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The announcement of Japan’s 50th House of Representatives election yesterday marked the official kickoff of the 12-day campaign period, with major media outlets identifying 21 prominent candidates facing potential election crises. Among them is Koichi Hagiuda, a former chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council and a close confidant of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In total, 1,344 candidates have registered to run for 465 seats in the elections, which will take place on the 27th. This includes both district representatives (289 seats) and proportional representatives (176 seats).

Notably, 46 candidates linked to the so-called “small fund incident” have registered. Of these, 34 received nominations from the LDP, while 12 officials from the old Abe faction, including Hagiuda, were left without party nominations and are running as independents.

These independent candidates cannot run in both district and proportional representation races, meaning that if they do not succeed in their districts, they will not have another chance. Should any of the non-nominated candidates win, the LDP plans to offer them recognition post-election.

Among the former officials standing as independents are Hagiuda, former Minister of Education Hirofumi Shimomura, former Minister of Economy and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura, and former Chairman of the Diet Affairs Committee Takeshi Takagi.

Taro Uesugi, who withdrew from the proportional representation race, is running as an independent in Fukushima’s 3rd district. Hiroshi Sekō, a former senator who left the LDP due to the small fund scandal, is contesting as an independent in Wakayama’s 2nd district.

The focus of this election revolves around whether the LDP and its coalition partner, Komeito, can secure over half of the seats (233). Before the announcement, the LDP held 247 seats, while Komeito had 32, totaling 279.

According to reports by “Nikkan Gendai,” the LDP could lose as many as 58 seats, jeopardizing its majority. Conversely, political analyst Yoshimi Kobayashi estimates a potential loss of 40 to 50 seats, making it challenging to achieve a simple majority alone, but combining seats with Komeito could still enable that goal.

“Fuji Evening News” listed the 21 major candidates at risk of losing, which includes several members of the new Ishihara Cabinet that just launched in early October, such as Minister of Justice Hideki Makihara, Minister for National Security Manabu Sakai, Minister of Reconstruction Yoshihiro Ito, and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yoshihiro Osaki, alongside Hagiuda and others.

At 61, Hagiuda is contesting in Tokyo’s 24th district. Following the campaign’s official start, he began his outreach in front of the JR Hachioji station, aided by prominent LDP figures like former Minister of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Shinji Inoue and former Minister for Women’s Empowerment Haruko Arimura. Apart from the small fund incident, his connections to the former Unification Church have also sparked controversy.

Regarding the small fund scandal, Hagiuda expressed regret to voters, acknowledging the disappointment it caused. In response to the constitutional opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, fielding former senator Yoshifumi Arita in the district, Hagiuda urged voters to be discerning, questioning whether they truly want to elect someone who only comes to Hachioji to criticize.

Hagiuda noted that the small fund incident has undermined public trust in politics. While he recognizes the need for reform based on traditional practices, he emphasized the importance of discussion with constituents. However, he asserted that his office did not intentionally create a slush fund or misuse funds for personal gain.

“I am committed to serving Hachioji and have the determination to be buried in this land,” Hagiuda stated. “Unlike others who effortlessly venture here to run, we cannot leave our beloved Hachioji in the hands of such individuals.”

Hagiuda has an extensive political background, having served as a city councilor in Hachioji, a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, and first elected to the House of Representatives in 2003. His past roles include Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minister of Education and Science, Minister of Economy and Industry, and LDP Policy Research Council Chairman.

On the afternoon of October 15, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the village of Ao Jiao in Chen Cheng Town, Dongshan County, Zhangzhou, Fujian Province. During his tour of the local dock, he examined dried seafood and fresh catches, while also learning about the area’s progress in rural revitalization. Remarkably, this was not his first visit; he had been here back in 2001 while working in Fujian. After 23 years, he expressed deep satisfaction with the transformative changes he observed in the village.

Reflecting on the visit, Xi noted, “Rural revitalization must emphasize our strengths and fully leverage the maritime resources.” He emphasized the bright future that lies ahead for rural areas in this new era, stating that farmers can expect to enjoy better lives. He concluded with warm wishes, saying, “May your lives continue to flourish.”

(Reported by: Zhang Xiaosong, Zhu Jichai; Photographers: Ju Peng, Xie Huanchi)

The Ministry of Civil Affairs announced today the selection of personal assistance online service platforms. Here’s a closer look at the selection process and requirements.

