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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>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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
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<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
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<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>
</item>

<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>
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<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>
</item>

<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>
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<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>
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<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
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<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>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<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>
</item>

<item>
<title>Nissan&#45;based OS to be developed with Honda for next&#45;generation vehicles</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-based-os-to-be-developed-with-honda-for-next-generation-vehicles</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-based-os-to-be-developed-with-honda-for-next-generation-vehicles</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. have decided to jointly develop an operating system that will serve as the brain of next-generation vehicles, based on Nissan&#039;s OS,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:05:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nissan-based, developed, with, Honda, for, next-generation, vehicles</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. have decided to jointly develop an operating system that will serve as the brain of next-generation vehicles, based on Nissan's OS,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>The &amp;apos;rockets and feathers&amp;apos; effect: Inflation eases but grocery bills do not</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-rockets-and-feathers-effect-inflation-eases-but-grocery-bills-do-not</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-rockets-and-feathers-effect-inflation-eases-but-grocery-bills-do-not</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Economics has a term for what U.S. grocery prices have done in recent years: rockets and feathers.
Rockets, because the cost of food eaten at home zoomed up… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/a0/fa/369afb8ec334401c69db8c48071624c590da/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:05:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, rockets, and, feathers, effect:, Inflation, eases, but, grocery, bills, not</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Economics has a term for what U.S. grocery prices have done in recent years: rockets and feathers.
Rockets, because the cost of food eaten at home zoomed up…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Oil prices sink as US&#45;Iran pause fuels fresh Hormuz hopes</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/oil-prices-sink-as-us-iran-pause-fuels-fresh-hormuz-hopes</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/oil-prices-sink-as-us-iran-pause-fuels-fresh-hormuz-hopes</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Oil prices tumbled Monday as a pause in tit-for-tat strikes between the US and Iran boosted hopes for a return to their ceasefire and negotiations on reopening the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Oil, prices, sink, US-Iran, pause, fuels, fresh, Hormuz, hopes</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Oil prices tumbled Monday as a pause in tit-for-tat strikes between the US and Iran boosted hopes for a return to their ceasefire and negotiations on reopening the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks up on Middle East hopes but AI investment concerns trim gains</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-up-on-middle-east-hopes-but-ai-investment-concerns-trim-gains</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-up-on-middle-east-hopes-but-ai-investment-concerns-trim-gains</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Tokyo stocks rose Monday morning, after crude oil prices retreated on expectations that tensions in the Middle East would ease, while gains were trimmed on concerns over the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, Middle, East, hopes, but, investment, concerns, trim, gains</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Tokyo stocks rose Monday morning, after crude oil prices retreated on expectations that tensions in the Middle East would ease, while gains were trimmed on concerns over the…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Small businesses file lawsuits against Trump&amp;apos;s new sweeping tariffs</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/small-businesses-file-lawsuits-against-trumps-new-sweeping-tariffs</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/small-businesses-file-lawsuits-against-trumps-new-sweeping-tariffs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Trump&#039;s tariffs are headed to court — again.
Two lawsuits filed by small businesses are challenging Trump&#039;s sweeping tariffs announced Thursday that impose double-digit levies on 60 trading… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Small, businesses, file, lawsuits, against, Trumps, new, sweeping, tariffs</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Trump's tariffs are headed to court — again.
Two lawsuits filed by small businesses are challenging Trump's sweeping tariffs announced Thursday that impose double-digit levies on 60 trading…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Muhi cream sets Guinness record as longest&#45;selling anti&#45;itch product</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/muhi-cream-sets-guinness-record-as-longest-selling-anti-itch-product</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/muhi-cream-sets-guinness-record-as-longest-selling-anti-itch-product</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese anti-itch medicine Muhi cream has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the longest-selling drug of its kind, having marked 100 years since its launch.
An… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Muhi, cream, sets, Guinness, record, longest-selling, anti-itch, product</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese anti-itch medicine Muhi cream has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the longest-selling drug of its kind, having marked 100 years since its launch.
An…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>This wave of Trump tariffs is likely here to stay; more are coming</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/this-wave-of-trump-tariffs-is-likely-here-to-stay-more-are-coming</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/this-wave-of-trump-tariffs-is-likely-here-to-stay-more-are-coming</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ U.S. President Donald Trump had no time for lengthy tariff investigations when he returned to office last year, wanting to hammer trading partners right away to wring concessions.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>This, wave, Trump, tariffs, likely, here, stay, more, are, coming</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[U.S. President Donald Trump had no time for lengthy tariff investigations when he returned to office last year, wanting to hammer trading partners right away to wring concessions.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>From bath to fish market: DJs play to revive Japan neighborhoods</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/from-bath-to-fish-market-djs-play-to-revive-japan-neighborhoods</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/from-bath-to-fish-market-djs-play-to-revive-japan-neighborhoods</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In a century-old Japanese public bath, a DJ works the decks while naked men bathe behind him and students film the scene.
The Tokyo bathhouse is one of… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>From, bath, fish, market:, DJs, play, revive, Japan, neighborhoods</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In a century-old Japanese public bath, a DJ works the decks while naked men bathe behind him and students film the scene.
The Tokyo bathhouse is one of…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan tentatively rules China, S. Korea steel items sold at dumped prices</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-tentatively-rules-china-s-korea-steel-items-sold-at-dumped-prices</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-tentatively-rules-china-s-korea-steel-items-sold-at-dumped-prices</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Japanese government said Friday a preliminary investigation found that steel products from China and South Korea have been imported into Japan at below-market prices and that it… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:33:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, tentatively, rules, China, Korea, steel, items, sold, dumped, prices</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Japanese government said Friday a preliminary investigation found that steel products from China and South Korea have been imported into Japan at below-market prices and that it…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Samsung launches new, more expensive foldable smartphones</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/samsung-launches-new-more-expensive-foldable-smartphones</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/samsung-launches-new-more-expensive-foldable-smartphones</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ South Korean technology giant Samsung unveiled new, sleeker smartphone models priced more than previous models as artificial intelligence raises component costs.
One of the models resembles a miniature… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Samsung, launches, new, more, expensive, foldable, smartphones</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[South Korean technology giant Samsung unveiled new, sleeker smartphone models priced more than previous models as artificial intelligence raises component costs.
