TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
----------
U.S. new tariff imposition over forced-labor bans "regrettable": Japan
TOKYO - The Japanese government said Friday it was "regrettable" that the United States has decided to impose new tariffs on 60 trading partners, including Japan, over their alleged failure to adequately ban the import of goods made with forced labor.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a press conference that Tokyo and Washington's commitment to their bilateral trade agreement reached last year, including the lowering of tariffs on cars and auto parts, and its implementation remain unchanged.
----------
Japan tentatively rules China, S. Korea steel items sold at dumped prices
TOKYO - 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 is considering imposing antidumping duties.
Imports of the products at dumped prices have inflicted damage on domestic manufacturers, the finance and trade ministries said. A final decision on whether to impose duties is expected by the end of this year.
----------
Japan to launch new intelligence bureau on July 31 in counter spy push
TOKYO - Japan's Cabinet on Friday approved the launch of a new National Intelligence Bureau on July 31 and the appointment of its director, as it ramps up counterespionage moves after a May law established new bodies amid growing overseas threats.
The first meeting of the National Intelligence Council chaired by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is planned for the same day, government sources said, with discussions on the country's first national intelligence strategy expected to begin.
----------
Japan gov't sees need for more investments as firms continue to save cash
TOKYO - Japanese companies have been hoarding cash due to concerns about business outlook and a reluctance to borrow, but they need to use the funds efficiently to boost capital investments and raise wages, the government said in its annual white paper on Friday.
Regarding economic and fiscal policy, the paper said, "The public and private sectors are required to work together to carry out an active investment strategy." Cash and deposits of private nonfinancial corporations have been on the rise, especially since the start of the pandemic, surpassing 380 trillion yen ($2.3 trillion) at the end of March.
----------
Japan core consumer prices in June pick up to 1.6% on year on food costs
TOKYO - Japan's core consumer prices in June rose 1.6 percent from a year earlier, picking up from the previous month, driven by food costs due to rising raw material prices, while state subsidies for energy bills limited the upside, government data showed Friday.
The increase in the nationwide consumer price index, excluding volatile fresh food, followed a 1.4 percent rise in May and remained below 2 percent for the fifth consecutive month, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
----------
U.S. imposes new tariffs of up to 12.5% on 60 trading partners
WASHINGTON - The United States on Friday imposed new tariffs of either 10 percent or 12.5 percent on goods from its top 60 trading partners, including China, Japan and the European Union, accusing them of failing to halt imports of goods made with forced labor.
The imposition came on the heels of the expiration of the 10 percent global tariff that President Donald Trump introduced in February shortly after the Supreme Court invalidated his sweeping country-specific "reciprocal" duties, as well as fentanyl-related levies against products from China, Canada and Mexico.
----------
U.S. keeps China, Japan, Thailand, 7 others on currency watchlist
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Treasury Department said Thursday that China, Japan, Thailand and seven other major trading partners remain on a watchlist that Washington monitors for potentially unfair foreign exchange practices.
In its biannual report to Congress, the department did not designate any trading partner as a currency manipulator, which could result in the imposition of U.S. sanctions.
----------
Trump calls Japanese baseball superstar Ohtani "legend"
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday extolled Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani as an "international legend" during a White House event to congratulate the team on its 2025 World Series championship.
"He's amazing. Everybody loves him. Last year, Shohei did what was previously unthinkable," Trump said, referring to Ohtani's achievements, including hitting a career-best 55 home runs and collecting his third straight unanimous league MVP.
