This week's Japanese news reported by Switzerland covers three events: Germany's consideration of joining GCAP and developments in next-generation fighter jet development, UNIQLO's withdrawal of its planned sock price increase, and the Ryuichi Sakamoto (坂本龍一) exhibition.
A Swiss newspaper reported that Germany is considering the possibility of joining GCAP, the next-generation fighter jet development programme being jointly advanced by Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy. Following the setback of FCAS, Germany is seeking new partners, and some analysts have pointed out that involvement in GCAP would have a direct bearing on development and production.
The article also reports that experts at the German Ministry of Defence view a benefit in being able to determine industrial involvement from the initial stages by launching a new joint development proposal with Spain or Sweden. At the same time, the option of considering the US F-35 or modernising the Eurofighter is said to remain open.
UNIQLO withdrew its planned sock price increase and the abolition of bulk-purchase discounts in Japan. The background includes prolonged inflation and pressure on household finances, and analysts have also pointed to the risk of an impact on the brand image of a company that has made low prices a symbol of the brand.
Japan's September consumer price index rose 2.1% year on year. Inflation is advancing against a backdrop including higher crude oil prices, highlighting the dilemma faced by companies unable to pass all of their higher costs on to customers.
A retrospective exhibition of Ryuichi Sakamoto (坂本龍一), Seeing Sound, Hearing Time, at the Hamburger Bahnhof museum in Berlin is featured, with emphasis on the display involving a tsunami-damaged piano and the relationship between nature and chance in his later creative work.