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<title>Konnichiwa Today &#45; : MONEY</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/rss/category/money</link>
<description>Konnichiwa Today &#45; : MONEY</description>
<dc:language>en</dc:language>
<dc:rights>Copyright 2026 Konnichiwa Today News &#45; All Rights Reserved.</dc:rights>

<item>
<title>Japan remains 12th in global innovation ranking</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-remains-12th-in-global-innovation-ranking</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-remains-12th-in-global-innovation-ranking</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan remained in 12th place in an annual innovation report by the World Intellectual Property Organization this year, trailing South Korea, Singapore and China among major regional economies.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, remains, 12th, global, innovation, ranking</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan remained in 12th place in an annual innovation report by the World Intellectual Property Organization this year, trailing South Korea, Singapore and China among major regional economies.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Asian carmakers besting U.S. rivals at home; China poised to strike</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-carmakers-besting-us-rivals-at-home-china-poised-to-strike-70000</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-carmakers-besting-us-rivals-at-home-china-poised-to-strike-70000</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Major U.S. automakers have watched their domestic market share shrink even more thanks to their Asian competitors -- a situation that may worsen if Chinese firms are able… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Asian, carmakers, besting, U.S., rivals, home, China, poised, strike</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Major U.S. automakers have watched their domestic market share shrink even more thanks to their Asian competitors -- a situation that may worsen if Chinese firms are able…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>McDonald’s Japan officially changes its mascot’s name…to Ronald McDonald</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/mcdonalds-japan-officially-changes-its-mascots-nameto-ronald-mcdonald</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/mcdonalds-japan-officially-changes-its-mascots-nameto-ronald-mcdonald</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ On October 1, McDonald’s Japan shocked fans with a surprise announcement that they’re changing the name of the chain’s mascot. Some might say it’s crazy to throw away… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 15:24:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>McDonald’s, Japan, officially, changes, its, mascot’s, name…to, Ronald, McDonald</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[On October 1, McDonald’s Japan shocked fans with a surprise announcement that they’re changing the name of the chain’s mascot. Some might say it’s crazy to throw away…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>G7 nations will release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel fuel after prices soar</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/g7-nations-will-release-100-million-barrels-of-oil-and-diesel-fuel-after-prices-soar</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/g7-nations-will-release-100-million-barrels-of-oil-and-diesel-fuel-after-prices-soar</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Group of Seven wealthy democracies said Friday that they plan to release 100 million barrels of oil and fuel products in the coming weeks, starting with “substantial”… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 15:00:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>nations, will, release, 100, million, barrels, oil, and, diesel, fuel, after, prices, soar</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Group of Seven wealthy democracies said Friday that they plan to release 100 million barrels of oil and fuel products in the coming weeks, starting with “substantial”…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan jobless rate rises to 2.5% in August</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-jobless-rate-rises-to-25-in-august</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-jobless-rate-rises-to-25-in-august</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s unemployment rate in August rose to 2.5 percent from 2.4 percent in the previous month, deteriorating for the first time in five months, the Ministry of Internal… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, jobless, rate, rises, 2.5, August</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's unemployment rate in August rose to 2.5 percent from 2.4 percent in the previous month, deteriorating for the first time in five months, the Ministry of Internal…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Nike plans job cuts as it forecasts lower sales</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nike-plans-job-cuts-as-it-forecasts-lower-sales</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nike-plans-job-cuts-as-it-forecasts-lower-sales</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nike plans to cut an undetermined number of jobs and establish a new campus in India as it seeks to accelerate a turnaround following another downcast quarter.
The… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nike, plans, job, cuts, forecasts, lower, sales</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nike plans to cut an undetermined number of jobs and establish a new campus in India as it seeks to accelerate a turnaround following another downcast quarter.
The…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Survey by Japan&amp;apos;s central bank shows business sentiments up for sixth straight month</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/survey-by-japans-central-bank-shows-business-sentiments-up-for-sixth-straight-month</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/survey-by-japans-central-bank-shows-business-sentiments-up-for-sixth-straight-month</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Bank of Japan gave a positive read on the economy in its quarterly “tankan” survey Thursday, reporting large manufacturers’ sentiment rose to 24 from 22.
The report,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Survey, Japans, central, bank, shows, business, sentiments, for, sixth, straight, month</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Bank of Japan gave a positive read on the economy in its quarterly “tankan” survey Thursday, reporting large manufacturers’ sentiment rose to 24 from 22.
The report,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Inflation in U.S. cooled slightly last month even as consumers stepped up spending</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/inflation-in-us-cooled-slightly-last-month-even-as-consumers-stepped-up-spending</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/inflation-in-us-cooled-slightly-last-month-even-as-consumers-stepped-up-spending</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Inflation slowed a bit last month as Americans ramped up their spending, though prices are still elevated and a challenge for many voters that will head to the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Inflation, U.S., cooled, slightly, last, month, even, consumers, stepped, spending</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Inflation slowed a bit last month as Americans ramped up their spending, though prices are still elevated and a challenge for many voters that will head to the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Factory activity returns to expansion in positive sign for China’s economy</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/factory-activity-returns-to-expansion-in-positive-sign-for-chinas-economy</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/factory-activity-returns-to-expansion-in-positive-sign-for-chinas-economy</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China’s factory activity expanded in September for the first time in three months, striking a more positive tone as Chinese officials look to bolster economic growth.
The official… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Factory, activity, returns, expansion, positive, sign, for, China’s, economy</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China’s factory activity expanded in September for the first time in three months, striking a more positive tone as Chinese officials look to bolster economic growth.
The official…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Prices of over 3,000 food and beverage items set to rise in October</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/prices-of-over-3000-food-and-beverage-items-set-to-rise-in-october</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/prices-of-over-3000-food-and-beverage-items-set-to-rise-in-october</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The prices of 3,153 food and beverage items in Japan are set to rise next month as higher packaging costs stemming from the Middle East conflict and a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:36:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Prices, over, 3, 000, food, and, beverage, items, set, rise, October</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The prices of 3,153 food and beverage items in Japan are set to rise next month as higher packaging costs stemming from the Middle East conflict and a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Toyota global sales, production in August fall for 2nd straight month</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-global-sales-production-in-august-fall-for-2nd-straight-month</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-global-sales-production-in-august-fall-for-2nd-straight-month</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Toyota Motor Corp said Tuesday its global sales fell 6.4 percent from a year earlier to 790,743 units in August, marking the second straight month of decline, due… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toyota, global, sales, production, August, fall, for, 2nd, straight, month</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Toyota Motor Corp said Tuesday its global sales fell 6.4 percent from a year earlier to 790,743 units in August, marking the second straight month of decline, due…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Toys R Us eyes exiting Japan, selling business to Don Quijote operator</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toys-r-us-eyes-exiting-japan-selling-business-to-don-quijote-operator</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toys-r-us-eyes-exiting-japan-selling-business-to-don-quijote-operator</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Major toy retailer Toys R Us plans to withdraw from store operations in Japan, selling its business to the company behind the Don Quijote discount store chain, a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toys, eyes, exiting, Japan, selling, business, Don, Quijote, operator</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Major toy retailer Toys R Us plans to withdraw from store operations in Japan, selling its business to the company behind the Don Quijote discount store chain, a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan soy sauce shipments in 2025 hit 75&#45;year low</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-soy-sauce-shipments-in-2025-hit-75-year-low</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-soy-sauce-shipments-in-2025-hit-75-year-low</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Shipments of domestic soy sauce fell to 670,159 kiloliters in 2025, the lowest level in 75 years and roughly half of the peak in 1973, due to the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, soy, sauce, shipments, 2025, hit, 75-year, low</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Shipments of domestic soy sauce fell to 670,159 kiloliters in 2025, the lowest level in 75 years and roughly half of the peak in 1973, due to the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Certification of Boeing 737 MAX delayed by software bug</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/certification-of-boeing-737-max-delayed-by-software-bug</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/certification-of-boeing-737-max-delayed-by-software-bug</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ U.S. air safety regulators are delaying certification of the 737 MAX 10 until determining a fresh software glitch poses no safety risk, a top official said Monday.
The… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 15:00:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Certification, Boeing, 737, MAX, delayed, software, bug</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[U.S. air safety regulators are delaying certification of the 737 MAX 10 until determining a fresh software glitch poses no safety risk, a top official said Monday.
The…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Nissan to maintain stake in Mitsubishi Motors after end of lockup period</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-to-maintain-stake-in-mitsubishi-motors-after-end-of-lockup-period</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-to-maintain-stake-in-mitsubishi-motors-after-end-of-lockup-period</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nissan Motor Co is expected to maintain its current stake in Mitsubishi Motors Corp, even after the lockup period ends in October, sources familiar with the matter said.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nissan, maintain, stake, Mitsubishi, Motors, after, end, lockup, period</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nissan Motor Co is expected to maintain its current stake in Mitsubishi Motors Corp, even after the lockup period ends in October, sources familiar with the matter said.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Honda weighs hybrid vehicle plant in Ohio at cost of up to ¥400 bil</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/honda-weighs-hybrid-vehicle-plant-in-ohio-at-cost-of-up-to-400-bil</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/honda-weighs-hybrid-vehicle-plant-in-ohio-at-cost-of-up-to-400-bil</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Honda Motor Co is considering a new hybrid vehicle plant in Ohio at a cost of between 300 billion yen ($1.9 billion) and 400 billion yen, as high… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Honda, weighs, hybrid, vehicle, plant, Ohio, cost, ¥400, bil</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Honda Motor Co is considering a new hybrid vehicle plant in Ohio at a cost of between 300 billion yen ($1.9 billion) and 400 billion yen, as high…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>August supermarket, duty&#45;free department store sales remain on upward trend</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/august-supermarket-duty-free-department-store-sales-remain-on-upward-trend</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/august-supermarket-duty-free-department-store-sales-remain-on-upward-trend</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Duty-free sales at Japan&#039;s department stores in August rose 4.6 percent from a year earlier, marking the sixth consecutive month of growth, while nationwide supermarket sales inched up… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>August, supermarket, duty-free, department, store, sales, remain, upward, trend</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Duty-free sales at Japan's department stores in August rose 4.6 percent from a year earlier, marking the sixth consecutive month of growth, while nationwide supermarket sales inched up…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Chinese auto companies race ahead on EV technology, achieving 5&#45;minute ultrafast charging</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinese-auto-companies-race-ahead-on-ev-technology-achieving-5-minute-ultrafast-charging</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinese-auto-companies-race-ahead-on-ev-technology-achieving-5-minute-ultrafast-charging</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Chinese electric vehicles’ ultrafast charging is only getting faster.
On Wednesday, Geely Auto unveiled technology that can charge an electric vehicle battery from 10% to 70% in just… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinese, auto, companies, race, ahead, technology, achieving, 5-minute, ultrafast, charging</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Chinese electric vehicles’ ultrafast charging is only getting faster.
On Wednesday, Geely Auto unveiled technology that can charge an electric vehicle battery from 10% to 70% in just…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Office vacancy rate in Tokyo falls as more companies reverse remote work trend</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/office-vacancy-rate-in-tokyo-falls-as-more-companies-reverse-remote-work-trend</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/office-vacancy-rate-in-tokyo-falls-as-more-companies-reverse-remote-work-trend</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The vacancy rate of offices in central Tokyo has fallen to the 1 percent range, the lowest since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic as more companies reverse… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:00:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Office, vacancy, rate, Tokyo, falls, more, companies, reverse, remote, work, trend</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The vacancy rate of offices in central Tokyo has fallen to the 1 percent range, the lowest since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic as more companies reverse…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Starbucks to shutter 250 stores in North America this week in 2nd wave of closings</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/starbucks-to-shutter-250-stores-in-north-america-this-week-in-2nd-wave-of-closings</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/starbucks-to-shutter-250-stores-in-north-america-this-week-in-2nd-wave-of-closings</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Starbucks plans to close 250 North American stores later this week.
It is the second big round of store closures under Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol, who… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Starbucks, shutter, 250, stores, North, America, this, week, 2nd, wave, closings</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Starbucks plans to close 250 North American stores later this week.
It is the second big round of store closures under Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol, who…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Alcohol tax rates in Japan to change on October 1</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/alcohol-tax-rates-in-japan-to-change-on-october-1</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/alcohol-tax-rates-in-japan-to-change-on-october-1</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Alcohol tax rates in Japan will change on October 1. Tax rates for beer-like beverages are being unified, which will result in a tax cut of 9.1 yen… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:36:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Alcohol, tax, rates, Japan, change, October</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Alcohol tax rates in Japan will change on October 1. Tax rates for beer-like beverages are being unified, which will result in a tax cut of 9.1 yen…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Compact appliances gain popularity as high home prices squeeze living space</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/compact-appliances-gain-popularity-as-high-home-prices-squeeze-living-space</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/compact-appliances-gain-popularity-as-high-home-prices-squeeze-living-space</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Compact appliances that maximize limited living space are gaining popularity in Japan as soaring housing prices make larger homes less affordable, particularly in urban areas.
The trend, dubbed… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Compact, appliances, gain, popularity, high, home, prices, squeeze, living, space</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Compact appliances that maximize limited living space are gaining popularity in Japan as soaring housing prices make larger homes less affordable, particularly in urban areas.