One of the models resembles a miniature…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>US unveils new tariffs on 60 partners as Trump rebuilds trade agenda</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-unveils-new-tariffs-on-60-partners-as-trump-rebuilds-trade-agenda</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-unveils-new-tariffs-on-60-partners-as-trump-rebuilds-trade-agenda</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The United States said Thursday that it would impose new tariffs on 60 trading partners over forced labor concerns, replacing an expiring global duty rolled out by President… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>unveils, new, tariffs, partners, Trump, rebuilds, trade, agenda</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The United States said Thursday that it would impose new tariffs on 60 trading partners over forced labor concerns, replacing an expiring global duty rolled out by President…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Leonardo chief sees potential for Germany to join GCAP fighter jet project</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/leonardo-chief-sees-potential-for-germany-to-join-gcap-fighter-jet-project</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/leonardo-chief-sees-potential-for-germany-to-join-gcap-fighter-jet-project</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The head of Italian defence giant Leonardo told AFP it would be &quot;beneficial&quot; for Germany to join an initiative led by Britain, Italy and Japan to develop a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Leonardo, chief, sees, potential, for, Germany, join, GCAP, fighter, jet, project</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The head of Italian defence giant Leonardo told AFP it would be "beneficial" for Germany to join an initiative led by Britain, Italy and Japan to develop a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tech bounce lifts Asia stocks, oil extends gains on US&#45;Iran fears</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tech-bounce-lifts-asia-stocks-oil-extends-gains-on-us-iran-fears</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tech-bounce-lifts-asia-stocks-oil-extends-gains-on-us-iran-fears</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Tech firms enjoyed a much-needed bounce on Thursday as they helped most Asian stock markets higher amid renewed hopes for the AI boom, though oil prices rallied after… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tech, bounce, lifts, Asia, stocks, oil, extends, gains, US-Iran, fears</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Tech firms enjoyed a much-needed bounce on Thursday as they helped most Asian stock markets higher amid renewed hopes for the AI boom, though oil prices rallied after…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s exports and imports grow as yen weakens</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-exports-and-imports-grow-as-yen-weakens</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-exports-and-imports-grow-as-yen-weakens</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan recorded a trade deficit in June, according to government data released Wednesday, as the higher price of oil imports helped cause the second straight month of red… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:17:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, exports, and, imports, grow, yen, weakens</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan recorded a trade deficit in June, according to government data released Wednesday, as the higher price of oil imports helped cause the second straight month of red…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Asian shares mostly gain and South Korea and Japan recover some losses from AI stock sell&#45;offs</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-mostly-gain-and-south-korea-and-japan-recover-some-losses-from-ai-stock-sell-offs</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-mostly-gain-and-south-korea-and-japan-recover-some-losses-from-ai-stock-sell-offs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Asian shares mostly gained on Tuesday, with markets in South Korea and Japan trading higher after recent declines due to heavy selling of stocks linked to artificial intelligence.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:09:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Asian, shares, mostly, gain, and, South, Korea, and, Japan, recover, some, losses, from, stock, sell-offs</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Asian shares mostly gained on Tuesday, with markets in South Korea and Japan trading higher after recent declines due to heavy selling of stocks linked to artificial intelligence.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Airbus pushes ahead with future single&#45;aisle jet, hydrogen plane</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/airbus-pushes-ahead-with-future-single-aisle-jet-hydrogen-plane</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/airbus-pushes-ahead-with-future-single-aisle-jet-hydrogen-plane</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ With its extended, foldable &quot;wing of tomorrow&quot; unveiled Tuesday at the Farnborough airshow, Airbus is moving closer to the 2030 launch of its new single-aisle aircraft, Bruno Fichefeux,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Airbus, pushes, ahead, with, future, single-aisle, jet, hydrogen, plane</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[With its extended, foldable "wing of tomorrow" unveiled Tuesday at the Farnborough airshow, Airbus is moving closer to the 2030 launch of its new single-aisle aircraft, Bruno Fichefeux,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Micro distilleries join Japan&amp;apos;s thriving whisky industry</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/micro-distilleries-join-japans-thriving-whisky-industry</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/micro-distilleries-join-japans-thriving-whisky-industry</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese whisky has won several awards for its quality and craftsmanship, gaining global recognition and leading to the emergence of more micro distilleries in the market in the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Micro, distilleries, join, Japans, thriving, whisky, industry</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese whisky has won several awards for its quality and craftsmanship, gaining global recognition and leading to the emergence of more micro distilleries in the market in the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>A wave of student loan borrowers in U.S. have entered default since pandemic&#45;era protections lapsed</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-wave-of-student-loan-borrowers-in-us-have-entered-default-since-pandemic-era-protections-lapsed</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-wave-of-student-loan-borrowers-in-us-have-entered-default-since-pandemic-era-protections-lapsed</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Defaults on student loans have surged across the United States, reaching record levels as borrowers struggle to keep up with payments.
The numbers have spiked since payments came… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>wave, student, loan, borrowers, U.S., have, entered, default, since, pandemic-era, protections, lapsed</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Defaults on student loans have surged across the United States, reaching record levels as borrowers struggle to keep up with payments.
The numbers have spiked since payments came…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Starbucks Korea staff form union after &amp;apos;Tank Day&amp;apos; campaign fiasco</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/starbucks-korea-staff-form-union-after-tank-day-campaign-fiasco</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/starbucks-korea-staff-form-union-after-tank-day-campaign-fiasco</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Workers at Starbucks Korea have formed a labor union, the company confirmed on Sunday, following a marketing fiasco that evoked painful memories of a 1980 government crackdown on… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Starbucks, Korea, staff, form, union, after, Tank, Day, campaign, fiasco</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Workers at Starbucks Korea have formed a labor union, the company confirmed on Sunday, following a marketing fiasco that evoked painful memories of a 1980 government crackdown on…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Oil hits one&#45;month high as Mideast war keeps investors on edge</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/oil-hits-one-month-high-as-mideast-war-keeps-investors-on-edge</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/oil-hits-one-month-high-as-mideast-war-keeps-investors-on-edge</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Brent crude hit on Monday its highest price since June due to renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, while Asian equities were mixed as investors weighed… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Oil, hits, one-month, high, Mideast, war, keeps, investors, edge</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Brent crude hit on Monday its highest price since June due to renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, while Asian equities were mixed as investors weighed…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Leather jacket worn by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang auctions for $960,000</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/leather-jacket-worn-by-nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-auctions-for-960000</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/leather-jacket-worn-by-nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-auctions-for-960000</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A black leather jacket sported by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sold for $960,000 at a New York auction on Friday, 16 times higher than the estimated value of… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Leather, jacket, worn, Nvidia, CEO, Jensen, Huang, auctions, for, 960, 000</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A black leather jacket sported by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sold for $960,000 at a New York auction on Friday, 16 times higher than the estimated value of…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>70,000 customers&amp;apos; info leaked by Sagawa Express setup error</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/70000-customers-info-leaked-by-sagawa-express-setup-error</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/70000-customers-info-leaked-by-sagawa-express-setup-error</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sagawa Express Co, a major Japanese parcel delivery company, said Saturday that personal information belonging to around 70,000 users of its membership service was leaked due to an… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>70, 000, customers, info, leaked, Sagawa, Express, setup, error</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sagawa Express Co, a major Japanese parcel delivery company, said Saturday that personal information belonging to around 70,000 users of its membership service was leaked due to an…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Frozen food giant Nichirei resumes operations after cyberattack</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/frozen-food-giant-nichirei-resumes-operations-after-cyberattack</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/frozen-food-giant-nichirei-resumes-operations-after-cyberattack</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Major Japanese frozen food maker Nichirei Corp on Friday resumed operations at refrigerated warehouses after supply chains were disrupted due to a cyberattack.
The attack led to the… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Frozen, food, giant, Nichirei, resumes, operations, after, cyberattack</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Major Japanese frozen food maker Nichirei Corp on Friday resumed operations at refrigerated warehouses after supply chains were disrupted due to a cyberattack.
The attack led to the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>England to ban sale of high&#45;caffeine energy drinks to under&#45;16s from next year</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/england-to-ban-sale-of-high-caffeine-energy-drinks-to-under-16s-from-next-year</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/england-to-ban-sale-of-high-caffeine-energy-drinks-to-under-16s-from-next-year</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The British government says it will ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in ‌England beginning in April ⁠next year, saying the ⁠move ⁠would protect children&#039;s… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>England, ban, sale, high-caffeine, energy, drinks, under-16s, from, next, year</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The British government says it will ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in ‌England beginning in April ⁠next year, saying the ⁠move ⁠would protect children's…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Asian shares sink, with Tokyo down 4% as slumping AI stocks drag world markets lower</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-sink-with-tokyo-down-4-as-slumping-ai-stocks-drag-world-markets-lower</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-sink-with-tokyo-down-4-as-slumping-ai-stocks-drag-world-markets-lower</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Asian shares skidded Friday, with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 down more than 4% as heavy selling of computer chipmakers and other AI-related shares dragged markets lower.
South Korean markets… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/41/94/2ab801e8eab67b4da073965216ce707951f1/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:13:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Asian, shares, sink, with, Tokyo, down, slumping, stocks, drag, world, markets, lower</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Asian shares skidded Friday, with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 down more than 4% as heavy selling of computer chipmakers and other AI-related shares dragged markets lower.
South Korean markets…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>UK nationalises struggling British Steel</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/uk-nationalises-struggling-british-steel</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/uk-nationalises-struggling-british-steel</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The British government said Thursday it had taken British Steel into full public ownership to &quot;protect the future of steel production in the UK&quot;, after taking control from… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:05:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>nationalises, struggling, British, Steel</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The British government said Thursday it had taken British Steel into full public ownership to "protect the future of steel production in the UK", after taking control from…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>U.S. retail sales lose steam in June as consumers spend less on gasoline</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-retail-sales-lose-steam-in-june-as-consumers-spend-less-on-gasoline</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-retail-sales-lose-steam-in-june-as-consumers-spend-less-on-gasoline</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ U.S. consumers slowed their spending in June while energy costs fell, government data showed Thursday, cooling retail sales as further uncertainty looms from the Middle East war.
Retail… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., retail, sales, lose, steam, June, consumers, spend, less, gasoline</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[U.S. consumers slowed their spending in June while energy costs fell, government data showed Thursday, cooling retail sales as further uncertainty looms from the Middle East war.
