A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck near the Nepal border in Tibet Autonomous Region, China, resulting in 126 confirmed deaths. Local fire departments, government disaster response teams, and military personnel were dispatched to assess the damage.
Nippon Steel filed a lawsuit against President Biden, claiming his executive order to block the acquisition of U.S. Steel was an illegal political intervention. The company argued that the decision was unjust and based on improper review procedures by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
The meeting focused on strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the U.S.-Japan alliance. They also discussed China-related issues, the situation in Ukraine, and condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launches. Additionally, they reaffirmed the importance of economic relations, including Japanese investments in the U.S., such as Nippon Steel's acquisition plan for U.S. Steel.
Business leaders emphasized the need for wage increases, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises, to drive Japan's economic growth. They highlighted the importance of transitioning to a new socio-economic model suitable for the Reiwa era and addressing income inequality to create a positive cycle of growth and distribution.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of heavy snowfall on the Sea of Japan side of the Chugoku region and possible snow accumulation in flat areas of Shikoku due to a winter pressure pattern and strong cold air. They urged caution regarding transportation impacts.