世界旅した貿易商人
He's been on social media
You know, I was catching up on the news over the weekend, and I came across something quite interesting.Apparently, the former top dog of a certain country, you know the one who was slapping huge taxes on everything from all over the world, well, it turns out a court has ruled that it was all a bit dodgy.They've said his powers don't stretch that far and that it was a bit of a liberty to put those...
Mr Trump’s remark – “I want to get to heaven, and helping peace in Ukraine will get me there” – isn’t just some passing fancy of his. In the world of international politics and the global economy, it’s grabbed quite a lot of attention.“America First” is all very well, but it’s landed the US in plenty of trade disputes with other countries. Now, by sticking his oar into the question of peace in Ukr...
trade talks between Japan and the US
It seems the trade talks between Japan and the US have hit a bit of a snag.Apparently, Japan's top trade official has abruptly cancelled their trip to Washington. This suggests that the final agreement on that massive $550 billion investment package they've been discussing isn't quite ready to go.The main sticking points seem to be about the duties on Japanese cars sent to the US, and also how the...
Actually, there’s an event going on right now in Shanghai all about lovely Japanese stationery.And guess what – JETRO, that organisation that helps introduce Japanese companies overseas, is giving a hand with putting it on. Even more amazing, as many as seventy-three Japanese stationery brands have joined in!You’ll find all sorts of stylish and practical bits – pens, notebooks, and plenty more. Pe...
Apparently, there are mainly two reasons why life in Japan can feel a bit tough.Too many rules and pressure to conformThere are loads of rules, from school regulations to expectations about gender and how you’re supposed to behave at certain ages. If you don’t stick to them, you don’t get much respect. It can feel really restrictive and stressful most of the time.Hard to have open discussionsThere...
Once upon a time, there was a tiny island called Japan. For 250 years, it stayed quiet, all alone. Then—BANG!—came the Meiji Restoration, and suddenly Japan was keeping up with the big, grown-up countries.Japan even beat Russia in a war! Then it wandered into parts of Asia. But instead of being mean, it built schools, roads, and taught in local languages. The other countries went, “Oi! That’s a tr...
Weekend Pint-Sized Essay: Russia & India So, I’m flicking through the week’s headlines, right, and one line makes me chuckle:
Right then, let's talk about the US reciprocal tariffs. As of the 7th of August, 2025, the States have started applying reciprocal tariffs on certain countries and regions.For goods imported from Japan, any item with a most-favoured-nation (MFN) tariff rate of less than 15% is now subject to a total tariff capped at 15%.This move is based on an executive order that President Donald Trump signed pr...
Right, so it turns out Japan's trade situation has been a bit rough recently. Especially in July 2025, they had a trade deficit of 117.5 billion yen.And the reason for that? Well, it seems the US started putting some really high tariffs on their goods. Because of that, exports from Japan to the US didn't grow as much as they'd hoped, which led to the deficit.You know, you always think of trade new...
Right, so it turns out Japan's trade situation has been a bit rough recently. Especially in July 2025, they had a trade deficit of 117.5 billion yen.And the reason for that? Well, it seems the US started putting some really high tariffs on their goods. Because of that, exports from Japan to the US didn't grow as much as they'd hoped, which led to the deficit.You know, you always think of trade new...
Right, so it turns out Japan's trade situation has been a bit rough recently. Especially in July 2025, they had a trade deficit of 117.5 billion yen.And the reason for that? Well, it seems the US started putting some really high tariffs on their goods. Because of that, exports from Japan to the US didn't grow as much as they'd hoped, which led to the deficit.You know, you always think of trade new...
Japan’s exports take a proper tumble for the first time in four years!In July 2025, Japan’s exports fell by 2.6% compared to last year. Ouch – that stings a bit. For an economy that leans heavily on exports, it’s like getting flicked on the bum with a pebble.It’s the biggest drop in four years, so the ripples could send Asia’s trade a bit wobbly too. For the next while, watching Japan’s exports is...
According to the provisional trade statistics for July, announced by the Ministry of Finance, Japan's exports were down by 2.6% year-on-year, while imports fell by 7.5%. Consequently, both exports and imports have decreased, leading to a trade deficit for the first time in two months. Key items that saw a decline included motor vehicles and steel for exports, and crude oil, coal, and liquefied nat...
So, it seems two of the biggest countries in Asia have had a bit of a natter to sort out some of their long-standing issues. The top chaps from each side sat down to discuss everything from border disputes to their trade squabbles—you know, all the usual stuff they fall out about.It'll be interesting to see what happens next, won't it? Fingers crossed this little chat helps them become a bit frien...
So, a while back there was this government that decided to slap really high tariffs on certain imports. And you know what? The knock-on effects are still rattling through global trade today. The idea was pretty simple really – whack extra costs on stuff coming in, protect home industries, and hopefully cut down on the trade deficit.What actually happened, though, was that trade between the big pla...
Right then, from January to July 2025, exports of toys and sports gear have more than doubled compared to last year. It looks like there are a few reasons for this. It's because more people across the globe are getting a bit more active, so kit for running, cycling and camping is selling like crazy. What's more, with more people getting into gaming, things like gaming chairs and other related gear...
