Japanese manufacturers were more positive about business conditions in October, according to a Reuters monthly poll on Wednesday, though they remain cagey about the speed of economic recovery in China.

Sentiment in the service sector eased, as the survey reflected, presenting Japan with uneven economic conditions.

The Reuters Tankan, closely tracking the Bank of Japan's quarterly business survey, showed the sentiment index for manufacturers was at plus 7 in October, up from plus 4 in September.

In the latest poll, 506 major non-financial firms were surveyed, with 241 companies responding anonymously between Sept. 25 and Oct. 4.

China, Japan's second-largest export market after the U.S., began announcing aggressive economic stimulus efforts on Sept. 24.

A wide cross-section of Japanese industries said business sentiments brightened, and in increases, it was led by chemicals and food industries.

"We are seeing a stronger-than-expected rebound in the electronics materials sector," a chemicals maker manager said in the poll.

Memory chip makers, in particular, have been selling well, according to a manager at an electronics firm.

Manufacturers expect their business sentiment to rise further to plus 9 in the next three months, said the survey.

However, managers across multiple sectors voiced concerns about the weak Chinese economy.

"Our clients are growing cautious about raising capital expenditures due to a Chinese economic slowdown," a machinery maker manager said.

The Reuters Tankan service-sector index fell for the fourth straight month in October to plus 20, from plus 23 in September, with both the transport and wholesale sectors experiencing the sharpest decline in sentiment. It was also the lowest since February last year.

"We have been unable to fully pass on higher energy costs and currency impacts to pricing," a wholesaler manager wrote.

Other factors mentioned by non-manufacturers were the slowing Chinese economy, unpredictable weather, and a stronger yen.

Despite this, service sector firms expect the index to rebound to plus 22 in January as a result of good investment in information systems and foreign tourist spending.

The Reuters Tankan indexes are achieved by subtracting the percentage of pessimists from the optimistic ones. A positive figure indicates optimists outnumber pessimists.

Japanese manufacturers were more positive about business conditions in October, according to a Reuters monthly poll on Wednesday, though they remain cagey about the speed of economic recovery in China.

Japanese manufacturers were more positive about business conditions in October, according to a Reuters monthly poll on Wednesday, though they remain cagey about the speed of economic recovery in China. Sentiment in the service sector eased, as the survey reflected, presenting Japan with uneven economic conditions. The Reuters Tankan, closely tracking the Bank of Japan's quarterly business survey, showed the sentiment index for manufacturers was at plus 7 in October, up from plus 4 in September. In the latest poll, 506 major non-financial firms were surveyed, with 241 companies responding anonymously between Sept. 25 and Oct. 4. China, Japan's second-largest export market after the U.S., began announcing aggressive economic stimulus efforts on Sept. 24. A wide cross-section of Japanese industries said business sentiments brightened, and in increases, it was led by chemicals and food industries. "We are seeing a stronger-than-expected rebound in the electronics materials sector," a chemicals maker manager said in the poll. Memory chip makers, in particular, have been selling well, according to a manager at an electronics firm. Manufacturers expect their business sentiment to rise further to plus 9 in the next three months, said the survey. However, managers across multiple sectors voiced concerns about the weak Chinese economy. "Our clients are growing cautious about raising capital expenditures due to a Chinese economic slowdown," a machinery maker manager said. The Reuters Tankan service-sector index fell for the fourth straight month in October to plus 20, from plus 23 in September, with both the transport and wholesale sectors experiencing the sharpest decline in sentiment. It was also the lowest since February last year. "We have been unable to fully pass on higher energy costs and currency impacts to pricing," a wholesaler manager wrote. Other factors mentioned by non-manufacturers were the slowing Chinese economy, unpredictable weather, and a stronger yen. Despite this, service sector firms expect the index to rebound to plus 22 in January as a result of good investment in information systems and foreign tourist spending. The Reuters Tankan indexes are achieved by subtracting the percentage of pessimists from the optimistic ones. A positive figure indicates optimists outnumber pessimists.

