Japan is drawing up a supplementary budget of roughly 3 trillion yen for fiscal 2026 to help households weather a sharp rise in energy prices driven by ongoing instability in the Middle…
Category: Business
Gardenia retrenches 141 employees as it shifts bakery production from Singapore to Malaysia
SINGAPORE – Bread manufacturer Gardenia Foods will retrench 141 employees at its manufacturing facility in Pandan Loop after announcing on May 20 that it is shifting its bakery production to Johor Bahru. “The…
Singapore sees more ship calls but weaker bunker demand as Middle East war fuels price volatility
Singapore is receiving more ship calls as the Iran–US conflict disrupts shipping routes, but fewer vessels are refuelling heavily while in port, industry sources say. Data from the Maritime & Port Authority…
Japan’s rice consumption per person drops 6% to 7-year low in FY2025
Japan’s average monthly rice consumption per person fell 6.1 percent in the year ended March 2026 to 4,435 grams, the lowest level in seven years, according to data from the rice‑industry association….
Japan real wages rise for 3rd straight month but outpaced by price rises
Japan’s inflation-adjusted wages grew by 1.0 percent year-on-year in March, marking the third consecutive month of real wage increases as companies with healthy profit margins work to attract and retain workers through…
Nikkei ends at record high above 62,000, logging highest single-day point gain
Japan’s Nikkei 225 stock index closed at a record high above 62,000 on Thursday, achieving its largest single-day point gain ever of over 3,300 points. Market Performance The Nikkei rose 3,320.72 points,…
Japan oil refiner Idemitsu to supply 4 million barrels of crude to Vietnam
Oil refiner Idemitsu Kosan Co will supply about 4 million barrels of crude oil to Vietnam at the request of the Japanese government, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday. Vietnam, a…
Japanese Laundry Gives Beloved Plushies a Spotless Second Life
Worn-out Pikachu plushies, tired teddy bears, and stained stuffed animals are finding new life at a specialized Japanese laundry service that restores cherished toys to squeaky-clean perfection. Cleaning expert Masakazu Shimura, with…
Japan, Saudi Arabia Partner on Oil Bypass Route
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday sought Saudi Arabia’s further cooperation for Tokyo to secure more energy supplies amid the continued tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Takaichi, speaking with Saudi…
Japan Lifts Decades-Old Arms Export Bans, Eyes Warship and Missile Sales Abroad
Japan announced its most significant defense export policy shift in generations on Tuesday, eliminating longstanding curbs on overseas arms sales. This paves the way for exporting advanced gear like warships, missiles, and…