
TikTok to launch shopping feature in Japan, taking on Amazon, Rakuten
TOKYO -- TikTok is preparing to launch an e-commerce function in Japan, attracting the interest of sellers hoping to leverage the short-video app's ability to draw eyeballs, as well as ad agencies such as Hakuhodo and Dentsu seeing opportunities to offer support.
ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, has already rolled out TikTok Shop in other markets including the U.S. and Southeast Asia. TikTok's privacy policy in Japan was changed on June 2 to incorporate mentions of "shopping features," spurring industry speculation that a launch could come as early as this month.

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Kyodo News
2 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: June 20, 2025
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Yomiuri Shimbun
4 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
US May Target Samsung, Hynix, TSMC Operations in China, Sources Say
June 20 (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Commerce is considering revoking authorizations granted in recent years to global chipmakers Samsung SK Hynix and TSMC making it more difficult for them to receive U.S. goods and technology at their plants in China, according to people familiar with the matter. The chances of the United States withdrawing the authorizations are unclear. But with such a move, it would be harder for foreign chipmakers to operate in China, where they produce semiconductors used in a wide range of industries. A White House official said the United States was 'just laying the groundwork' in case the truce reached between the two countries fell apart. But the official expressed confidence that the trade agreement would go forward and that rare earths would flow from China, as agreed. 'There is currently no intention of deploying this tactic,' the official said. 'It's another tool we want in our toolbox in case either this agreement falls through or any other catalyst throws a wrench in bilateral relations.' Shares of U.S. chip equipment makers that supply plants in China fell when the Wall Street Journal first reported the news earlier on Friday. KLA Corp KLAC.O dropped 2.4%, Lam Research LRCX.O fell 1.9% and Applied Materials AMAT.O sank 2%. Shares of Micron, a major competitor to Samsung and SK Hynix in the memory chip sector, rose 1.5%. A TSMC spokesman declined comment. Samsung and Hynix did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lam Research, KLA and Applied Materials did not immediately respond, either. In October 2022, after the United States placed sweeping restrictions on U.S. chipmaking equipment to China, it gave foreign manufacturers like Samsung and Hynix letters authorizing them to receive goods. In 2023 and 2024, the companies received what is known as Validated End User status in order to continue the trade. A company with VEU status is able to receive designated goods from a U.S. company without the supplier obtaining multiple export licenses to ship to them. VEU status enables entities to receive U.S.-controlled products and technologies 'more easily, quickly and reliably,' as the Commerce Department website puts it. The VEU authorizations come with conditions, a person familiar with the matter said, including prohibitions on certain equipment and reporting requirements. 'Chipmakers will still be able to operate in China,' a Commerce Department spokesperson said in a statement when asked about the possible revocations. 'The new enforcement mechanisms on chips mirror licensing requirements that apply to other semiconductor companies that export to China and ensure the United States has an equal and reciprocal process.' Industry sources said that if it became more difficult for U.S. semiconductor equipment companies to ship to foreign multinationals, it would only help domestic Chinese competitors. 'It's a gift,' one said.


Kyodo News
6 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Japan to provide defense equipment to Thailand, 7 other nations
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 09:01 | All, Japan Japan plans to supply defense equipment to Thailand, Tonga and six other nations in the current fiscal year as security aid, a government source said Friday, in bid to ensure safe sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific region where China is evolving its military posture. The eight countries -- also including East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Sri Lanka -- are expected to be designated as the recipients of Japan's "official security assistance" framework, designed for like-minded partners, for fiscal 2025 from April, the source said. The government is considering providing them Japanese-made drones to help in their natural disaster relief and maritime surveillance missions, according to the source. Japan launched the OSA scheme in April 2023 to help developing countries strengthen their defense capabilities amid security concerns such as the Chinese forces' increasing assertiveness at sea and in the air. In the past two fiscal years through 2024, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia and the Philippines were recipients of the assistance program. In May, Japan gave the Fiji navy a rescue boat and surveillance equipment, in its first delivery under the OSA framework. In its fiscal 2025 initial budget, Japan earmarked 8.1 billion yen ($56 million) for OSA assistance, up from 2 billion yen in fiscal 2023 and 5 billion yen in fiscal 2024. Related coverage: 87 Japanese nationals, family members evacuated from Iran, Israel Japan destroyer sails Taiwan Strait after China jet encounter 520 landings, takeoffs seen from 2 Chinese carriers in Pacific: Japan