Tokyo – Japan has experienced its hottest summer on record, with average temperatures from June to August this year rising by 1.76 degrees Celsius above the norm. According to a report from *Japan Today*, citing data from the Japan Meteorological Agency, the summer of 2023 is now the hottest in the country since records began in 1898.

The agency's findings revealed that the average temperature across Japan this summer was unprecedented. To calculate the national average, the Meteorological Agency used data from 15 observation points, carefully excluding cities that typically experience the highest temperatures.

In Japan, a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius or higher is classified as extreme heat. This year, multiple locations across the country recorded temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius between June and August. Notably, on July 29, the mercury soared to 41.0 degrees Celsius in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, marking the highest temperature recorded during the season.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has also warned that the intense heat is likely to persist into September, offering little relief from the sweltering conditions.

Tokyo : Japan has taken serious action in response to a recent incident where a Chinese spy plane lingered in its airspace for nearly two minutes. The Japanese government has declared the intrusion by China's Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft as unacceptable and has summoned China's acting ambassador to express their strong disapproval.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reported that the Chinese military aircraft entered Japan's southwestern airspace on Monday, prompting the Japanese Self Defense Force to scramble fighter jets in response. This marks the first detection of a Chinese military aircraft in Japanese airspace by the Self Defense Forces.

During a press conference in Tokyo, Hayashi stated, "The entry of Chinese military aircraft into Japanese airspace is not only a severe violation of our territorial rights but also a threat to our security. We find this absolutely unacceptable."

According to Japan Today, the Joint Staff of the Japanese Self Defense Force announced late Monday that the Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft had circled over Danjo Islands, located off the southwestern coast of Kyushu, Japan's main southern island, for two minutes. Japanese authorities are currently analyzing this military activity from China. Japanese fighter jets reached the location and warned the Chinese aircraft to leave the area.

Hayashi highlighted that China's military activities around Japan have been increasing in recent years. In light of this incident, Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Masataka Okano summoned China's acting ambassador Shi Yong to lodge a formal complaint against the airspace violation.

Tokyo – On Thursday, powerful tremors were felt on Japan's southern coast, triggering a tsunami warning. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck southern Kyushu on Thursday afternoon. The quake's epicenter was located at a depth of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) on the east coast of Kyushu, Japan's southern main island.

Following the earthquake, a tsunami warning was issued for the eastern and southern coasts of Kyushu and the southern coast of Shikoku. The Meteorological Agency predicted waves up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) along these coasts.

Japan's public broadcaster NHK specified that the tsunami warning was in effect for the Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures, urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. The situation is being closely monitored as authorities assess potential damage and the impact on coastal regions.

New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS) Japan has slipped to the world's fourth-largest economy as it fell behind the size of Germany's in 2023, says Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities.

Japan's nominal GDP totalled $4.2 trillion last year, or about 591 trillion yen. Germany's, announced last month, was $4.4 trillion, or $4.5 trillion, depending on the currency conversion, he added.

For the latest October-December quarter, the Japanese economy shrank at an annual rate of 0.4 per cent, and minus 0.1 per cent from the previous quarter, according to Cabinet Office data on real GDP. For the year, real GDP grew 1.9 per cent from the previous year, he said.

This follows a 3.3 per cent contraction in the third quarter. Two consecutive quarters of contraction are widely considered a technical recession, he added.

Japan has unexpectedly fallen into a recession after its economy shrank for two quarters in a row, BBC reported.

The country's gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by a worse-than-expected 0.4% in the last three months of 2023, compared to a year earlier.

It came after the economy shrank by 3.3 per cent in the previous quarter.

The figures from Japan's Cabinet Office also indicate that the country may have also lost its position as the world's third-largest economy to Germany, BBC reported.

Economists had expected the new data to show that Japan's GDP grew by more than 1% in the fourth quarter of last year.

In October, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast that Germany was likely to overtake Japan as the world's third-largest economy when measured in US dollars, BBC reported.

The IMF will only declare a change in its rankings once both countries have published the final versions of their economic growth figures. It began publishing data comparing economies in 1980.

Economist Neil Newman told the BBC that the latest figures show that Japan's economy was worth about $4.2tn (£3.3tn) in 2023, while Germany's was $4.4tn.

This was due to the weakness of the Japanese currency against the dollar and that if the yen recovers, the country could regain the number three spot, Newman added, BBC reported.

