Core Viewpoint - Japan has successfully extracted rare earth mud from the seabed at a depth of 6000 meters in the South Bird Island area, which could enhance its economic security by reducing reliance on China, which currently produces 70% of the world's rare earths. However, challenges related to technology and profitability remain [2][8]. Extraction Process - The exploration vessel "Earth" departed from Shimizu Port on January 12 and arrived at the designated test mining area on January 17. Approximately 600 pipes, each about 10 meters long, were connected to extract the seabed mud, which was confirmed to contain rare earth elements on February 1 [3][5]. Composition of Extracted Mud - The extracted mud contains high concentrations of six or more rare earth elements, including dysprosium, neodymium, and gadolinium, which are essential for high-performance magnets used in electric vehicle motors, as well as yttrium and gadolinium for LEDs and superconductors [5][10]. Future Plans and Testing - The extraction is part of a larger research project called the Strategic Innovation Creation Program (SIP), with plans for large-scale testing in February 2027. The goal is to verify the ability to extract 350 tons of seabed mud daily and to develop facilities for processing the mud [7][8]. Challenges in Technology and Profitability - The main challenges include establishing extraction and refining technologies. The extraction process may utilize techniques from the oil industry, but remote operation of seabed mining machines is technically complex. The profitability of the project is also in question due to high operational costs associated with the deep-sea extraction [8][10]. Economic Security and International Considerations - Even if profitability is low, possessing rare earth production technology is deemed crucial for economic security. Japan's ability to secure supply channels in emergencies is emphasized. Additionally, Japan needs international understanding to advance its development plans, as there are currently no established international rules for marine mineral resource commercialization [11][12].

仙台、茨城、新潟、富山、小松、神户、冈山、佐贺、长崎、鹿儿岛等机场的中国航班减为0。班次减 少最多的是关西国际机场，由2355个减少为888个。与关西机场开通航线的中国机场从29个减少至14 个。四川航空取消了飞往关西国际机场的航班，青岛航空和厦门航空也有8成以上停飞。 另一方面，东京圈的成田机场从1185个航班减少到778个（减少34%），羽田机场从991个减少到957个 （减少3%）。与关西国际机场相比，东京圈机场的减少率较低。 关西国际机场 仙台、茨城、新潟、富山、小松、神户、冈山、佐贺、长崎、鹿儿岛10个日本机场的中国航班减为0。 班次减少最多的是关西国际机场，由2355个减少为888个。有分析认为，"U/L规则"也在产生影响…… 1月从中国飞往日本的客运航班数量，较最初公布的航班时刻表减少了48%。原计划通航的日本国内20 个机场中，有10个机场的中国航班减为0，关西国际机场的中国航班数量减少了62%。即使进入包含春 节的2月，航班恢复仍看不到明确前景，相关经济影响正向日本地方旅游和地区蔓延。 根据英国航空调查公司睿思誉（Cirium）的数据，按中国政府呼吁本国国民暂时避免前往日本的2025年 11 ...

Core Viewpoint - Ito-Yokado is restructuring its operations in China, focusing on divesting from underperforming stores and shifting its strategy to enhance profitability in remaining locations, particularly in Chengdu [2][4][7]. Group 1: Business Operations and Performance - Ito-Yokado has sold 90% of its shares in the Beijing store operations to a local retailer, Beijing Xincheng Supermarket Development, and will only retain brand licensing rights [4]. - The sales revenue of Huatang Ito-Yokado for the fiscal year 2024 decreased by 24% year-on-year, dropping to 1.7 billion yen, which is less than one-tenth of the 24 billion yen recorded in 2015 [4]. - The company is closing three stores in Chengdu by September 2025 as part of its restructuring efforts, aiming to focus on improving the profitability of the remaining six stores [4][7]. Group 2: Market Conditions and Challenges - The slowdown in personal consumption in China and the rise of online supermarkets have contributed to declining sales for Ito-Yokado [2][4]. - China is experiencing deflationary pressures, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) projected to grow by 0.0% in 2025, the lowest level since 2009, leading to intensified price competition [4]. - The company is facing challenges in adapting to local consumer demands, which is critical for success in the Chinese market [7]. Group 3: Strategic Focus and Future Plans - Following the divestment in Beijing, Ito-Yokado plans to concentrate on enhancing the performance of its remaining stores in Chengdu [2][4]. - The company is undergoing a transformation from traditional supermarket operations to focusing on food supermarkets in Japan, indicating a broader strategic shift [7]. - The establishment of York Holdings, which includes Ito-Yokado's non-convenience store businesses, is part of a larger restructuring strategy under Bain Capital's ownership [7].

