On April 5, 2024, elementary and junior high schools in Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast held their entrance ceremonies, marking a significant moment for the students and the community. Despite the impact of the Jan. 1 quake, some schools saw a decrease in the number of new students as families relocated. Notably, at Iida Elementary School in Suzu, the first graders were five in number, a drop from the previous year’s 18.
In other news, the Japanese government took action against Nissan Motor Co. by removing the company from the list of eligible entities for a tax break aimed at promoting wage increases. This decision follows an antitrust warning issued to the automaker for reportedly reducing payments to numerous subcontractors. As a result, Nissan will not be eligible for re-listing for at least a year.
Meanwhile, the United States and China have agreed to initiate discussions on achieving ‘balanced growth’ in their domestic economies and globally. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced this development during her visit to China, highlighting the focus on addressing U.S. concerns regarding China’s excess manufacturing capacity. Additionally, both countries have committed to enhancing collaboration to combat illicit financial crimes, with a specific emphasis on curbing money laundering.
Turning to Taiwan, the aftermath of a devastating earthquake has seen the death toll rise to 13, with six individuals still missing. The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 7.2, caused significant destruction in Hualien, triggering landslides and severely impacting the region. Despite the ongoing search and rescue efforts, the critical 72-hour window for survival has passed, intensifying the challenges faced by the rescue teams.
Amidst these developments, Japan, the United States, Australia, and the Philippines have announced plans to conduct joint naval exercises in the South China Sea. The upcoming Maritime Cooperative Activity, to be held in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, is seen as a demonstration of solidarity against China’s assertiveness in the region. The participating countries’ defense ministers emphasized the exercise as a collective commitment to bolster regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
