i'm gene otani. tokyo's benchmark stock index finished lower on the first trading day of 2021.t was after prime minister suga yoshihide said the government the considering declaring a state of emergency for tokyo and three surrounding prefectures. a new year market opening ceremony was scaled down as a precaution amid the coronavirus pandemic with only about 40 people taking part. financial services member a taro spoke at the event. he said he hopes to level the national appeal of assets totaling more than $18 trillion. >> we hope to strategically promote reforms to create an environment to draw overseas businesses and highly skilled foreign workers. >> the nikkei 225 started the day higher, but it shed more than 400 points at one stage after reports the government was eyeing an emergency declaration due to spread of the coronavirus. the nikkei average ended monday's session at 27,258. that's down almost 0.7% from the last trading day of 2020 when it marked the highest year end close in 31 years. the index took a nose dive last march due to the pandemic, but it has been recover

i'm gene otani.apan's labor ministry says that over 80,000 jobs have been lost as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. the ministry says that from the end of january last year through wednesday this week, around 80,100 became unemployed or were about to lose their job. the actual figure is believed to be even higher. the ministry's data only covers cases known to labor authorities and public job placement centers. as of december 25th, 17,000 have lost their jobs in manufacturing. another 11,000 were out of work in the restaurant industry. trade unions are warning of more job losses to come with a state of emergency in tokyo and the surrounding prefectures. the ministry is urging companies to apply for the latest government subsidies to save jobs. other data show that the pandemic is squeezing people's incomes. wages in november fell for the eighth straight month. the ministry says average monthly pay was about $2,700, down 2.2% in yen perms from a year ago. officials say some firms had drastically s

i'm gene otani. japan's two biggest shipbuilders launched a joint business venture in a field. the country wants to dominate it. they set up the home shipyard on january 1st. >> the two companies have a common understanding we have to win in globl competition. >> the head of the new venture says they came to produce maximum benefits through the alliance and to make the most of each other's qualities. japanese spbuiers udo commdheiggest marke shar but ty ra number ina d south koa.industrs in the japanese government is preparing a bill to support the ship build. measures include tax breaks for estaishing new ventures and subsidies for dwmt. >>> president trump made another move to ratchet up tensions youon his way out of office. he signed an executive order tuesday that will ban transactions with eight chinese software applications. they include payment service and its rival we chat. it'sperated by an aaffiliate. the executive order will go into effect one month after president-elect joe biden takes office. trump administration officials say they made the move based on national s

i'm gene otani.ngs will reduce flights if a state of emergency is declared for tokyo and surrounding prefectures. >> translator: air transportation is key infrastructure for economic activities, but we have to reduce or cancel flights if demandalls significantly because we cannot afford to lose any more money. the cutwill be made mainly to flights to and from tokyo. >> the coronavirus pandemic has pummelled the air travel industry. ana holdings expects a record group net loss of nearly $5 billion for the year ending in march. the ceo said the company's turnaround plan will involve cutting more than $3.8 billion of costs. the aim is to return to profits in the next fiscal year. he also said the company's biggest goal is to survive on its own. he dismissed the idea of an integration of its international flight business with rival japan airlines. >>> the new york stock exchange says it has withdrawn plans to delist three major chinese telecom firms. that reverses an announcement on new year's eve that i

i'm gene otani.apan's largest business group is pledging to encourage more telework as a new state of emergency is declared for tokyo and its nearby prefectures. the minister in charge of the coronavirus response asked companies in a meeting with business groups on friday to allow more remote working. nishimura toshi said staff should be reduced by 70%. keidanren conducted a survey to see if companies are doing enough to achieve the target. >> translator: i believe it's important to work to prevent the spread of infection while allowing some social activities to continue. >> hitachi has been quick to respond to calls to get more people working from home. only a few employees were seen at its office in central tokyo on friday. about 30% of its workers currently go to an office. but the company targets further reducing that to 15% or less. >> translator: we are putting remote working into full force to protect the safety and health of our employees and their families. >> haseyama also said the company