Japan manufacturers’ confidence improves in October, concerns about China persist

In a bid to secure itself in the current geo-political scenario and regional military tensions, Japan is expanding a military base on a tiny island east of Taiwan. This comes months after the Chinese military’s ballistic missiles landed near its shores last year. The island in question is Yonaguni, a remote outpost of Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture. It is located 110 kilometres from Taiwan and is near the Diaoyu Islands, a group of islands claimed by Beijing but administered by Tokyo as the Senkakus.

The incident happened in August, when six Chinese missiles fell just off the island's shores, in waters Tokyo considers to be within Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The missiles were part of the military drills carried out by China following the then US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-if-china-invades-taiwan-in-2026-the-5-things-war-game-simulations-by-us-think-tank-revealed-550978">What if China invades Taiwan in 2026? The 5 things war game simulations by US think tank revealed</a>

While people on Yonaguni were scared and started enquiring about what to do if the situation worsens, China dismissed all concerns saying that&nbsp;there was no exclusive economic zone in the waters since the two nations had not agreed on the limits.

A base for the Japan Self-Defence Forces is now being expanded in Yonaguni and a surface-to-air missile unit will also be deployed. The island becomes strategically important due to its proximity to Taiwan. Experts believe that it would inevitably be attacked in the event of a regional conflict.

It also houses the bulk of US forces stationed in Japan. The large naval and air facilities on the island will be the first to respond to a crisis across the Taiwan Strait.

A fund to cover the costs of emergency equipment and facilities for locals in the event of an attack was set up by the Yonaguni government in September. Many of the islanders also participated in drills simulating a ballistic missile attack on the island.

“There were sirens and we were instructed to hide under our desks and cover our heads as a missile was coming,” Yuka Mori, a worker at the town hall, told SCMP. “We had to answer calls from local people and answer their questions about what was happening.

“It was quite realistic and I found myself frightened,” she said.

“Even though it only went on for a relatively short time – only 15 minutes or so – it made me imagine what could happen.”

Other protection measures for locals are also being looked into. A proposal to ask the national government for emergency shelters was passed by local authorities in December.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a bid to secure itself in the current geo-political scenario and regional military tensions, Japan is expanding a military base on a tiny island east of Taiwan.

In a bid to secure itself in the current geo-political scenario and regional military tensions, Japan is expanding a military base on a tiny island east of Taiwan. This comes months after the Chinese military’s ballistic missiles landed near its shores last year. The island in question is Yonaguni, a remote outpost of Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture. It is located 110 kilometres from Taiwan and is near the Diaoyu Islands, a group of islands claimed by Beijing but administered by Tokyo as the Senkakus. The incident happened in August, when six Chinese missiles fell just off the island's shores, in waters Tokyo considers to be within Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The missiles were part of the military drills carried out by China following the then US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Also Read | What if China invades Taiwan in 2026? The 5 things war game simulations by US think tank revealed While people on Yonaguni were scared and started enquiring about what to do if the situation worsens, China dismissed all concerns saying that there was no exclusive economic zone in the waters since the two nations had not agreed on the limits. A base for the Japan Self-Defence Forces is now being expanded in Yonaguni and a surface-to-air missile unit will also be deployed. The island becomes strategically important due to its proximity to Taiwan. Experts believe that it would inevitably be attacked in the event of a regional conflict. It also houses the bulk of US forces stationed in Japan. The large naval and air facilities on the island will be the first to respond to a crisis across the Taiwan Strait. A fund to cover the costs of emergency equipment and facilities for locals in the event of an attack was set up by the Yonaguni government in September. Many of the islanders also participated in drills simulating a ballistic missile attack on the island. “There were sirens and we were instructed to hide under our desks and cover our heads as a missile was coming,” Yuka Mori, a worker at the town hall, told SCMP. “We had to answer calls from local people and answer their questions about what was happening. “It was quite realistic and I found myself frightened,” she said. “Even though it only went on for a relatively short time – only 15 minutes or so – it made me imagine what could happen.” Other protection measures for locals are also being looked into. A proposal to ask the national government for emergency shelters was passed by local authorities in December. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan set to expand military base near Taiwan to counter threat from China

In the face if an&nbsp;impending threat from China, Japan is expected to announce its biggest defence overhaul in decades this week. As part of the massive change, spending will be increased and the military command is likely to be reshaped. Acquisition of new missiles to tackle the threat from China is also expected to feature in the new policy.

