Japan’s high-tech sunscreens tap into skincare craze

When YouTuber Hannah Price set out to compare Japanese and Australian sunscreen, she wasn’t expecting her deep dive into the subject to rack up over two million views.The huge number of people poring over Price’s video shows the growing interest in skincare products from Japan, much like the K-beauty phenomenon from South Korea.It includes sun protection, increasingly recognised as a daily essential by influencers who want to shield their skin from ageing and enthuse about the lightweight texture of Japanese brands.Companies that have perfected their secret formulas want to capitalise on booming demand, including by building factories overseas and selling to Japan’s record influx of foreign tourists.Price, 32, fell into a “year-long rabbit hole” while making her video, learning about everything from SPF science to cultural attitudes to sun exposure.”I always loved Japanese sunscreen, since I first moved to Japan in 2012,” she told AFP at her studio in Tokyo.”I remember trying it for the first time and thinking, ‘this is so much better than anything I tried in Australia’,” her home country where sun cream felt “thick, sticky, greasy”.”I thought that the video would be popular… but I wasn’t expecting it to reach as far” as it did, Price said.The habit of regular sunscreen use is spreading, especially among younger generations, said Takuya Wada, who works in marketing for Japanese chemical and cosmetics firm Kao.”There are no borders when it comes to obtaining information on social media, especially Instagram and TikTok,” he said, adding that influencer posts have a “very large” impact on global sunscreen sales. – ‘Beautifully white’ -The global skincare market was worth more than $115 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $194 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights.A boom in celebrity skincare brands has contributed to the industry’s growth — with A-listers like Kylie Jenner using social media to share their beauty routines, including sun protection, with hundreds of millions of followers.When it comes to sunscreen, country-specific regulations mean no single company dominates the field, as the entry barriers to new markets are higher.Kao’s main sunscreen brand Biore UV is ranked 10th worldwide for sales, and second in Asia — competing with the likes of L’Oreal and Beiersdorf, and Japanese rivals such as Shiseido.The company wants sales from sun protection to reach 35 billion yen ($240 million) in 2027, up 1.6 times from 2023.It plans to boost overseas production by opening three new sunscreen factories, in Indonesia, Brazil and Germany.It is technically difficult to develop formulas that block the rays effectively with a smooth texture, as demanded by Japanese consumers, said Takashi Fukui, research and development director for Kao skincare products.But using scientific know-how to strike this tricky balance is what makes Kao “different from other European or American makers”.In Japan, a cultural obsession with light skin dates back to the sixth century and using white powder imported from China later became a status symbol among nobility.Fair skin indicated a life away from outdoor labour and sun exposure, and an old Japanese proverb says “white skin covers the seven flaws”.In the 1990s, people began using sunscreen or other cosmetics to avoid tanning — a trend dubbed “bihaku”, or beautifully white.These days, Japanese women use sunscreen as everyday protection against sunspots and ageing, caused when UV rays penetrate into the skin, said Fukui.- Winter sun -Tans have long been fashionable in Western countries, but awareness of skin cancer risks is rising, making sunscreen an important healthcare product there, Fukui said.One fan of Japanese brands is Thai skincare influencer Suari Tasanakulpan, who calls them “lightweight” compared to “heavy and uncomfortable” Western offerings.”There are always new technologies and innovative textures that are often ahead of other countries,” the 40-year-old, who reviews sunscreens on YouTube, told AFP.At an outlet of drugstore chain MatsukiyoCocokara in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, around 90 sunscreen products are lined up on the shelves.”Sales of sunscreen is improving year on year,” said Takeshi Otsuki, deputy manager of the chain’s cosmetic division.”More people are using sunscreen on a daily basis these days, so their needs are becoming more diverse,” he said.The number of male customers is also increasing, and Japanese sunscreens are very popular with overseas tourists who buy them in multipacks, Otsuki said.While summer is high season, sunscreen is popular year-round, because Japan has a “relatively high number of sunny days in the winter, and the sunlight hours are long”.YouTuber Price now uses both Japanese and Australian sunscreen, depending on the occasion.She sees the rise in education about sunscreens worldwide as a win-win situation.It “means you’re going to be better protected in general, which is great for everyone”, she said.