Retail…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>U.S. still world&amp;apos;s biggest air transport market, but growth slows: data</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-still-worlds-biggest-air-transport-market-but-growth-slows-data</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-still-worlds-biggest-air-transport-market-but-growth-slows-data</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The United States remained the world&#039;s largest air passenger market in 2025, but it recorded the slowest growth among the world&#039;s top 10 markets, new industry data showed… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., still, worlds, biggest, air, transport, market, but, growth, slows:, data</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The United States remained the world's largest air passenger market in 2025, but it recorded the slowest growth among the world's top 10 markets, new industry data showed…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Credit card outage hits convenience stores, other merchants across Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/credit-card-outage-hits-convenience-stores-other-merchants-across-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/credit-card-outage-hits-convenience-stores-other-merchants-across-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Credit cards failed to work at convenience stores and other merchants across Japan on Thursday following a system outage, with major credit card companies rushing to restore services.… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:41:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Credit, card, outage, hits, convenience, stores, other, merchants, across, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Credit cards failed to work at convenience stores and other merchants across Japan on Thursday following a system outage, with major credit card companies rushing to restore services.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>System failure at major Japanese frozen food company disrupts supply chains</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/system-failure-at-major-japanese-frozen-food-company-disrupts-supply-chains</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/system-failure-at-major-japanese-frozen-food-company-disrupts-supply-chains</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A system failure caused by unauthorized access to major Japanese frozen food maker Nichirei Corp has begun disrupting supply chains, with some restaurants and retailers telling customers certain… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>System, failure, major, Japanese, frozen, food, company, disrupts, supply, chains</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A system failure caused by unauthorized access to major Japanese frozen food maker Nichirei Corp has begun disrupting supply chains, with some restaurants and retailers telling customers certain…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China&amp;apos;s economy slows to 4.3% annual pace of growth in April&#45;June</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-economy-slows-to-43-annual-pace-of-growth-in-april-june</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-economy-slows-to-43-annual-pace-of-growth-in-april-june</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China’s economy slowed sharply to a 4.3% annualized pace of growth in the April-June quarter, the government said Wednesday. 
It was the slowest growth since late 2022 and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinas, economy, slows, 4.3, annual, pace, growth, April-June</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China’s economy slowed sharply to a 4.3% annualized pace of growth in the April-June quarter, the government said Wednesday. 
It was the slowest growth since late 2022 and…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China&amp;apos;s exports surge 27% from a year earlier as AI boom drives strong demand</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-exports-surge-27-from-a-year-earlier-as-ai-boom-drives-strong-demand</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-exports-surge-27-from-a-year-earlier-as-ai-boom-drives-strong-demand</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China’s exports accelerated in June, jumping 27% from a year earlier, driven by strong demand due to the boom in artificial intelligence, the customs agency said Tuesday. 
The… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinas, exports, surge, 27, from, year, earlier, boom, drives, strong, demand</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China’s exports accelerated in June, jumping 27% from a year earlier, driven by strong demand due to the boom in artificial intelligence, the customs agency said Tuesday. 
The…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Subaru issues recall for 541,000 SUVs over label with incorrect weight rating</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/subaru-issues-recall-for-541000-suvs-over-label-with-incorrect-weight-rating</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/subaru-issues-recall-for-541000-suvs-over-label-with-incorrect-weight-rating</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Subaru of America is recalling more than 541,000 of its Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent SUVs due to an inaccurate label attached to the vehicles.
According to a notice… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Subaru, issues, recall, for, 541, 000, SUVs, over, label, with, incorrect, weight, rating</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Subaru of America is recalling more than 541,000 of its Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent SUVs due to an inaccurate label attached to the vehicles.
According to a notice…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Car crisis takes toll on Germany&amp;apos;s young engineers</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/car-crisis-takes-toll-on-germanys-young-engineers</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/car-crisis-takes-toll-on-germanys-young-engineers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Despite a year of searching, previous stints at big automotive suppliers and sending out about 50 applications, German software engineer Max Peil is still looking for a job.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Car, crisis, takes, toll, Germanys, young, engineers</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Despite a year of searching, previous stints at big automotive suppliers and sending out about 50 applications, German software engineer Max Peil is still looking for a job.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan weighs support for megabanks to secure dollars for U.S. investments</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-weighs-support-for-megabanks-to-secure-dollars-for-us-investments-62040</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-weighs-support-for-megabanks-to-secure-dollars-for-us-investments-62040</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Japanese government is considering a framework to help major banks secure U.S. dollar funding to finance investment projects under Tokyo&#039;s $550 billion deal struck with the United… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, weighs, support, for, megabanks, secure, dollars, for, U.S., investments</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Japanese government is considering a framework to help major banks secure U.S. dollar funding to finance investment projects under Tokyo's $550 billion deal struck with the United…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Major German carmakers hit by steep China sales plunge as competition heats up</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/major-german-carmakers-hit-by-steep-china-sales-plunge-as-competition-heats-up</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/major-german-carmakers-hit-by-steep-china-sales-plunge-as-competition-heats-up</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Major German carmakers saw sharp quarterly sales declines in China as domestic demand weakened and competition heated up in the world’s biggest auto market.
At Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Major, German, carmakers, hit, steep, China, sales, plunge, competition, heats</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Major German carmakers saw sharp quarterly sales declines in China as domestic demand weakened and competition heated up in the world’s biggest auto market.
At Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>SoftBank, PayPay mulling stake in convenience store operator Seven &amp;amp; i</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/softbank-paypay-mulling-stake-in-convenience-store-operator-seven-i</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/softbank-paypay-mulling-stake-in-convenience-store-operator-seven-i</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SoftBank Corp and PayPay Corp are considering acquiring a stake worth several hundred billion yen in Japanese convenience store operator Seven &amp; i Holdings Co, sources familiar with… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>SoftBank, PayPay, mulling, stake, convenience, store, operator, Seven</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SoftBank Corp and PayPay Corp are considering acquiring a stake worth several hundred billion yen in Japanese convenience store operator Seven & i Holdings Co, sources familiar with…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Volkswagen sales plunge as German automaker lays out plan to slash number of brands</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/volkswagen-sales-plunge-as-german-automaker-lays-out-plan-to-slash-number-of-brands</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/volkswagen-sales-plunge-as-german-automaker-lays-out-plan-to-slash-number-of-brands</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Volkswagen reported weak sales numbers on Friday, a day after the giant German automaker announced plans to slash the number of models by nearly half as sales plunged,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Volkswagen, sales, plunge, German, automaker, lays, out, plan, slash, number, brands</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Volkswagen reported weak sales numbers on Friday, a day after the giant German automaker announced plans to slash the number of models by nearly half as sales plunged,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan registers its tea under protection system to curb imitation products</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-registers-its-tea-under-protection-system-to-curb-imitation-products</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-registers-its-tea-under-protection-system-to-curb-imitation-products</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s farm ministry said Friday it has newly registered three products, including &quot;Japanese tea,&quot; under its geographical indication protection system aimed at safeguarding brands of agricultural and fishery… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/e9/4a/191ec453046d5225713746103fc02fcdaccb/istock-1351381197/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, registers, its, tea, under, protection, system, curb, imitation, products</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's farm ministry said Friday it has newly registered three products, including "Japanese tea," under its geographical indication protection system aimed at safeguarding brands of agricultural and fishery…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Cocoa lynchpin sees chocolate lovers make hesitant return</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/cocoa-lynchpin-sees-chocolate-lovers-make-hesitant-return</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/cocoa-lynchpin-sees-chocolate-lovers-make-hesitant-return</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Barry Callebaut, one of the world&#039;s biggest chocolate makers, signaled Thursday that chocoholics are starting to replenish their stocks after being stung by inflation.
The group, which says… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Cocoa, lynchpin, sees, chocolate, lovers, make, hesitant, return</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Barry Callebaut, one of the world's biggest chocolate makers, signaled Thursday that chocoholics are starting to replenish their stocks after being stung by inflation.
