seem to get the direct endorsement of the group, a regional security body whose 10 members include close partners China and Russia, but also rivals India and Pakistan.
Along with Iran, fellow SCO members China and Russia are key members of what lawmakers in Washington have dubbed an “axis” of authoritarian nations or a growing anti-American alignment of Iran, North Korea, China and Russia.
But Iran’s proposal didn’t seem to get the direct endorsement of the group, a regional security body whose 10 members include close partners China and Russia, but also rivals India and Pakistan.
A furious Chinese internet takes on privilege
This was supposed to be a breakout year for Chinese actress Nashi, with major roles in two blockbuster films and a highly anticipated TV drama. But then in June, the 35-year-old's star crashed as a furore over her exam scores from more than a decade ago sparked a backlash online – and eventually an official investigation into her academic record.
The fallout was immediate. Her name was scrubbed from the credits of the drama, Lychees in Chang'an, and brands began cutting ties. She joins a growing list of people facing intense scrutiny in China over their privilege, with authorities launching investigations to appease public anger. In recent months, these viral scandals have hit two actresses, a Harvard graduate, and a doctor from a top Beijing hospital: all young women. They were accused of leveraging family connections to gain unfair advantage.
The fallout was immediate. Her name was scrubbed from the credits of the drama, Lychees in Chang'an, and brands began cutting ties. She joins a growing list of people facing intense scrutiny in China over their privilege, with authorities launching investigations to appease public anger. In recent months, these viral scandals have hit two actresses, a Harvard graduate, and a doctor from a top Beijing hospital: all young women. They were accused of leveraging family connections to gain unfair advantage.
Ninth day of Han Kuang focuses on ‘hot refueling’
Taiwanese armed forces yesterday simulated an enemy advance into the Taipei area after a successful landing, while defending units practiced “hot refueling” helicopters on the ninth day of the Han Kuang exercises. Most of yesterday’s training units were concentrated in northern Taiwan, with exercises testing combat troops in defending against an invading force while also repairing damaged equipment.
The army’s 601 and 602 Aviation Brigades, in Taichung’s Dongshih District and New Taipei City’s Shulin District respectively, carried out hot refueling drills.The Republic of China Marine Corps’ 99th Brigade participated in urban warfare simulations, demonstrating the unit’s close-quarters combat capabilities.
The army’s 601 and 602 Aviation Brigades, in Taichung’s Dongshih District and New Taipei City’s Shulin District respectively, carried out hot refueling drills.The Republic of China Marine Corps’ 99th Brigade participated in urban warfare simulations, demonstrating the unit’s close-quarters combat capabilities.
Manila enhancing defense cooperation with Taiwan: report
The Philippines is working behind the scenes to enhance its defensive cooperation with Taiwan, the Washington Post said in a report published on Monday. “It would be hiding from the obvious to say that Taiwan’s security will not affect us,” Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodoro Jr told the paper in an interview on Thursday last week.
Although there has been no formal change to the Philippines’ diplomatic stance on recognizing Taiwan, Manila is increasingly concerned about Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea, the report said.
Although there has been no formal change to the Philippines’ diplomatic stance on recognizing Taiwan, Manila is increasingly concerned about Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea, the report said.
China Flexes Island-Seizing Capability in Contested Waters
China demonstrated its island-seizing capabilities by deploying air-cushioned landing craft in the South China Sea, where it is engaged in territorial disputes with neighboring countries. In contrast to more-conventional landing boats, air-cushioned landing craft—also known as Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC)—are capable of rapidly reaching landing sites that are difficult to access due to their speed and cross-country capability, an expert told Newsweek.
China's territorial claims in the South China Sea cover most of the waters and overlap with those of others, including the Philippines, an ally of the United States. The East Asian power has built outposts on islands under its control, aiming to assert its sovereignty in the region.
China's territorial claims in the South China Sea cover most of the waters and overlap with those of others, including the Philippines, an ally of the United States. The East Asian power has built outposts on islands under its control, aiming to assert its sovereignty in the region.
