1. One side of Japan’s Mount Fuji has opened to climbers striking out for the peak from the mountain’s fifth stage in Yamanashi Prefecture. The mountain opened on Tuesday from the Yamanashi side for the summer climbing season. Past seasons have seen problems such as people attempting to reach the top of the mountain in
all-night so-called “bullet” climbs, with inconsiderate behavior and crowding near the summit also becoming issues.
2. Japan’s top trade negotiator has reiterated his stance that the country will not seek a trade agreement with the United States in which Japan’s farming industry is sacrificed. At a news conference on Tuesday, Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei was asked about a social media post by US President Donald Trump. The post in question read that Japan “won’t take our RICE, and yet they have a massive rice shortage.”
3. Shoppers in Japan are facing yet another expensive month at the supermarket. A survey has found that food and beverage makers plan to hike prices on over 2,000 items in July. Private research firm Teikoku Databank says it polled 195 domestic companies. It says prices will rise on 2,105 products in July. That’s about five times the figure for the same month last year.