Japan

The Governor of Russia's Sakhalin region in the far east told reporters on Thursday that a possible return of U.S. Energy Major Exxon Mobil could be a boon for local oil and gas businesses. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree that would allow foreign investors to recover their shares in the Sakhalin-1 project. This includes Exxon Mobil, a major U.S. oil company. The decree was signed on the same day that Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska at a summit, where the agenda included opportunities for business collaboration and investment as well as...

Two sources revealed that India will cut the consumption tax on 175 different products, from hybrid cars and shampoos to consumer electronics. Modi has repeatedly called for increased usage of Indian products. This is the biggest reform to the goods and service tax system in almost a decade. Modi announced his first reform plan on Independence Day last month when he promised to make everyday products cheaper in the fifth largest economy of the world. His proposal reduces the goods and services (GST), which includes toothpaste, talcum, and shampoo, from 18% down to 5%. This is expected to increase sales...

Two sources revealed new details about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s major tax reform. India will cut consumption tax on 175 products, including shampoos, hybrid cars, and consumer electronics. Two sources revealed that India plans to reduce goods and services taxes (GST) from 18% down to 5% on products like talcum, toothpaste, and shampoo. This is expected to boost sales at companies such as Hindustan Unilever, and Godrej Industries. Before the Diwali shopping period, which begins in October, brands such as Samsung, LG Electronics and Sony will dominate sales, consumer electronics, like air conditioners, televisions and other electronic devices, could see...

Chinese business centres near traditional Chinese pavilions. Russian adults practicing Kung Fu and learning Mandarin. Sizzling food being served at Chinese restaurants. Signs of Beijing's influence are everywhere in Moscow as President Vladimir Putin prepares to visit China next week. It seems like the contacts with China have intensified. "A mutual interest is increasing," said Natalia Gerasimova. She was a manager of a Russian company, and visited the Chinese landscape park in Moscow. "They are welcoming to us and they treat us well." In Russia, I also do not see resistance to these relationships. "Yes, we may have different mentalities...

Startups around the world are racing to create new battery technologies that use materials such as sodium and sulfur, or other innovative chemistries. They aim to reduce costs and reduce dependence on certain minerals for electric vehicles (EVs). China controls 90% of raw material processing for two of the most popular lithium-ion variants in today's electric vehicle market. The battery technology is constantly evolving, but its basic principles remain unchanged. It has three components: a cathode anode, and an electrolyte. Here are some of the battery types that are currently being used or developed by car manufacturers as they weigh...

Startups around the world are racing to create new battery technologies that use materials such as sodium and sulfur, or other innovative chemistries. They aim to reduce costs and reduce dependence on certain minerals for electric vehicles (EVs). China controls 90% of raw material processing for two of the most popular lithium-ion EV variants. The battery technology is constantly evolving, but its basic principles remain unchanged. It has three components: a cathode anode, and an electrolyte. Here are some of the battery types that are currently being used or developed by carmakers as they consider long-term solutions. Use in batteries...

Seven & i Holdings, a Japanese convenience store operator, said that the planned listing of their North American operations will allow them to borrow additional money for accelerated growth. Stephen Dacus, the CEO of the company, said that the listing is scheduled for the second half 2026. This will allow faster store openings in the U.S. as well as additional bolt-on M&As. After successfully repelling a hostile takeover attempt from Canadian competitor Alimentation Couche-Tard, the fate of the struggling operator of 7-Eleven rests on the ability to grow independently. Couche-Tard retracted its $46 billion bid last month citing a failure...

Trade sources say that Asia will increase imports of U.S. West Texas intermediate crude in the fourth-quarter after Middle East oil price increased and opened arbitrage window. They said that the price gap between light-sweet U.S.WTI oil and Middle East crude benchmarks Dubai & Murban has narrowed this month due to strong demand in Asia for high-sulphur oils. WTI's Arbitrage to Asia has been open for the last week for cargoes that arrive in early November. This was stated by June Goh, senior analyst at Sparta Commodities. Sources said that U.S. oil producer Occidental sold WTI crude to Japanese refiner...