US Military Trains To Defend Panama Canal From China Threat
The United States has trained for the defense of the Panama Canal during a joint exercise with the Central American country amid concerns over China's growing presence in the region. The exercise, code-named PANAMAX-Alpha Phase I and scheduled from July 13 to 18, was designed to "reinforce preparation for threats to the security of the Panama Canal and other strategic infrastructure," according to the National Aeronaval Service of Panama.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth previously warned of China's expanding military and economic presence and influence in the Western Hemisphere—a region long viewed as the U.S.'s backyard, which includes Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth previously warned of China's expanding military and economic presence and influence in the Western Hemisphere—a region long viewed as the U.S.'s backyard, which includes Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
Japan and India To Unveil New Bullet Train in High-Speed Rail Collaboration
India's Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor will become the launch site for Japan's next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains. The Indian Ministry of Railways announced on Monday that the E10 trains, the successor to Japan's current generation of E5 Shinkansen, would make their debut in both countries simultaneously.
Newsweek contacted the Ministry of Railways and the Japanese Ministry of Transport via email for more information on the announcement.The introduction of E10 trains in India shows that there are deepening economic and technological ties with Japan. Japan's bullet trains are a huge part of the country's culture and the envy of the infrastructure world, so the fact that they are willing to share the spotlight with India suggests a high level of trust between the two nations.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train initiative will use the E10 model following initial testing of E5s. The E10 series is set for commercial debut in Japan in 2030, at the same anticipated time that the Indian rail project will provide full connectivity to Mumbai.
Newsweek contacted the Ministry of Railways and the Japanese Ministry of Transport via email for more information on the announcement.The introduction of E10 trains in India shows that there are deepening economic and technological ties with Japan. Japan's bullet trains are a huge part of the country's culture and the envy of the infrastructure world, so the fact that they are willing to share the spotlight with India suggests a high level of trust between the two nations.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train initiative will use the E10 model following initial testing of E5s. The E10 series is set for commercial debut in Japan in 2030, at the same anticipated time that the Indian rail project will provide full connectivity to Mumbai.
onsdag 16. juli 2025
Asians are avoiding trips to the U.S. this year — for a variety of reasons
Tough talk on tariffs, reports of border detentions and unfavorable exchange rates are putting some travelers, especially Canadians, off trips to the United States this year. But those in Asia say they’re avoiding trips to the U.S. for different reasons.
Nearly 80% of Southeast Asian travelers said the United States is losing appeal as a travel destination, according to a CNBC Travel survey. One in four said their interest in visiting the country declined in the past six months, with respondents saying they’re more concerned about potential discrimination, actions by the Trump administration and gun violence than they are about costs.
Nearly 80% of Southeast Asian travelers said the United States is losing appeal as a travel destination, according to a CNBC Travel survey. One in four said their interest in visiting the country declined in the past six months, with respondents saying they’re more concerned about potential discrimination, actions by the Trump administration and gun violence than they are about costs.
Jensen Huang lauds China’s AI models as Nvidia gears up to resume chip exports
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang praised China’s generative artificial intelligence models, a day after the U.S. chipmaker said it expected to resume sales of a key AI chip to the country soon.
“Models like DeepSeek, Alibaba, Tencent, MiniMax, and BaiduErnie bot are world class, developed here and shared openly [and] have spurred AI developments worldwide,” Huang said. He was speaking Wednesday at the opening ceremony of a supply chain expo in Beijing. He is scheduled to hold a press conference later in the day. “More than 1.5 million developers in China build on Nvidia today to bring their innovations to life,” he said.
China-developed DeepSeek shocked global investors in January with an AI model that undercut OpenAI on development and operating costs. It’s not clear how DeepSeek managed to develop the model under broad U.S. chip restrictions on China.
“Models like DeepSeek, Alibaba, Tencent, MiniMax, and BaiduErnie bot are world class, developed here and shared openly [and] have spurred AI developments worldwide,” Huang said. He was speaking Wednesday at the opening ceremony of a supply chain expo in Beijing. He is scheduled to hold a press conference later in the day. “More than 1.5 million developers in China build on Nvidia today to bring their innovations to life,” he said.
China-developed DeepSeek shocked global investors in January with an AI model that undercut OpenAI on development and operating costs. It’s not clear how DeepSeek managed to develop the model under broad U.S. chip restrictions on China.
Foreign investors are returning to China in search of opportunities in artificial intelligence startups
There’s a murmur of excitement in China’s venture capital circles these days: foreign investors are starting to return with U.S. dollars. It’s a result of DeepSeek’s AI disruption, coupled with a buoyant Hong Kong IPO market on track to surpass Wall Street this year as the world’s largest by money raised. Beijing’s signals to support businesses in recent months have also helped.
The Hang Seng Index’s surge of over 20% so far this year reflects near-term optimism. Another sign comes from word of Chinese venture capital firms raising U.S. dollar-denominated funds again, after a dry spell in which the VCs had to turn to local investors with Chinese yuan funds.