The trend, dubbed…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Retailer Aeon launches ¥1,000 jeans</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/retailer-aeon-launches-1000-jeans</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/retailer-aeon-launches-1000-jeans</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Denim jeans priced at 1,000 yen excluding tax, are being offered by a subsidiary of Japanese retail giant Aeon Co., in what could spur rivalry over low-cost jeans… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Retailer, Aeon, launches, ¥1, 000, jeans</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Denim jeans priced at 1,000 yen excluding tax, are being offered by a subsidiary of Japanese retail giant Aeon Co., in what could spur rivalry over low-cost jeans…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Expanding home restoration business revitalizes rental housing market</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/expanding-home-restoration-business-revitalizes-rental-housing-market</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/expanding-home-restoration-business-revitalizes-rental-housing-market</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The business of turning unoccupied homes into rental properties is expanding in Japan where an aging population is bringing far-reaching socioeconomic changes, with renovated old homes proving to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Expanding, home, restoration, business, revitalizes, rental, housing, market</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The business of turning unoccupied homes into rental properties is expanding in Japan where an aging population is bringing far-reaching socioeconomic changes, with renovated old homes proving to…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Fast food from U.S. and China catches on in both countries</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/fast-food-from-us-and-china-catches-on-in-both-countries</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/fast-food-from-us-and-china-catches-on-in-both-countries</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China and the United States are divided on many issues, from tariffs and technology to Taiwan. But there is one thing tying them together: fast food.
American restaurant… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Fast, food, from, U.S., and, China, catches, both, countries</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China and the United States are divided on many issues, from tariffs and technology to Taiwan. But there is one thing tying them together: fast food.
American restaurant…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Car&#45;floating sheets selling well to cope with increasing flood risk in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/car-floating-sheets-selling-well-to-cope-with-increasing-flood-risk-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/car-floating-sheets-selling-well-to-cope-with-increasing-flood-risk-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As in many corners of the globe, Japan has been putting up with an increasing number of previously rare weather-related natural disasters. One of the more surprising was… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:40:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Car-floating, sheets, selling, well, cope, with, increasing, flood, risk, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As in many corners of the globe, Japan has been putting up with an increasing number of previously rare weather-related natural disasters. One of the more surprising was…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Wall Street week ahead: housing market, unemployment updates</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/wall-street-week-ahead-housing-market-unemployment-updates</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/wall-street-week-ahead-housing-market-unemployment-updates</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Wall Street will get a key update this week on the U.S. housing market, along with a regular weekly unemployment update.
On Thursday, the U.S. will release its… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:00:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Wall, Street, week, ahead:, housing, market, unemployment, updates</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Wall Street will get a key update this week on the U.S. housing market, along with a regular weekly unemployment update.
On Thursday, the U.S. will release its…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Converse apologizes and pulls sneaker ad that critics said included racist imagery</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/converse-apologizes-and-pulls-sneaker-ad-that-critics-said-included-racist-imagery</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/converse-apologizes-and-pulls-sneaker-ad-that-critics-said-included-racist-imagery</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The sneaker company Converse has removed a social media ad that sparked outrage among critics who viewed it as evoking the Ku Klux Klan and lynching.
The Instagram… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Converse, apologizes, and, pulls, sneaker, that, critics, said, included, racist, imagery</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The sneaker company Converse has removed a social media ad that sparked outrage among critics who viewed it as evoking the Ku Klux Klan and lynching.
The Instagram…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Federal Reserve rate hike reflects new world of sticky inflation and faster growth</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/federal-reserve-rate-hike-reflects-new-world-of-sticky-inflation-and-faster-growth</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/federal-reserve-rate-hike-reflects-new-world-of-sticky-inflation-and-faster-growth</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ President Donald Trump has renewed his attacks on the Federal Reserve after it hiked its benchmark interest rate Wednesday, but the Fed matters less than broader economic trends… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Federal, Reserve, rate, hike, reflects, new, world, sticky, inflation, and, faster, growth</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[President Donald Trump has renewed his attacks on the Federal Reserve after it hiked its benchmark interest rate Wednesday, but the Fed matters less than broader economic trends…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>ANA unveils new green Pokemon jet to mark game&amp;apos;s 30th anniversary</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ana-unveils-new-green-pokemon-jet-to-mark-games-30th-anniversary</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ana-unveils-new-green-pokemon-jet-to-mark-games-30th-anniversary</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ All Nippon Airways Co has unveiled its second decorated aircraft marking the 30th anniversary of the popular &quot;Pokemon&quot; game franchise, featuring iconic characters in a green-themed livery.
An… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 20 Sep 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>ANA, unveils, new, green, Pokemon, jet, mark, games, 30th, anniversary</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[All Nippon Airways Co has unveiled its second decorated aircraft marking the 30th anniversary of the popular "Pokemon" game franchise, featuring iconic characters in a green-themed livery.
An…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan household assets hit record ¥2,519 tril on rising stocks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-household-assets-hit-record-2519-tril-on-rising-stocks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-household-assets-hit-record-2519-tril-on-rising-stocks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Financial assets held by households in Japan rose to a record 2,519 trillion yen at the end of June, up 11.0 percent from a year earlier, lifted by… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 20 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, household, assets, hit, record, ¥2, 519, tril, rising, stocks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Financial assets held by households in Japan rose to a record 2,519 trillion yen at the end of June, up 11.0 percent from a year earlier, lifted by…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Starbucks Corporation is planning to sell off Starbucks Japan, report says</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/starbucks-corporation-is-planning-to-sell-off-starbucks-japan-report-says</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/starbucks-corporation-is-planning-to-sell-off-starbucks-japan-report-says</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Like 7-Eleven and McDonald’s, Starbucks has become an originally American brand that many travelers will tell you does things a little differently, and better, in Japan. Known for… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/c4/de/4adecd9eb96eadc97324121a6f1bee290471/screenshot-2026-09-18-at-8-23-18/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 19 Sep 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Starbucks, Corporation, planning, sell, off, Starbucks, Japan, report, says</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Like 7-Eleven and McDonald’s, Starbucks has become an originally American brand that many travelers will tell you does things a little differently, and better, in Japan. Known for…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Does Tokyo need self&#45;driving taxis? Waymo thinks so and plans to launch fleet soon</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/does-tokyo-need-self-driving-taxis-waymo-thinks-so-and-plans-to-launch-fleet-soon</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/does-tokyo-need-self-driving-taxis-waymo-thinks-so-and-plans-to-launch-fleet-soon</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan has, by and large, passed on ride-sharing services. Though they’ve flourished in many other parts of the world, Japan’s demographics and public transportation infrastructure is such that… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:04:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Does, Tokyo, need, self-driving, taxis, Waymo, thinks, and, plans, launch, fleet, soon</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan has, by and large, passed on ride-sharing services. Though they’ve flourished in many other parts of the world, Japan’s demographics and public transportation infrastructure is such that…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Bank of Japan hikes rate to 31&#45;year high of 1.25% to battle inflation</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/bank-of-japan-hikes-rate-to-31-year-high-of-125-to-battle-inflation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/bank-of-japan-hikes-rate-to-31-year-high-of-125-to-battle-inflation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Bank of Japan raised the interest rate to a more than 30-year high on Friday and said it would lift it further as it looks to counter… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Bank, Japan, hikes, rate, 31-year, high, 1.25, battle, inflation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Bank of Japan raised the interest rate to a more than 30-year high on Friday and said it would lift it further as it looks to counter…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Bank of Japan set to raise rates under pressure from inflation, U.S.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/bank-of-japan-set-to-raise-rates-under-pressure-from-inflation-us</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/bank-of-japan-set-to-raise-rates-under-pressure-from-inflation-us</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Bank of Japan is poised to raise interest rates again on Friday to counter inflation fueled by surging energy prices and to support the yen, under Washington&#039;s… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:32:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Bank, Japan, set, raise, rates, under, pressure, from, inflation, U.S.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Bank of Japan is poised to raise interest rates again on Friday to counter inflation fueled by surging energy prices and to support the yen, under Washington's…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Nissan announces new model for Europe, with production planned for UK</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-announces-new-model-for-europe-with-production-planned-for-uk</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-announces-new-model-for-europe-with-production-planned-for-uk</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nissan Motor Co on Wednesday announced plans to launch a new model in Europe and will invest 170 million pounds ($230 million) to build it at its plant… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:00:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nissan, announces, new, model, for, Europe, with, production, planned, for</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nissan Motor Co on Wednesday announced plans to launch a new model in Europe and will invest 170 million pounds ($230 million) to build it at its plant…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Fed hikes key rate for 1st time in 3 years, defying Trump demands for a cut</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/fed-hikes-key-rate-for-1st-time-in-3-years-defying-trump-demands-for-a-cut</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/fed-hikes-key-rate-for-1st-time-in-3-years-defying-trump-demands-for-a-cut</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate Wednesday for the first time since 2023 in an effort to quell stubbornly-high inflation, a move that could spur a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:00:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Fed, hikes, key, rate, for, 1st, time, years, defying, Trump, demands, for, cut</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate Wednesday for the first time since 2023 in an effort to quell stubbornly-high inflation, a move that could spur a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Hong Kong unveils plan to align economy with China&amp;apos;s goals</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hong-kong-unveils-plan-to-align-economy-with-chinas-goals</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hong-kong-unveils-plan-to-align-economy-with-chinas-goals</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Hong Kong&#039;s government unveiled plans on Wednesday to significantly boost investment on innovation and technology as it aims to align the financial hub with mainland China&#039;s development goals.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:00:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hong, Kong, unveils, plan, align, economy, with, Chinas, goals</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hong Kong's government unveiled plans on Wednesday to significantly boost investment on innovation and technology as it aims to align the financial hub with mainland China's development goals.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan records ¥1.1 tril trade deficit in August as oil prices surge</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-records-11-tril-trade-deficit-in-august-as-oil-prices-surge</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-records-11-tril-trade-deficit-in-august-as-oil-prices-surge</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan’s trade deficit totaled 1.1 trillion yen ($7 billion) last month as surging oil prices due to the conflicts in the Middle East sent the cost of imports… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, records, ¥1.1, tril, trade, deficit, August, oil, prices, surge</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan’s trade deficit totaled 1.1 trillion yen ($7 billion) last month as surging oil prices due to the conflicts in the Middle East sent the cost of imports…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>NTT Docomo says it gave user data to Amazon Japan without consent</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ntt-docomo-says-it-gave-user-data-to-amazon-japan-without-consent</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ntt-docomo-says-it-gave-user-data-to-amazon-japan-without-consent</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NTT Docomo Inc said Wednesday it provided the personal information, including phone numbers and mobile service plans, of about 340,000 users to Amazon.com Inc.&#039;s Japan unit without their… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>NTT, Docomo, says, gave, user, data, Amazon, Japan, without, consent</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NTT Docomo Inc said Wednesday it provided the personal information, including phone numbers and mobile service plans, of about 340,000 users to Amazon.com Inc.'s Japan unit without their…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China retail sales growth weakens further in August</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/china-retail-sales-growth-weakens-further-in-august</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/china-retail-sales-growth-weakens-further-in-august</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China&#039;s retail sales grew last month at their slowest pace since May, official data showed on Tuesday, as the country&#039;s leaders struggle to reverse a persistent slump in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>China, retail, sales, growth, weakens, further, August</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China's retail sales grew last month at their slowest pace since May, official data showed on Tuesday, as the country's leaders struggle to reverse a persistent slump in…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Canada makes pitch as safe place to invest in &amp;apos;uncertain world&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/canada-makes-pitch-as-safe-place-to-invest-in-uncertain-world</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/canada-makes-pitch-as-safe-place-to-invest-in-uncertain-world</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Canada is a safe place to invest &quot;in a very uncertain world,&quot; Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told AFP Monday, ahead of a summit where the country is seeking… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Canada, makes, pitch, safe, place, invest, uncertain, world</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Canada is a safe place to invest "in a very uncertain world," Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told AFP Monday, ahead of a summit where the country is seeking…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>&amp;apos;This is the test&amp;apos;: All eyes on U.S. Fed to tackle high inflation</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/this-is-the-test-all-eyes-on-us-fed-to-tackle-high-inflation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/this-is-the-test-all-eyes-on-us-fed-to-tackle-high-inflation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The U.S. Federal Reserve goes into a key rate-setting meeting this week with markets expecting policymakers to pull the trigger on a rate hike to tackle persistently high… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:04:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>This, the, test:, All, eyes, U.S., Fed, tackle, high, inflation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The U.S. Federal Reserve goes into a key rate-setting meeting this week with markets expecting policymakers to pull the trigger on a rate hike to tackle persistently high…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>From Maggi noodles to Thums Up: How India became dependent on cheap packaged food</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/from-maggi-noodles-to-thums-up-how-india-became-dependent-on-cheap-packaged-food</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/from-maggi-noodles-to-thums-up-how-india-became-dependent-on-cheap-packaged-food</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ India&#039;s proposal to put health warning labels on some food products has sparked a nationwide debate over how the country came to rely on cheap packaged food while… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>From, Maggi, noodles, Thums, Up:, How, India, became, dependent, cheap, packaged, food</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[India's proposal to put health warning labels on some food products has sparked a nationwide debate over how the country came to rely on cheap packaged food while…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan automakers to revamp factory calendars from FY2027 to draw workers</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-automakers-to-revamp-factory-calendars-from-fy2027-to-draw-workers</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-automakers-to-revamp-factory-calendars-from-fy2027-to-draw-workers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Carmakers belonging to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association plan to overhaul their factory work schedules from fiscal 2027, including reducing plant operations on national holidays, to better balance… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, automakers, revamp, factory, calendars, from, FY2027, draw, workers</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Carmakers belonging to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association plan to overhaul their factory work schedules from fiscal 2027, including reducing plant operations on national holidays, to better balance…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>New Gundam megastore announced for one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist neighborhoods</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/new-gundam-megastore-announced-for-one-of-tokyos-most-popular-tourist-neighborhoods</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/new-gundam-megastore-announced-for-one-of-tokyos-most-popular-tourist-neighborhoods</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The most famous landmarks in Shibuya have long been the statue of faithful dog Hachiko and the gigantic Shibuya Scramble crosswalk. But the downtown Tokyo neighborhood is a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>New, Gundam, megastore, announced, for, one, Tokyo’s, most, popular, tourist, neighborhoods</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The most famous landmarks in Shibuya have long been the statue of faithful dog Hachiko and the gigantic Shibuya Scramble crosswalk. But the downtown Tokyo neighborhood is a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Business booms as lobbyists push &amp;apos;priorities&amp;apos; in EU capital</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/business-booms-as-lobbyists-push-priorities-in-eu-capital</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/business-booms-as-lobbyists-push-priorities-in-eu-capital</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In the shadow of the EU Parliament in Brussels, under a grand white tent filling a museum garden, hundreds of lobbyists, officials and lawmakers hobnob as the cava… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Business, booms, lobbyists, push, priorities, capital</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In the shadow of the EU Parliament in Brussels, under a grand white tent filling a museum garden, hundreds of lobbyists, officials and lawmakers hobnob as the cava…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>China’s car exports in first 8 months surpass 2025 total, as EV sales soar</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-car-exports-in-first-8-months-surpass-2025-total-as-ev-sales-soar</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-car-exports-in-first-8-months-surpass-2025-total-as-ev-sales-soar</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China’s passenger car exports in the first eight months of this year already surpassed last year&#039;s total, an industry association said Thursday, though domestic sales continued to decline.