The Japanese government on Friday approved a massive economic package worth around 21.3 trillion yen ($135 billion) to tackle rising

Teachers’ overwork is a well-known issue in Japan, long highlighted by teacher unions, advocacy groups, and labor experts. A 2022 education ministry survey showed that 77 percent of public junior high school teachers and 65 percent of public elementary school teachers in Japan worked more than 45 hours of overtime per month.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces mounting pressure to soften her stance on Bank of Japan policy and unveil an economic package with a credible funding plan as the yen and government bonds lose ground ahead of her meeting with BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda.

Recent tensions erupted after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Tokyo might take military action if Beijing invaded Taiwan.

In commodities markets, oil prices fell for a third consecutive session on hopes that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine could be near. Brent crude fell 1.3% to $62.54 per barrel. Gold was trading 0.7% lower at $4,059.27 per ounce.

A whopping $9.59 billion and counting… That’s the estimated loss that Japan is looking to incur as China’s tourists cancel their visits amid the growing feud between the two nations. And it’s not just the Japanese tourism industry that is set to hurt;

Legislation passed in 2015 allows Japan’s government to use its military as part of a collective response to any “existential threat”, even if it is not directly attacked. A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be a huge threat to Japan’s fundamental interests including its access to vital sea lanes,