The Hang Seng Index’s surge of over 20% so far this year reflects near-term optimism. Another sign comes from word of Chinese venture capital firms raising U.S. dollar-denominated funds again, after a dry spell in which the VCs had to turn to local investors with Chinese yuan funds.
‘Utterly foolish’: 12 hours before World War II ended, the US firebombed this Japanese city
Eighty years later, the scars of the last American firebombing of a Japanese city remain — on the skin of a man who still lives mere yards from where hundreds died, on the surface of a statue of a revered Buddhist monk, and in the minds of those whose city was turned to ash in a matter of hours.
Almost 90 US B-29 bombers dropped about 6,000 tons of jellied gasoline — napalm — on Kumagaya, Japan, on the night of August 14-15, 1945. The resulting fires, burning at 800 to 1,200 degrees Celsius, killed at least 260 people, injured 3,000 and left, by some estimates, almost 75% of the city of 47,000 in ruins.The last in the string of US warplanes that created that firestorm left the skies over Kumagaya less than 12 hours before the voice of Emperor Hirohito would be broadcast announcing Japan’s unconditional surrender.
China, North Korea and Russia represent biggest security challenge since World War II, Japan says
Japan is facing its most severe security environment since World War II as three potential adversaries in East Asia – China, Russia and North Korea – ramp up military activities in the region, the country’s defense minister said Tuesday.
“The existing order of world peace is being seriously challenged, and Japan finds itself in the most severe and complex security environment of the post-war era,” Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said in an introduction to the ministry’s annual defense white paper.
China’s military activities present “an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge” to Japan, the report said. Beijing is “rapidly enhancing its military capability in a qualitative and quantitative manner” while “intensifying” activities around the region, Nakatani said, specifically mentioning the Senkaku Islands, a chain in the East China Sea that Tokyo controls but which is also claimed by Beijing, which calls them the Diaoyus.
“The existing order of world peace is being seriously challenged, and Japan finds itself in the most severe and complex security environment of the post-war era,” Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said in an introduction to the ministry’s annual defense white paper.
China’s military activities present “an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge” to Japan, the report said. Beijing is “rapidly enhancing its military capability in a qualitative and quantitative manner” while “intensifying” activities around the region, Nakatani said, specifically mentioning the Senkaku Islands, a chain in the East China Sea that Tokyo controls but which is also claimed by Beijing, which calls them the Diaoyus.
Iran Seeks Backing from China and Russia After U.S. Airstrikes
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has urged security coordination from countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which includes China and Russia, at a summit of the group in China.
The summit highlights Tehran's growing relationship with Beijing — and Moscow — following its recent conflict with Israel, which was joined by the United States in attacking Iranian nuclear sites. China's support provides Iran with crucial economic and military backing that stands to weaken U.S.-led sanctions and containment efforts.Araghchi proposed the establishment of "a permanent mechanism to monitor, document and coordinate responses to military aggression, acts of sabotage, state terrorism, and violations of national sovereignty of member states," he told the SCO meeting on Tuesday, according to Mehr News Agency.
In the meeting, Araghchi referred to recent Israeli and American strikes on Iran as an "act of aggression." He also suggested launching a regional security forum involving defense and intelligence agencies, the report added. Araghchi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the event.
The summit highlights Tehran's growing relationship with Beijing — and Moscow — following its recent conflict with Israel, which was joined by the United States in attacking Iranian nuclear sites. China's support provides Iran with crucial economic and military backing that stands to weaken U.S.-led sanctions and containment efforts.Araghchi proposed the establishment of "a permanent mechanism to monitor, document and coordinate responses to military aggression, acts of sabotage, state terrorism, and violations of national sovereignty of member states," he told the SCO meeting on Tuesday, according to Mehr News Agency.
In the meeting, Araghchi referred to recent Israeli and American strikes on Iran as an "act of aggression." He also suggested launching a regional security forum involving defense and intelligence agencies, the report added. Araghchi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the event.
Donald Trump Gives Republicans New Demand In Race With China
President Donald Trump has ordered Republicans to get behind a new bill headed to the House on Tuesday, which he says will put the United States "lightyears ahead of China, Europe, and all others." The GENIUS Act or Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, aims to regulate stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency pegged to assets like the U.S. dollar. The bill has already passed by the Senate and is set for a vote in the House before it lands on Trump's desk.