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:00:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>China’s, car, exports, first, months, surpass, 2025, total, sales, soar</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China’s passenger car exports in the first eight months of this year already surpassed last year's total, an industry association said Thursday, though domestic sales continued to decline.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>U.S. home sales weaken to slowest pace in more than a year as mortgage rates, home prices climb</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-home-sales-weaken-to-slowest-pace-in-more-than-a-year-as-mortgage-rates-home-prices-climb</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-home-sales-weaken-to-slowest-pace-in-more-than-a-year-as-mortgage-rates-home-prices-climb</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes declined in August to their slowest annual pace in more than a year as home shoppers grappled with rising mortgage rates and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., home, sales, weaken, slowest, pace, more, than, year, mortgage, rates, home, prices, climb</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes declined in August to their slowest annual pace in more than a year as home shoppers grappled with rising mortgage rates and…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Nissan to streamline domestic production, make minivans at Tochigi plant</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-to-streamline-domestic-production-make-minivans-at-tochigi-plant</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-to-streamline-domestic-production-make-minivans-at-tochigi-plant</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nissan Motor Co said Thursday it will shift production of two minivan models from plants operated by its subsidiaries in southwestern Japan to its Tochigi plant north of… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nissan, streamline, domestic, production, make, minivans, Tochigi, plant</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nissan Motor Co said Thursday it will shift production of two minivan models from plants operated by its subsidiaries in southwestern Japan to its Tochigi plant north of…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Ajinomoto to hike prices for mayonnaise, other products by 6&#45;10%</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ajinomoto-to-hike-prices-for-mayonnaise-other-products-by-6-10</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ajinomoto-to-hike-prices-for-mayonnaise-other-products-by-6-10</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Ajinomoto Co said Wednesday it will raise prices for mayonnaise and other products by around 6 to 10 percent from December, in a bid to pass on increased… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ajinomoto, hike, prices, for, mayonnaise, other, products, 6-10</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Ajinomoto Co said Wednesday it will raise prices for mayonnaise and other products by around 6 to 10 percent from December, in a bid to pass on increased…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>How hot can U.S.&#45;Canada trade war get?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-hot-can-us-canada-trade-war-get</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-hot-can-us-canada-trade-war-get</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The U.S.-Canada trade war has escalated rapidly, rupturing what was once one of the world&#039;s closest economic partnerships.
But the conflict is a mismatch, with the $31 trillion… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, hot, can, U.S.-Canada, trade, war, get</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The U.S.-Canada trade war has escalated rapidly, rupturing what was once one of the world's closest economic partnerships.
But the conflict is a mismatch, with the $31 trillion…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>China&amp;apos;s trade booms as focus turns to expected Trump&#45;Xi summit</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-trade-booms-as-focus-turns-to-expected-trump-xi-summit</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-trade-booms-as-focus-turns-to-expected-trump-xi-summit</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China&#039;s imports and exports surged in August, helped by a global AI buildout that has fueled demand for technology products and ahead of an expected meeting between President… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:00:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinas, trade, booms, focus, turns, expected, Trump-Xi, summit</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China's imports and exports surged in August, helped by a global AI buildout that has fueled demand for technology products and ahead of an expected meeting between President…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan logs current account surplus in July</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-logs-current-account-surplus-in-july</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-logs-current-account-surplus-in-july</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan posted a current account surplus of 2.99 trillion yen in July, returning to the black for the first time in two months, the Finance Ministry said Tuesday.… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, logs, current, account, surplus, July</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan posted a current account surplus of 2.99 trillion yen in July, returning to the black for the first time in two months, the Finance Ministry said Tuesday.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>BOJ to raise key interest rate by 0.25 percentage point this month</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/boj-to-raise-key-interest-rate-by-025-percentage-point-this-month</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/boj-to-raise-key-interest-rate-by-025-percentage-point-this-month</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Bank of Japan plans to raise its policy rate to 1.25 percent from the current 1.0 percent at its policy meeting later this month, sources familiar with… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>BOJ, raise, key, interest, rate, 0.25, percentage, point, this, month</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Bank of Japan plans to raise its policy rate to 1.25 percent from the current 1.0 percent at its policy meeting later this month, sources familiar with…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Jaguar Land Rover to cut 4,000 jobs as European car sector hits skids</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/jaguar-land-rover-to-cut-4000-jobs-as-european-car-sector-hits-skids</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/jaguar-land-rover-to-cut-4000-jobs-as-european-car-sector-hits-skids</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Jaguar Land Rover said Monday that it would cut &quot;around 4,000 roles over the next two years&quot;, or about 10 percent of its global workforce, in a further… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Jaguar, Land, Rover, cut, 4, 000, jobs, European, car, sector, hits, skids</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Jaguar Land Rover said Monday that it would cut "around 4,000 roles over the next two years", or about 10 percent of its global workforce, in a further…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Fuel prices at record Labor Day high in U.S.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/fuel-prices-at-record-labor-day-high-in-us</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/fuel-prices-at-record-labor-day-high-in-us</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ It&#039;s never been more expensive in the U.S. to fill up the tank and take one last summer trip over the Labor Day weekend.
The average price of… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Fuel, prices, record, Labor, Day, high, U.S.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[It's never been more expensive in the U.S. to fill up the tank and take one last summer trip over the Labor Day weekend.
The average price of…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Asian shares mixed as chipmaker shares rally in Tokyo and Seoul</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-mixed-as-chipmaker-shares-rally-in-tokyo-and-seoul</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-mixed-as-chipmaker-shares-rally-in-tokyo-and-seoul</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Asian shares were trading mixed on Monday, with benchmarks in Tokyo and Seoul leading gains thanks to buying of computer chipmakers&#039; stocks.
Japan&#039;s benchmark Nikkei 225 added 2.1%… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/34/15/381dc01189a114759cca11a954e1a55523a7/download/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2026 15:40:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Asian, shares, mixed, chipmaker, shares, rally, Tokyo, and, Seoul</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Asian shares were trading mixed on Monday, with benchmarks in Tokyo and Seoul leading gains thanks to buying of computer chipmakers' stocks.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 2.1%…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>U.S. hiring bounces back in August; mortgage rates climb</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-hiring-bounces-back-in-august-mortgage-rates-climb</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-hiring-bounces-back-in-august-mortgage-rates-climb</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The economy, inflation and how those forces could impact the lives of Americans were front and center over the past week. Trips to the grocery store and gas… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/ca/61/439d1097a12816d109a3f876309eb8f0c1f3/download-1/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., hiring, bounces, back, August, mortgage, rates, climb</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The economy, inflation and how those forces could impact the lives of Americans were front and center over the past week. Trips to the grocery store and gas…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Toei denies issuing licenses for &amp;apos;Dragon Ball&amp;apos; theme park in France</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toei-denies-issuing-licenses-for-dragon-ball-theme-park-in-france</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toei-denies-issuing-licenses-for-dragon-ball-theme-park-in-france</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Toei Animation Co has denied media reports that a theme park inspired by the Japanese manga and anime series &quot;Dragon Ball&quot; will be built in France, saying it… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 06 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toei, denies, issuing, licenses, for, Dragon, Ball, theme, park, France</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Toei Animation Co has denied media reports that a theme park inspired by the Japanese manga and anime series "Dragon Ball" will be built in France, saying it…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japanese motor maker Nidec says probe found hundreds of quality control misconduct</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-motor-maker-nidec-says-probe-found-hundreds-of-quality-control-misconduct</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-motor-maker-nidec-says-probe-found-hundreds-of-quality-control-misconduct</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Scandal-ridden Japanese motor maker Nidec Corp released Friday the findings of a company investigation that found 844 cases of misconduct related to quality controls spanning the last decade.… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 05 Sep 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, motor, maker, Nidec, says, probe, found, hundreds, quality, control, misconduct</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Scandal-ridden Japanese motor maker Nidec Corp released Friday the findings of a company investigation that found 844 cases of misconduct related to quality controls spanning the last decade.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Asian benchmarks trade mixed following rally on Wall Street led by technology issues</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-benchmarks-trade-mixed-following-rally-on-wall-street-led-by-technology-issues</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-benchmarks-trade-mixed-following-rally-on-wall-street-led-by-technology-issues</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Asian shares were trading mixed Friday, as market sentiment for some regional benchmarks got a boost from the tech-led rally on Wall Street.
Japan&#039;s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/34/15/381dc01189a114759cca11a954e1a55523a7/download/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 15:44:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Asian, benchmarks, trade, mixed, following, rally, Wall, Street, led, technology, issues</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Asian shares were trading mixed Friday, as market sentiment for some regional benchmarks got a boost from the tech-led rally on Wall Street.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Yen surges on new intervention talk; oil prices climb</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yen-surges-on-new-intervention-talk-oil-prices-climb</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yen-surges-on-new-intervention-talk-oil-prices-climb</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The yen rallied against the dollar on Thursday on fresh talk of intervention by Japan to boost its currency, while oil prices jumped on new Iran strikes against… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 15:04:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yen, surges, new, intervention, talk, oil, prices, climb</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The yen rallied against the dollar on Thursday on fresh talk of intervention by Japan to boost its currency, while oil prices jumped on new Iran strikes against…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Volkswagen says it will cut 100,000 jobs by end of decade</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/volkswagen-says-it-will-cut-100000-jobs-by-end-of-decade</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/volkswagen-says-it-will-cut-100000-jobs-by-end-of-decade</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ German car giant Volkswagen said Thursday that management and unions had agreed to cut a total of 100,000 jobs by the end of the decade, the biggest-ever restructuring… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Volkswagen, says, will, cut, 100, 000, jobs, end, decade</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[German car giant Volkswagen said Thursday that management and unions had agreed to cut a total of 100,000 jobs by the end of the decade, the biggest-ever restructuring…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s FSA to inspect shinkin banks over rising rates, bond losses</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-fsa-to-inspect-shinkin-banks-over-rising-rates-bond-losses</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-fsa-to-inspect-shinkin-banks-over-rising-rates-bond-losses</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s financial regulator will inspect the government bond holdings of community-focused shinkin banks amid concerns that rising long-term interest rates could deepen unrealized losses and weaken their financial… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, FSA, inspect, shinkin, banks, over, rising, rates, bond, losses</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's financial regulator will inspect the government bond holdings of community-focused shinkin banks amid concerns that rising long-term interest rates could deepen unrealized losses and weaken their financial…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Frozen &amp;apos;bento&amp;apos; delivery services gaining traction</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/frozen-bento-delivery-services-gaining-traction</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/frozen-bento-delivery-services-gaining-traction</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Frozen bento meals -- ready-made main and side dishes served on a single plate -- are gaining popularity in Japan, with market growth aided by subscription-based home delivery… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:00:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Frozen, bento, delivery, services, gaining, traction</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Frozen bento meals -- ready-made main and side dishes served on a single plate -- are gaining popularity in Japan, with market growth aided by subscription-based home delivery…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Uber says it is laying off about 10% of workforce worldwide</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/uber-says-it-is-laying-off-about-10-of-workforce-worldwide</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/uber-says-it-is-laying-off-about-10-of-workforce-worldwide</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Ride-hailing giant Uber will be laying off around 10 percent of its staff as part of &quot;significant organizational changes,&quot; CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a message to employees… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:00:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Uber, says, laying, off, about, 10, workforce, worldwide</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Ride-hailing giant Uber will be laying off around 10 percent of its staff as part of "significant organizational changes," CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a message to employees…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Judge orders changes to Google&amp;apos;s digital ads business but spares it from a breakup</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/judge-orders-changes-to-googles-digital-ads-business-but-spares-it-from-a-breakup</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/judge-orders-changes-to-googles-digital-ads-business-but-spares-it-from-a-breakup</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Google to retool the system powering its monopoly in digital advertising, sparing the company from a wrenching breakup sought by the U.S.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Judge, orders, changes, Googles, digital, ads, business, but, spares, from, breakup</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Google to retool the system powering its monopoly in digital advertising, sparing the company from a wrenching breakup sought by the U.S.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Mitsubishi Motors unveils revived Pajero model after 7&#45;year hiatus</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/mitsubishi-motors-unveils-revived-pajero-model-after-7-year-hiatus</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/mitsubishi-motors-unveils-revived-pajero-model-after-7-year-hiatus</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Mitsubishi Motors Corp unveiled Wednesday a new Pajero, reviving the iconic model line after a seven-year hiatus and relaunching it as the company&#039;s flagship sport utility vehicle.
The… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:36:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Mitsubishi, Motors, unveils, revived, Pajero, model, after, 7-year, hiatus</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Mitsubishi Motors Corp unveiled Wednesday a new Pajero, reviving the iconic model line after a seven-year hiatus and relaunching it as the company's flagship sport utility vehicle.
The…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan OKs use of ¥600 bil in emergency funds for gasoline subsidies</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-oks-use-of-600-bil-in-emergency-funds-for-gasoline-subsidies</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-oks-use-of-600-bil-in-emergency-funds-for-gasoline-subsidies</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The cabinet on Tuesday decided to use 616.0 billion yen in emergency reserve funds for the current fiscal year for measures such as capping gasoline prices amid heighted… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:04:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, OKs, use, ¥600, bil, emergency, funds, for, gasoline, subsidies</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The cabinet on Tuesday decided to use 616.0 billion yen in emergency reserve funds for the current fiscal year for measures such as capping gasoline prices amid heighted…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Why bond yields are rising and why everyone should care</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/why-bond-yields-are-rising-and-why-everyone-should-care</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/why-bond-yields-are-rising-and-why-everyone-should-care</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Interest rates on government bonds are rising again around the world, making borrowing more expensive for consumers and businesses and heightening concerns about whether governments are issuing more… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:04:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Why, bond, yields, are, rising, and, why, everyone, should, care</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Interest rates on government bonds are rising again around the world, making borrowing more expensive for consumers and businesses and heightening concerns about whether governments are issuing more…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Bessent says G20 countries should also use tariffs to protect their industries from cheap imports</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/bessent-says-g20-countries-should-also-use-tariffs-to-protect-their-industries-from-cheap-imports</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/bessent-says-g20-countries-should-also-use-tariffs-to-protect-their-industries-from-cheap-imports</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says he&#039;s urging some of his G20 counterparts to take a page from the Trump administration&#039;s playbook of using tariffs and other measures to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Bessent, says, G20, countries, should, also, use, tariffs, protect, their, industries, from, cheap, imports</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says he's urging some of his G20 counterparts to take a page from the Trump administration's playbook of using tariffs and other measures to…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Work, work, work: Japan to relax overtime regulations under workaholic PM</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/work-work-work-japan-to-relax-overtime-regulations-under-workaholic-pm</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/work-work-work-japan-to-relax-overtime-regulations-under-workaholic-pm</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan will ease overtime regulations starting Tuesday in a move meant to help spur economic growth but criticized as a relapse into the country&#039;s ingrained workaholic culture.
The… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Work, work, work:, Japan, relax, overtime, regulations, under, workaholic</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan will ease overtime regulations starting Tuesday in a move meant to help spur economic growth but criticized as a relapse into the country's ingrained workaholic culture.
The…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan 10&#45;year gov&amp;apos;t bond yield hits 3.0%, highest since October 1996</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-10-year-govt-bond-yield-hits-30-highest-since-october-1996</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-10-year-govt-bond-yield-hits-30-highest-since-october-1996</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The yield on Japan&#039;s benchmark 10-year government bond rose to 3.000 percent on Tuesday for the first time since October 1996, partly reflecting market concerns about the country&#039;s… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:40:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, 10-year, govt, bond, yield, hits, 3.0, highest, since, October, 1996</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The yield on Japan's benchmark 10-year government bond rose to 3.000 percent on Tuesday for the first time since October 1996, partly reflecting market concerns about the country's…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>House Foods mulls sale of CoCo Ichi curry chain operator Ichibanya</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/house-foods-mulls-sale-of-coco-ichi-curry-chain-operator-ichibanya</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/house-foods-mulls-sale-of-coco-ichi-curry-chain-operator-ichibanya</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ House Foods Group Inc. is considering selling its curry restaurant chain operator Ichibanya Co, sources close to the matter said Monday, as part of a review of its… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:00:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>House, Foods, mulls, sale, CoCo, Ichi, curry, chain, operator, Ichibanya</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[House Foods Group Inc. is considering selling its curry restaurant chain operator Ichibanya Co, sources close to the matter said Monday, as part of a review of its…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China’s factory activity contracts in August despite an uptick in export demand</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-factory-activity-contracts-in-august-despite-an-uptick-in-export-demand</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-factory-activity-contracts-in-august-despite-an-uptick-in-export-demand</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China’s factory activity improved marginally in August as export demand remained robust, though overall manufacturing still was in a contraction. 
China’s official manufacturing purchasing managers&#039; index, or PMI,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:00:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>China’s, factory, activity, contracts, August, despite, uptick, export, demand</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China’s factory activity improved marginally in August as export demand remained robust, though overall manufacturing still was in a contraction. 
China’s official manufacturing purchasing managers' index, or PMI,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Nissan and Honda agree to work together on software for cars</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-and-honda-agree-to-work-together-on-software-for-cars</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-and-honda-agree-to-work-together-on-software-for-cars</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda entered a deal to jointly develop computer parts and software for vehicles set to enter the market in fiscal 2029, both sides said… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/dc/0a/01f1da07121390e7649cf75175c59a1f2737/download/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nissan, and, Honda, agree, work, together, software, for, cars</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda entered a deal to jointly develop computer parts and software for vehicles set to enter the market in fiscal 2029, both sides said…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan gov&amp;apos;t unveils plan to buy back 210,000 tons of rice</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-govt-unveils-plan-to-buy-back-210000-tons-of-rice</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-govt-unveils-plan-to-buy-back-210000-tons-of-rice</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s government will buy back 210,000 tons of rice it released as an emergency measure last year, as supply shortages have now eased, the farm minister said Tuesday,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, govt, unveils, plan, buy, back, 210, 000, tons, rice</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's government will buy back 210,000 tons of rice it released as an emergency measure last year, as supply shortages have now eased, the farm minister said Tuesday,…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Prices of nearly 5,000 items set to rise in Japan in September</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/prices-of-nearly-5000-items-set-to-rise-in-japan-in-september</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/prices-of-nearly-5000-items-set-to-rise-in-japan-in-september</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The prices of 4,923 food and beverage items in Japan are set to rise in September, up more than threefold from a year earlier and the most for… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:36:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Prices, nearly, 5, 000, items, set, rise, Japan, September</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The prices of 4,923 food and beverage items in Japan are set to rise in September, up more than threefold from a year earlier and the most for…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Toyota global sales, output in July drop for 1st time in 2 months</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-global-sales-output-in-july-drop-for-1st-time-in-2-months</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-global-sales-output-in-july-drop-for-1st-time-in-2-months</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Toyota Motor Corp said its global sales and output in July dropped from a year earlier for the first time in two months due to sluggish demand in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:04:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toyota, global, sales, output, July, drop, for, 1st, time, months</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Toyota Motor Corp said its global sales and output in July dropped from a year earlier for the first time in two months due to sluggish demand in…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tokyo firm to set starting salary for new graduates at ¥1 mil per month</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-firm-to-set-starting-salary-for-new-graduates-at-1-mil-per-month</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-firm-to-set-starting-salary-for-new-graduates-at-1-mil-per-month</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A Tokyo-based real estate developer will offer new hires joining in April next year a monthly salary of 1 million yen in a bid to recruit talent with… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, firm, set, starting, salary, for, new, graduates, ¥1, mil, per, month</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A Tokyo-based real estate developer will offer new hires joining in April next year a monthly salary of 1 million yen in a bid to recruit talent with…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Investors prosper and consumers pay as the Iran war exacts an uneven economic toll 6 months in</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/investors-prosper-and-consumers-pay-as-the-iran-war-exacts-an-uneven-economic-toll-6-months-in</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/investors-prosper-and-consumers-pay-as-the-iran-war-exacts-an-uneven-economic-toll-6-months-in</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As the U.S. and Israel relentlessly bombed Iran in the opening days of war, the most dramatic predictions of the conflict’s toll were unsparing: surging oil prices, worldwide… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/8f/32/43a3c2a860dafe69af160a802382a707b42e/download/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Investors, prosper, and, consumers, pay, the, Iran, war, exacts, uneven, economic, toll, months</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As the U.S. and Israel relentlessly bombed Iran in the opening days of war, the most dramatic predictions of the conflict’s toll were unsparing: surging oil prices, worldwide…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Universal Studios Japan eyes expansion amid booming inbound tourism</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/universal-studios-japan-eyes-expansion-amid-booming-inbound-tourism</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/universal-studios-japan-eyes-expansion-amid-booming-inbound-tourism</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The operator of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is considering expanding the theme park amid booming inbound tourism, people familiar with the matter said Friday.
The park is… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Universal, Studios, Japan, eyes, expansion, amid, booming, inbound, tourism</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The operator of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is considering expanding the theme park amid booming inbound tourism, people familiar with the matter said Friday.
The park is…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Bessent warns unstable yen could lead to higher U.S. interest rates</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/bessent-warns-unstable-yen-could-lead-to-higher-us-interest-rates</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/bessent-warns-unstable-yen-could-lead-to-higher-us-interest-rates</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday disclosed a letter justifying last month&#039;s coordinated market intervention by the United States and Japan to prop up the yen, saying… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/88/e9/df01d06a1d93e86b6a87437ad0a0678395ac/ap26236673164107/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:08:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Bessent, warns, unstable, yen, could, lead, higher, U.S., interest, rates</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday disclosed a letter justifying last month's coordinated market intervention by the United States and Japan to prop up the yen, saying…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s finance minister, BOJ chief to attend G20; market focus on yen debate</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-finance-minister-boj-chief-to-attend-g20-market-focus-on-yen-debate</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-finance-minister-boj-chief-to-attend-g20-market-focus-on-yen-debate</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s finance minister and central bank governor will attend next week&#039;s U.S.-hosted meeting of finance chiefs from ‌the Group of 20 major economies, setting the stage for renewed… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/ea/47/e549979eab3df74f1430d679b8edcda7dab9/tag-reuters/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:00:15 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, finance, minister, BOJ, chief, attend, G20, market, focus, yen, debate</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's finance minister and central bank governor will attend next week's U.S.-hosted meeting of finance chiefs from ‌the Group of 20 major economies, setting the stage for renewed…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Fed Chair Warsh signals rate hikes may be needed with U.S. inflation stubbornly elevated</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/fed-chair-warsh-signals-rate-hikes-may-be-needed-with-us-inflation-stubbornly-elevated</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/fed-chair-warsh-signals-rate-hikes-may-be-needed-with-us-inflation-stubbornly-elevated</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh said Friday that inflation is still too high and suggested the central bank may have to raise interest rates in the coming months… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:00:13 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Fed, Chair, Warsh, signals, rate, hikes, may, needed, with, U.S., inflation, stubbornly, elevated</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh said Friday that inflation is still too high and suggested the central bank may have to raise interest rates in the coming months…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s July jobless rate falls to 2.4%; 1st improvement in 3 months</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-july-jobless-rate-falls-to-24-1st-improvement-in-3-months</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-july-jobless-rate-falls-to-24-1st-improvement-in-3-months</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s unemployment rate fell to 2.4 percent in July from 2.5 percent in the previous month, improving for the first time in three months, the Ministry of Internal… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, July, jobless, rate, falls, 2.4, 1st, improvement, months</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's unemployment rate fell to 2.4 percent in July from 2.5 percent in the previous month, improving for the first time in three months, the Ministry of Internal…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan spent record ¥15.4 tril in yen interventions: ministry</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-spent-record-154-tril-in-yen-interventions-ministry</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-spent-record-154-tril-in-yen-interventions-ministry</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan spent 15.4 trillion yen ($96 billion) to boost the yen between late July and late August, the finance ministry said Friday, the largest monthly intervention on record.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, spent, record, ¥15.4, tril, yen, interventions:, ministry</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan spent 15.4 trillion yen ($96 billion) to boost the yen between late July and late August, the finance ministry said Friday, the largest monthly intervention on record.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Qantas says profits slump as fuel costs surge</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/qantas-says-profits-slump-as-fuel-costs-surge</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/qantas-says-profits-slump-as-fuel-costs-surge</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Australian airline Qantas said Thursday it expects fuel costs to stay high, after the Middle East war pushed up prices and led to a slump in annual net… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:04:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Qantas, says, profits, slump, fuel, costs, surge</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Australian airline Qantas said Thursday it expects fuel costs to stay high, after the Middle East war pushed up prices and led to a slump in annual net…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japanese firms develop earphones, test van for hearing support</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-firms-develop-earphones-test-van-for-hearing-support</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-firms-develop-earphones-test-van-for-hearing-support</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese companies have stepped up efforts to assist people with hearing difficulties amid growing concern that the problem affects younger generations as well, coming up with ideas ranging… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, firms, develop, earphones, test, van, for, hearing, support</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese companies have stepped up efforts to assist people with hearing difficulties amid growing concern that the problem affects younger generations as well, coming up with ideas ranging…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s finance minister to attend G20; market focus on yen debate</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-finance-minister-to-attend-g20-market-focus-on-yen-debate</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-finance-minister-to-attend-g20-market-focus-on-yen-debate</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama ‌said on Friday that she would attend next week&#039;s meeting of the Group of 20&#039;s finance leaders in ‌Asheville, North Carolina.