**Selection Principles**
Applications are welcome on a voluntary basis and must adhere to legal regulations, ensuring fairness and impartiality throughout the process.

**Eligibility Requirements**
To qualify as a designated personal assistance online service platform, applicants must meet the criteria outlined in Article 4 of the Management Measures for Personal Assistance Online Service Platforms.

**Required Application Materials**
Applicants should compile the following materials into a single document with a table of contents:
1. A declaration regarding the authenticity of the submitted materials;
2. The Personal Assistance Online Service Platform Application Form;
3. Documentation supporting the requirements set out in Article 4 of the Management Measures;
4. Explanations that align with Articles 8 through 21 of the Management Measures.

**Important Guidelines and Deadlines**
1. The deadline for submitting applications to the Ministry of Civil Affairs is October 31, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted.
2. All submitted materials must be genuine and valid. Any applicant found to have provided false information will be disqualified from the selection process.
3. The Ministry will establish an evaluation committee to determine the list of recommended personal assistance online service platforms, which will be publicly announced for five workdays.
4. Upon the completion of the announcement period, the Ministry will finalize and release the list of designated personal assistance online service platforms to the public.

**Contact Information**
For inquiries, please call: (010) 58123134
Mailing address for application materials: Department of Charity Promotion, Ministry of Civil Affairs, 6 Jianguomen South Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100721.

(Reported by CCTV’s Li Yumei; Edited by Wang Qin)

In recent years, China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry has seen remarkable growth. However, as the features of smart and connected vehicles expand, quality and safety risks have become significant concerns.

On October 17, the Fourth China Automotive Quality Technology Conference was held in Liuzhou, Guangxi, organized by the China Consumer Products Quality Safety Promotion Association and co-hosted by SAIC Motor Corporation and SAIC-GM-Wuling. Industry experts engaged in discussions centered on the theme of “Quality Management in the Era of Electrification and Intelligence.”

With the rapid advancement of new energy vehicles, the number of vehicle recalls has also been on the rise. According to data provided by Xiao Lingyun, head of the Defective Product Recall Technical Center at the State Administration for Market Regulation, a total of 3,023 automotive recalls affecting 112 million vehicles have been implemented as of the end of September this year. Notably, from January to September 2023 alone, 181 recalls were conducted, impacting approximately 9.184 million vehicles.

Zhang Qinrong, chairman of the China Consumer Products Quality Safety Promotion Association, highlighted that as the number of electric vehicles increases, there is a troubling upward trend in fire-related incidents stemming from issues with power batteries and electronic control systems.

“Car quality and safety are essential prerequisites for the healthy and sustainable development of the automotive industry,” said Zhang. He emphasized that ongoing advancements in automotive quality technology are vital for ensuring these safety standards.

There have already been numerous explorations in terms of policy and industry responses. Li Chunjiang, deputy director of the Certification and Supervision Department at the State Administration for Market Regulation, noted that the government is making quality enhancement in the automotive sector a priority. This includes continuous reforms to the mandatory product certification system and implementing dynamic management of the CCC certification catalog, which will see high-risk products, like electric vehicle charging stations, integrated into the certification management framework.

Wang Xiaoqiu, chairman of SAIC Motor Corporation, stated that while the company is rapidly advancing in innovative technologies such as solid-state batteries, advanced driving assistance systems, and smart chassis, it is also focused on improving software quality management by leveraging digital technologies to enhance its quality management system.

Looking ahead, how can automotive quality and safety be further enhanced? Zhang Qinrong believes that companies need to increase their investment in research and development, particularly in core areas such as battery technology and autonomous driving algorithms. He advocates for the development of core automotive technologies tailored to the Chinese market and consumer needs, aiming to achieve the goal of becoming a quality powerhouse through independent technological advancements.

Ensuring product quality and safety increasingly relies on the role of testing and inspection for automotive products. Zhang Ying, deputy director of the Accreditation and Testing Department at the State Administration for Market Regulation, pointed out the urgent need to address the lack of testing standards for smart connected vehicles. He emphasized the importance of expediting the formulation and improvement of testing standards relevant to electrification, intelligence, and connectivity, while driving innovation in decision-making technologies to enhance the research framework for smart vehicles.

Li Chunjiang added that market regulation authorities will actively promote high-end quality certification, increase the supply of quality products, and foster bilateral mutual recognition. They will also explore innovative international cooperation ideas for quality certification, focusing on strengthening the construction and collaboration of international automotive product standards.

