The Japan Times
00:56
THE
HEAR
This page is an archive of main headlines from Japan for 25.04.2025.
It displays 38 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.
25.04.2025 ⇢ Day of Toyota Industries' Privatization and Food Tax Elimination Plan
⌨US-Japan trade tensions continued with confirmation that no specific yen targets are being demanded by the US, a key development after days of currency concerns. The Japanese government doubled down on stimulus measures to counter Trump's tariffs and is considering expanding soybean and corn imports as a concession.
The Constitutional Democratic Party announced a major economic proposal, pledging to temporarily eliminate consumption tax on food items for one year as part of their Upper House election platform - positioning themselves as defenders of consumers amid inflation concerns.
In corporate news, Toyota Industries is weighing going private with a massive $35-40 billion fund backed by the Toyota Group, a restructuring move that would represent one of Japan's largest-ever take-private deals. Meanwhile, environmental concerns emerged with reports of PFAS levels exceeding government caps in nearly half of Japan's prefectures.
The Constitutional Democratic Party announced a major economic proposal, pledging to temporarily eliminate consumption tax on food items for one year as part of their Upper House election platform - positioning themselves as defenders of consumers amid inflation concerns.
In corporate news, Toyota Industries is weighing going private with a massive $35-40 billion fund backed by the Toyota Group, a restructuring move that would represent one of Japan's largest-ever take-private deals. Meanwhile, environmental concerns emerged with reports of PFAS levels exceeding government caps in nearly half of Japan's prefectures.
25.04.2025
00:56
00:58⇢Finance Ministers Confirm No Yen Target in Trade Talks
⌨The newspapers report on ongoing US-Japan currency discussions, with Japanese Finance Minister Kato confirming no specific exchange rate targets were discussed during his meeting with US Treasury Secretary Bessent (Japan Times, Nikkei Shimbun, Kyodo News). The currency policy talks are occurring as part of broader tariff negotiations between the countries (Kyodo News). Japan may be considering expanding corn imports as part of these trade discussions (Yahoo News Japan). Meanwhile, Trump's potential Ukraine policy shifts are fueling debate in South Korea about developing nuclear weapons, with public opinion supporting domestic nuclear capabilities despite proliferation concerns (Nikkei Asia).
01:28
01:28
01:28
Yahoo! Japan
01:28
01:53
02:16
Yahoo! Japan
02:16
03:03
Yahoo! Japan
03:03
03:20
米国と中国が互いに高関税をかけてにらみ合うなか、米金融市場への飛び火に警戒感が高まっている。トランプ米政権が対中交渉で行き詰まれば、米国に上場する300社近い中国企業の上場廃止に動くとの観測が流れる。政権1期目にも部分的に実施した「市場の武器化」がエスカレートすれば何が起きるのか。
米国マネーの軍事技術支援を警戒
きっかけはベッセント米財務長官の発言だった。「すべての選択肢がテーブルの上にある」…
03:20
03:21⇢US Dismisses Yen Target Requirements
⌨The newspapers report on continued US-Japan trade and currency discussions, with multiple sources confirming the US is not pressing Japan to set specific yen targets (Kyodo News English, Yahoo News Japan, The Japan Times). Finance Minister Kato reinforced this position after meeting with US Treasury Secretary Bessent. Meanwhile, concerns are growing about potential financial market weaponization, as the Trump administration might consider delisting nearly 300 Chinese companies from US stock exchanges as a negotiation tactic amid US-China tariff tensions (Nikkei Shimbun).
04:08
Yahoo! Japan
04:08
04:25
Slump in earnings to hit already strained manufacturers
04:25
04:33
Yahoo! Japan
04:33
05:32
立憲民主党の野田佳彦代表は25日の記者会見で、今後1年間に限り食料品の消費税率をゼロに引き下げることをめざす考えを表明した。夏の参院選公約に盛り込む。中低所得者の消費税負担を軽減する「給付付き税額控除」を導入するまでの一時的な措置と位置づける。
同日に国会内で開いた執行役員会で決定した。財源の確保などは引き続き協議する。
物価高対策として①消費税率を一律で5%に引き下げ②食料品の消費税を時限的に…
05:32
06:06
Yahoo! Japan
06:06
06:07⇢Constitutional Democrats Propose Zero Food Tax
⌨The newspapers report on the Constitutional Democratic Party's tax proposal, with party leader Noda Yoshihiko announcing a plan to temporarily eliminate consumption tax on food items for one year as part of their election platform for the upcoming Upper House election (Nikkei Shimbun, Yahoo News Japan). This would serve as an interim measure until a more permanent "refundable tax credit" system for low and middle-income consumers can be implemented. Meanwhile, economic coverage focuses on concerns that potential Trump tariffs would slow Japan's wage growth, particularly affecting manufacturers already facing financial strain (Nikkei Asia).