The group, which says…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan businesses look to upgraded, innovative cooling items</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-businesses-look-to-upgraded-innovative-cooling-items</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-businesses-look-to-upgraded-innovative-cooling-items</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ With another hot summer expected this year in Japan, products to help consumers cope with the scorching weather are evolving, ranging from upgraded versions of staple items such… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, businesses, look, upgraded, innovative, cooling, items</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[With another hot summer expected this year in Japan, products to help consumers cope with the scorching weather are evolving, ranging from upgraded versions of staple items such…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan logs ¥3.97 tril current account surplus in May on firm exports</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-logs-397-tril-current-account-surplus-in-may-on-firm-exports</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-logs-397-tril-current-account-surplus-in-may-on-firm-exports</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan posted a current account surplus of 3.97 trillion yen ($24.2 billion) in May, as the trade balance swung into the black on strong exports of semiconductor-related devices… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, logs, ¥3.97, tril, current, account, surplus, May, firm, exports</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan posted a current account surplus of 3.97 trillion yen ($24.2 billion) in May, as the trade balance swung into the black on strong exports of semiconductor-related devices…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan bankruptcies in Jan&#45;June top 5,000 for 1st time in 12 years</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-bankruptcies-in-jan-june-top-5000-for-1st-time-in-12-years</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-bankruptcies-in-jan-june-top-5000-for-1st-time-in-12-years</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The number of corporate bankruptcies in Japan in the first half of 2026 involving debts of at least 10 million yen ($62,000) rose 7.1 percent from a year… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, bankruptcies, Jan-June, top, 5, 000, for, 1st, time, years</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The number of corporate bankruptcies in Japan in the first half of 2026 involving debts of at least 10 million yen ($62,000) rose 7.1 percent from a year…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan considers stockpiling naphtha</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-considers-stockpiling-naphtha</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-considers-stockpiling-naphtha</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan is considering stockpiling naphtha, an oil derivative necessary to make chemicals used in a wide range of products, as tensions in the Middle East raise supply concerns,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, considers, stockpiling, naphtha</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan is considering stockpiling naphtha, an oil derivative necessary to make chemicals used in a wide range of products, as tensions in the Middle East raise supply concerns,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Toyota to invest $3.6 bil in Texas plant, move some production from Mexico</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-to-invest-36-bil-in-texas-plant-move-some-production-from-mexico</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-to-invest-36-bil-in-texas-plant-move-some-production-from-mexico</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Toyota Motor Corp will spend $3.6 billion to add a new car assembly line to its San Antonio plant in the U.S. state of Texas, as part of… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toyota, invest, 3.6, bil, Texas, plant, move, some, production, from, Mexico</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Toyota Motor Corp will spend $3.6 billion to add a new car assembly line to its San Antonio plant in the U.S. state of Texas, as part of…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan real wages in May rise for 5th straight month on robust labor talks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-real-wages-in-may-rise-for-5th-straight-month-on-robust-labor-talks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-real-wages-in-may-rise-for-5th-straight-month-on-robust-labor-talks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s real wages in May rose 1.4 percent from a year earlier, increasing for the fifth straight month and marking the longest positive streak since a seven-month run… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:37:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, real, wages, May, rise, for, 5th, straight, month, robust, labor, talks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's real wages in May rose 1.4 percent from a year earlier, increasing for the fifth straight month and marking the longest positive streak since a seven-month run…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan rice prices expected to fall due to high inventories</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-rice-prices-expected-to-fall-due-to-high-inventories</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-rice-prices-expected-to-fall-due-to-high-inventories</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The June index forecast for rice prices over the next three months fell 4 points from the previous month to 19, remaining below the 50 threshold for the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, rice, prices, expected, fall, due, high, inventories</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The June index forecast for rice prices over the next three months fell 4 points from the previous month to 19, remaining below the 50 threshold for the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>OPEC+ to raise quotas again as Middle East calms</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/opec-to-raise-quotas-again-as-middle-east-calms</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/opec-to-raise-quotas-again-as-middle-east-calms</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A handful of countries in the OPEC+ oil-producing alliance plan to increase their outputs modestly next month, which would bring more oil online after fuel prices have fallen… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>OPEC, raise, quotas, again, Middle, East, calms</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A handful of countries in the OPEC+ oil-producing alliance plan to increase their outputs modestly next month, which would bring more oil online after fuel prices have fallen…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Who will inherit Japan? Aging owners fuel new era of business succession</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/who-will-inherit-japan-aging-owners-fuel-new-era-of-business-succession</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/who-will-inherit-japan-aging-owners-fuel-new-era-of-business-succession</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Diners at a sleek teppanyaki restaurant in Tokyo&#039;s Asakusa district wait happily as chefs sear marbled Kobe beef over open grills. Expectations are high at Kisshokichi, one of… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Who, will, inherit, Japan, Aging, owners, fuel, new, era, business, succession</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Diners at a sleek teppanyaki restaurant in Tokyo's Asakusa district wait happily as chefs sear marbled Kobe beef over open grills. Expectations are high at Kisshokichi, one of…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China sports brands score NBA stars to assist global ambitions</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/china-sports-brands-score-nba-stars-to-assist-global-ambitions</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/china-sports-brands-score-nba-stars-to-assist-global-ambitions</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NBA star Kyrie Irving walked out onto a basketball court in southwest China to rapturous applause, his brightly colored Chinese-made sneakers a vivid statement of domestic sportswear brands&#039;… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 05 Jul 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>China, sports, brands, score, NBA, stars, assist, global, ambitions</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NBA star Kyrie Irving walked out onto a basketball court in southwest China to rapturous applause, his brightly colored Chinese-made sneakers a vivid statement of domestic sportswear brands'…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan food delivery firms at crossroads as inflation squeezes profits</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-food-delivery-firms-at-crossroads-as-inflation-squeezes-profits</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-food-delivery-firms-at-crossroads-as-inflation-squeezes-profits</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s food delivery industry is at a crossroads as intensifying competition and rising prices squeeze profits, forcing some operators to withdraw from the market.
Driven by the convenience… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 04 Jul 2026 15:09:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, food, delivery, firms, crossroads, inflation, squeezes, profits</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's food delivery industry is at a crossroads as intensifying competition and rising prices squeeze profits, forcing some operators to withdraw from the market.
Driven by the convenience…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Job forever&amp;apos;: Trade schools are all the rage in the AI era</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/job-forever-trade-schools-are-all-the-rage-in-the-ai-era</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/job-forever-trade-schools-are-all-the-rage-in-the-ai-era</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Long looked down upon, skilled trades are booming in the United States, especially among young adults drawn by strong demand -- even as artificial intelligence (AI) eats into… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 04 Jul 2026 15:01:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Job, forever:, Trade, schools, are, all, the, rage, the, era</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Long looked down upon, skilled trades are booming in the United States, especially among young adults drawn by strong demand -- even as artificial intelligence (AI) eats into…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s average wages up over 5% for 3rd straight year</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-average-wages-up-over-5-for-3rd-straight-year</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-average-wages-up-over-5-for-3rd-straight-year</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese companies agreed to raise wages by an average 5.01 percent in this year&#039;s spring wage negotiations, marking the third consecutive year of pay increases of over 5… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 04 Jul 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, average, wages, over, for, 3rd, straight, year</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese companies agreed to raise wages by an average 5.01 percent in this year's spring wage negotiations, marking the third consecutive year of pay increases of over 5…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tesla global auto sales jump 25% in 2nd quarter, beating expectations</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tesla-global-auto-sales-jump-25-in-2nd-quarter-beating-expectations</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tesla-global-auto-sales-jump-25-in-2nd-quarter-beating-expectations</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Tesla reported a jump in second-quarter auto sales Thursday, as Elon Musk&#039;s electric vehicle company easily topped expectations in a period of lofty gasoline prices due to the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tesla, global, auto, sales, jump, 25, 2nd, quarter, beating, expectations</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Tesla reported a jump in second-quarter auto sales Thursday, as Elon Musk's electric vehicle company easily topped expectations in a period of lofty gasoline prices due to the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>U.S. filings for jobless aid fall to 215,000</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-filings-for-jobless-aid-fall-to-215000</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-filings-for-jobless-aid-fall-to-215000</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ U.S. applications for jobless aid inched down last week as layoffs remain at historically healthy levels.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits in the week ending… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., filings, for, jobless, aid, fall, 215, 000</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[U.S. applications for jobless aid inched down last week as layoffs remain at historically healthy levels.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits in the week ending…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan FY 2025 tax revenue likely topped ¥84 trillion amid inflation</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-fy-2025-tax-revenue-likely-topped-84-trillion-amid-inflation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-fy-2025-tax-revenue-likely-topped-84-trillion-amid-inflation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s tax revenue for fiscal 2025 ended March is expected to set a record high for the sixth straight year, exceeding 84 trillion yen ($517 billion), a source… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:25:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, 2025, tax, revenue, likely, topped, ¥84, trillion, amid, inflation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's tax revenue for fiscal 2025 ended March is expected to set a record high for the sixth straight year, exceeding 84 trillion yen ($517 billion), a source…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Sony to stop releasing PlayStation games on discs</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sony-to-stop-releasing-playstation-games-on-discs</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sony-to-stop-releasing-playstation-games-on-discs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sony said Wednesday that it would stop releasing new video games for the PlayStation on disc in January 2028 following a shift in consumer preferences.