On October 19, 2024, the China-Pacific Island Countries Cooperation and Dialogue Conference on Climate Change was held in Liaocheng, Shandong Province. During the event, experts and scholars engaged in discussions regarding the impacts of climate change on Pacific Island nations and the practical cooperation between China and these nations.

In his opening remarks, former Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Gordon Darcy Lilo emphasized the significant threats posed by natural disasters such as tsunamis and floods to agriculture, infrastructure, and tourism in these regions, which endanger the livelihoods of their people. “Solar energy has tremendous potential to change the fate of Pacific Island countries. I hope to bring back more advanced technologies.” He also noted that two hydropower stations are currently under construction in his country in partnership with Chinese enterprises, which will help improve local electricity supply upon completion.

“Climate resilience is a crucial focus for us in addressing issues like coastal erosion, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events,” stated Regan Moses, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and National Resilience in Nauru. He shared that Nauru is currently relocating some communities to higher altitudes to create a greener, energy-efficient urban environment tailored to climate adaptation, envisioning sustainable “smart villages.” Within these smart villages, rainwater management systems are in place to withstand flooding, while smart transportation networks encourage residents to opt for walking, cycling, or electric vehicles, thereby reducing carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

Lü Xinming, Deputy Director-General of the Climate Change Department at China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, highlighted the shared experiences of developing countries in grappling with climate change. “China has signed 53 South-South cooperation memorandums on climate change with 42 developing countries and has conducted 69 South-South training sessions on climate response, training nearly 2,600 officials and technicians from over 120 developing nations.”

The China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center, established in April 2022 in Liaocheng, has organized ten robust research teams over the past two years, hosting a series of high-level academic conferences and training programs related to climate change. According to Li Changping, Secretary of the Liaocheng Municipal Committee, the center has signed strategic cooperation agreements with several domestic and international organizations, providing intellectual support to the global community for addressing climate change and ocean governance.

Additionally, on this day, the Liaocheng Climate Change Cooperation Fund was launched, aimed at supporting collaborative efforts, academic exchanges, educational training, and related public welfare initiatives in climate change and low-carbon economic development within the China-Pacific Island region. The China-Pacific Island Countries Green Development Cooperation Alliance and the China-Pacific Island Countries Vocational Education Alliance were also inaugurated.

According to recent statistics, only 12% of households in California purchased earthquake insurance last year. A stark reminder of this risk is the aftermath of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which caused significant damage in the Bay Area, including the collapse of the 880 highway.

Federal scientists have stated that there is a 20% likelihood of a stronger earthquake occurring in the Bay Area within the next 30 years compared to the Loma Prieta quake. Despite this knowledge, few residents are taking proactive measures to protect their homes from a potential major earthquake.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that even though California experiences earthquakes more frequently than other states, and tends to incur higher losses, only 1.5 million households had earthquake insurance in 2023, which accounts for a mere 12% of the state’s households.

It’s important to note that standard homeowners, condo, and rental insurance policies in California typically do not cover damages caused by earthquakes, including personal property loss and temporary lodging expenses. This means that if a major earthquake occurs, California residents will bear the entire financial burden of damages and costs themselves.

The low uptake of earthquake insurance in California is understandable, primarily due to high premiums and the rarity of significant earthquakes since 1989. As a result, many younger homeowners do not feel an acute sense of urgency about the risk of losing their homes to a major quake.

The California Earthquake Authority (CEA), the state’s largest earthquake insurance provider, has taken measures in recent years to reduce its payouts. Last year, the CEA lowered the maximum payout for personal property loss from $200,000 to $25,000 and eliminated the 5% or 10% deductible option for homes insured for over $1 million or older homes without foundation reinforcements built before 1980.

The CEA stated that these decisions were influenced by rising inflation rates and increasing reinsurance costs.

Historically, homeowner insurance covered damages from earthquakes, but currently, it only covers losses due to fire following an earthquake. This shift dates back to the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 6.7 and remains one of the most costly seismic events in U.S. history, ranking among the top ten natural disasters worldwide in terms of insurance loss.

While some insurance companies still offer earthquake insurance in the private market, representing about one-third of California’s earthquake policies, most residents purchase their coverage through the CEA. Data from the CEA indicates that their average premium is approximately $925, while private market policies average around $885.

However, when breaking down costs by specific coverage, the CEA’s premiums actually prove to be more affordable, having decreased over the past decade. The only recent increase was seen at the end of last year due to the rising costs of reinsurance and home reconstruction.

