News Headlines - 19 April 2019

▽Ministry inspects Suzuki HQ as part of dodgy inspection probe - The Mainichi

The transport ministry inspected the headquarters of Suzuki Motor Corp. on Friday as part of an investigation into improper quality inspections that led the automaker to recall more than 2 million cars in Japan... Suzuki reported to the ministry Thursday a recall of 2.02 million cars, record-high in a single domestic filing, after an investigation by outside lawyers found that uncertified employees checked car brakes before shipment and some certified workers falsified inspection records over the period from 1981 until January this year.

▽Nissan Denies Nikkei Report on Global Car Output Cut of 15% - Bloomberg

Nissan Motor Co. denied a report by the Nikkei that it’s planning to cut global output by around 15 percent for the fiscal year to March 2020, even as the carmaker struggles to reignite earnings and sales while dealing with the fallout from the arrest of ex-chairman Carlos Ghosn.
Nissan issued a rare response calling the details in the report “completely incorrect,” saying that it lodged a protest with the newspaper over its coverage. The Japanese automaker is seeking to produce around 4.6 million units, the lowest in nine years, according to the newspaper.

▽Sony bulks up anime business in China - Nikkei Asian Review

YO -- Sony plans to broaden its footprint in China's anime industry, aiming to apply a proven formula it has used in Japan, combining both new shows and merchandise to tap into a market that already exceeds $26 billion.

▽Tokyo to exhibit possible Banksy work - NHK WORLD

The illustration was discovered on a tide gate on the waterfront in Tokyo's Minato Ward in December of last year. People have noted its resemblance to works by renowned street artist Banksy. The anonymous artist is known for painting satirical artworks on buildings and other structures.
Tokyo authorities stored the illustration in a warehouse, and have been trying to determine whether it was created by the reclusive artist.
Koike said in a speech in Tokyo on Wednesday that her office has been trying to contact Banksy, so far without success. She said she is considering displaying it at the Tokyo government office during the holiday season in late April and early May.

▽Trump Administration Announces Measures Against Cuba, Venezuela And Nicaragua : NPR

The Trump administration has announced new sanctions and penalties against Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua aimed at both ending the rule of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and weakening Cuba's communist regime.
One of the measures will allow lawsuits against foreign companies operating on property in Cuba that was seized from U.S. citizens during the Cuban revolution - a reversal of more than 20 years of U.S. policy.