Group 1 - The Japanese government is collaborating with Finland to promote dual-use technology cooperation between enterprises, including financial support for financing and trade insurance [2][4]. - As defense spending increases in Europe, the demand for related technologies is expected to grow, with Japan aiming to enhance its technological capabilities through international collaboration [4]. - Japan plans to support a total of €8 billion (approximately ¥1.46 trillion) from the European Defense Fund and explore the use of loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and trade insurance from Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) [4]. Group 2 - The collaboration includes the development of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite systems between Japan's IHI and Finland's ICEYE, which can accurately observe the ground under various conditions [4]. - Japanese company HYTEC INTER has developed technology for transmitting drone imagery in low-speed communication environments, and the two governments will promote the integration of this technology with Finnish wireless communication systems [5]. - The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Business Finland will sign a memorandum of cooperation to facilitate connections between Japanese and Finnish companies, marking the first joint statement focused on dual-use technology cooperation [5].

南鸟岛近海的试验性钻探是内阁府推进的"战略性创新创造计划（SIP）"的一部分。 该项目使用文部科学省主管的海洋研究开发机构（JAMSTEC）的探测船"地球号"，验证是否能够从约 6000米深的海底回收泥浆。 版权声明：日本经济新闻社版权所有，未经授权不得转载或部分复制，违者必究。 日经中文网 https://cn.nikkei.com 关于日本内阁府在小笠原群岛南鸟岛近海推进的、被认为含有稀土（希土类）的泥浆试验性钻探，日本 文部科学相松本洋平2月1日在其个人X（原推特）上发文称，"已收到从水深6000米成功扬起泥浆的消 息"。 视频号推荐内容： 日本海洋研究开发机构（JAMSTEC）的探测船"地球号"（1月12日，静冈市的清水港） 日本在小笠原群岛南鸟岛近海正在进行被认为含有稀土的泥浆试验性钻探…… ...

Core Viewpoint - Kevin Warsh, nominated as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, possesses unique policy ideas that have led to market confusion regarding his approach to asset reduction, which he prioritizes as a reform task, contrasting sharply with current realities [2][4]. Group 1: Warsh's Policy Perspective - Warsh emphasizes the independence of the central bank but rejects the current leadership's reforms under Jerome Powell, indicating a significant divergence in views on the Fed's role [2][4]. - He believes that the Fed's asset expansion deviates from its core functions, resonating with the traditional Republican views of "small government" and "small central bank" [4]. - Warsh's tenure as a Fed governor began in 2006, and he played a crucial role during the financial crisis, but he later distanced himself from the Fed's quantitative easing policies, particularly after QE2 [4][5]. Group 2: Concerns About Fiscal Policy - Warsh expressed concerns that additional purchases of government bonds would entangle the Fed in politically charged fiscal policy, leading to his resignation from the Fed [5]. - He argues that the Fed's excessive involvement and poor performance have undermined the legitimacy of its monetary policy independence [5]. - The Fed's recent strategy under Powell, which tolerates inflation above 2%, has drawn criticism for its slow response to rising inflation, with Warsh suggesting that this crisis of independence is self-inflicted [5]. Group 3: Future Implications - Warsh advocates for a potential interest rate cut if it is coupled with a significant reduction in the central bank's asset portfolio, arguing that asset expansion injects excess funds into the market, which could lead to rising interest rates [5]. - Despite a long-term asset reduction plan, the Fed must proceed cautiously due to the complex web of transactions backed by U.S. Treasury securities [5][6]. - The evolving financial landscape over the past 15 years presents challenges for Warsh as he aims to leverage his close relationship with President Trump to navigate economic realities [6].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article emphasizes the strengthening of Japan-UK bilateral relations in response to geopolitical challenges, particularly concerning China and North Korea, and the importance of a "free and open Indo-Pacific" [2][4] - Japan and the UK have agreed to collaborate on securing critical mineral supply chains to counter China's tightening of rare earth export controls [2][5] - The leaders highlighted the interconnectedness of security in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, with Japan-UK cooperation symbolizing this relationship [4][5] Group 2 - Both leaders agreed to hold foreign and defense minister-level consultations (2+2 talks) and confirmed progress on the joint development of next-generation fighter jets, marking Japan's first large defense equipment production collaboration with a country other than the US [5] - The discussions included cooperation in advanced technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology [5] - The UK Prime Minister invited the Japanese Prime Minister to visit Chequers, the official country residence of the UK Prime Minister [5]