Trade sources say that Asia will increase imports of U.S. West Texas intermediate crude in the fourth-quarter after Middle East oil price increased and opened arbitrage window. They said that the price gap between light-sweet U.S.WTI oil and Middle East crude benchmarks Dubai & Murban has narrowed this month due to strong demand in Asia for high-sulfur oil. WTI's Arbitrage to Asia has been open for the last week for cargoes that arrive in early November. This was stated by June Goh, senior analyst at Sparta Commodities. Sources said that U.S. oil producer Occidental sold WTI crude to Japanese refiner...

Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury secretary, said that the Trump administration was more concerned about the quality of trade deals than their timing. The deadline to secure a deal by August 1 or face steep tariffs is approaching. Bessent said in an interview with CNBC that "we're not going rush to do deals just for the sake doing them." Bessent responded that the decision would be made by Donald Trump, U.S. president. "We'll wait and see what the President wants to do." "But again, if somehow we boomerang to the August 1, tariff, I'd think that a high tariff level would...

Alimentation Couche-Tard, which owns Circle-K, pulled out of its $46 billion offer for Seven & i after a year-long pursuit. The Japanese consumers have emotional ties with the rice ball seller. After a year-long pursuit the Canadian company that owns Circle-K withdrew their bid after a "calculated campaign of obfuscation" and "delay" by Seven-Eleven and lack of engagement from its founding Ito Family. Couche-Tard announced the proposal for Seven & i in August of last year. Shareholders were pressing Seven & i to increase returns by selling assets and focusing its core convenience store business. Michael Causton, consultant at JapanConsuming,...

Alimentation Couche-Tard, a Canadian retailer, withdrew a $46 billion takeover bid for Japan's Seven & i Holdings. It blamed the lack of constructive engagement on the part of Japanese retailer. The 7-Eleven operator's "konbini stores" would have been the largest foreign acquisition of a Japanese firm. This is the timeline for the bid: AUGUST 19, 2020 Couche-Tard says that it has contacted Seven & i regarding a possible takeover. Both companies do not disclose the value of their offer. Seven & i shares surged almost 23%, to 2161 yen, valuing it at approximately 5.6 trillion yen (about 38 billion dollars)....

Due to the record-high prices of gold, demand for physical gold dropped in major Asian hubs this week. Dealers in China and India, two top consumers in Asia, responded by offering steep discounts in order to attract buyers. On Wednesday, spot gold prices reached a record high of $3.578.50 an ounce and were on track for their best three-month period. Indian dealers offer a discount Up to $12 per ounce above official domestic prices. This includes 6% import duties and 3% sales taxes, as opposed to the $4 premium last week. The price hike has caused the demand to be...

JX Advanced Metals is likely to cut its copper production in fiscal 2025 by tens or thousands of tons compared to earlier plans. The company will also unveil a roadmap for reducing smelting capacities by March. Due to the shortage of concentrate and increasing smelting capacity, Japanese copper smelters have been struggling with tumbling treatments and refining costs (TC/RCs). Some Chinese smelters processed copper at no cost for Chilean miner Antofagasta in June. This was a record-low. Hayashi said this week that "in the short-term, we plan on reducing annual electrolytic output by several tens thousands of tons compared to...

Nippon Steel announced on Wednesday that it had resolved all legal disputes relating to the $14.9 billion purchase of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel from U.S. Steel in June. The settlement included the dismissal of the lawsuit filed by Nippon Steel and its North America unit against USW president David McCall as well as withdrawal of the unfair labor practice complaint the union filed against U.S. Steel at the National Labor Relations Board. Both companies dropped all claims against Cleveland-Cliffs, its CEO Lourenco Goncalves and anyone else who opposed the deal. Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel accused Cleveland-Cliffs and its...

Jewellers in India stocked up on gold ahead of the holiday season. Activity elsewhere remained low. Indian dealers are charged a premium Up to $4 per ounce above official domestic prices. This includes 6% import duties and 3% sales taxes. Last week, the offers ranged from a discount of $2 to a premium of $3. A bullion dealer in Chennai said that "Jewelers had been sitting on the sidelines, but as prices refused to improve much, they have now started purchasing for the upcoming holiday season." This year, the Dussehra/Diwali festival, which is a time when buying gold is considered...

