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Consultative Shipping Group Warns of Structural Shift in Global Maritime Trade Due to Geopolitical Risks

Consultative Shipping Group Warns of Structural Shift in Global Maritime Trade Due to Geopolitical Risks

The Consultative Shipping Group (CSG), an informal cooperation body of 18 major shipping nations, has issued a public statement titled “In defence of free shipping,” highlighting a significant structural shift in global maritime trade. The CSG, which includes key maritime economies like Greece, Japan, and Singapore, warns that geopolitical risks such as wars, contested chokepoints, and the emergence of a 'shadow fleet' are fragmenting the established rules of global shipping. This fragmentation is creating a two-tier system: one governed by international rules and another operating with opacity, outside conventional insurance, safety, and transparency frameworks. The group emphasizes that over 80% of worldwide trade relies on maritime transport, making these developments critical for global supply chains, food security, and energy security. The CSG's rare public intervention signals growing concern among leading maritime authorities about the erosion of foundational principles like freedom of navigation, o...

Why a Russian screening of an 81-year-old Soviet-era film to a tiny audience has alarmed Taiwan

Why a Russian screening of an 81-year-old Soviet-era film to a tiny audience has alarmed Taiwan

TAIPEI, Sept 11 (Reuters) - In a small meeting room in a downtown Taipei office building, Russian officials hosted an unusual screening of an old Soviet documentary called "Smashing Militarist Japan" for some 20 Taiwanese guests.

Japan deploys equipment to Indonesia's Borneo to help fight wildfires causing toxic haze

Japan deploys equipment to Indonesia's Borneo to help fight wildfires causing toxic haze

A Japanese military transport ship docked on the island of Borneo as part of a disaster relief mission to help fight wildfires in Indonesia that are causing a toxic haze impacting people’s health in other countries

How a Strong Sense of Place Can Give a TIFF 2026 Film Its Identity

How a Strong Sense of Place Can Give a TIFF 2026 Film Its Identity

Explore how shooting on location, as seen in films at TIFF 2026, can define a movie's character, narrative, and soul beyond just a pretty backdrop.

Japan's wholesale inflation stays elevated in August, boosts case for rate hike

Japan's wholesale inflation stays elevated in August, boosts case for rate hike

By Leika Kihara TOKYO, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Japan's wholesale inflation remained elevated in August, data showed on Friday, highlighting mounting price pressures that cement the case for the central bank to raise interest rates this month.

USPS and FedEx Offer Distinct Shipping Advantages for Consumers and Businesses

USPS and FedEx Offer Distinct Shipping Advantages for Consumers and Businesses

USPS and FedEx Offer Distinct Shipping Advantages for Consumers and Businesses

BOJ set to lift rates next week but offer few clues on terminal, sources say

BOJ set to lift rates next week but offer few clues on terminal, sources say

By Leika Kihara and Takahiko Wada TOKYO, Sept 11 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan is set to raise interest rates next week, most likely by 25 basis points, and may signal faster future tightening if price pressures heighten risks of an inflation overshoot, said four sources familiar with its thinking.

Brazil's Delivery Economy Drives Warehouse Investment Shift Towards Urban Centers

Brazil's Delivery Economy Drives Warehouse Investment Shift Towards Urban Centers

Brazil's Delivery Economy Drives Warehouse Investment Shift Towards Urban Centers

Japan manufacturers' mood hits near 5-year high on semiconductor demand: Reuters poll

Japan manufacturers' mood hits near 5-year high on semiconductor demand: Reuters poll

By Satoshi Sugiyama TOKYO, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Business confidence among big Japanese manufacturers climbed in September to its highest level since December 2021, buoyed by robust semiconductor and data-centre-related demand, a Reuters monthly poll showed on Wednesday.

Analysis-Why the BOJ will bet small on rate hikes now to avoid a bigger shock later

Analysis-Why the BOJ will bet small on rate hikes now to avoid a bigger shock later

By Leika Kihara TOKYO, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The last time Japan's central bank lifted its main policy rate half a percentage point, prices were so hot the land the Imperial Palace sat on was said to be worth more than the combined real estate of California.

Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward Bans Short-Term Rentals in Residential Areas Amid Tourist Complaints

Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward Bans Short-Term Rentals in Residential Areas Amid Tourist Complaints

Shinjuku ward in Tokyo, a popular tourist destination, is implementing a ban on short-term rental accommodations in residential areas and near schools and cultural sites. This measure, introduced via a local ordinance, comes in response to a surge in complaints from residents regarding tourist behavior. Officials reported over 1,300 complaints in the 12 months leading up to March, citing issues such as improper rubbish disposal, excessive noise, smoking in prohibited areas, and trespassing. The ban is expected to affect approximately 2,000 lodgings, nearly half of the 3,775 private lodgings, or 'minpaku,' in Shinjuku, a number that has almost tripled since 2022. The ward will seek public feedback next month before submitting revisions to the ordinance in February. Additionally, Shinjuku plans to reduce the number of days per year that minpaku in residential areas can be rented out from 180 to 120.

Yen's rally to seven-month high weighs on dollar ahead of US CPI

Yen's rally to seven-month high weighs on dollar ahead of US CPI

By Jiaxing Li HONG KONG, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The Japanese yen climbed to a seven-month high against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, as traders continued to unwind short positions amid growing bets of a Bank of Japan interest-rate hike, putting pressure on the dollar ahead of CPI data this week.