&quot;Following this date,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:01:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sony, stop, releasing, PlayStation, games, discs</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sony said Wednesday that it would stop releasing new video games for the PlayStation on disc in January 2028 following a shift in consumer preferences.
"Following this date,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Survey shows Japan&amp;apos;s business sentiment improving for a 5th straight quarter</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/survey-shows-japans-business-sentiment-improving-for-a-5th-straight-quarter</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/survey-shows-japans-business-sentiment-improving-for-a-5th-straight-quarter</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Business sentiment among major Japanese manufacturers has improved for a fifth straight quarter, the Bank of Japan said in its quarterly “tankan” survey released Wednesday.
The survey&#039;s so-called… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Survey, shows, Japans, business, sentiment, improving, for, 5th, straight, quarter</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Business sentiment among major Japanese manufacturers has improved for a fifth straight quarter, the Bank of Japan said in its quarterly “tankan” survey released Wednesday.
The survey's so-called…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Mobile Suica charging disrupted, affecting transit, shopping</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/mobile-suica-charging-disrupted-affecting-transit-shopping</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/mobile-suica-charging-disrupted-affecting-transit-shopping</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ East Japan Railway Co said Wednesday that users of its Mobile Suica app for transit and payments were unable to add money digitally or use other services for… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Mobile, Suica, charging, disrupted, affecting, transit, shopping</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[East Japan Railway Co said Wednesday that users of its Mobile Suica app for transit and payments were unable to add money digitally or use other services for…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Over 2,500 food items in Japan to see price hikes in July</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/over-2500-food-items-in-japan-to-see-price-hikes-in-july</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/over-2500-food-items-in-japan-to-see-price-hikes-in-july</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Prices will be raised for more than 2,500 food items in July as the cost of raw materials and supplies to consumers continues to be affected by the Middle… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:37:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Over, 2, 500, food, items, Japan, see, price, hikes, July</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Prices will be raised for more than 2,500 food items in July as the cost of raw materials and supplies to consumers continues to be affected by the Middle…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Sales of rice from 2025 harvest to Japan wholesalers hit record low</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sales-of-rice-from-2025-harvest-to-japan-wholesalers-hit-record-low</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sales-of-rice-from-2025-harvest-to-japan-wholesalers-hit-record-low</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Agricultural cooperatives and other groups in Japan that collect rice from farmers sold a record-low 1.32 million tons of the grain from the 2025 harvest to wholesalers as… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:05:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sales, rice, from, 2025, harvest, Japan, wholesalers, hit, record, low</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Agricultural cooperatives and other groups in Japan that collect rice from farmers sold a record-low 1.32 million tons of the grain from the 2025 harvest to wholesalers as…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Job openings in U.S. stay at surprisingly strong 7.6 million in May</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/job-openings-in-us-stay-at-surprisingly-strong-76-million-in-may</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/job-openings-in-us-stay-at-surprisingly-strong-76-million-in-may</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ U.S. job openings stayed at a surprisingly strong 7.6 million in May as the American labor market remains resilient in the face of the economic shock from the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Job, openings, U.S., stay, surprisingly, strong, 7.6, million, May</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[U.S. job openings stayed at a surprisingly strong 7.6 million in May as the American labor market remains resilient in the face of the economic shock from the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China&amp;apos;s factory activity expands in June with boost from tech exports</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-factory-activity-expands-in-june-with-boost-from-tech-exports</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-factory-activity-expands-in-june-with-boost-from-tech-exports</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China’s factory activity picked up pace in June, an official survey showed Tuesday, as demand for artificial intelligence hardware made exports robust.
The official manufacturing purchasing managers index,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinas, factory, activity, expands, June, with, boost, from, tech, exports</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China’s factory activity picked up pace in June, an official survey showed Tuesday, as demand for artificial intelligence hardware made exports robust.
The official manufacturing purchasing managers index,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Yen sinks to 39&#45;year low of 162 against dollar despite intervention concerns</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yen-sinks-to-39-year-low-of-162-against-dollar-despite-intervention-concerns</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yen-sinks-to-39-year-low-of-162-against-dollar-despite-intervention-concerns</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The yen hit a fresh 39-year low past 162 versus the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, despite concerns by market players of possible intervention by Japanese authorities to stem… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:41:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yen, sinks, 39-year, low, 162, against, dollar, despite, intervention, concerns</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The yen hit a fresh 39-year low past 162 versus the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, despite concerns by market players of possible intervention by Japanese authorities to stem…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Toyota May global sales drop 7.2%; down for 4th month, on weak China demand</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-may-global-sales-drop-72-down-for-4th-month-on-weak-china-demand-60755</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-may-global-sales-drop-72-down-for-4th-month-on-weak-china-demand-60755</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Toyota Motor Corp said Monday its global sales in May dropped 7.2 percent from a year earlier to 834,279 units, marking the fourth straight month of decline, reflecting… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toyota, May, global, sales, drop, 7.2, down, for, 4th, month, weak, China, demand</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Toyota Motor Corp said Monday its global sales in May dropped 7.2 percent from a year earlier to 834,279 units, marking the fourth straight month of decline, reflecting…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Carlos Ghosn says he’d be best person to head Nissan now</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/carlos-ghosn-says-hed-be-best-person-to-head-nissan-now</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/carlos-ghosn-says-hed-be-best-person-to-head-nissan-now</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In the evening of Dec 30, 2019, when much of Japan was gearing down for the New Year’s holidays, a small team led by a former U.S. Special… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:37:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Carlos, Ghosn, says, he’d, best, person, head, Nissan, now</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In the evening of Dec 30, 2019, when much of Japan was gearing down for the New Year’s holidays, a small team led by a former U.S. Special…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Godiva Japan mulls sponsorship amid poor sales, soaring raw material costs</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/godiva-japan-mulls-sponsorship-amid-poor-sales-soaring-raw-material-costs</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/godiva-japan-mulls-sponsorship-amid-poor-sales-soaring-raw-material-costs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Godiva Japan Inc. is considering restructuring its business by securing sponsorship as the Japanese branch of the premium chocolatier continues to struggle with poor sales since the COVID-19… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:05:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Godiva, Japan, mulls, sponsorship, amid, poor, sales, soaring, raw, material, costs</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Godiva Japan Inc. is considering restructuring its business by securing sponsorship as the Japanese branch of the premium chocolatier continues to struggle with poor sales since the COVID-19…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Asia&amp;apos;s food vendors grapple with rising costs of ever&#45;present plastics</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/asias-food-vendors-grapple-with-rising-costs-of-ever-present-plastics</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/asias-food-vendors-grapple-with-rising-costs-of-ever-present-plastics</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Food vendors across Asia who rely on plastics for everything from bags to cups and containers are grappling with their rising costs, the result of the energy crisis… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Asias, food, vendors, grapple, with, rising, costs, ever-present, plastics</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Food vendors across Asia who rely on plastics for everything from bags to cups and containers are grappling with their rising costs, the result of the energy crisis…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>AI&#45;led Tokyo stock rally likely to continue, focus on earnings season</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ai-led-tokyo-stock-rally-likely-to-continue-focus-on-earnings-season</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ai-led-tokyo-stock-rally-likely-to-continue-focus-on-earnings-season</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ With many investors still willing to bet on the artificial intelligence investment boom, the Tokyo stock market&#039;s rally that recently pushed the Nikkei index to the 70,000-point mark… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>AI-led, Tokyo, stock, rally, likely, continue, focus, earnings, season</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[With many investors still willing to bet on the artificial intelligence investment boom, the Tokyo stock market's rally that recently pushed the Nikkei index to the 70,000-point mark…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Department store duty&#45;free sales up for 3rd month in May</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/department-store-duty-free-sales-up-for-3rd-month-in-may</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/department-store-duty-free-sales-up-for-3rd-month-in-may</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Duty-free sales at Japan&#039;s department stores in May rose 16.7 percent from a year earlier to around 49.66 billion yen, up for the third straight month, helped by… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:41:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Department, store, duty-free, sales, for, 3rd, month, May</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Duty-free sales at Japan's department stores in May rose 16.7 percent from a year earlier to around 49.66 billion yen, up for the third straight month, helped by…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Questions about resume gaps are expected. Here&amp;apos;s how job seekers can address them</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/questions-about-resume-gaps-are-expected-heres-how-job-seekers-can-address-them</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/questions-about-resume-gaps-are-expected-heres-how-job-seekers-can-address-them</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ When Monique Di Liberto began looking for a paying job after putting her career on pause to parent full-time, she felt paralyzed by self-doubt.