香港警方的相关负责人（右）就日元抢劫案召开记者会（1月31日，香港，Kyodo） 香港警方向媒体公开的在抢劫案中查获的证物（1月31日，香港，Kyodo） 1月30日上午，香港警方接到报案称，在香港上环的外币兑换店附近，两名日本籍男子被抢走大量日元 现金。两名受害人从日本前往香港，携带了约1.9亿日元现金。警方随后逮捕了6名嫌疑人。据称，其中 一名20多岁日本籍男子伪装成两名受害者中的一人…… 1月30日上午，香港警方接到报案称，在香港南部香港岛上环的外币兑换店附近，两名日本籍男子被抢 走大量日元现金。涉案金额约为5100万日元（约合人民币228.6万元）。警方于31日通报称，已逮捕包 括一名20多岁的日本籍男子在内、年龄介于20~50多岁的男女共6人。据称，被逮捕的20多岁日本籍男 子伪装成两名受害者中的一人，报案称现金被抢。 警方认为，这名20多岁的男子"作为内应向嫌疑人团伙提供了信息"。 两名受害人从日本前往香港，携带了约1.9亿日元（约合人民币851.5元）现金。1月30日凌晨，东京羽田 机场停车场曾发生一起声称携带约1.9亿日元准备前往香港的50多岁男子遭到袭击的案件。据东京警视 厅称，这名50多岁 ...

Group 1 - The article discusses the significant challenge to the independence of the Federal Reserve due to a criminal investigation into Jerome Powell regarding budget overruns on renovation projects and the authenticity of his congressional testimony [6] - It highlights that the investigation is perceived as a pretext to compel the Federal Reserve to align with presidential wishes, particularly regarding interest rate cuts [6] - Historical context is provided, referencing former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker's experience with political pressure from President Reagan, illustrating the subtle and dangerous nature of such political interventions [6]

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese AI semiconductor industry is rapidly growing, with predictions indicating an increase in domestic self-sufficiency from 30% in 2024 to 80% by 2026, aiming to enhance competitiveness in high-tech sectors against the U.S. [2][5] Group 1: Company Developments - Moore Threads, founded by former NVIDIA executive Zhang Jianzhong, has introduced new products including the "Huagang" GPU and AI semiconductors "Huashan" and "Lushan," which are expected to begin mass production in 2026 [4][5]. - The company aims to reduce reliance on NVIDIA, which currently holds a 66% market share in China's AI semiconductor market [5]. - Other emerging companies in the sector, referred to as the "GPU Four Little Dragons," include MetaX, Shanghai Birun Technology, and Shanghai Suiruan Technology, all of which are also preparing for IPOs to accelerate semiconductor R&D [5][6]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The Chinese AI semiconductor market is projected to see significant shifts by 2026, with Huawei's HiSilicon expected to capture 50% market share, while NVIDIA's share is anticipated to drop to 8% [8]. - The market is characterized by increasing competition, with companies like Baidu's Kunlun and Cambricon also entering the fray [8]. - The semiconductor supply chain is still under development, with challenges in transitioning from NVIDIA's dominant structure to domestic production [9]. Group 3: Production Capabilities - SMIC has achieved stable production of 7nm AI semiconductors and is expanding its capacity to support various Chinese companies in AI semiconductor manufacturing [7].