Nippon Steel, the Japanese steel company, plans to increase profits at U.S. Steel by investing $11 billion and transferring its advanced technology and operational techniques to expand capacity. The $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel was completed in June. This 18-month-long process had been slowed down due to the political changes during the transition from the Biden to Trump administrations. The investment and transfer of knowledge, which will run through fiscal 2028 and include a period up to 2026, are expected to increase U.S. Steel’s annual profit contribution from 80 billion yen to 250 billion in fiscal...

The only British aluminium coil factory has invested millions to reduce its carbon footprint, save energy and protect itself from some the highest electricity prices in the world. When Bridgnorth Aluminium falls below the threshold for government subsidies that help businesses pay their bills, they ramp up everything to make sure they don't miss out. Our finance guy told us at the end the year that it was okay to keep the lights on more. "It's kind of strange and counterproductive," Adrian Musgrave said, head of sales for Bridgnorth Aluminium. The paradoxical situation is caused by the high electricity prices...

India's Foreign Ministry said that the Quad Group of countries was important to India and Japan, especially in relation to critical minerals. The ministry also stated that the two prime ministers would be discussing the grouping during this week. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Japan from August 29-30 to attend the 15th India Japan Annual Summit. He will also hold discussions with his Japanese counterpart Shigeru ishiba. Modi will fly to Tianjin, a Chinese port city on the coast of the Pacific Ocean for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit (SCO), which takes place between August 31 and...

This week, physical gold demand remained low in major Asian hubs as volatility in prices kept buyers away. However, jewellers in India recommenced purchases in advance of the festival season. The price of gold in India was around 99,300 rupies ($1,135.77) for 10 grams last Friday, after reaching a record-high of 102 250 rupies earlier this month. Jewellers have started to buy again after a price drop, as they are more confident of the festival demand. In October, Indians celebrate Dussehra (Diwali) and Diwali (Diwali), when gold is considered auspicious. Indian dealers quoted between a discount and a full price...

Tokyo Steel Manufacturing, Japan's largest electric-arc furnace producer, said it would leave the prices of its steel products unchanged in September. This will help to bring the market back up after a period when demand was weak. This is the fourth month in a row that steel products have not seen a change in price, including its H-shaped beams. Prices for steel bars and rebar will remain unchanged at 85,000 yen (US$577) per metric ton in September. H-shaped beams, however, will be priced at 112,000 ($760) per ton. The company reported that domestically, steel activity in construction remains low due...

Japanese steel lobby groups have demanded early measures to stop the evasion and avoidance of anti-dumping duties aimed at protecting the domestic industry from unfair imports. This move coincides with record steel exports by China, the largest producer in the world, which have sparked protectionist reactions around the globe. Since January of last year, almost 40 countries have launched anti-dumping investigations. The Japan Iron and Steel Federation and other four industry groups have said that swift action is required as countries like China try to avoid antidumping tariffs by routing their exports through a third country or performing minimal processing...

A source familiar with this matter has confirmed that India's state owned miner IREL wants to work with Japanese and South Korean firms to begin commercial production of rare-earth magnets as part of its efforts to reduce reliance upon China. The company is looking at both Japan and South Korea for rare earth processing technology, potentially through government-to-government channels, the source said, declining to be named as the discussions are not public. Source: The miner plans to formalise discussions with other countries about rare earth mining and technologies partnerships, and seek IREL approval for commercial magnet production in this year....

Hudbay Minerals announced on Wednesday that Mitsubishi Corp would buy a 30% share in its Copper World Project in Arizona for $600,000,000, providing a boost to the financing and strategic support for the U.S. Copper Mine. The transaction is expected to be completed later this year or early next. Why it's important Last month, U.S. president Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 50% on copper pipes and wiring, and other semi-finished goods. However, he exempted raw materials like ores and refined copper cathodes. Hudbay's "Made in America copper" production will strengthen the domestic chain, according to Hudbay. CONTEXT Copper World is...