“Who do you think… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Questions, about, resume, gaps, are, expected., Heres, how, job, seekers, can, address, them</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[When Monique Di Liberto began looking for a paying job after putting her career on pause to parent full-time, she felt paralyzed by self-doubt.
“Who do you think…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Honda CEO apologizes for 1st annual net loss</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/honda-ceo-apologizes-for-1st-annual-net-loss</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/honda-ceo-apologizes-for-1st-annual-net-loss</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Honda Motor Co&#039;s top executive apologized Friday to shareholders for the company&#039;s first full-year loss since its 1957 listing for the year ended March and vowed to transform… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Honda, CEO, apologizes, for, 1st, annual, net, loss</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Honda Motor Co's top executive apologized Friday to shareholders for the company's first full-year loss since its 1957 listing for the year ended March and vowed to transform…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Sony discontinues Japan sales of robot puppy aibo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sony-discontinues-japan-sales-of-robot-puppy-aibo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sony-discontinues-japan-sales-of-robot-puppy-aibo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sony is halting sales of its robotic puppy &quot;aibo&quot; in Japan, the company said, eight years after the latest model of its interactive android pet became an instant… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sony, discontinues, Japan, sales, robot, puppy, aibo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sony is halting sales of its robotic puppy "aibo" in Japan, the company said, eight years after the latest model of its interactive android pet became an instant…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>U.S. jobless aid filings fall to 215,000 last week as layoffs remain low despite economic headwinds</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-jobless-aid-filings-fall-to-215000-last-week-as-layoffs-remain-low-despite-economic-headwinds</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-jobless-aid-filings-fall-to-215000-last-week-as-layoffs-remain-low-despite-economic-headwinds</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Fewer Americans applied for jobless aid last week as layoffs remain low despite economic headwinds that are creating uncertainty for businesses.
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits in the… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., jobless, aid, filings, fall, 215, 000, last, week, layoffs, remain, low, despite, economic, headwinds</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Fewer Americans applied for jobless aid last week as layoffs remain low despite economic headwinds that are creating uncertainty for businesses.
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits in the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan naphtha procurement woes worsen for 70% of firms: survey</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-naphtha-procurement-woes-worsen-for-70-of-firms-survey</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-naphtha-procurement-woes-worsen-for-70-of-firms-survey</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nearly 70 percent of surveyed Japanese firms reported worsening difficulties procuring naphtha and other oil products in May, citing Middle East tensions that raised supply concerns and production… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, naphtha, procurement, woes, worsen, for, 70, firms:, survey</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nearly 70 percent of surveyed Japanese firms reported worsening difficulties procuring naphtha and other oil products in May, citing Middle East tensions that raised supply concerns and production…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Bear deterrent products in high demand amid rising encounters</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/bear-deterrent-products-in-high-demand-amid-rising-encounters</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/bear-deterrent-products-in-high-demand-amid-rising-encounters</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ With an increase in bear sightings and attacks in Japan, a variety of new bear protection and safety goods and equipment have hit the market.
Bear repellent sprays,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Bear, deterrent, products, high, demand, amid, rising, encounters</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[With an increase in bear sightings and attacks in Japan, a variety of new bear protection and safety goods and equipment have hit the market.
Bear repellent sprays,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Armani&amp;apos;s heirs carry the vision forward as the house faces its next chapter</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/armanis-heirs-carry-the-vision-forward-as-the-house-faces-its-next-chapter</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/armanis-heirs-carry-the-vision-forward-as-the-house-faces-its-next-chapter</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Giorgio Armani’s legacy lived on during a runway show at his historic headquarters and home in the heart of Milan, followed by a casual dinner in the garden… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Armanis, heirs, carry, the, vision, forward, the, house, faces, its, next, chapter</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Giorgio Armani’s legacy lived on during a runway show at his historic headquarters and home in the heart of Milan, followed by a casual dinner in the garden…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China hits back at U.S. sanctions on tech giants, restricting its exports to American defense firms</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/china-hits-back-at-us-sanctions-on-tech-giants-restricting-its-exports-to-american-defense-firms</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/china-hits-back-at-us-sanctions-on-tech-giants-restricting-its-exports-to-american-defense-firms</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ China on Monday announced sanctions on 10 American military-related companies in response to a recent U.S. move that bars some leading Chinese tech companies from defense contracts.
The… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:04:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>China, hits, back, U.S., sanctions, tech, giants, restricting, its, exports, American, defense, firms</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[China on Monday announced sanctions on 10 American military-related companies in response to a recent U.S. move that bars some leading Chinese tech companies from defense contracts.
The…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>China travel agencies resume Japan group tours, but some later halt sales</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/china-travel-agencies-resume-japan-group-tours-but-some-later-halt-sales</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/china-travel-agencies-resume-japan-group-tours-but-some-later-halt-sales</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Several Chinese travel agencies have resumed accepting bookings for group tours to Japan, but some later halted sales after media reports on the development drew attention in China,… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:04:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>China, travel, agencies, resume, Japan, group, tours, but, some, later, halt, sales</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Several Chinese travel agencies have resumed accepting bookings for group tours to Japan, but some later halted sales after media reports on the development drew attention in China,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Coffee break: Starbucks Korea stores pause for training after &amp;apos;Tank Day&amp;apos; fiasco</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/coffee-break-starbucks-korea-stores-pause-for-training-after-tank-day-fiasco</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/coffee-break-starbucks-korea-stores-pause-for-training-after-tank-day-fiasco</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Lights off. Doors closed. Coffee lovers across South Korea were left craving their fix on Monday as more than 2,000 Starbucks shops shut for staff training after a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Coffee, break:, Starbucks, Korea, stores, pause, for, training, after, Tank, Day, fiasco</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Lights off. Doors closed. Coffee lovers across South Korea were left craving their fix on Monday as more than 2,000 Starbucks shops shut for staff training after a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan business groups visit Beijing expo featuring AI</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-business-groups-visit-beijing-expo-featuring-ai</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-business-groups-visit-beijing-expo-featuring-ai</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Representatives from several Japanese business groups on Monday visited a Beijing expo featuring artificial intelligence, with some voicing hope for improved Sino-Japanese ties strained over remarks Japanese Prime… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, business, groups, visit, Beijing, expo, featuring</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Representatives from several Japanese business groups on Monday visited a Beijing expo featuring artificial intelligence, with some voicing hope for improved Sino-Japanese ties strained over remarks Japanese Prime…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Top auto regulator opens special probe after a Tesla slams into a Texas home, killing a 76&#45;year&#45;old</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/top-auto-regulator-opens-special-probe-after-a-tesla-slams-into-a-texas-home-killing-a-76-year-old</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/top-auto-regulator-opens-special-probe-after-a-tesla-slams-into-a-texas-home-killing-a-76-year-old</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The top U.S. auto regulator opened an investigation Monday after a Tesla using an automated driving feature slammed into a Texas home at high speed and killed a… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/53/d8/24b611c41a611a1786ac2a5ea85796c2fa85/download-1/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Top, auto, regulator, opens, special, probe, after, Tesla, slams, into, Texas, home, killing, 76-year-old</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The top U.S. auto regulator opened an investigation Monday after a Tesla using an automated driving feature slammed into a Texas home at high speed and killed a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Eager to work, U.S. teens find a frustrating summer job search</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/eager-to-work-us-teens-find-a-frustrating-summer-job-search</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/eager-to-work-us-teens-find-a-frustrating-summer-job-search</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Jaelyn Chester will wait your tables or stock your shelves. She’ll wash your dishes or scrub your toilets. If only someone would give the 17-year-old a chance.
