Sources: Ldp Lawmaker's Secretary Says 40 Mil. Yen In Political Funds Unreported

Sources: LDP lawmaker's secretary says 40 mil. yen in political funds unreported

A secretary of a Japanese Lower House lawmaker has reportedly told prosecutors about a failure to list income totaling about 40 million yen, or about 290,000 dollars, in a political funds report.

Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Sonoura Kentaro's political fund management group had last year corrected its report to include funds worth 2 million yen, or about 14,500 dollars, collected at a fund-raising party in 2019.

Abe Says Willing To Cooperate In Party Fund Probe

Abe says willing to cooperate in party fund probe

Former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo says he will cooperate with the investigation into alleged political funding violations involving his support group.

Abe spoke to news reporters on Friday about the allegation that the group shouldered part of the costs of annual parties for his supporters.

Sony Says High-end Smartphone Market Is Contracting

Sony says high-end smartphone market is contracting

Sony reported its fiscal first quarter results last week covering the three months to 30 June 2020. The actual performance for Sony's mobile business was not that interesting – Sony shipped 0.8 million smartphones, a slight decline from the 0.9 million units sold in the same period last year. Sony's latest flagship, the Xperia 1 II only launched in select regions towards the end of this quarter, so it wouldn't have impacted the results in any significant way.

Health Minister Says State Of Emergency Possible

Health minister says state of emergency possible

Japan's health minister Kato Katsunobu has hinted at the possibility of another nationwide state of emergency if infections of the novel coronavirus surge.

Kato told reporters on Tuesday that he is aware local authorities are taking measures to contain infections. But he said the government could declare another state of emergency if the number of cases rises rapidly despite such efforts.

Nissan Could Cut 20,000 Jobs, As France Says 'renault Could Disappear'

Nissan could cut 20,000 jobs, as France says 'Renault could disappear'

PARIS/TOKYO — Europe's car industry was put on alert for more job losses on Friday as a French minister warned Renault could disappear if it didn't get help soon and a Japanese news report said partner Nissan was considering 20,000 layoffs, with many in Europe.

Renault and Nissan have been in a carmaking alliance for the past two decades and are due to announce a strategy update next Wednesday.

Lexus Says It'll End Production Of The Gs Midsize Sedan In August

Lexus says it'll end production of the GS midsize sedan in August

You know that 2020 Lexus GS 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition we told you about yesterday? As it turns out, it'll be the last gasp for the midsize luxury sedan, as Lexus plans to cut the nameplate from its lineup.

Lexus announced in Japan that it will discontinue the entire remaining GS lineup, including the 467-horsepower GS F performance sedan, after production there ends in August. It also follows the brand's decision last year to not offer the entry-level GS 300 in the U.S. for 2020.

Ioc Says Japan Will Shoulder Extra Games Costs

IOC says Japan will shoulder extra Games costs

The International Olympic Committee has hinted that it will ask Japan to bear most of the additional costs related to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Games have been rescheduled to begin on July 23 next year. They were originally scheduled for this summer. The postponement is thought likely to add several billion dollars to the final bill for hosting the Olympics.

Akio Toyoda Says Japan Will Protect Auto Industry Jobs In Coronavirus Crisis

Akio Toyoda says Japan will protect auto industry jobs in coronavirus crisis

TOKYO — Toyota Chief Executive Akio Toyoda promised Friday that the Japanese auto industry would seek to protect jobs worldwide as it endures the coronavirus pandemic.

Toyoda, speaking as head of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, said he was worried the Japanese economy might be destroyed before the world can win the fight against the sickness caused by COVID-19.

Report: Ioc Member Says Postponement Decided

Report: IOC member says postponement decided

A leading US newspaper has quoted a member of the International Olympic Committee as saying the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games has been decided.

On Monday, USA Today reported on a phone interview it had had with IOC member Dick Pound.

Momota Says He Will Aim For Gold At Tokyo Olympics

Momota says he will aim for gold at Tokyo Olympics

Japanese badminton star Kento Momota says he aims to win gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games. He held his first news conference following a car accident in Malaysia.

Momota suffered extensive bruising all over his body when a car carrying him and others rear-ended a truck while heading to Kuala Lumpur's international airport in January.