
Hawaii’s iconic purple lei are largely composed of odorless orchids cultivated in Thailand rather than locally grown blooms. State lawmakers have introduced bills that would require labeling and a minimum percentage of Hawaii‑grown flowers for lei purchased by government agencies, but the proposals face pushback from florists concerned about cost. Industry leaders warn that limiting imports could drive retail lei prices above $150 per strand, making a cultural staple unaffordable for many residents and visitors.

South Korean soprano Sumi Jo commemorates four decades since her 1986 stage debut with the "Mad for Love" concert at London’s Cadogan Hall. The program spans baroque works, opera arias and Korean art songs, featuring young baritone Edward Nelson as...

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unconstitutional, emphasizing that taxing authority resides with Congress. The decision focuses on separation of powers rather than partisan ideology. It...

Japan’s October‑December GDP was revised up to an annualised 1.3 percent, reversing two quarters of contraction. The upgrade reflects stronger business investment, with capital spending rising 1.3 percent, and a modest lift in private consumption of 0.3 percent. Nominal GDP also jumped to...

Kyodo News highlighted several pivotal developments on March 10, 2026. Japan’s October‑December GDP was revised up to a 1.3% annualised gain, while household spending slipped 1% year‑on‑year in January. The G7 finance ministers discussed a coordinated oil‑reserve release to stabilise...

Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei index briefly spiked over 4% on Thursday, settling up 1.9% at 55,278 points, while the broader Topix also rose 1.9% to 3,702.67. The rally was sparked by reports that the United States and Iran were negotiating a...

South Korean President Lee Jae‑Myung ordered an immediate rollout of a 100 trillion‑won (US $68.3 billion) financial package to stabilise capital markets amid the escalating Middle East conflict. The plan targets volatility in stocks and exchange rates while explicitly avoiding direct government share...

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to suspend Japan’s 8 percent consumption tax on food for two years to ease inflation pressures. The proposal meets skepticism from economists and small‑business groups who argue the cut may not translate into lower retail prices....

The Japanese government became Rapidus Corp.’s largest shareholder, acquiring 11.5% voting rights and a 40% economic stake for 100 billion yen to bolster domestic chip production. A China‑linked individual used ChatGPT to draft a disinformation campaign against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi,...

Japan's economy posted a modest 0.2% annualized growth in Q4 2025, its first expansion in two quarters, as consumer spending rose slightly while exports fell under U.S. tariff pressure. TEPCO began trial electricity transmission from unit 6 at the Kashiwazaki‑Kariwa nuclear...