“I’ve… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Eager, work, U.S., teens, find, frustrating, summer, job, search</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Jaelyn Chester will wait your tables or stock your shelves. She’ll wash your dishes or scrub your toilets. If only someone would give the 17-year-old a chance.
“I’ve…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Ukrainian drone makers target Asia as Taiwan tensions spur demand</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ukrainian-drone-makers-target-asia-as-taiwan-tensions-spur-demand</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ukrainian-drone-makers-target-asia-as-taiwan-tensions-spur-demand</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The CEO of UFORCE, a Ukrainian producer of attack drones, flew to Tokyo in April with a pitch for Japanese officials and defense contractors: build thousands of our… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ukrainian, drone, makers, target, Asia, Taiwan, tensions, spur, demand</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The CEO of UFORCE, a Ukrainian producer of attack drones, flew to Tokyo in April with a pitch for Japanese officials and defense contractors: build thousands of our…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan considers antidumping duties on China, Taiwan stainless steel</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-considers-antidumping-duties-on-china-taiwan-stainless-steel</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-considers-antidumping-duties-on-china-taiwan-stainless-steel</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan is considering imposing antidumping duties on stainless steel products from China and Taiwan after a preliminary investigation recognized that they were being exported at unfairly low prices… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, considers, antidumping, duties, China, Taiwan, stainless, steel</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan is considering imposing antidumping duties on stainless steel products from China and Taiwan after a preliminary investigation recognized that they were being exported at unfairly low prices…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Bank of Japan Governor Ueda discharged from hospital</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/bank-of-japan-governor-ueda-discharged-from-hospital</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/bank-of-japan-governor-ueda-discharged-from-hospital</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Bank of ‌Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda was discharged from ‌hospital on ⁠Friday, the ⁠central ⁠bank said.
Ueda ‌will come into ⁠the office ⁠to work from Tuesday and continue… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Bank, Japan, Governor, Ueda, discharged, from, hospital</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Bank of ‌Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda was discharged from ‌hospital on ⁠Friday, the ⁠central ⁠bank said.
Ueda ‌will come into ⁠the office ⁠to work from Tuesday and continue…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan rice prices fall for first time in 3 1/2 years</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-rice-prices-fall-for-first-time-in-3-12-years</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-rice-prices-fall-for-first-time-in-3-12-years</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Rice prices in Japan finally fell in May for the first time in three and half years, a government official said Friday, following sharp rises for the staple… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, rice, prices, fall, for, first, time, 12, years</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Rice prices in Japan finally fell in May for the first time in three and half years, a government official said Friday, following sharp rises for the staple…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Price rises lure more Japanese companies into coffee farming</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/price-rises-lure-more-japanese-companies-into-coffee-farming</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/price-rises-lure-more-japanese-companies-into-coffee-farming</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ More companies are entering the coffee farming business to capitalize on a surge in coffee bean prices as prolonged drought and heatwaves due to climate change are expected… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Price, rises, lure, more, Japanese, companies, into, coffee, farming</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[More companies are entering the coffee farming business to capitalize on a surge in coffee bean prices as prolonged drought and heatwaves due to climate change are expected…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Average 30&#45;year U.S. mortgage rate falls to 6.47%, tracking lower bond yields as Iran war winds down</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/average-30-year-us-mortgage-rate-falls-to-647-tracking-lower-bond-yields-as-iran-war-winds-down</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/average-30-year-us-mortgage-rate-falls-to-647-tracking-lower-bond-yields-as-iran-war-winds-down</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell this week, tracking Treasury yields that have retreated since a deal to end the war with Iran was announced.
The benchmark… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Average, 30-year, U.S., mortgage, rate, falls, 6.47, tracking, lower, bond, yields, Iran, war, winds, down</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell this week, tracking Treasury yields that have retreated since a deal to end the war with Iran was announced.
The benchmark…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>EU wrestles over how to tackle China export flood</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/eu-wrestles-over-how-to-tackle-china-export-flood</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/eu-wrestles-over-how-to-tackle-china-export-flood</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ EU leaders will grapple on Thursday over whether the bloc needs new beefed-up trade defenses to curb the surge of Chinese exports deemed an existential threat to European… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>wrestles, over, how, tackle, China, export, flood</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[EU leaders will grapple on Thursday over whether the bloc needs new beefed-up trade defenses to curb the surge of Chinese exports deemed an existential threat to European…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Nissan launches all&#45;new Kicks in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-launches-all-new-kicks-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-launches-all-new-kicks-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nissan Motor Co Ltd on Thursday announced the launch of the all-new Kicks in Japan.
Nissan said the Kicks has earned strong customer support thanks to its SUV-like… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/32/62/30e7d83b2cc11a529f938e077e13aca18a03/screenshot-2026-06-18-at-13-34-11/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:40:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nissan, launches, all-new, Kicks, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nissan Motor Co Ltd on Thursday announced the launch of the all-new Kicks in Japan.
Nissan said the Kicks has earned strong customer support thanks to its SUV-like…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Asian shares shrug off Wall St blues following signing of U.S.&#45;Iran deal on ending the war</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-shrug-off-wall-st-blues-following-signing-of-us-iran-deal-on-ending-the-war</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-shrug-off-wall-st-blues-following-signing-of-us-iran-deal-on-ending-the-war</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Shares surged Thursday in Asia, with benchmarks in Japan and South Korea setting fresh records, after the U.S. and Iran signed their initial agreement ending the war.
In… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:24:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Asian, shares, shrug, off, Wall, blues, following, signing, U.S.-Iran, deal, ending, the, war</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Shares surged Thursday in Asia, with benchmarks in Japan and South Korea setting fresh records, after the U.S. and Iran signed their initial agreement ending the war.
In…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan sees exports jump 17% in May, but logs a deficit as imports surge</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-sees-exports-jump-17-in-may-but-logs-a-deficit-as-imports-surge</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-sees-exports-jump-17-in-may-but-logs-a-deficit-as-imports-surge</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan recorded a trade deficit in May, the first in four months, as imports of electrical machinery surged, helping to offset a jump in exports, the Finance Ministry… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:00:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, sees, exports, jump, 17, May, but, logs, deficit, imports, surge</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan recorded a trade deficit in May, the first in four months, as imports of electrical machinery surged, helping to offset a jump in exports, the Finance Ministry…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Fed policymakers show support for rate hikes as Warsh reins in guidance</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/fed-policymakers-show-support-for-rate-hikes-as-warsh-reins-in-guidance</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/fed-policymakers-show-support-for-rate-hikes-as-warsh-reins-in-guidance</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Federal Reserve kept its key rate unchanged Wednesday yet almost half the central bank’s policymakers said they could support a rate hike later this year.
The unexpectedly… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Fed, policymakers, show, support, for, rate, hikes, Warsh, reins, guidance</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Federal Reserve kept its key rate unchanged Wednesday yet almost half the central bank’s policymakers said they could support a rate hike later this year.
The unexpectedly…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Stuffed toys and surfboards: Japan used goods market booms overseas</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/stuffed-toys-and-surfboards-japan-used-goods-market-booms-overseas</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/stuffed-toys-and-surfboards-japan-used-goods-market-booms-overseas</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Under a scorching sun in a Bangkok suburb, a whistle blows and shouts fill the air as dozens of shoppers rush into a warehouse bearing the sign &quot;Japanese… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:36:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Stuffed, toys, and, surfboards:, Japan, used, goods, market, booms, overseas</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Under a scorching sun in a Bangkok suburb, a whistle blows and shouts fill the air as dozens of shoppers rush into a warehouse bearing the sign "Japanese…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Shares mixed and oil trades below $80 on optimism over interim U.S.&#45;Iran war deal</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/shares-mixed-and-oil-trades-below-80-on-optimism-over-interim-us-iran-war-deal</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/shares-mixed-and-oil-trades-below-80-on-optimism-over-interim-us-iran-war-deal</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Asian shares were mixed and oil was trading below $80 a barrel on Wednesday as markets watched for details on the interim agreement between the U.S. and Iran… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:28:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Shares, mixed, and, oil, trades, below, 80, optimism, over, interim, U.S.-Iran, war, deal</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Asian shares were mixed and oil was trading below $80 a barrel on Wednesday as markets watched for details on the interim agreement between the U.S. and Iran…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan watchdog raids 6 ice cream makers over suspected price&#45;fixing</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-watchdog-raids-6-ice-cream-makers-over-suspected-price-fixing</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-watchdog-raids-6-ice-cream-makers-over-suspected-price-fixing</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s antitrust watchdog searched six major ice cream makers Tuesday on suspicion of colluding to raise suggested retail prices, sources familiar with the matter said.
