07/30/2014JAPAN Japan's factory output falls to lowest point since 2011 tsunami After Abe government raised sales tax from 5 to 8 per cent, factory output dropped by 3.3 per cent between May and June. Although "pent-up demand ahead of the sales tax hike was bigger than expected," consumers will come back, analyst expects. Tokyo
(AsiaNews/Agencies) - Japan's factory output fell 3.3 per cent
from May to June, the latest sign that the recent sales tax rise has affected
consumer demand.
Japan's Abe government
raised its sales tax from 5 per cent to 8 per cent in April this year; this
pushed up prices.
The...
07/28/2014JAPAN Shock in Nagasaki after 15-year-old student kills and dismembers best friend The terrible story echoes a similar incident ten years ago when an 11-year-old girl killed a 12-year-old friend. For PIME missionary in Japan, "Such upsetting extreme cases stem perhaps from marginalisation and social alienation. We should not generalise but strive to help kids grow up in a healthy way."
07/28/2014TAIWAN Filming begins’ on Martin Scorsese epic on Christian mission in Japan by Xin Yage The film, in preparation for years, tells the story of a Portuguese Jesuit missionary who became an apostate and collaborated in the persecution of Christians. Lay and religious experts involved, especially the Jesuits. The impact on the Japanese Church. Actors include Liam Neeson, Ken Watanabe, Adam Driver, Andrew Garfield ("Spiderman").
07/28/2014ISLAM Eid al-Fitr: Ramadan ends today (for Sunnis) For Shia Muslims, the festival of Eid begins tomorrow. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon (Sunnis) announce the end of Ramadan, which commemorates the period during which the Koran was revealed to Muhammad.
07/27/2014VATICAN "Stop! I am asking you with all my heart. Stop!" says pope as he speaks out on the Middle East, Iraq and Ukraine He mentions children, victims of war, "from whom we take away the hope for a decent life," urging the parties to address "every diatribe with the tenacity of dialogue and negotiation and the power of reconciliation". As tomorrow marks 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War, "a day of mourning," we should learn the lessons of history. The Gospel makes us know the true Jesus, the living Jesus, who speaks to the heart and is a life changer as he was for Saint Francis of Assisi. "The joy of finding the treasure of the Kingdom of God comes through, can be seen. Christians cannot hide their faith."
07/26/2014VATICAN - ITALY For pope in Caserta, we must "have the courage to say no to evil" to "attain" the Kingdom of God "It is terrible for such a beautiful land to be ruined this way," said the pope as he arrived in a region scarred by dioxin caused by toxic and radioactive waste buried by the Camorra. "Whoever becomes God's friend, loves his brothers, commits himself to safeguarding their life and health, as well as the environment and nature."
07/25/2014ASIA Air disasters: 2014 could beat 2005 in terms of fatalities So far this year, 680 people have died, higher than 12-month totals for the past three years. With 916 deaths, 2005 was the worst year. IATA points out that about 100,000 flights take place every day without incident with passenger trips on airlines exceeding three billion last year.
07/25/2014JAPAN Japanese trade deficit hits record levels in first six months of the year Trade deficit tops 7.6 trillion yen (US$ 74.9 billion) as exports fail to keep pace with imports. Higher sales tax and higher fuel and gas imports because of nuclear power plant closures push Japan's trade balance into the red.
07/24/2014JAPAN - KOREA Tokyo government to make “officially apology” to Korean comfort women Announced by Junichi Ihara, head of Asian Affairs of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the end of a meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Sang-deok. The issue of women sexually exploited by Japanese soldiers has divided the two nations since the end of World War II. Today only 54 remain alive: some will meet the Pope during his visit to South Korea
07/23/2014JAPAN - MONGOLIA Tokyo and Ulaanbaatar sign deal to cut duties, agree on mediation with Pyongyang Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and Mongolian President Elbegdorj ink free trade pact to boost bilateral trade, mostly cars and beef. The deal is also inspired by a desire to get Mongolia to help in North Korean-Japanese relations. Former Communist nation is playing an increasingly important diplomatic role.
07/20/2014VATICAN Pope: I am with the persecuted Christians of Mosul and the Middle East "May the God of peace inspire in all a genuine desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence is never defeated with violence. Violence is defeated with peace." At the Sunday Angelus Francis comments on the parable of the wheat and the weeds. God is "patient" He knows "the same weeds in the end, may become good wheat". But "at the time of the harvest, that is, of judgment, the reapers will execute the order of the master separating the weeds to be burned".
07/18/2014VATICAN - ISLAM Christians and Muslims should work fraternally for "justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person" The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issues a message for the Muslims of the world to mark the end of Ramadan. "Despite being aware of our differences, [. . .] We perceive the importance of promoting a fruitful dialogue built upon mutual respect and friendship. Inspired by our shared values and strengthened by our sentiments of genuine fraternity, we are called to work together for justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person."
07/17/2014JAPAN Japan: immigrants, "key" to economic and social development by Pino Cazzaniga Analysts have long warned of the inherent risk in the aging population and low birth rate: two factors that could destroy the competitiveness of the nation in 50 years. The Catholic Church is called to work in this field, giving its contribution.