"The House will soon VOTE on a tremendous Bill to Make America the UNDISPUTED, NUMBER ONE LEADER in Digital Assets," the president said in a post on Truth Social.
"The House will soon VOTE on a tremendous Bill to Make America the UNDISPUTED, NUMBER ONE LEADER in Digital Assets," the president said in a post on Truth Social.
The GENIUS Act's advancement reflects growing bipartisan focus on the race for technological dominance with China. While the United States has overseen explosive data center and cryptocurrency market growth, Chinese investments in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and digital infrastructure are rapidly outpacing its rivals. In the digital arms race for artificial intelligence, the U.S. still holds the lead in AI but China is rapidly closing the distance with firms like DeepSeek to become a major player in the industry.
tirsdag 15. juli 2025
How Can Washington Break Beijing’s Encirclement of Taiwan?
U.S.-China relations are increasingly caught in a spiral of mutual suspicion and reactive escalation. In June, China’s navy deployed its dual aircraft carrier groups — Liaoning and Shandong — beyond the Second Island Chain for the first time, conducting more than 700 aerial sorties near Japan’s exclusive economic zone. For many in Washington, this unprecedented move signaled a heightened risk of imminent conflict over Taiwan. At the same time, Beijing has intensified its gray-zone pressure tactics, including underwater cable cutting and illegal sand dredging near the island. These developments appear to confirm fears of a looming military showdown.
But a closer look suggests otherwise. These military maneuvers, while visually forceful, are not necessarily preludes to war. Instead, they reflect a strategy of shaping; an attempt by Beijing to project strength, shift psychological balance, and alter the perception of risks and costs associated with a Taiwan contingency. Rather than an operational rehearsal for invasion, China’s dual-carrier deployment was a carefully staged demonstration, meant to be seen and interpreted, not executed.
But a closer look suggests otherwise. These military maneuvers, while visually forceful, are not necessarily preludes to war. Instead, they reflect a strategy of shaping; an attempt by Beijing to project strength, shift psychological balance, and alter the perception of risks and costs associated with a Taiwan contingency. Rather than an operational rehearsal for invasion, China’s dual-carrier deployment was a carefully staged demonstration, meant to be seen and interpreted, not executed.
Taiwanese investment in China steadily declining
Investment in China fell due to increasing costs, the US-China trade war and China’s economic development slowdown, a spokesperson said.The percentage of Taiwanese businesses investing in China has been steadily declining since 2010 due to increased costs, the US-China trade war and the slowdown of China’s economic development, Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) spokesperson Li Pao-wen said.
In terms of Taiwan’s total outward investment, the percentage of businesses investing in China has dropped from 83.8 percent in 2010 to 11.4 percent in 2023, 7.5 percent last year and 2.7 percent in the first quarter of this year, Li said in an exclusive interview with Liberty Times, the Taipei Times’ sister paper. Li said that 70 percent of these businesses experienced a drop in profits last year, and this trend is unlikely to change in the short term.
In terms of Taiwan’s total outward investment, the percentage of businesses investing in China has dropped from 83.8 percent in 2010 to 11.4 percent in 2023, 7.5 percent last year and 2.7 percent in the first quarter of this year, Li said in an exclusive interview with Liberty Times, the Taipei Times’ sister paper. Li said that 70 percent of these businesses experienced a drop in profits last year, and this trend is unlikely to change in the short term.
China’s fast-growing high-speed railway network faces reality
The financial situation of China’s high-speed railway network has raised concerns among Chinese commentators as the facility is facing growing debt and weakening passenger spending power.
In February this year, a group of Chinese commentators said a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) had found that China’s high-speed railway saw an “about 100 billion yuan of total loss” in the nine months ending December 31, 2024. NAO’s website did not officially announce this widely reported figure.
Since then, Chinese commentators have started debating the matter. Some said the country should not have extended its high-speed railway to remote places without calculating the costs over the past two decades. Others said China’s high-speed railway has value as a public facility that connects people in less developed areas to large cities.
In February this year, a group of Chinese commentators said a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) had found that China’s high-speed railway saw an “about 100 billion yuan of total loss” in the nine months ending December 31, 2024. NAO’s website did not officially announce this widely reported figure.
Since then, Chinese commentators have started debating the matter. Some said the country should not have extended its high-speed railway to remote places without calculating the costs over the past two decades. Others said China’s high-speed railway has value as a public facility that connects people in less developed areas to large cities.
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