A pair of premium melons, produced in Yubari in Hokkaido, fetches 1 million yen ($7,000) at the first auction of the year in Sapporo, the capital of the northern Japan prefecture, on May 26, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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U.S. court blocks Trump’s tariffs, says he overstepped authority
NEW YORK – A U.S. trade court in New York on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs as it found the president had overstepped his authority by imposing massive duties on imports from trading partners.
The Court of International Trade said Congress holds exclusive authority to regulate commerce with foreign countries under the U.S. Constitution, and it is not overridden by the president’s declaration of national emergencies to justify the sweeping tariffs.
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Japan PM hopes to expand TPP free trade agreement amid U.S. tariffs
TOKYO – Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday expressed hope for expanding a trans-Pacific free trade pact, citing growing protectionist moves in an apparent reference to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policy.
Ishiba said Japan will help “expand and upgrade” the pact, which has since taken effect following the United States’ withdrawal from negotiations during Trump’s first term.
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Japan PM Ishiba arranging phone talks with Trump on May 29: sources
TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump are arranging to hold telephone talks later Thursday, Japanese government sources said.
The move comes as Japan and the United States are arranging a fourth round of talks over Trump’s tariffs in Washington on Friday, with Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, known as a close aide to Ishiba, expected to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the point man for the negotiations.
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Japan small shops to sell $12 reserve rice in early June: farm chief
TOKYO – Consumers will be able to buy rice released from the government’s older stockpiles for around 1,800 yen ($12) per 5 kilogram at relatively small supermarkets by the second week of June, Japan’s farm minister said Thursday, as the state battles to reverse a price surge.
The ministry is expected resume receiving requests to purchase reserve rice on Friday by limiting potential buyers to small supermarkets and rice shops to ensure broad distribution, after it stopped taking orders from major retailers amid robust demand.
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Japan, Laos leaders eye deeper strategic ties on security, economy
TOKYO – Japan and Laos agreed Thursday to deepen cooperation in such areas as security, economy and green energy, under their recently upgraded “comprehensive strategic” partnership as they mark 70 years of diplomatic ties.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his appreciation to Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith for an invitation extended to Princess Aiko to visit the Southeast Asian nation, the Japanese government said. The president was quoted as saying he is looking forward to receiving the princess, whose visit is expected in November.
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Toyota April global sales up 10% on year ahead of U.S. tariff impact
NAGOYA – Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday that its global sales rose 10 percent from a year earlier to a record 876,864 vehicles for the month of April, as demand grew ahead of the negative impact of higher U.S. tariffs on imported cars.
The world’s largest automaker by volume said its global production increased 7.8 percent to 814,787 vehicles last month, also an all-time high for April. U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on cars produced outside the United States on April 3.
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Japan defense equipment outlays may ease U.S. trade gap: tariff chief
TOKYO – Japan’s chief tariff negotiator said Thursday that purchases of U.S. defense equipment may help reduce the trade deficit, suggesting it could be used as a bargaining chip in bilateral talks about the levies.
Ryosei Akazawa, who met with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ahead of a fourth round of tariff talks later this week in Washington, told reporters, “If you ask me whether (such purchases) are within the scope (of the talks), it is possible.”
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Nissan solicits early retirements in U.S. as turnaround moves ramp up
TOKYO – Nissan Motor Co. said Thursday that it has begun soliciting early retirement applications in the United States, as the struggling automaker accelerates efforts to turn its fortunes around.
The Japanese carmaker has not disclosed details such as the number of employees eligible for early retirement, but the package is believed to target those in administrative departments and at vehicle assembly plants.
Video: Osaka Expo-designated Indonesian National Day celebrations