&quot;I would… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, finance, minister, attend, G20, market, focus, yen, debate</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama ‌said on Friday that she would attend next week's meeting of the Group of 20's finance leaders in ‌Asheville, North Carolina.
"I would…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Target faces renewed backlash after stocking Halloween costume with ‘minstrel show features’</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/target-faces-renewed-backlash-after-stocking-halloween-costume-with-minstrel-show-features</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/target-faces-renewed-backlash-after-stocking-halloween-costume-with-minstrel-show-features</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Retailer Target pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves Monday after widespread social media backlash, apologizing for selling a garment critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures.
Critics… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:00:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Target, faces, renewed, backlash, after, stocking, Halloween, costume, with, ‘minstrel, show, features’</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Retailer Target pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves Monday after widespread social media backlash, apologizing for selling a garment critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures.
Critics…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan gov&amp;apos;t to buy back stockpiled rice over price collapse concerns</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-govt-to-buy-back-stockpiled-rice-over-price-collapse-concerns</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-govt-to-buy-back-stockpiled-rice-over-price-collapse-concerns</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s farm ministry is set to buy back rice it released from its stockpile in 2025 amid calls by farmers concerned about a price collapse, sources close to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, govt, buy, back, stockpiled, rice, over, price, collapse, concerns</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's farm ministry is set to buy back rice it released from its stockpile in 2025 amid calls by farmers concerned about a price collapse, sources close to…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Dragon Ball Z theme park, financed by Saudi Arabia, to be built in France</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dragon-ball-z-theme-park-financed-by-saudi-arabia-to-be-built-in-france</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dragon-ball-z-theme-park-financed-by-saudi-arabia-to-be-built-in-france</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ It’s unusual for a single franchise to get an entire theme park of its own. Disneyland, of course, is a place for not only the Disney animated catalog,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dragon, Ball, theme, park, financed, Saudi, Arabia, built, France</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[It’s unusual for a single franchise to get an entire theme park of its own. Disneyland, of course, is a place for not only the Disney animated catalog,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Takaichi says gov&amp;apos;t will maintain subsidies capping gasoline prices</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/takaichi-says-govt-will-maintain-subsidies-capping-gasoline-prices</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/takaichi-says-govt-will-maintain-subsidies-capping-gasoline-prices</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday the government will maintain subsidies to cap gasoline prices to ease the impact of inflation on Japanese households amid the ongoing… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:04:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Takaichi, says, govt, will, maintain, subsidies, capping, gasoline, prices</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday the government will maintain subsidies to cap gasoline prices to ease the impact of inflation on Japanese households amid the ongoing…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>July duty&#45;free shoppers at Japan department stores up for 1st time in 9 months</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/july-duty-free-shoppers-at-japan-department-stores-up-for-1st-time-in-9-months</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/july-duty-free-shoppers-at-japan-department-stores-up-for-1st-time-in-9-months</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Department stores in Japan saw a 3.0 percent increase in duty-free shoppers in July from a year earlier to roughly 491,000, the first increase in nine months, industry… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:04:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>July, duty-free, shoppers, Japan, department, stores, for, 1st, time, months</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Department stores in Japan saw a 3.0 percent increase in duty-free shoppers in July from a year earlier to roughly 491,000, the first increase in nine months, industry…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Lego net profit up 32% in first half</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/lego-net-profit-up-32-in-first-half</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/lego-net-profit-up-32-in-first-half</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Lego, the world&#039;s biggest toy maker by revenue, posted &quot;stronger than expected&quot; earnings for the first half of the year, its chief executive told AFP, with net profit… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Lego, net, profit, 32, first, half</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Lego, the world's biggest toy maker by revenue, posted "stronger than expected" earnings for the first half of the year, its chief executive told AFP, with net profit…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Drone tie&#45;up prompts more Japan firms to leave Rakuten e&#45;commerce site</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/drone-tie-up-prompts-more-japan-firms-to-leave-rakuten-e-commerce-site</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/drone-tie-up-prompts-more-japan-firms-to-leave-rakuten-e-commerce-site</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A Tokyo-based eatery said Monday it has withdrawn its store from Rakuten Group Inc&#039;s e-commerce website, adding to the growing number of Japanese companies who have pulled out… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Drone, tie-up, prompts, more, Japan, firms, leave, Rakuten, e-commerce, site</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A Tokyo-based eatery said Monday it has withdrawn its store from Rakuten Group Inc's e-commerce website, adding to the growing number of Japanese companies who have pulled out…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>IHG Hotels &amp;amp; Resorts signs landmark 14&#45;hotel portfolio deal in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ihg-hotels-resorts-signs-landmark-14-hotel-portfolio-deal-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ihg-hotels-resorts-signs-landmark-14-hotel-portfolio-deal-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ IHG Hotels &amp; Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, on Monday  announced a landmark portfolio deal for Japan, with long-term partner, GCP Hospitality, the hospitality… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>IHG, Hotels, Resorts, signs, landmark, 14-hotel, portfolio, deal, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, on Monday  announced a landmark portfolio deal for Japan, with long-term partner, GCP Hospitality, the hospitality…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>As workplace surveillance grows, experts say it&amp;apos;s good to know the ways your employer is watching</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/as-workplace-surveillance-grows-experts-say-its-good-to-know-the-ways-your-employer-is-watching</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/as-workplace-surveillance-grows-experts-say-its-good-to-know-the-ways-your-employer-is-watching</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ College administrators read an adjunct professor’s comments to students on personal essays. Managers told a pharmacist to spend less time with patients after tracking the number and length… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>workplace, surveillance, grows, experts, say, its, good, know, the, ways, your, employer, watching</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[College administrators read an adjunct professor’s comments to students on personal essays. Managers told a pharmacist to spend less time with patients after tracking the number and length…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Major Japan defense firms stepping up drone development</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/major-japan-defense-firms-stepping-up-drone-development</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/major-japan-defense-firms-stepping-up-drone-development</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Major Japanese defense companies such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd are stepping up their development of drones as the government seeks to make unmanned systems and artificial intelligence… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Major, Japan, defense, firms, stepping, drone, development</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Major Japanese defense companies such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd are stepping up their development of drones as the government seeks to make unmanned systems and artificial intelligence…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s ancient capital Nara emerges as shaved ice hotspot</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-ancient-capital-nara-emerges-as-shaved-ice-hotspot</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-ancient-capital-nara-emerges-as-shaved-ice-hotspot</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nara, Japan&#039;s ancient capital, where ice production is said to have flourished for 1,600 years to serve the imperial court, has become a battleground for shaved ice businesses.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:00:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, ancient, capital, Nara, emerges, shaved, ice, hotspot</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nara, Japan's ancient capital, where ice production is said to have flourished for 1,600 years to serve the imperial court, has become a battleground for shaved ice businesses.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Why the bond market is flexing its muscles, and why everyone needs to care</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/why-the-bond-market-is-flexing-its-muscles-and-why-everyone-needs-to-care</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/why-the-bond-market-is-flexing-its-muscles-and-why-everyone-needs-to-care</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The bond market is one of the few forces in the world strong enough to get politicians to snap to attention. It also helps dictate how much ordinary… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Why, the, bond, market, flexing, its, muscles, and, why, everyone, needs, care</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The bond market is one of the few forces in the world strong enough to get politicians to snap to attention. It also helps dictate how much ordinary…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Trend of foreigners leaving Japan may accelerate under tighter visa rules</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/trend-of-foreigners-leaving-japan-may-accelerate-under-tighter-visa-rules</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/trend-of-foreigners-leaving-japan-may-accelerate-under-tighter-visa-rules</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Ray Hoe left Japan to return to Singapore on July 18 after failing to renew his business manager visa following abrupt changes to the requirements, leaving him unable… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Trend, foreigners, leaving, Japan, may, accelerate, under, tighter, visa, rules</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Ray Hoe left Japan to return to Singapore on July 18 after failing to renew his business manager visa following abrupt changes to the requirements, leaving him unable…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s minimum wage race heats up as businesses feel strain</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-minimum-wage-race-heats-up-as-businesses-feel-strain</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-minimum-wage-race-heats-up-as-businesses-feel-strain</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ To stem the outflow of young people from regional areas amid a tight labor market, prefectures in Japan are engaged in a minimum wage race in which even… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 15:04:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, minimum, wage, race, heats, businesses, feel, strain</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[To stem the outflow of young people from regional areas amid a tight labor market, prefectures in Japan are engaged in a minimum wage race in which even…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Ninja theme park suddenly closes in Japan; shadow warriors undone by shady real estate deals</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ninja-theme-park-suddenly-closes-in-japan-shadow-warriors-undone-by-shady-real-estate-deals</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ninja-theme-park-suddenly-closes-in-japan-shadow-warriors-undone-by-shady-real-estate-deals</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ It would seem like right now would be a great time to operate a ninja theme park in Japan. With the yen at its lowest value in decades,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ninja, theme, park, suddenly, closes, Japan, shadow, warriors, undone, shady, real, estate, deals</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[It would seem like right now would be a great time to operate a ninja theme park in Japan. With the yen at its lowest value in decades,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tesla recalls nearly 3 mil vehicles in China over door handle safety risks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tesla-recalls-nearly-3-mil-vehicles-in-china-over-door-handle-safety-risks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tesla-recalls-nearly-3-mil-vehicles-in-china-over-door-handle-safety-risks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Tesla and other Chinese carmakers are making a major recall of more than 4 million vehicles over safety concerns mostly related to their door handles, according to Chinese… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tesla, recalls, nearly, mil, vehicles, China, over, door, handle, safety, risks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Tesla and other Chinese carmakers are making a major recall of more than 4 million vehicles over safety concerns mostly related to their door handles, according to Chinese…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Central Tokyo average condo price up 96% to record high in July</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/central-tokyo-average-condo-price-up-96-to-record-high-in-july</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/central-tokyo-average-condo-price-up-96-to-record-high-in-july</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The average price of new condominiums in central Tokyo in July rose 96 percent from a year earlier to 265.20 million yen ($1.7 million), a monthly record, amid… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:40:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Central, Tokyo, average, condo, price, 96, record, high, July</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The average price of new condominiums in central Tokyo in July rose 96 percent from a year earlier to 265.20 million yen ($1.7 million), a monthly record, amid…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan reports record exports and imports for July as energy costs climb</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-reports-record-exports-and-imports-for-july-as-energy-costs-climb</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-reports-record-exports-and-imports-for-july-as-energy-costs-climb</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan’s imports and exports set records in July and soaring energy costs and a weak yen helped extend a trade deficit for a third month, government data showed.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, reports, record, exports, and, imports, for, July, energy, costs, climb</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan’s imports and exports set records in July and soaring energy costs and a weak yen helped extend a trade deficit for a third month, government data showed.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan convenience store sales up 0.7% on promotional efforts in July</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-convenience-store-sales-up-07-on-promotional-efforts-in-july</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-convenience-store-sales-up-07-on-promotional-efforts-in-july</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Convenience store sales in Japan edged up 0.7 percent in July from a year earlier, supported by promotional efforts such as offering coupons, industry data showed Thursday.
Same-store… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, convenience, store, sales, 0.7, promotional, efforts, July</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Convenience store sales in Japan edged up 0.7 percent in July from a year earlier, supported by promotional efforts such as offering coupons, industry data showed Thursday.