Three defence and security documents will outline the changes as soon as Friday and reshape the defence landscape in a country whose post-war constitution does not even officially recognise the military.

"Fundamentally strengthening our defence capabilities is the most urgent challenge in this severe security environment," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at the weekend.

"We will urgently ramp up our defence capabilities over the next five years."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-changing-geopolitical-landscape-japan-plans-to-boost-defence-budget-538422">Amid changing geopolitical landscape, Japan plans to boost defence budget</a>

Japan is beginning to see a threat not just from China, a country that has been growing its military strength and regional posturing, but also from North Korea&nbsp;that has launched several missiles in the past few weeks. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also prompted Japan to sit up and think about strengthening its military to defend itself in case of a foreign aggression.

The highlight of the policy is a pledge to boost spending to two per cent of GDP by 2027 to bring Japan in line with NATO members, marking a significant increase from historic spending of around one per cent. Some experts and citizens have been critical of the hike since it is not clear how it will be financed.

However, many people in the country also seem to be in favour of increasing defence spending. In a poll published by the Kyodo news agency, over 60 per cent of respondents want the country to obtain "counterstrike capability".

Japan has a pacifist post-war constitution which limits its military capacity to mostly defensive measures. As per local reports, the additional spending will be mainly aimed at "counterstrike"&nbsp;capacity, that is weapons that can target enemy missile launch sites and described by Tokyo as defensive.

To affirm that will be focus on "counterstrike" capacity, policy documents will reportedly insist that Japan remains committed to a "self-defence-oriented security policy" and will "not become a military power".

Japan is reportedly considering purchasing 500 US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, while it develops longer-range missiles domestically.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the face if an impending threat from China, Japan is expected to announce its biggest defence overhaul in decades this week. As part of the massive change, spending will be increased and the military command is likely to be reshaped.

In the face if an impending threat from China, Japan is expected to announce its biggest defence overhaul in decades this week. As part of the massive change, spending will be increased and the military command is likely to be reshaped. Acquisition of new missiles to tackle the threat from China is also expected to feature in the new policy. Three defence and security documents will outline the changes as soon as Friday and reshape the defence landscape in a country whose post-war constitution does not even officially recognise the military. "Fundamentally strengthening our defence capabilities is the most urgent challenge in this severe security environment," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at the weekend. "We will urgently ramp up our defence capabilities over the next five years." Also Read | Amid changing geopolitical landscape, Japan plans to boost defence budget Japan is beginning to see a threat not just from China, a country that has been growing its military strength and regional posturing, but also from North Korea that has launched several missiles in the past few weeks. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also prompted Japan to sit up and think about strengthening its military to defend itself in case of a foreign aggression. The highlight of the policy is a pledge to boost spending to two per cent of GDP by 2027 to bring Japan in line with NATO members, marking a significant increase from historic spending of around one per cent. Some experts and citizens have been critical of the hike since it is not clear how it will be financed. However, many people in the country also seem to be in favour of increasing defence spending. In a poll published by the Kyodo news agency, over 60 per cent of respondents want the country to obtain "counterstrike capability". Japan has a pacifist post-war constitution which limits its military capacity to mostly defensive measures. As per local reports, the additional spending will be mainly aimed at "counterstrike" capacity, that is weapons that can target enemy missile launch sites and described by Tokyo as defensive. To affirm that will be focus on "counterstrike" capacity, policy documents will reportedly insist that Japan remains committed to a "self-defence-oriented security policy" and will "not become a military power". Japan is reportedly considering purchasing 500 US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, while it develops longer-range missiles domestically. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Amid threats from China & North Korea, Japan to announce radical overhaul of defence policy

In the backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness in the South China seas, Japan and Vietnam signed a new defence deal for the transfer of Japanese-made defence equipment and technology to Hanoi.

The accord was inked in Hanoi on Saturday during Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi’s first trip overseas after assuming the post last year.

Japan will speed up talks with Vietnam to sell Self-Defence Forces’ vessels, Kishi said in an online press conference, following a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang.

Vietnam, one of the key members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is reportedly the 11th country to sign such an agreement with Japan, at a time when China growing military influence in the Southeast Asian region.

Vietnam has territorial disputes with China over the Spratly and Paracel island groups in the South China Sea.