In the coming week, there are three key factors that investors should monitor regarding the U.S. stock market, as highlighted by Franklin Templeton Investments. First, speeches from Federal Reserve officials will be crucial. Investors should pay attention to their perspectives on the economy, labor market, inflation, and interest rates.

The second factor to watch is economic data. Next week will see the release of significant reports, including September retail sales, industrial production, building permits, and new housing starts.

The third critical element is corporate earnings reports. A total of 45 companies are set to release their earnings next week, including major names like Netflix, Essilor, Collins Aerospace, Citigroup, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock, Procter & Gamble, American Express, American Airlines, United Airlines, Las Vegas Sands, Schlumberger, UnitedHealth, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, and Intuitive Surgical.

Additionally, the political landscape is heating up with the U.S. presidential election approaching. According to Real Clear Politics data from October 10, the probability of Kamala Harris winning has dropped to 44.7%, while Donald Trump has risen to 53.9%.

Looking at future corporate earnings, FactSet’s data as of October 4 indicates that S&P 500 companies are expected to see a 4.2% growth in the third quarter. Growth sectors like technology, healthcare, and communication services are projected to lead the charge with growth rates of 15.2%, 10.9%, and 10.5%, respectively. Conversely, materials and energy sectors are anticipated to struggle, with declines of 2.7% and 20.9%.

Notably, the Fed lowered interest rates by 50 basis points on September 18, officially kicking off a rate-cutting cycle. Franklin Templeton suggests that based on historical trends, this indicates a likelihood of a soft landing for the U.S. economy, which could support a bullish trend for the stock market in the medium to long term. During this rate-cutting period, high-quality bonds are also expected to perform well. Investors are encouraged to consider diversification and selective investments in income-oriented bond funds to participate in the market while minimizing volatility.

Sat 19 Oct 2024 19.00 EDTLast modified on Sat 19 Oct 2024 19.03 EDTShare Click here to access the print version.
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The recent Global Semiconductor Forum hosted by the Chinese American Semiconductor Professionals Association (CASPA) brought together industry leaders, experts, corporate executives, and investors from around the world. Taking place under the theme “Democratizing Artificial Intelligence,” the forum focused on AI-driven technological innovation and its profound effects on the semiconductor supply chain. Participants engaged in discussions covering the opportunities and challenges facing the semiconductor industry in the age of AI, while looking ahead to future technology trends.

As the centerpiece of a new wave of technological revolution, artificial intelligence is disrupting multiple industries, with a particularly significant impact on the semiconductor sector. Dan Armbrust, one of the founders of Silicon Catalyst and a veteran semiconductor investor, highlighted during the forum how AI technology is driving continuous innovation and transformation in the semiconductor industry.

Armbrust emphasized that the rapid development of AI is leading to exponential growth in demand for semiconductors, especially in applications like deep learning, autonomous driving, and smart manufacturing, all of which require more efficient computing capabilities and low-power chip designs. This urgent need for high-performance chips is pushing the entire semiconductor industry to evolve towards higher technological levels, particularly in areas such as chip architecture, material innovations, and packaging techniques, thereby sparking significant research investments.

He stated, “AI not only brings profound impacts on the application level, but the semiconductor industry, as the technological backbone, stands on the front lines of this historical transformation. The advancement of AI machine learning makes the semiconductor industry more complex and essential than ever, presenting us with a new gold rush.” The innovation trend in the industry has shifted from being driven by traditional Moore’s Law to being led by AI applications, a transition that will continue to deeply influence the future directions of technological innovation.

Since its establishment in 1991, CASPA has played a vital role as an influential organization connecting semiconductor professionals of Chinese descent worldwide, facilitating collaboration and supporting industry innovation. The current president, Dr. Xiao Zhibin, reflected on CASPA’s achievements over the past 30 years during the forum and emphasized the importance of global collaboration for the future of the semiconductor industry.

Dr. Xiao remarked, “From the very beginning, CASPA has aimed to be a bridge for semiconductor professionals of Chinese descent around the globe, promoting technological exchange and collaboration. Today, the semiconductor industry is at an unprecedented inflection point, particularly with the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence, making global cooperation in the semiconductor sector more critical than ever. We will continue to uphold this mission, connecting technological strengths globally to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of the AI era.”