Same-store…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese mail&#45;order firm withdraws from Rakuten online mall over drone tie&#45;up</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-mail-order-firm-withdraws-from-rakuten-online-mall-over-drone-tie-up</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-mail-order-firm-withdraws-from-rakuten-online-mall-over-drone-tie-up</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese mail-order firm and shopping catalog magazine publisher Cataloghouse Ltd has withdrawn its store from Rakuten Group Inc&#039;s e-commerce website as Rakuten reportedly plans to partner with a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, mail-order, firm, withdraws, from, Rakuten, online, mall, over, drone, tie-up</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese mail-order firm and shopping catalog magazine publisher Cataloghouse Ltd has withdrawn its store from Rakuten Group Inc's e-commerce website as Rakuten reportedly plans to partner with a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China&amp;apos;s Baidu posts fifth straight quarterly revenue drop</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-baidu-posts-fifth-straight-quarterly-revenue-drop</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-baidu-posts-fifth-straight-quarterly-revenue-drop</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Baidu has posted a fifth straight drop in quarterly revenue as the Chinese tech giant expressed confidence in its transition to artificial intelligence services to drive long-term growth.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:03:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinas, Baidu, posts, fifth, straight, quarterly, revenue, drop</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Baidu has posted a fifth straight drop in quarterly revenue as the Chinese tech giant expressed confidence in its transition to artificial intelligence services to drive long-term growth.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>A new look and fresh merch are winning customers back at Target as sales rebound</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-new-look-and-fresh-merch-are-winning-customers-back-at-target-as-sales-rebound</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-new-look-and-fresh-merch-are-winning-customers-back-at-target-as-sales-rebound</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Target reported a second straight quarter of comparable sales gains on Wednesday, saying that a merchandising overhaul under the retailer&#039;s new CEO attracted more customers and boosted sales… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>new, look, and, fresh, merch, are, winning, customers, back, Target, sales, rebound</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Target reported a second straight quarter of comparable sales gains on Wednesday, saying that a merchandising overhaul under the retailer's new CEO attracted more customers and boosted sales…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Copper powers profit rise at mining giant BHP</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/copper-powers-profit-rise-at-mining-giant-bhp</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/copper-powers-profit-rise-at-mining-giant-bhp</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Australian mining titan BHP reported Tuesday a solid rise in annual profit boosted by surging prices for copper -- a key metal for the global energy transition and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Copper, powers, profit, rise, mining, giant, BHP</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Australian mining titan BHP reported Tuesday a solid rise in annual profit boosted by surging prices for copper -- a key metal for the global energy transition and…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Deal reached to expand bluefin tuna fishing quotas as sought by Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/deal-reached-to-expand-bluefin-tuna-fishing-quotas-as-sought-by-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/deal-reached-to-expand-bluefin-tuna-fishing-quotas-as-sought-by-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ An international conference on sustainable management of Pacific bluefin tuna reached an agreement Tuesday to expand catch quotas for larger fish as sought by Japan, Japanese government sources… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Deal, reached, expand, bluefin, tuna, fishing, quotas, sought, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[An international conference on sustainable management of Pacific bluefin tuna reached an agreement Tuesday to expand catch quotas for larger fish as sought by Japan, Japanese government sources…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Fukushima fully resumes Taiwan peach exports for 1st time since disaster</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/fukushima-fully-resumes-taiwan-peach-exports-for-1st-time-since-disaster</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/fukushima-fully-resumes-taiwan-peach-exports-for-1st-time-since-disaster</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Peach exports from Fukushima Prefecture to Taiwan resumed in full on Monday for the first time since shipments were halted following the 2011 nuclear crisis in northeastern Japan.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Fukushima, fully, resumes, Taiwan, peach, exports, for, 1st, time, since, disaster</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Peach exports from Fukushima Prefecture to Taiwan resumed in full on Monday for the first time since shipments were halted following the 2011 nuclear crisis in northeastern Japan.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Virgin moves closer to launching Eurostar rival in 2030</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/virgin-moves-closer-to-launching-eurostar-rival-in-2030</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/virgin-moves-closer-to-launching-eurostar-rival-in-2030</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ British group Virgin has been granted track access to run new cross-Channel train services from 2030, the country&#039;s rail regulator said Monday, bringing it closer to launching a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Virgin, moves, closer, launching, Eurostar, rival, 2030</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[British group Virgin has been granted track access to run new cross-Channel train services from 2030, the country's rail regulator said Monday, bringing it closer to launching a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Companies roll out new UV protection products for men amid severe heat</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/companies-roll-out-new-uv-protection-products-for-men-amid-severe-heat</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/companies-roll-out-new-uv-protection-products-for-men-amid-severe-heat</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese consumer goods makers have rolled out a new wave of UV protection products targeting men this year as scorching heat persists across the country, emphasizing smooth and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Companies, roll, out, new, protection, products, for, men, amid, severe, heat</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese consumer goods makers have rolled out a new wave of UV protection products targeting men this year as scorching heat persists across the country, emphasizing smooth and…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s economy manages 1.1% growth rate despite headwinds</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-economy-manages-11-growth-rate-despite-headwinds</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-economy-manages-11-growth-rate-despite-headwinds</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan’s economy grew an annual rate of 1.1% in the April-June quarter even as private consumption stayed flat and the growth of exports declined, according to government data… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:39:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, economy, manages, 1.1, growth, rate, despite, headwinds</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan’s economy grew an annual rate of 1.1% in the April-June quarter even as private consumption stayed flat and the growth of exports declined, according to government data…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese auto, motorcycle makers back India&amp;apos;s drive to cut fossil fuel use</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-auto-motorcycle-makers-back-indias-drive-to-cut-fossil-fuel-use</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-auto-motorcycle-makers-back-indias-drive-to-cut-fossil-fuel-use</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#039;s recent appeal to Indians to reduce petrol and diesel consumption is reinforcing a broader shift in the country&#039;s mobility strategy, with Japanese automakers, a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, auto, motorcycle, makers, back, Indias, drive, cut, fossil, fuel, use</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent appeal to Indians to reduce petrol and diesel consumption is reinforcing a broader shift in the country's mobility strategy, with Japanese automakers, a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>China&amp;apos;s viral &amp;apos;spicy strips&amp;apos; take a bite of global snack market</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-viral-spicy-strips-take-a-bite-of-global-snack-market</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-viral-spicy-strips-take-a-bite-of-global-snack-market</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ At a gleaming new factory in China&#039;s central hinterland, masked workers in white uniform season and sift through mounds of latiao, a longtime popular snack that has found… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinas, viral, spicy, strips, take, bite, global, snack, market</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[At a gleaming new factory in China's central hinterland, masked workers in white uniform season and sift through mounds of latiao, a longtime popular snack that has found…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Toyota aims to bolster earning power amid tariff, Middle East headwinds</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-aims-to-bolster-earning-power-amid-tariff-middle-east-headwinds</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-aims-to-bolster-earning-power-amid-tariff-middle-east-headwinds</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Toyota Motor Corp&#039;s top executive vowed to strengthen its &quot;earning power,&quot; with the industry facing headwinds from U.S. tariffs and the prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
Toyota&#039;s… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toyota, aims, bolster, earning, power, amid, tariff, Middle, East, headwinds</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Toyota Motor Corp's top executive vowed to strengthen its "earning power," with the industry facing headwinds from U.S. tariffs and the prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
Toyota's…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>U.S. retail sales weakest in over a year, consumer sentiment plunges</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-retail-sales-weakest-in-over-a-year-consumer-sentiment-plunges</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-retail-sales-weakest-in-over-a-year-consumer-sentiment-plunges</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ U.S. retail sales gave their weakest showing in more than a year and consumer sentiment plunged, data showed Friday, as households battered by fallout from President Donald Trump&#039;s… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., retail, sales, weakest, over, year, consumer, sentiment, plunges</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[U.S. retail sales gave their weakest showing in more than a year and consumer sentiment plunged, data showed Friday, as households battered by fallout from President Donald Trump's…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>A surprise credit after an overseas purchase: The tariff refunds now flowing through shippers</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-surprise-credit-after-an-overseas-purchase-the-tariff-refunds-now-flowing-through-shippers</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-surprise-credit-after-an-overseas-purchase-the-tariff-refunds-now-flowing-through-shippers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If you bought something from an overseas vendor last year, it might be time to check your bank account.
Shippers including FedEx and UPS that acted as customs… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>surprise, credit, after, overseas, purchase:, The, tariff, refunds, now, flowing, through, shippers</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[If you bought something from an overseas vendor last year, it might be time to check your bank account.
Shippers including FedEx and UPS that acted as customs…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Australia sets &amp;apos;world&#45;leading&amp;apos; minimum pay and insurance rules for gig delivery workers</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/australia-sets-world-leading-minimum-pay-and-insurance-rules-for-gig-delivery-workers</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/australia-sets-world-leading-minimum-pay-and-insurance-rules-for-gig-delivery-workers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Australia&#039;s industrial umpire has approved new minimum standards requiring food and grocery delivery workers to be paid ‌hourly rates above the national minimum wage and covered by injury… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Australia, sets, world-leading, minimum, pay, and, insurance, rules, for, gig, delivery, workers</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Australia's industrial umpire has approved new minimum standards requiring food and grocery delivery workers to be paid ‌hourly rates above the national minimum wage and covered by injury…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Ultra rare Nintendo Mario game cartridges discovered in Wisconsin</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ultra-rare-nintendo-mario-game-cartridges-discovered-in-wisconsin</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ultra-rare-nintendo-mario-game-cartridges-discovered-in-wisconsin</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A few years ago, a pop culture store owner in Wisconsin mentioned to Jason Ganos, a well-known Nintendo game collector, that he had a box of Super Mario… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ultra, rare, Nintendo, Mario, game, cartridges, discovered, Wisconsin</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A few years ago, a pop culture store owner in Wisconsin mentioned to Jason Ganos, a well-known Nintendo game collector, that he had a box of Super Mario…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Hiroshi Okuda, former Toyota chief credited for leading automaker&amp;apos;s global climb, dies at 93</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hiroshi-okuda-former-toyota-chief-credited-for-leading-automakers-global-climb-dies-at-93</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hiroshi-okuda-former-toyota-chief-credited-for-leading-automakers-global-climb-dies-at-93</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Hiroshi Okuda, the former chief executive of Toyota, who led the Japanese automaker’s stellar rise in global markets, has died, the company said Wednesday. He was 93.
The… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:11:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hiroshi, Okuda, former, Toyota, chief, credited, for, leading, automakers, global, climb, dies</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hiroshi Okuda, the former chief executive of Toyota, who led the Japanese automaker’s stellar rise in global markets, has died, the company said Wednesday. He was 93.
The…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Toyota recalls 655K Camrys over display error that may deactivate turn signals and other indicators</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-recalls-655k-camrys-over-display-error-that-may-deactivate-turn-signals-and-other-indicators</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-recalls-655k-camrys-over-display-error-that-may-deactivate-turn-signals-and-other-indicators</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Toyota is recalling about 655,000 of its Camry vehicles globally, the automaker confirmed Tuesday, due to a display error that may deactivate safety indicators like turn signals and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toyota, recalls, 655K, Camrys, over, display, error, that, may, deactivate, turn, signals, and, other, indicators</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Toyota is recalling about 655,000 of its Camry vehicles globally, the automaker confirmed Tuesday, due to a display error that may deactivate safety indicators like turn signals and…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Brazil aircraft maker Embraer raises outlook after record revenue</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/brazil-aircraft-maker-embraer-raises-outlook-after-record-revenue</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/brazil-aircraft-maker-embraer-raises-outlook-after-record-revenue</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer said Monday it expects higher profits than previously forecast in 2026 after record second-quarter revenues and an all-time high order backlog.
The world&#039;s third-largest… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Brazil, aircraft, maker, Embraer, raises, outlook, after, record, revenue</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer said Monday it expects higher profits than previously forecast in 2026 after record second-quarter revenues and an all-time high order backlog.