Many young people in Japan say they do not feel very confident and often worry about the future. One reason is that, even if they work hard, their pay does not go up very much, and they are not sure if they will get a pension when they are older. At school, they are also taught that Japan did bad things in the war, so it can be hard for them to feel proud of their own country. When you look at you...
Right then, it looks like Japan had a cracking first half of 2025!Basically, they made a tidy profit from all the stuff they sold overseas, which meant their trade deficit—the bit where they were spending more than they were earning—shrunk quite a bit. It seems cars and various other bits of machinery were selling like hotcakes.All that together with the money coming in from investments abroad mea...
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has revised its forecast for the volume of global goods trade in 2025.It has now forecast a 0.9% increase, an upgrade from its previous prediction of a 0.2% decrease.にほんブログ村にほんブログ村にほんブログ村...
Obon is a Japanese holiday. Every year in mid-August, many Japanese people take time off work for the Obon holidays.It's a very important time when it's believed that the spirits of our deceased family members and ancestors return to this world.What do people do during Obon?Family gatherings: A lot of people travel back to their hometowns to spend time with their grandparents and other relatives.V...
“So, hear this — the WTO reckons world trade’s gonna grow by 0.9% next year.”“0.9%? That’s barely worth putting me pint down for.”“Yeah, but here’s the craic — loads of companies are legging it to ship their stuff before the Yanks whack on extra import taxes. Proper panic-posting their goods like it’s last orders at the bar.”“Ahhh, so the numbers look good ‘cause everyone’s in a rush. Classic. Lik...
Right, so Japan is basically telling America,
G'day! Fancy a chat about Japan's trade balance?Right then, you see, the trade balance went into the red back in 2011. It stayed that way for a bit, and by 2014, it hit a record-breaking deficit. Everyone was a bit worried, you know. But then, come March 2015, after a whopping 49 months, it finally went back into the black! We all thought, 'Brilliant, sorted!'But hold on to your hats! Things have ...
Switzerland is absolutely livid right now. The United States has gone and slapped tariffs of up to 39% on Swiss industrial goods – and let’s be honest, this isn’t some gentle nudge in a trade dispute, it’s a full-on punch in the face. For a country that’s built its reputation on precision engineering and high-end electrical equipment, it’s the sort of move that makes you want to shout, “Oh, do get...
Right, so the bloke in charge over in America is causing a bit of a fuss with all this trade stuff again. He's just gone and ordered a 25% tax on another country, all because they've been buying oil from a certain region. He's proper pushing ahead with putting these high taxes on loads of different countries.I reckon it's because America's put a ban on that particular region, and this other countr...
Right then, that chap in charge of the big country across the pond is at it again, isn't he?He's gone and signed a decree that basically says,
100% tariff on any semiconductors
Right then, listen to this! Trump's gone and said he's slapping a whopping 100% tariff on any semiconductors coming into America. Blimey! But here's the kicker: if a company promises to manufacture them in the States, they're off the hook.It's pretty clear he's trying to get American semiconductor production back home and make their supply chain a bit more robust. However, you've got to wonder wha...
Back in June 2025, the US trade deficit dropped to 60.2 billion dollars — lowest it’s been in two years! And get this — the gap with China alone shrank by about a third.Apparently, it’s all down to the Yanks cutting back on imports and slapping higher tariffs on stuff coming in from China. So yeah, fewer goods coming in, innit. Makes sense. But I can’t help thinking — won’t that just push up price...
Right then, that's a fascinating bit of news, innit?So, Dubai customs is changing its tariff code from eight digits to twelve? Blimey, what's all that about then?Back in the day, when they were lugging spices on camelback, I bet it was a simple affair. Just a chap going,
There’s a group called OPEC Plus, made up of countries that produce a lot of oil. They’ve just said they’re going to start making even more oil next month. But that’s a bit strange. Right now, the world economy isn’t doing so well, and people aren’t using as much oil as before. Big countries like China and India are also using less. Normally, when not much oil is being used, these countries would ...
Persimmon Leaf Shampoo? You're Having a Laugh...
Right, get this — shampoo made from persimmon leaves, yeah? Sounds like something your nan might use on her bonsai tree.But apparently, in parts of Europe, it's the latest must-have.Wellness bloggers are banging on about it like it's some ancient forest potion.“Full of antioxidants,” they say. “Balances the scalp. Brings harmony to your hair.”Alright Gwyneth, calm down.Thing is, over here in Japan...
Blimey, the Yanks are at it again.
Blimey, the Yanks are at it again. This time, it’s not just Russia they’re after — they’re slapping extra tariffs on anyone who dares to keep buying Russian oil. Yep, that’s right. Even if you’re not in the fight, you’re getting a bill through the post just for filling up your tank.Apparently, it’s all part of their grand “Let’s teach Russia a lesson” campaign. Fair enough, but now it’s turning in...
Old Trumpy's at it again, then!
Honestly, you could knock me down with a feather! That Trumpy fella, he's gone and done something absolutely crackers again. Get this, he's only gone and signed an executive order to slap a 15% tariff on Japanese goods!And what's more, apparently, it kicks in around lunchtime on the 7th of August. All that bluster and carrying on, and in the end, Japan apparently just said,