At a press conference in Tokyo this month, the IMF's deputy head, Gita Gopinath, also said an important reason for Japan potentially slipping in the rankings was the yen falling by about 9 per cent against the US dollar last year.

However, the weakness of the yen has helped to boost the share prices of some of Japan's biggest companies as it makes the country's exports, such as cars, cheaper in overseas markets.

This week, Tokyo's main stock index, the Nikkei 225, crossed the 38,000 mark for the first time since 1990, when a collapse in property prices triggered an economic crisis. The Nikkei 225's record high of 38,915.87 was set on 29 December 1989, BBC reported.

Tokyo, Jan 1 (IANS) A series of strong earthquakes with major ones measured at up to 7.6 magnitude have struck the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa on Monday, with tsunami warnings issued, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

The major quake hitting Ishikawa, a coastal prefecture on the Island of Honshu, registered an intensity of 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale which peaks at 7, with temblors felt in multiple regions of the Asian country, according to the weather agency, Xinhua news agency reported.

The weather agency said the latest major temblor occurred at 4:10 p.m. local time (0710 GMT) at a shallow depth.

The temblor's epicenter was located in Ishikawa's Noto region, at Wajima east-northeast 30 km at 37.5 degrees north latitude and 137.2 degrees east longitude.

A major tsunami warning has been issued by the JMA for Noto region, urging people to evacuate immediately, following tsunami warnings for Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa prefectures of the Japan Sea side of the country.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK has warned of torrents of water of up to 5 meters.

Tokyo, Dec 12 (IANS) A 116-year-old woman recognised as the oldest person in Japan died of old age in Kashiwara, Osaka prefecture, on Tuesday, local media reported.

Fusa Tatsumi, born on April 25, 1907, had recently spent most of her days in bed at a nursing home in Kashiwara, Kyodo News said.

Tatsumi became the oldest living person in Japan in April 2022 following the death of a 119-year-old woman in Fukuoka, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as saying.

As of January 2023, the world's oldest living woman is Maria Branyas Morera in Spain, who is now 116 years old.

She was born on March 4, 1907, according to the Guinness World Records.

Tokyo, Dec 5 (IANS) A Japanese taxi driver has been arrested on suspicion of violating the country's wildlife protection law for running over and killing a pigeon on a street in Tokyo, police said on Tuesday.

The 50-year-old male driver was taken into custody on suspicion of driving into a flock of pigeons in November and killing one of the birds in Shinjuku Ward, Xinhua news agency quoted the Metropolitan Police Department as saying.

Japan's legal system takes a harsh stance against animal abuse.

In June, a man in Nagoya was arrested for killing 13 crows in the city's temple precincts and parking lots, which are outside hunting areas, by scattering pesticide-laced bait without permission.

Apart from the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals, the Wildlife Protection, Control, and Hunting Management Act provides additional protection for wild animals that tend to be excluded from animal protection laws.

Gandhinagar, November 30: In a significant step towards bolstering Gujarat's position as a global hub for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel met with representatives of Japan's leading industrial conglomerate Nichicon Corporation during his recent visit to Japan. The meeting marked a crucial milestone in fostering strategic partnerships between Gujarat and Japan's cutting-edge technology sector.

During the fruitful discussions, Nichicon Corporation representatives provided an overview of their ongoing projects in India, highlighting their expertise in the production of advanced components for the EV and energy storage industries. Chief Minister Patel expressed his keen interest in exploring potential collaborations with Nichicon Corporation, emphasizing Gujarat's robust EV ecosystem and the state's commitment to promoting green mobility solutions.

"Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has emerged as a frontrunner in the EV manufacturing sector," remarked Chief Minister Patel. "Our state's comprehensive EV policy has been instrumental in attracting investments and fostering a thriving EV ecosystem. We are delighted to engage with Nichicon Corporation, a global leader in EV technology, and explore avenues for mutually beneficial partnerships."

Recognizing Gujarat's immense potential in the EV sector, Chief Minister Patel extended a warm invitation to Nichicon Corporation to participate in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024. This premier event, scheduled for 2024, will provide a global platform for Nichicon Corporation to showcase its innovative solutions and forge valuable connections with industry leaders.

Chief Secretary Raj Kumar and other members of the Gujarat delegation accompanied Chief Minister Patel during the meeting, underscoring the state's proactive approach to fostering international collaborations in the EV domain.

