Japan

法定耐用年数20年超、把握できた経年劣化 水道老朽化ワースト大阪で進まぬ交換作業

The Sankei News | Local Language | News | May 12, 2025 | Critical Infrastructure Failure

A significant water pipe burst occurred in Joto Ward, Osaka, leading to flooding in residential roads. The broken pipe, made of ductile cast iron and installed about 60 years ago, has deteriorated over time, likely exacerbated by a moist soil environment. Osaka City has recorded the highest rate of water pipe deterioration among designated cities in Japan, highlighting an urgent need for replacement efforts.

The ruptured pipe exceeded its "legal useful life" of 40 years, based on depreciation schedules, and approached the city's "usable life" limit of 65 years. Classified as "non-earthquake-resistant," the condition of the aging infrastructure is a cause for concern, particularly given that around 52% of the city's 5,221 kilometers of water pipes have surpassed their legal service life. Approximately 100 water leakage incidents occur annually, prompting the city to prioritize replacing brittle cast iron pipes with more durable materials.

Nationwide, similar issues arise with aging water and sewage systems, necessitating urgent upgrades. Recent incidents, including a road collapse in Saitama and another water pipe failure in Kyoto, underscore the critical state of infrastructure across Japan. Osaka City Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama has called for collaboration with the private sector to prioritize inspections and updates of essential infrastructure components to address these persistent problems.

The Mainichi | English | News | May 12, 2025 | UndeterminedTrade Issues and Numbers

Nippon Steel Corp. has projected a significant decline in its net profit for fiscal 2025, anticipating a drop of 42.9% to 200 billion yen ($1.38 billion). This expectation stems from ongoing uncertainties regarding tariffs imposed by the United States. The company also reported that its net profit for fiscal 2024, which concluded in March, fell by 36.2% to 350.23 billion yen, impacted by inflation and a slowdown in the Chinese economy.

During a press conference, President Tadashi Imai expressed skepticism about any improvement in business conditions in the current fiscal year and highlighted the unpredictable nature of U.S. tariffs, which can fluctuate frequently. The tariffs had been increased by President Trump, who enacted a 25% levy on steel and aluminum imports. Despite Japan's calls for the complete removal of these tariffs, the U.S. government has denied these requests.

Imai also addressed the company's plans to acquire U.S. Steel Corp., stating that negotiations with the U.S. government were ongoing but that no specific details could be shared. The U.S. government has set a tight timeline for decision-making regarding this acquisition, with a recommendation due by June 5. Historically, there have been complications related to this deal, including national security concerns raised by a former U.S. President that resulted in legal action from both companies. For the just-ended fiscal year, Nippon Steel reported a 29.6% decline in operating profit, with total sales decreasing by 1.9% to 8.70 trillion yen.

NHK | English | News | May 12, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing met with China's President Xi Jinping for the first time since the 2021 coup. This meeting occurred during Hlaing's visit to Moscow, where he discussed various cooperative initiatives between Myanmar and China.

Hlaing expressed gratitude for China's support following a major earthquake in March, which affected central areas of Myanmar. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in sectors such as the economy, trade, and energy.

China's foreign ministry indicated that Xi pledged ongoing support for Myanmar's reconstruction efforts. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of promoting key projects, particularly in transportation infrastructure, as part of China's Belt and Road initiative, aimed at creating an extensive economic zone. Myanmar is likely seeking to reinforce its ties with China to enhance political stability and counteract feelings of isolation resulting from Western sanctions.