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Japan’s trade deficit soars to eight-year high as commodity imports soar

The growing trade deficit highlights Japan's vulnerability to soaring commodity costs and slowing demand from China as the economy there struggles to maintain momentum.
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Japan stepping up COVID vaccine diplomacy, without strings attached

The nation has already supplied about 30 million doses to 20 countries including Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.
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Hong Kong can’t live with the virus. It can’t stop it, either.

With hospital beds on sidewalks and testing lines winding through parks, the city’s flailing response has exposed crucial weaknesses.
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Japan’s firms see one-time bonuses lifting salaries — not permanent raises

Wages remain one of the most vexing problems in Japan, where policymakers want to see higher salaries to spur more domestic consumption.
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Sixth wave of infections in Japan has passed its peak, expert says

A health ministry advisory board agreed that the number of new cases across the country is on the decline in almost all age groups, edging ...
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Taiwan sees China’s Xi as too focused on party reshuffle for any attack

The Taiwanese government has assessed the current risk of a Chinese attack to be low, regardless of what happens between Russia and Ukraine.
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Western nations warn Russia’s military build-up near Ukraine border is increasing, not shrinking

On Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said military drills in Crimea — a Ukrainian region that Moscow annexed in 2014 — had ended and that ...
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Despite ministry recommendation, some parents in Japan wary of COVID jabs for children

Vaccinations for children ages 5 to 11 could start by the end of February, with the government recommending all children receive a shot, particularly those ...
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Supreme Court finds Osaka ordinance against hate speech to be constitutional

The top court rejected a claim by some residents that the rule unconstitutionally infringes on freedom of speech.
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Japan’s cumulative COVID cases top 4 million as Tokyo logs 17,000 new infections

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed 17,331 cases on Wednesday, down by 956 from a week before and marking the eighth straight day of week-on-week decline.