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Japan and China are also embroiled in a territorial dispute, with Tokyo regularly protesting against the Chinese coastguard’s presence in the East China Sea near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which Beijing also claims and calls Diaoyu.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/have-a-stronger-military-presence-in-asia-to-tackle-china-japan-urges-european-nations-392843">Have a stronger military presence in Asia to tackle China: Japan urges European nations</a>

Japanese officials say Chinese vessels routinely violate Japanese territorial waters around the islands, sometimes threatening fishing boats.

Vietnam has strong defence ties with Russia and relies on it for most of its equipment, including submarines and fighter jets, as it was part of the former Communist bloc during the Cold War.

Tokyo is also looking to expand military cooperation beyond its longtime ally, the United States, and has signed similar agreements with the United Kingdom, Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia.

“The accord will strengthen Japan’s defence industrial base and is expected to contribute to the country's security," Kishi was quoted by local news outlets in Hanoi.

He added they agreed to work together for a rules-based order and reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as to abide by international law, in a veiled counter against Beijing.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness in the South China seas, Japan and Vietnam signed a new defence deal for the transfer of Japanese-made defence equipment and technology to Hanoi.

In the backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness in the South China seas, Japan and Vietnam signed a new defence deal for the transfer of Japanese-made defence equipment and technology to Hanoi. The accord was inked in Hanoi on Saturday during Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi’s first trip overseas after assuming the post last year. Japan will speed up talks with Vietnam to sell Self-Defence Forces’ vessels, Kishi said in an online press conference, following a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang. Vietnam, one of the key members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is reportedly the 11th country to sign such an agreement with Japan, at a time when China growing military influence in the Southeast Asian region. Vietnam has territorial disputes with China over the Spratly and Paracel island groups in the South China Sea. Watch Japan and China are also embroiled in a territorial dispute, with Tokyo regularly protesting against the Chinese coastguard’s presence in the East China Sea near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which Beijing also claims and calls Diaoyu. Also read | Have a stronger military presence in Asia to tackle China: Japan urges European nations Japanese officials say Chinese vessels routinely violate Japanese territorial waters around the islands, sometimes threatening fishing boats. Vietnam has strong defence ties with Russia and relies on it for most of its equipment, including submarines and fighter jets, as it was part of the former Communist bloc during the Cold War. Tokyo is also looking to expand military cooperation beyond its longtime ally, the United States, and has signed similar agreements with the United Kingdom, Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia. “The accord will strengthen Japan’s defence industrial base and is expected to contribute to the country's security," Kishi was quoted by local news outlets in Hanoi. He added they agreed to work together for a rules-based order and reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as to abide by international law, in a veiled counter against Beijing. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan, Vietnam ink defence transfer deal amid China’s growing assertiveness in disputed regions

Police are investigating the attackers’ intent and methods, while also pursuing scores of other cyberattacks that they suspect are linked to China’s military

Japan says Chinese military likely behind cyberattacks

Japan deploys destroyer to gather information after Chinese carrier group spotted in Okinawa and Miyako islands towards the Pacific, Japan has sent its destroyer in retaliation.

Japan sends destroyer to track China's Liaoning aircraft

The drill will be conducted on islands 200 kilometers from Kagoshima city in Japan until November 5

Japan and US begin major military exercise

According to US information security firm CrowdStrike, the attacks were the first cases of their kind in the country.

Japanese vaccine producers under cyber attacks: Reports

Tensions between China and Japan are also rising amid the East Asian dispute, Japan has now unveiled a massive 3000-tonne submarine known as 'The Big Whale' submarine. Watch report.

Japan unveils 'The Big Whale': Tensions rising between Japan and China

As the tensions between China and Japan increased in the East China Sea, Liu Qingbin, an associate professor said that Beijing offered an olive branch to Tokyo by reducing its naval presence in the area but was snubbed when Japan hired fishing boats to go into the disputed waters, resulting in skirmishes between the two sides.

Your Story: Japan snubs China's olive branch on Senkaku islands

Japan snubs China's peace offer | Senkaku islands dispute

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling party has adopted a resolution urging the government cancel a visit to Japan by Chinese President Xi Jinping following the implementation of a new national security law for Hong Kong.

Japan's ruling party calls for govt to cancel Xi's visit | Japan-China

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