The world's third-largest…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Economic losses from natural disasters fall to $100 bil in first half of 2026: Swiss Re</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/economic-losses-from-natural-disasters-fall-to-100-bil-in-first-half-of-2026-swiss-re</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/economic-losses-from-natural-disasters-fall-to-100-bil-in-first-half-of-2026-swiss-re</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Economic losses from natural catastrophes worldwide are estimated to have reached $100 billion in the first half of this year, reinsurance group Swiss Re said Tuesday, a sharp… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Economic, losses, from, natural, disasters, fall, 100, bil, first, half, 2026:, Swiss</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Economic losses from natural catastrophes worldwide are estimated to have reached $100 billion in the first half of this year, reinsurance group Swiss Re said Tuesday, a sharp…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan bankruptcies in July top 1,000 for 2nd straight month</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-bankruptcies-in-july-top-1000-for-2nd-straight-month</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-bankruptcies-in-july-top-1000-for-2nd-straight-month</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Corporate bankruptcies in Japan rose 6.9 percent from a year earlier to 1,028 in July, topping 1,000 for the second straight month as labor shortages and rising prices… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:07:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, bankruptcies, July, top, 1, 000, for, 2nd, straight, month</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Corporate bankruptcies in Japan rose 6.9 percent from a year earlier to 1,028 in July, topping 1,000 for the second straight month as labor shortages and rising prices…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Trump media company announces a massive loss and new turnaround effort</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-media-company-announces-a-massive-loss-and-new-turnaround-effort</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-media-company-announces-a-massive-loss-and-new-turnaround-effort</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The president&#039;s media company posted a massive loss in the second quarter and announced plans to ditch new business lines and refocus as a forum for users to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Trump, media, company, announces, massive, loss, and, new, turnaround, effort</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The president's media company posted a massive loss in the second quarter and announced plans to ditch new business lines and refocus as a forum for users to…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>From Uniqlo to Zara, clothing brands try to win over Gen Z with a needle and thread</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/from-uniqlo-to-zara-clothing-brands-try-to-win-over-gen-z-with-a-needle-and-thread</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/from-uniqlo-to-zara-clothing-brands-try-to-win-over-gen-z-with-a-needle-and-thread</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Encouraging customers to mend worn clothes instead of buying new ones might seem like a self-defeating sales strategy. But in-store repairs and sewing workshops are becoming essential retail… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>From, Uniqlo, Zara, clothing, brands, try, win, over, Gen, with, needle, and, thread</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Encouraging customers to mend worn clothes instead of buying new ones might seem like a self-defeating sales strategy. But in-store repairs and sewing workshops are becoming essential retail…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan logs current account surplus of ¥17.43 tril in 1st half of 2026</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-logs-current-account-surplus-of-1743-tril-in-1st-half-of-2026</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-logs-current-account-surplus-of-1743-tril-in-1st-half-of-2026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s current account surplus in the first half of 2026 rose 22.5 percent from a year earlier to 17.43 trillion yen ($110 billion) as the trade balance swung… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:43:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, logs, current, account, surplus, ¥17.43, tril, 1st, half, 2026</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's current account surplus in the first half of 2026 rose 22.5 percent from a year earlier to 17.43 trillion yen ($110 billion) as the trade balance swung…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan logs current account surplus of ¥17.43 tri in 1st half of 2026</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-logs-current-account-surplus-of-1743-tri-in-1st-half-of-2026</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-logs-current-account-surplus-of-1743-tri-in-1st-half-of-2026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s current account surplus in the first half of 2026 rose 22.5 percent from a year earlier to 17.43 trillion yen ($110 billion) as the trade balance swung… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:35:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, logs, current, account, surplus, ¥17.43, tri, 1st, half, 2026</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's current account surplus in the first half of 2026 rose 22.5 percent from a year earlier to 17.43 trillion yen ($110 billion) as the trade balance swung…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/end-of-a-manga-era-as-weekly-shonen-jumps-circulation-drops-under-one-million</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/end-of-a-manga-era-as-weekly-shonen-jumps-circulation-drops-under-one-million</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For decades, the jewel in the crown of the manga magazine world has been Weekly Shonen Jump. However, these days the jewel isn’t shining nearly as brightly as… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>End, manga, era, Weekly, Shonen, Jump’s, circulation, drops, under, one, million</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For decades, the jewel in the crown of the manga magazine world has been Weekly Shonen Jump. However, these days the jewel isn’t shining nearly as brightly as…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>ZXMoto leads China&amp;apos;s charge to dominate the global motorbike market</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/zxmoto-leads-chinas-charge-to-dominate-the-global-motorbike-market</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/zxmoto-leads-chinas-charge-to-dominate-the-global-motorbike-market</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Zhang Xue wept with joy and furiously waved a Chinese flag as he watched his company&#039;s superbike scream across the finish line four seconds ahead of competitors in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:03:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>ZXMoto, leads, Chinas, charge, dominate, the, global, motorbike, market</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Zhang Xue wept with joy and furiously waved a Chinese flag as he watched his company's superbike scream across the finish line four seconds ahead of competitors in…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>In a post&#45;pandemic world, job candidates feel caught between suits and hoodies</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/in-a-post-pandemic-world-job-candidates-feel-caught-between-suits-and-hoodies</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/in-a-post-pandemic-world-job-candidates-feel-caught-between-suits-and-hoodies</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The matching blazer and pants Dani McEwen wore to a job interview at an insurance company felt like a smart choice, until she noticed most of the employees… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>post-pandemic, world, job, candidates, feel, caught, between, suits, and, hoodies</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The matching blazer and pants Dani McEwen wore to a job interview at an insurance company felt like a smart choice, until she noticed most of the employees…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Gov&amp;apos;t mulls cost&#45;sharing among private firms for oil bypassing Strait of Hormuz</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/govt-mulls-cost-sharing-among-private-firms-for-oil-bypassing-strait-of-hormuz</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/govt-mulls-cost-sharing-among-private-firms-for-oil-bypassing-strait-of-hormuz</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Japanese industry ministry is considering creating a system for oil wholesalers and trading firms to share the extra costs of importing crude through routes that avoid passing… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Govt, mulls, cost-sharing, among, private, firms, for, oil, bypassing, Strait, Hormuz</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Japanese industry ministry is considering creating a system for oil wholesalers and trading firms to share the extra costs of importing crude through routes that avoid passing…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China&amp;apos;s exports slow slightly in July despite robust demand for high&#45;tech products</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-exports-slow-slightly-in-july-despite-robust-demand-for-high-tech-products</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-exports-slow-slightly-in-july-despite-robust-demand-for-high-tech-products</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China’s exports slowed slightly in July from the month before despite robust demand for high-tech electronics and vehicles.
Customs data released Friday showed China’s trade surplus narrowed to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinas, exports, slow, slightly, July, despite, robust, demand, for, high-tech, products</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China’s exports slowed slightly in July from the month before despite robust demand for high-tech electronics and vehicles.
Customs data released Friday showed China’s trade surplus narrowed to…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan spent record ¥6.28 tril in forex intervention on April 30</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-spent-record-628-tril-in-forex-intervention-on-april-30</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-spent-record-628-tril-in-forex-intervention-on-april-30</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese authorities spent a single-day record of 6.28 trillion yen ($40 billion) in a dollar-selling, yen-buying intervention on April 30 to stem the yen&#039;s slide that was followed… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:39:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, spent, record, ¥6.28, tril, forex, intervention, April</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese authorities spent a single-day record of 6.28 trillion yen ($40 billion) in a dollar-selling, yen-buying intervention on April 30 to stem the yen's slide that was followed…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Asian shares mixed after U.S. stocks fall back while oil rebounds</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-mixed-after-us-stocks-fall-back-while-oil-rebounds</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-mixed-after-us-stocks-fall-back-while-oil-rebounds</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Shares were mixed in Asia on Friday after a modest retreat on Wall Street, while oil prices gained more than 1%.
Selling of computer chipmakers and other stocks… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:31:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Asian, shares, mixed, after, U.S., stocks, fall, back, while, oil, rebounds</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Shares were mixed in Asia on Friday after a modest retreat on Wall Street, while oil prices gained more than 1%.
Selling of computer chipmakers and other stocks…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Nintendo reports a jump in profit on popularity of its Switch 2</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nintendo-reports-a-jump-in-profit-on-popularity-of-its-switch-2</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nintendo-reports-a-jump-in-profit-on-popularity-of-its-switch-2</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nintendo’s first quarter profit surged 53.5% as the popularity of its recent Super Mario movie worked with solid demand for the Switch 2 gaming console to support the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nintendo, reports, jump, profit, popularity, its, Switch</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nintendo’s first quarter profit surged 53.5% as the popularity of its recent Super Mario movie worked with solid demand for the Switch 2 gaming console to support the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>U.S. filings for jobless benefits rise to 199,000</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-filings-for-jobless-benefits-rise-to-199000</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-filings-for-jobless-benefits-rise-to-199000</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week but layoffs remain in the historically healthy range of the past few years.
U.S. filings for jobless… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., filings, for, jobless, benefits, rise, 199, 000</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week but layoffs remain in the historically healthy range of the past few years.
U.S. filings for jobless…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Police raid Starbucks&amp;apos; South Korean HQ over ad campaign that evoked massacre</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/police-raid-starbucks-south-korean-hq-over-ad-campaign-that-evoked-massacre</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/police-raid-starbucks-south-korean-hq-over-ad-campaign-that-evoked-massacre</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ South Korean police raided the headquarters of Starbucks’ local operation as part of an investigation into a controversial marketing campaign that was perceived as defaming 1980s&#039; pro-democracy movements.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Police, raid, Starbucks, South, Korean, over, campaign, that, evoked, massacre</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[South Korean police raided the headquarters of Starbucks’ local operation as part of an investigation into a controversial marketing campaign that was perceived as defaming 1980s' pro-democracy movements.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>U.S. companies stepping up to cut reliance on China for critical minerals used in key weapons</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-companies-stepping-up-to-cut-reliance-on-china-for-critical-minerals-used-in-key-weapons</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-companies-stepping-up-to-cut-reliance-on-china-for-critical-minerals-used-in-key-weapons</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Tucked inside a New Hampshire office park, a small refinery zaps mining waste with electricity to tease out critical minerals needed for key U.S. weapons systems, including missiles… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., companies, stepping, cut, reliance, China, for, critical, minerals, used, key, weapons</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Tucked inside a New Hampshire office park, a small refinery zaps mining waste with electricity to tease out critical minerals needed for key U.S. weapons systems, including missiles…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Cathay Pacific&amp;apos;s profit soars 71% despite Iran war driving up fuel costs</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/cathay-pacifics-profit-soars-71-despite-iran-war-driving-up-fuel-costs</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/cathay-pacifics-profit-soars-71-despite-iran-war-driving-up-fuel-costs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific said Wednesday that net profit surged 71 percent in the first half of the year, as demand from passengers avoiding the Middle East… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Cathay, Pacifics, profit, soars, 71, despite, Iran, war, driving, fuel, costs</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific said Wednesday that net profit surged 71 percent in the first half of the year, as demand from passengers avoiding the Middle East…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Honda reports robust results after its first ever annual loss</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/honda-reports-robust-results-after-its-first-ever-annual-loss</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/honda-reports-robust-results-after-its-first-ever-annual-loss</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Honda’s profit for the fiscal first quarter more than doubled from a year ago, as the Japanese automaker continues to tackle a turnaround from the first full year… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Honda, reports, robust, results, after, its, first, ever, annual, loss</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Honda’s profit for the fiscal first quarter more than doubled from a year ago, as the Japanese automaker continues to tackle a turnaround from the first full year…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Major Japanese firms agree to raise wages by over 5% for 3rd straight year</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/major-japanese-firms-agree-to-raise-wages-by-over-5-for-3rd-straight-year</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/major-japanese-firms-agree-to-raise-wages-by-over-5-for-3rd-straight-year</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Major Japanese companies agreed to increase monthly wages by more than 5 percent for the third consecutive year in 2026, the country&#039;s largest business lobby said Tuesday, reflecting… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Major, Japanese, firms, agree, raise, wages, over, for, 3rd, straight, year</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Major Japanese companies agreed to increase monthly wages by more than 5 percent for the third consecutive year in 2026, the country's largest business lobby said Tuesday, reflecting…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Weak yen helps auto giant Toyota raise forecasts</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/weak-yen-helps-auto-giant-toyota-raise-forecasts</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/weak-yen-helps-auto-giant-toyota-raise-forecasts</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese car giant Toyota on Tuesday raised its profit forecasts as the weak yen helped it compensate for the Middle East war and Chinese competition.
The world&#039;s number… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:07:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Weak, yen, helps, auto, giant, Toyota, raise, forecasts</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese car giant Toyota on Tuesday raised its profit forecasts as the weak yen helped it compensate for the Middle East war and Chinese competition.
The world's number…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>McDonald&amp;apos;s reports slower U.S. sales in 2nd quarter</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/mcdonalds-reports-slower-us-sales-in-2nd-quarter</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/mcdonalds-reports-slower-us-sales-in-2nd-quarter</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ McDonald&#039;s reported slower sales growth in the U.S. market in the second quarter as executives blamed too many simultaneous promotional offers, including a World Cup campaign that disappointed.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>McDonalds, reports, slower, U.S., sales, 2nd, quarter</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[McDonald's reported slower sales growth in the U.S. market in the second quarter as executives blamed too many simultaneous promotional offers, including a World Cup campaign that disappointed.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan farm, food exports up 10.9% to record high in 1st half of 2026</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-farm-food-exports-up-109-to-record-high-in-1st-half-of-2026</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-farm-food-exports-up-109-to-record-high-in-1st-half-of-2026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and food products in the first half of 2026 rose 10.9 percent from a year earlier to 897.7 billion yen… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, farm, food, exports, 10.9, record, high, 1st, half, 2026</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and food products in the first half of 2026 rose 10.9 percent from a year earlier to 897.7 billion yen…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Nissan sees profit for latest quarter but warns of Middle East and China woes</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-sees-profit-for-latest-quarter-but-warns-of-middle-east-and-china-woes</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-sees-profit-for-latest-quarter-but-warns-of-middle-east-and-china-woes</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nissan Motor Corp reported Monday that it returned to profit in the first quarter of the year, helped by cost cutting measures and improved sales in some markets.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nissan, sees, profit, for, latest, quarter, but, warns, Middle, East, and, China, woes</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nissan Motor Corp reported Monday that it returned to profit in the first quarter of the year, helped by cost cutting measures and improved sales in some markets.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>U.S. regulators grant long&#45;awaited Boeing 737 MAX 7 certificate</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-regulators-grant-long-awaited-boeing-737-max-7-certificate</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-regulators-grant-long-awaited-boeing-737-max-7-certificate</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ More than eight years after Boeing organized the maiden flight of the 737 MAX 7, the aircraft has won certification, U.S. authorities announced Monday.
The Federal Aviation Administration… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., regulators, grant, long-awaited, Boeing, 737, MAX, certificate</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[More than eight years after Boeing organized the maiden flight of the 737 MAX 7, the aircraft has won certification, U.S. authorities announced Monday.
The Federal Aviation Administration…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Pachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/pachinko-industry-rebounds-on-convenience-and-innovation-but-smaller-parlors-struggle</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/pachinko-industry-rebounds-on-convenience-and-innovation-but-smaller-parlors-struggle</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ While wandering the streets of a Japanese city, there’s a chance that during your stroll through a tranquil neighborhood, suddenly some automatic doors will open near you, unleashing… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:39:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Pachinko, industry, rebounds, convenience, and, innovation, but, smaller, parlors, struggle</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[While wandering the streets of a Japanese city, there’s a chance that during your stroll through a tranquil neighborhood, suddenly some automatic doors will open near you, unleashing…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Oil giants report blowout profits on war, warn high gas prices could persist</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/oil-giants-report-blowout-profits-on-war-warn-high-gas-prices-could-persist</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/oil-giants-report-blowout-profits-on-war-warn-high-gas-prices-could-persist</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ U.S. petroleum giants ExxonMobil and Chevron released blowout profits Friday due to the Middle East war, as executives cautioned that elevated gasoline prices will probably continue to strain… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Oil, giants, report, blowout, profits, war, warn, high, gas, prices, could, persist</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[U.S. petroleum giants ExxonMobil and Chevron released blowout profits Friday due to the Middle East war, as executives cautioned that elevated gasoline prices will probably continue to strain…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Trump says U.S. support for Japanese yen a &amp;apos;signal of friendship&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-says-us-support-for-japanese-yen-a-signal-of-friendship</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-says-us-support-for-japanese-yen-a-signal-of-friendship</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed that the United States had intervened jointly with Japan to support the yen, calling the move a &quot;signal of friendship&quot; that would… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Trump, says, U.S., support, for, Japanese, yen, signal, friendship</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed that the United States had intervened jointly with Japan to support the yen, calling the move a "signal of friendship" that would…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>U.S. dollar weakens sharply against yen after market interventions</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-dollar-weakens-sharply-against-yen-after-market-interventions</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-dollar-weakens-sharply-against-yen-after-market-interventions</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The U.S. dollar weakened sharply Monday against the Japanese yen after U.S. President Donald Trump and Japan’s finance minister confirmed both sides had intervened in markets.