Participants also expressed concerns about the innovation bottlenecks facing the semiconductor industry. As Moore’s Law approaches its physical limits, traditional technologies are struggling to support the sustained enhancement of future chip performance. Addressing challenges such as power density, heat dissipation, and energy efficiency has become urgent for the semiconductor sector.

Armbrust noted, “In the next 5 to 10 years, the industry must discover innovative solutions that break existing physical limits, possibly involving the use of new materials and fundamental changes in chip architecture.”

The forum recognized volunteers who have contributed selflessly to CASPA over the years. Several volunteers reflected on their experiences serving CASPA and looked forward to further advancing the development of the semiconductor industry and the tech community. CASPA has attracted numerous volunteers from around the world, who not only contribute their efforts through event planning and technical support but also demonstrate a deep commitment to the CASPA community.

Downing Street indicates no change in position on Ukraine’s request to fire Storm Shadow weapons into Russia
Eleni Courea Political correspondentThu 10 Oct 2024 14.19 EDTFirst published on Thu 10 Oct 2024 04.24 EDTShareThe UK has not lifted restrictions on Ukraine using long-range missiles after Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit, Downing Street has said.
The Ukrainian president met Keir Starmer in No 10 on Thursday and reiterated his request to fire Storm Shadow missiles and other western-supplied weapons deep inside Russian territory.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged western powers including the UK to give Kyiv the green light to fire the weapons, which have a maximum range of about 250km (155 miles), at Russian military sites that are being used to target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
The US and UK seemed poised to cede to Kyiv’s request last month before Starmer’s trip to Washington DC, where the prime minister held talks with the US president, Joe Biden. There was no change in position after the meeting between Starmer and Biden, however, and Downing Street indicated on Thursday that none was forthcoming.
Storm Shadow missiles: what are they and why are they important for Ukraine?Read moreThe prime minister’s spokesperson told reporters that “no war has ever been won by a single weapon and there’s no change in the government’s policy on the use of long-range missiles”. They indicated that ministers were looking at other ways of supporting Ukraine. “These discussions aren’t focused on single pieces of equipment, they’re looking at strategic support for Ukraine,” they said. “Getting into more detail on operational matters would be a gift to Putin.”
Alongside Starmer, Zelenskyy met the new Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte. Rutte told reporters it was up to individual governments “to decide how weapons they deliver into Ukraine can be used” and echoed the line that “it will not be one weapon system which will make the change”.
He confirmed the use of long-range missiles had been discussed on Thursday. Asked if he sympathised with Ukraine’s complaints that it was having to fight with its hands tied behind its back, Rutte said: “Well, I think it is a bit more nuanced, because when you look at what the UK is doing, I think it is now £3bn a year you guys are providing Ukraine with this military aid, with training.
“The whole of the alliance is in this, and let’s not focus on one system, one weapon system, it will not be one weapon system which will make the change.”
Rutte added that there was no legal reason preventing the use of western-supplied weapons against targets within Russia.
Ukrainian officials have argued for months that the weapons are vital to weaken Russia’s ability to attack Ukraine and force it to move its strike capabilities further from the border. But Nato members led by the US are concerned about the prospect of a direct confrontation with Russia.
At the meeting on Thursday, Zelenskyy presented Starmer with his “victory plan” for the war. He had intended to deliver it to western leaders in Germany this week, but that summit was postponed after Biden pulled out to manage the domestic response to Hurricane Milton.
Donald Trump will need Nato if elected as president, says new alliance chiefRead moreZelenskyy said after the meeting that his victory plan “aims to create the right conditions for a just end to the war”.
Organisers of the summit in Germany have promised to reschedule but it is unclear whether it can take place before the US presidential election in November. A victory for Donald Trump, a military aid sceptic, could result in the US government withdrawing support from Kyiv.
Rutte said he was not concerned about the possibility of Trump returning to the White House. He said: “I’m not worried about that because I’m absolutely convinced that the US is in this because they understand it is not only for Ukraine, but also for them, and that from Washington to San Francisco, the whole of the US would be less secure if Putin would be successful in Ukraine.”
Zelenskyy visited Starmer in Downing Street days after his election victory in July. During that trip, the Ukrainian president became the first foreign leader to address the cabinet since Bill Clinton in 1997.
In a joint appearance with Rutte in Kyiv last week, Zelenskyy said western governments were “dragging out” deliveries of long-range weapons. “We need sufficient quantity and quality of weapons, including long-range weapons, that, in my opinion, our partners are already dragging out,” Zelenskyy said.