The engagement with Nichicon Corporation marks a significant step forward in Gujarat's endeavors to establish itself as a global leader in EV manufacturing. Nichicon Corporation's expertise and Gujarat's conducive EV ecosystem present a promising synergy that can propel India's journey towards a sustainable future.

Gandhinagar, 30 November - A high-level delegation from Gujarat, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, embarked on a mission to Japan to boost support for the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024. The delegation's visit included significant discussions with Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito, aimed at fostering stronger ties and exploring investment opportunities.

On the fifth day of the visit, Chief Minister Patel and the Gujarat delegation toured the renowned Nofukuji Temple and the historic Kobe Port in Hyogo Prefecture. Kobe Port, nestled at the base of Rocco Mountain, is not only one of the oldest ports but also a picturesque locale blessed with natural beauty.

Prime Minister Modi's Vision in Hyogo

During a meeting with Governor Motohiko Saito, Chief Minister Patel reminisced about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary visits to Hyogo in 2007 and 2012 when he dreamt of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train. Patel highlighted that this dream is now materializing in India, acknowledging the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High-Speed Rail Corridor by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Hyogo-Gujarat Relations: More Than Just States

Chief Minister Patel emphasized that the relationship between Hyogo and Gujarat extends beyond two states. The sister city bond connecting Ahmedabad and Kobe was discussed, underscoring the multifaceted connections. Patel also brought attention to the recent hosting of the Urban 20 Summit in Ahmedabad, where discussions centered on the 'No Environment Resilient City Action Plan' for a Net Zero Future by 2070.

Investment and Trade: Strengthening Bonds

Addressing the economic aspect, Patel highlighted that approximately 30 companies from Hyogo Prefecture have invested in Gujarat, marking a significant milestone in Gujarat-Japan relations. Expressing enthusiasm, he extended an invitation to Japanese companies to invest in Gujarat and urged Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito to lead a delegation to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024.

Warm Relations and Future Collaborations

Governor Motohiko Saito reciprocated the enthusiasm, discussing investment and trade opportunities while expressing Hyogo's interest in deepening collaborations with Gujarat. He revealed that more companies from his state are keen on investing in Gujarat and conveyed his eagerness to participate in the upcoming Vibrant Summit, solidifying the warm relations between Japan and Gujarat.

Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a productive meeting with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Chairman Tadashi Maeda on Monday. During the meeting, both sides discussed JBIC's investments in India and Gujarat, as well as ongoing projects such as the Nippon Steel project.

JBIC Chairman Maeda welcomed the Chief Minister and the delegation and expressed JBIC's commitment to strengthening ties with India. He emphasized the importance of JBIC's partnership with India not only in the area of high-speed rail but also in emerging sectors like green ammonia and green hydrogen.

Chief Minister Patel highlighted Gujarat's investor-friendly policies and the state's focus on promoting sustainable development. He expressed gratitude to JBIC for its investments in Gujarat and invited JBIC to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit-2024.

Key Points:

• JBIC Chairman Tadashi Maeda emphasized the importance of JBIC's partnership with India in high-speed rail, green ammonia, and green hydrogen.
• Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted Gujarat's investor-friendly policies and the state's focus on promoting sustainable development.
• JBIC has been a long-standing partner of Gujarat and has invested in various projects in the state.

Participants:

• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel
• Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Chairman Tadashi Maeda
• India's Ambassador to Japan Sibi George
• Gujarat Chief Secretary Raj Kumar

Gandhinagar, Nov 20 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will lead a high-level delegation to Japan and Singapore as part of a broader initiative to promote the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, scheduled from January 10-12, next year.

Following detailed deliberations, the Gujarat government has cleared the delegation's visit from November 27 to December 2, 2023. The Chief Minister's itinerary includes Japan from November 27-30, followed by Singapore from December 1-2. Accompanying Patel will be a team of seven key officials. This includes Raj Kumar, the Chief Secretary; Pankaj Joshi, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM; SJ Haider, Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries & Mines Department; a senior representative from GIFT city; Arti Kanwar, Resident Commissioner to the Gujarat government; Gaurang Makwana, MD of iNDEXTb; and Neel Patel, the personal assistant to the CM.

Spanning seven working days, excluding travel time, the visit will be a concerted effort to showcase Gujarat as a prime destination for global investment.

According to the state government the expenses of the visit will be covered by the allocated budget of the industries and mines department, underscoring the state's commitment to fostering economic growth and international partnerships.