Before late… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., dollar, weakens, sharply, against, yen, after, market, interventions</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The U.S. dollar weakened sharply Monday against the Japanese yen after U.S. President Donald Trump and Japan’s finance minister confirmed both sides had intervened in markets.
Before late…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China factory activity slides as leaders seek spending boost</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/china-factory-activity-slides-as-leaders-seek-spending-boost</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/china-factory-activity-slides-as-leaders-seek-spending-boost</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China&#039;s factory activity unexpectedly slid in July, official data showed Friday, as leaders in the world&#039;s second-largest economy struggle to reignite domestic demand.
The country&#039;s manufacturing sector has… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>China, factory, activity, slides, leaders, seek, spending, boost</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China's factory activity unexpectedly slid in July, official data showed Friday, as leaders in the world's second-largest economy struggle to reignite domestic demand.
The country's manufacturing sector has…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Seven &amp;amp; i secures ¥300 billion investment from SoftBank, PayPay</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/seven-i-secures-300-billion-investment-from-softbank-paypay</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/seven-i-secures-300-billion-investment-from-softbank-paypay</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Seven &amp; i Holdings Co said it will receive a total investment of 300 billion yen ($1.9 billion) from SoftBank Corp, its group firm PayPay Corp and Sumitomo… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Seven, secures, ¥300, billion, investment, from, SoftBank, PayPay</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Seven & i Holdings Co said it will receive a total investment of 300 billion yen ($1.9 billion) from SoftBank Corp, its group firm PayPay Corp and Sumitomo…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Yen surges to lower 157 versus dollar after Japan authorities step in</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yen-surges-to-lower-157-versus-dollar-after-japan-authorities-step-in</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yen-surges-to-lower-157-versus-dollar-after-japan-authorities-step-in</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Japanese yen briefly surged to the lower 157 level against the U.S. dollar in New York on Friday, with Japanese government sources confirming a yen-buying, dollar-selling intervention… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:52:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yen, surges, lower, 157, versus, dollar, after, Japan, authorities, step</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Japanese yen briefly surged to the lower 157 level against the U.S. dollar in New York on Friday, with Japanese government sources confirming a yen-buying, dollar-selling intervention…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>South Korea’s Kospi index jumps nearly 18% on a surge in chipmaking stocks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/south-koreas-kospi-index-jumps-nearly-18-on-a-surge-in-chipmaking-stocks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/south-koreas-kospi-index-jumps-nearly-18-on-a-surge-in-chipmaking-stocks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ World share benchmarks advanced, with South Korea’s Kospi index jumping near 18% on Friday, tracking gains on Wall Street as artificial intelligence-related stocks bounced back after losses earlier… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>South, Korea’s, Kospi, index, jumps, nearly, 18, surge, chipmaking, stocks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[World share benchmarks advanced, with South Korea’s Kospi index jumping near 18% on Friday, tracking gains on Wall Street as artificial intelligence-related stocks bounced back after losses earlier…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Sony hikes profit outlook on strong gaming earnings</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sony-hikes-profit-outlook-on-strong-gaming-earnings</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sony-hikes-profit-outlook-on-strong-gaming-earnings</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sony hiked its profit forecasts for the current year on Friday, helped by the Japanese consumer electronics giant&#039;s video games division and the weak yen.
For the year… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sony, hikes, profit, outlook, strong, gaming, earnings</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sony hiked its profit forecasts for the current year on Friday, helped by the Japanese consumer electronics giant's video games division and the weak yen.
For the year…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tech rebound fuels record&#45;breaking rally in South Korean stocks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tech-rebound-fuels-record-breaking-rally-in-south-korean-stocks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tech-rebound-fuels-record-breaking-rally-in-south-korean-stocks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ South Korean stocks soared a record 17 percent Friday as global tech firms performed a blistering recovery from an extended sell-off, with beaten-down chip giant SK hynix rocketing… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:13:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tech, rebound, fuels, record-breaking, rally, South, Korean, stocks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[South Korean stocks soared a record 17 percent Friday as global tech firms performed a blistering recovery from an extended sell-off, with beaten-down chip giant SK hynix rocketing…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan quake snarls auto and chip supply chains as toll hits 34</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-quake-snarls-auto-and-chip-supply-chains-as-toll-hits-34</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-quake-snarls-auto-and-chip-supply-chains-as-toll-hits-34</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A powerful earthquake that struck southern Japan this week has exposed the vulnerability of the country&#039;s manufacturing supply chains, a decade after a devastating quake in the same… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:13:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, quake, snarls, auto, and, chip, supply, chains, toll, hits</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A powerful earthquake that struck southern Japan this week has exposed the vulnerability of the country's manufacturing supply chains, a decade after a devastating quake in the same…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>BMW profit down a third as carmaker plans job cuts</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/bmw-profit-down-a-third-as-carmaker-plans-job-cuts</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/bmw-profit-down-a-third-as-carmaker-plans-job-cuts</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Net profit at premium carmaker BMW fell over a third in the second quarter, the firm said Thursday as it prepares to cut almost 10 percent of its… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:05:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>BMW, profit, down, third, carmaker, plans, job, cuts</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Net profit at premium carmaker BMW fell over a third in the second quarter, the firm said Thursday as it prepares to cut almost 10 percent of its…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>U.S. filings for jobless benefits rise to 197,000, but layoffs remain historically low</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-filings-for-jobless-benefits-rise-to-197000-but-layoffs-remain-historically-low</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-filings-for-jobless-benefits-rise-to-197000-but-layoffs-remain-historically-low</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week but layoffs remain in the historically healthy range of the past few years.
U.S. filings for jobless… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:05:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., filings, for, jobless, benefits, rise, 197, 000, but, layoffs, remain, historically, low</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week but layoffs remain in the historically healthy range of the past few years.
U.S. filings for jobless…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Prada profits pinched as growth hard to chase</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/prada-profits-pinched-as-growth-hard-to-chase</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/prada-profits-pinched-as-growth-hard-to-chase</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Prada said Thursday that its net profit slumped in the first half of this year as it integrates its new brand Versace, amid what the luxury fashion company… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Prada, profits, pinched, growth, hard, chase</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Prada said Thursday that its net profit slumped in the first half of this year as it integrates its new brand Versace, amid what the luxury fashion company…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Yen surges past 158 versus U.S. dollar, spurring intervention speculation</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yen-surges-past-158-versus-us-dollar-spurring-intervention-speculation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yen-surges-past-158-versus-us-dollar-spurring-intervention-speculation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The yen briefly surged past 158 versus the U.S. dollar late Thursday in Tokyo, prompting speculation that the Japanese government may have intervened in the market to prop… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yen, surges, past, 158, versus, U.S., dollar, spurring, intervention, speculation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The yen briefly surged past 158 versus the U.S. dollar late Thursday in Tokyo, prompting speculation that the Japanese government may have intervened in the market to prop…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>BOJ set to keep policy rate steady to gauge impact of hike to 31&#45;yr high</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/boj-set-to-keep-policy-rate-steady-to-gauge-impact-of-hike-to-31-yr-high</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/boj-set-to-keep-policy-rate-steady-to-gauge-impact-of-hike-to-31-yr-high</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Bank of Japan is likely to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at its two-day policy meeting from Thursday to assess the impact of its recent rate… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:25:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>BOJ, set, keep, policy, rate, steady, gauge, impact, hike, 31-yr, high</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Bank of Japan is likely to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at its two-day policy meeting from Thursday to assess the impact of its recent rate…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Profits soar at Airbus as it delivers more planes</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/profits-soar-at-airbus-as-it-delivers-more-planes</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/profits-soar-at-airbus-as-it-delivers-more-planes</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Airbus said Wednesday its net profit soared 47 percent in the first half of the year thanks to increased delivery of aircraft as well as higher sales by… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Profits, soar, Airbus, delivers, more, planes</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Airbus said Wednesday its net profit soared 47 percent in the first half of the year thanks to increased delivery of aircraft as well as higher sales by…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Toyota remains top automaker in 1st&#45;half global sales for 7th yr in row</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-remains-top-automaker-in-1st-half-global-sales-for-7th-yr-in-row</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-remains-top-automaker-in-1st-half-global-sales-for-7th-yr-in-row</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Toyota Motor Corp. on Thursday retained top spot in first-half global sales in 2026 for the seventh straight year, with its group companies selling 5.39 million vehicles worldwide… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toyota, remains, top, automaker, 1st-half, global, sales, for, 7th, row</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Toyota Motor Corp. on Thursday retained top spot in first-half global sales in 2026 for the seventh straight year, with its group companies selling 5.39 million vehicles worldwide…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Airbus completes record 24&#45;hour flight with plane to be used by Qantas</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/airbus-completes-record-24-hour-flight-with-plane-to-be-used-by-qantas</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/airbus-completes-record-24-hour-flight-with-plane-to-be-used-by-qantas</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A specially modified Airbus A350 plane touched down in France Tuesday after a record 24-hour test flight from Australia, ahead of it joining Qantas&#039;s fleet next year.
Its… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Airbus, completes, record, 24-hour, flight, with, plane, used, Qantas</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A specially modified Airbus A350 plane touched down in France Tuesday after a record 24-hour test flight from Australia, ahead of it joining Qantas's fleet next year.
Its…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>US Fed expected to hold rates steady as inflation hawks circle</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-fed-expected-to-hold-rates-steady-as-inflation-hawks-circle</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-fed-expected-to-hold-rates-steady-as-inflation-hawks-circle</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The US Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday, but with surging inflation fuelled by President Donald Trump&#039;s war on Iran, analysts say some… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Fed, expected, hold, rates, steady, inflation, hawks, circle</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The US Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday, but with surging inflation fuelled by President Donald Trump's war on Iran, analysts say some…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan hikes FY2026 average minimum wage guideline by 4.9% to ¥1,176</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-hikes-fy2026-average-minimum-wage-guideline-by-49-to-1176</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-hikes-fy2026-average-minimum-wage-guideline-by-49-to-1176</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ An advisory panel to Japan&#039;s labor ministry decided Tuesday to raise the minimum wage guideline for fiscal 2026 by a nationwide average of 55 yen (34 cents), or… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, hikes, FY2026, average, minimum, wage, guideline, 4.9, ¥1, 176</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[An advisory panel to Japan's labor ministry decided Tuesday to raise the minimum wage guideline for fiscal 2026 by a nationwide average of 55 yen (34 cents), or…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China&amp;apos;s BYD rolls out ultracompact EV to challenge Japan&amp;apos;s minicar market</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-byd-rolls-out-ultracompact-ev-to-challenge-japans-minicar-market</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-byd-rolls-out-ultracompact-ev-to-challenge-japans-minicar-market</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China&#039;s BYD Co. on Tuesday launched a new ultracompact electric vehicle developed specifically for Japanese customers to challenge the country&#039;s minicar market, long dominated by domestic automakers.
The… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:17:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinas, BYD, rolls, out, ultracompact, challenge, Japans, minicar, market</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China's BYD Co. on Tuesday launched a new ultracompact electric vehicle developed specifically for Japanese customers to challenge the country's minicar market, long dominated by domestic automakers.
The…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>LVMH says growth accelerates in second quarter</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/lvmh-says-growth-accelerates-in-second-quarter</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/lvmh-says-growth-accelerates-in-second-quarter</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LVMH, the world&#039;s top luxury group, said Monday that sales growth accelerated in the second quarter as it beat analyst expectations with stable net profit in the first… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>LVMH, says, growth, accelerates, second, quarter</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LVMH, the world's top luxury group, said Monday that sales growth accelerated in the second quarter as it beat analyst expectations with stable net profit in the first…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Oil prices sink nearly 7% and world shares gain as Chinese chipmaker CXMT soars in Shanghai debut</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/oil-prices-sink-nearly-7-and-world-shares-gain-as-chinese-chipmaker-cxmt-soars-in-shanghai-debut</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/oil-prices-sink-nearly-7-and-world-shares-gain-as-chinese-chipmaker-cxmt-soars-in-shanghai-debut</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ World shares were mostly higher Monday and oil prices slipped nearly 7% as the U.S. and Iran refrained from fighting while discussing a possible resumption of negotiations on… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Oil, prices, sink, nearly, and, world, shares, gain, Chinese, chipmaker, CXMT, soars, Shanghai, debut</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[World shares were mostly higher Monday and oil prices slipped nearly 7% as the U.S. and Iran refrained from fighting while discussing a possible resumption of negotiations on…]]> </content:encoded>
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