06:39
Yahoo! Japan
06:39
07:05
AmCham chief says members being asked about imports that can't be substituted
07:05
08:21
【ワシントン=竹内宏介、高見浩輔】米首都ワシントンで開かれた20カ国・地域（G20）の財務相・中央銀行会議は24日、議長総括を出さずに閉幕した。自由貿易の旗を振ってきたはずの米国は高関税を振りかざし、各国の批判を浴びる側に回った。国際協調の盟主の座を超大国は自ら降りた。次の均衡を世界は見いだせずにいる。
【関連記事】
「（関税の）報復合戦によって話し合いが成立していない可能性がある」。議長国の南ア…
08:21
08:30
08:30
08:30
Yahoo! Japan
08:30
09:28
HuffPost Japan
09:28
09:29
Platforms' ad spending plunges as they seek clarity on trade war direction
09:29
10:19
Yahoo! Japan
10:19
10:21⇢Japan Escalates Stimulus Against Trump Tariffs
⌨The newspapers report on Japan's response to Trump's tariffs, with the government doubling down on stimulus measures to counter their effects (Japan Times). At the G20 finance ministers meeting, the US faced criticism for abandoning its role as a free trade leader by imposing high tariffs (Nikkei Shimbun). Meanwhile, Chinese e-commerce platforms Temu and Shein have begun raising prices as Trump's policies hit their business model (Nikkei Asia). Finance Minister Akazawa's position on tariffs remains unchanged (Yahoo News Japan). In social news, reports highlight increasing misogyny in British schools (Huffington Post Japan).
11:10
Yahoo! Japan
11:10
11:35
Potentially harmful PFAS chemicals have been detected at high levels in rivers and groundwater across 22 of Japan's 47 prefectures, a government survey conducted in fiscal 2023 showed Friday.
11:35
12:00
The Japanese government is considering increasing imports of U.
12:00
12:43
Yahoo! Japan
12:43
12:45⇢Japan Considers Soybean and Corn Import Expansion
⌨The newspapers report on ongoing US-Japan trade negotiations, with Japan considering expanding imports of soybeans and corn as part of tariff talks with the United States (Kyodo News English). The Japanese-US finance ministers' meeting is being analyzed in terms of strategic positioning and fortunate circumstances (Yahoo News Japan). This occurs against the backdrop of Japan's stimulus measures to counter Trump's tariffs (Japan Times) and criticism at the G20 finance ministers meeting where the US faced backlash for abandoning its free trade leadership role (Nikkei Shimbun).
13:34
Yahoo! Japan
13:34
14:08
トヨタ自動車の源流企業である豊田自動織機が、株式非公開化を検討していることがわかった。トヨタなどが出資する特別目的会社（SPC）を立ち上げ、豊田織機に対してTOB（株式公開買い付け）を実施して買収する案が浮上している。
SPCにはトヨタやトヨタのグループ企業が出資するほか、金融機関からの融資で買収資金を賄う方向で検討している。ただ巨額な資金を調達できるかや、トヨタ株主の理解を得られるかなどは不透…
14:08
14:50
Yahoo! Japan
14:50
15:40
Investment size and need for shareholder approval cast doubt on plan
15:40
15:58
トヨタ自動車の源流企業である豊田自動織機が、株式非公開化を検討していることがわかった。トヨタなどが出資する特別目的会社（SPC）を立ち上げ、豊田織機に対してTOB（株式公開買い付け）を実施して買収する案が浮上している。
SPCにはトヨタやトヨタのグループ企業が出資するほか、金融機関からの融資で買収資金を賄う方向で検討している。ただ巨額な資金を調達できるかや、トヨタ株主の理解を得られるかなどは不透…
15:58
16:00⇢Toyota Industries Explores $35 Billion Privatization
⌨The newspapers report on Toyota Industries' potential plan to go private through a massive buyout operation. Toyota Motor and other group companies are considering establishing a special purpose company to buy out Toyota Industries shares in a deal that could reach 6 trillion yen or $35 billion (Nikkei Shimbun, Nikkei Asia). However, questions remain about securing the necessary funds and obtaining shareholder approval. Meanwhile, reports indicate a growing rift between the US and Europe over Ukraine peace proposals (Yahoo News Japan).
16:32
Investment size and need for shareholder approval cast doubt on plan
16:32
19:09
Seoul is wary of potential financial risks while Taipei seeks closer ties with US
19:09
21:05
Japan Business Press
21:05
21:47
Japanese automakers turn to big names in tech instead of going it alone
21:47
22:04
22:04
22:07⇢Japanese Automakers Partner With Chinese Tech Giants
⌨The newspapers report on Toyota's strategic moves in the EV market, with Toyota choosing Huawei and Honda utilizing DeepSeek for their China electric vehicle operations rather than developing technology independently (Nikkei Asia). Toyota Industries is considering going private, with restructuring plans potentially attracting investment (Nikkei Shimbun). Meanwhile, analysis of Russia's authoritarianism and interventionism examines why these traits emerged, with reporting on strong anti-Russian sentiment felt in Riga, Latvia (Japan Business Press).
22:45
Yahoo! Japan
22:45
22:53
Yahoo! Japan
22:53
23:26
23:26
23:52
Yahoo! Japan
23:52