Tokyo, 22 July, /AJMEDIA/
Japan’s daily COVID cases top 180,000, set fresh record amid 7th wave
TOKYO – Japan’s daily COVID-19 cases exceeded 180,000 on Thursday, setting a record for the second straight day, according to a Kyodo News tally, as all-time-high numbers were reported in 35 of the country’s 47 prefectures amid the nation’s seventh wave of infections.
Record case numbers were reported in Tokyo and other prefectures including Osaka and Fukuoka as the BA.5 Omicron subvariant rampaged through the country.
———-
Bank of Japan stands pat on policy despite upgraded inflation outlook
TOKYO – The Bank of Japan on Thursday maintained its ultralow rate policy to support the nation’s budding economic recovery, bucking the global trend of monetary tightening despite the prospect that inflation will reach its 2 percent target this year and the yen may weaken further.
Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said that in order for inflation to become stable and sustainable, further wage growth is needed through monetary easing. Raising interest rates is not an option and will do little to stop the weakness of the yen, he added.
———-
Biden tests positive for COVID, symptoms “very mild”: White House
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Joe Biden tested positive for the novel coronavirus Thursday morning and is experiencing “very mild symptoms,” the White House said, noting that the president will continue to carry out his duties while in isolation.
The 79-year-old president is fully vaccinated and has received two booster shots for additional protection. He is expected to respond “favorably” as most vaccinated and boosted patients do, his physician Kevin O’Connor said in a memorandum.
———-
Japan June core consumer prices up 2.2% on yr, sharpest rise in 7 yrs
TOKYO – Core consumer prices in Japan rose 2.2 percent in June from a year earlier, marking the sharpest increase in about seven years and moving above the Bank of Japan’s target for the third month in a row, according to government data released Friday.
The nationwide core consumer price index excluding volatile fresh food items marked the 10th straight month of year-on-year gain. The gain followed a 2.1 percent increase in May, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.
———-
China EV giant BYD to sell passenger cars in Japan from 2023
TOKYO – The Japanese arm of Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD Co. said Thursday it will begin selling passenger cars in Japan beginning 2023, with the company expected to face fierce competition from Western and domestic automakers.
BYD Japan Co. announced during a press conference in Tokyo that it is planning to release an SUV, compact car and EV sedan in sequential order, but refrained from announcing a price band.
———-
Opposition launches probe into lawmakers’ links to Unification Church
TOKYO – The opposition Japanese Communist Party on Thursday launched a probe into lawmakers’ ties to the Unification Church after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shed light on such ties, including those involving ruling Liberal Democratic Party members.
At the first meeting of the JCP’s investigative team, Akira Koike, head of the party’s Secretariat, said cases of “collusion” between lawmakers, including those from the LDP, and the religious group have been brought to light.
———-
ECB raises key interest rate for 1st time in 11 years amid inflation
FRANKFURT – The European Central Bank on Thursday raised its benchmark interest rate from zero to 0.5 percent, the first such rate hike in 11 years, joining the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks in their monetary tightening to fight soaring inflation.
The decision at the ECB’s policy meeting comes as the Russian invasion of Ukraine pushed up prices of goods from food to energy, putting pressure on household budgets across the bloc. The rate hike is effective from Wednesday next week.
———-
Sumo: Terunofuji, Ichinojo remain on top in Nagoya
NAGOYA – Yokozuna Terunofuji showed his power and No. 2 maegashira Ichinojo his tactical prowess as the Mongolian-born wrestlers remained the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament’s joint leaders on Thursday.
On the 12th day of the 15-day meet at Dolphins Arena, Terunofuji brooked no nonsense from Daieisho (6-6), wrapping up the sekiwake’s arms on the charge and then rocking him out of the ring with strong shoves to his shoulders.