The Japan Fair… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, watchdog, raids, ice, cream, makers, over, suspected, price-fixing</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's antitrust watchdog searched six major ice cream makers Tuesday on suspicion of colluding to raise suggested retail prices, sources familiar with the matter said.
The Japan Fair…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Bank of Japan hikes rate to 31&#45;year high of 1%</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/bank-of-japan-hikes-rate-to-31-year-high-of-1</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/bank-of-japan-hikes-rate-to-31-year-high-of-1</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Bank of Japan hiked interest rates to a 31-year high Tuesday as it battles inflation caused by the Middle East war, even after Washington and Tehran agreed… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:40:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Bank, Japan, hikes, rate, 31-year, high</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Bank of Japan hiked interest rates to a 31-year high Tuesday as it battles inflation caused by the Middle East war, even after Washington and Tehran agreed…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Asian shares mostly higher; Nikkei tops 70,000 before BOJ rate hike</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-mostly-higher-nikkei-tops-70000-before-boj-rate-hike</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-shares-mostly-higher-nikkei-tops-70000-before-boj-rate-hike</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Asian shares mostly gained and Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 briefly topped 70,000 for the first time Tuesday before trimming early gains after the Bank of Japan raised its… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:40:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Asian, shares, mostly, higher, Nikkei, tops, 70, 000, before, BOJ, rate, hike</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Asian shares mostly gained and Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 briefly topped 70,000 for the first time Tuesday before trimming early gains after the Bank of Japan raised its…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Starbucks Korea to shutter outlets for history lessons after &amp;apos;Tank Day&amp;apos; fiasco</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/starbucks-korea-to-shutter-outlets-for-history-lessons-after-tank-day-fiasco</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/starbucks-korea-to-shutter-outlets-for-history-lessons-after-tank-day-fiasco</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Starbucks stores across South Korea will shutter for half a day next week for staff to attend a history lesson following a promotional campaign gone awry, the coffee… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Starbucks, Korea, shutter, outlets, for, history, lessons, after, Tank, Day, fiasco</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Starbucks stores across South Korea will shutter for half a day next week for staff to attend a history lesson following a promotional campaign gone awry, the coffee…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Australian tribunal rejects Inpex bid to stop gas facilities strikes</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/australian-tribunal-rejects-inpex-bid-to-stop-gas-facilities-strikes</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/australian-tribunal-rejects-inpex-bid-to-stop-gas-facilities-strikes</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Workers continued to strike at three liquified natural gas facilities in Australia operated by Inpex Corp Monday, after Australia&#039;s Fair Work Commission rejected a bid by the Japanese… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Australian, tribunal, rejects, Inpex, bid, stop, gas, facilities, strikes</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Workers continued to strike at three liquified natural gas facilities in Australia operated by Inpex Corp Monday, after Australia's Fair Work Commission rejected a bid by the Japanese…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Social networks, online video outweigh traditional media in 2026</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/social-networks-online-video-outweigh-traditional-media-in-2026</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/social-networks-online-video-outweigh-traditional-media-in-2026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ News consumers around the world are now turning more to social media and video platforms than traditional outlets for information, a respected report said Tuesday, warning that old-style… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Social, networks, online, video, outweigh, traditional, media, 2026</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[News consumers around the world are now turning more to social media and video platforms than traditional outlets for information, a respected report said Tuesday, warning that old-style…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Even with deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz, it could take weeks or months for oil to fully flow</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/even-with-deal-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-it-could-take-weeks-or-months-for-oil-to-fully-flow</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/even-with-deal-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-it-could-take-weeks-or-months-for-oil-to-fully-flow</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The tentative agreement to end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz would be good news for the global economy. But even as the price… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/90/de/910589ad8d91f44b33cab42224186bc2d6dc/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Even, with, deal, reopen, Strait, Hormuz, could, take, weeks, months, for, oil, fully, flow</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The tentative agreement to end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz would be good news for the global economy. But even as the price…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tentative deal on ending Iran war sends stocks soaring while oil prices fall</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tentative-deal-on-ending-iran-war-sends-stocks-soaring-while-oil-prices-fall</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tentative-deal-on-ending-iran-war-sends-stocks-soaring-while-oil-prices-fall</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Share prices soared Monday in Asia after a tentative deal was announced on ending the Iran war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices fell more than… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/22/b6/3fe29ba40af1fd76863cb9cf631fa20c7a74/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tentative, deal, ending, Iran, war, sends, stocks, soaring, while, oil, prices, fall</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Share prices soared Monday in Asia after a tentative deal was announced on ending the Iran war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices fell more than…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan to send delegation to Greenland to evaluate rare earth extraction, Nikkei says</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-send-delegation-to-greenland-to-evaluate-rare-earth-extraction-nikkei-says</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-send-delegation-to-greenland-to-evaluate-rare-earth-extraction-nikkei-says</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan is preparing to send ‌a delegation to Greenland this summer to evaluate possible rare ‌earth extraction, the Nikkei ⁠newswire reported on ⁠Sunday.
The ⁠visit would include officials… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2026 15:40:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, send, delegation, Greenland, evaluate, rare, earth, extraction, Nikkei, says</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan is preparing to send ‌a delegation to Greenland this summer to evaluate possible rare ‌earth extraction, the Nikkei ⁠newswire reported on ⁠Sunday.
The ⁠visit would include officials…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>The skills people still perform better than AI, according to workplace experts</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-skills-people-still-perform-better-than-ai-according-to-workplace-experts</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-skills-people-still-perform-better-than-ai-according-to-workplace-experts</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Many workers fear machines will supplant them as adoption of artificial intelligence accelerates.
But what if people have qualities both unmistakably human and essential to career success that… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, skills, people, still, perform, better, than, AI, according, workplace, experts</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Many workers fear machines will supplant them as adoption of artificial intelligence accelerates.
But what if people have qualities both unmistakably human and essential to career success that…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Record lobby cash shapes EU pro&#45;business agenda, campaigners say</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/record-lobby-cash-shapes-eu-pro-business-agenda-campaigners-say</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/record-lobby-cash-shapes-eu-pro-business-agenda-campaigners-say</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The corporate titans of the tech, energy and chemicals industries are spending more than ever to influence EU decision-makers, determined to see more business-friendly policies -- and it&#039;s… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/01/19/ff451696d9f4f7c5d15bdbbb7e0fbc0e6d68/e9fc3ff5044bb2c4f8e3bec9797839c55746f0c3/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Record, lobby, cash, shapes, pro-business, agenda, campaigners, say</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The corporate titans of the tech, energy and chemicals industries are spending more than ever to influence EU decision-makers, determined to see more business-friendly policies -- and it's…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>SpaceX stock soars in debut and makes Elon Musk first trillionaire</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/spacex-stock-soars-in-debut-and-makes-elon-musk-first-trillionaire</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/spacex-stock-soars-in-debut-and-makes-elon-musk-first-trillionaire</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Elon Musk became the world’s first trillionaire after shares of his rocket company SpaceX soared in Wall Street&#039;s biggest initial public offering of stock.
Shares in SpaceX jumped… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/24/39/afa7a972f1965fc77b86106c72210c60f781/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>SpaceX, stock, soars, debut, and, makes, Elon, Musk, first, trillionaire</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Elon Musk became the world’s first trillionaire after shares of his rocket company SpaceX soared in Wall Street's biggest initial public offering of stock.
Shares in SpaceX jumped…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Nissan halves vehicle development time in restructuring drive: CEO</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-halves-vehicle-development-time-in-restructuring-drive-ceo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nissan-halves-vehicle-development-time-in-restructuring-drive-ceo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nissan Motor Co&#039;s top executive says the carmaker has roughly halved vehicle development time as part of its restructuring efforts, aiming at a faster rollout of new models.… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/ea/58/bfab0722c801993c5e8e76847f01e930723d/new-nissan-ceo/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nissan, halves, vehicle, development, time, restructuring, drive:, CEO</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nissan Motor Co's top executive says the carmaker has roughly halved vehicle development time as part of its restructuring efforts, aiming at a faster rollout of new models.…]]> </content:encoded>
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