Tesla expected to launch long-discussed robotaxi service

Tesla is expected to begin offering robotaxi service Sunday in Austin, an initial step that Elon Musk’s backers believe could lead to the company’s next growth wave.The launch — which comes as Musk refocuses on his business ventures following a controversial stint in Donald Trump’s administration — will employ the Model Y sport utility vehicle rather than Tesla’s much-touted Cybercab, which is still under development.The long-awaited launch follows the dramatic meltdown earlier this month in relations between Musk and Trump, which saw a cascade of bitter attacks from both men.Since then, Musk has publicly expressed regret for some of his statements, while his company’s Texas operation has readied the Austin push — part of a major drive on autonomous technology and artificial intelligence that Tesla bulls believe will yield huge profits.This group includes Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives, who said autonomous technology could be a catalyst for potentially $1 trillion in additional market value or more.”There are countless skeptics of the Tesla robotaxi vision with many bears thinking this day would never come,” said Ives, who predicted that Trump’s administration would clear roadblocks for Tesla and pivot from the recent “soap opera.””The golden era of autonomous for Tesla officially kicks off on Sunday in Austin,” Ives said in a note Friday.- Business-friendly Texas -But the unveiling in the Texas state capital comes amid questions about how Tesla will try to overcome criticism of Musk’s activities for Trump. Tesla saw profits plunge 71 percent in the first quarter following poor sales in several markets.In picking Austin for the debut of the autonomous vehicle (AV) service, Musk is opting for a US state known for its company-friendly approach to regulation. “Texas law allows for AV testing and operations on Texas roadways as long as they meet the same safety and insurance requirements as every other vehicle on the road,” the Texas Department of Transportation told AFP.An Austin website listed six autonomous vehicle companies at various stages of operation: ADMT (Volkswagen), AVRide, Tesla, Zoox (Amazon), Motional (Hyundai) and Waymo (Alphabet/Google).But the Texas legislature this year enacted a new bill that requires prior authorization from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles before companies can operate on a public street without human drivers, a group of seven Democratic lawmakers said in a June 18 letter to Tesla.Citing the enhanced system, the lawmakers asked Tesla to delay testing until after the law takes effect September 1.If Tesla proceeds with the launch this weekend, “we request that you respond to this letter with detailed information demonstrating that Tesla will be compliant with the new law,” the letter said.- Starting slow -Musk had initially planned the launch for June 12, before pushing back, saying he was being “super paranoid” about safety.”We want to deliberately take it slow,” Musk said in a May 20 interview on CNBC, telling the network that Tesla would probably only operate 10 autonomous vehicles the first week.But that number will rise to perhaps 1,000 “within a few months,” Musk told CNBC. “And then we will expand to other cities…. San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Antonio.”The service will be offered from 6:00 am until midnight and will be available to “early access” users on an invitation-only basis in a geofenced area, Tesla owner Sawyer Merritt said Friday on Musk’s X platform, adding that Tesla had given him permission to release the information.Musk last fall unveiled the Cybercab, which has no steering wheel or pedals. But production is not expected to begin on the vehicle until 2026.Tesla’s robotaxi launch comes well after Waymo’s offering of commercial robotaxi service, with more US cities gradually added.The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in October 2024 opened a probe into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software after receiving four reports of crashes.The NHTSA on May 8 asked Tesla for additional information on its technology in light of the Austin launch.But the NHTSA does not “pre-approve” new technologies, the agency told AFP.”Rather, manufacturers certify that each vehicle meets NHTSA’s rigorous safety standards, and the agency investigates incidents involving potential safety defects,” the NHTSA said.

South Korea counts on shipbuilding to ease US tariff woes

Asia’s fourth largest economy South Korea is facing gruelling tariffs by US President Donald Trump, but its shipbuilding industry could prove a useful bargaining chip.Already hit by sector levies on steel and car exports, Seoul is laser-focused on negotiations over a 25 percent country-specific tariff that has been suspended until July 8.AFP takes a look at what’s going on: – Why shipbuilding? -In the 1970s, South Korea’s military leader president Park Chung-hee accelerated the country’s heavy industry, designating sectors such as steel and shipbuilding “strategically important” and rolling out state subsidies.At the same time, POSCO was founded — now one of the world’s largest steel producers — and conglomerate Hyundai built its shipyard in southeastern Ulsan, which started to grow rapidly.European rivals struggled to keep pace. Sweden’s Kockums Shipyard filed for bankruptcy in 1987 — and in a symbolic shift of global shipbuilding power, Hyundai acquired its 140-metre (460-foot) Goliath crane for one dollar. It now towers over southern Ulsan.In the 1990s and 2000s, South Korean shipbuilders such as Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries ramped up investment in research and development, backed by generous government subsidies.The country secured a competitive edge in high-value-added vessels, including LNG carriers, very large crude carriers, and offshore platforms.Now, South Korea ranks as the world’s second-largest shipbuilding nation, trailing only behind China.- Is it important? -South Korea’s exports hit a record high in 2024, with analysts pointing to shipbuilding as one of the key drivers.The sector accounted for nearly four percent of total exports and grew by almost 20 percent from the previous year — reaching $25.6 billion.Shipbuilding directly employs around 120,000 workers — roughly one percent of the country’s total workforce — with indirect employment significantly higher in industrial hubs like Ulsan.Industry data shows so far this year, new orders have exceeded 13 trillion won ($9.4 billion).In March, Hanwha Ocean secured a landmark $1.6 billion contract to build LNG carriers for Taiwan’s Evergreen Marine, one of the largest single orders in the sector this year.- Why is it a ‘bargaining chip’? – Trump has showed “significant interest in South Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation,” said South Korea’s trade, industry and energy minister Ahn Duk-geun in April.Like the Europeans, the US shipbuilding industry has lagged behind South Korea and China, and as a result, the sector is seen as a “highly important bargaining chip in trade negotiations,” he added.At an APEC finance ministers’ meeting in South Korea in May, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met Chung Ki-sun, vice chairman of HD Hyundai, the country’s largest shipbuilder, before he met Seoul’s top officials.”South Korea’s shipbuilding and defence industries see a window of opportunity,” said Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University.- How does it help the US? -Greer also met with the CEO of Hanwha Ocean, the first non-American company authorised to carry out a dry-dock maintenance of a US Navy vessel.The move last September was seen as significant as it signalled that Washington sees South Korea, where it already has 28,000 US troops stationed, as a strategic defence hub.With worries growing about China’s expanding naval fleet and potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the US has begun seeking reliable overseas shipyards to support its operations in the Asia-Pacific region.The global market for ship maintenance, repair, and overhaul is projected to exceed $60 billion annually, according to industry estimates.- Any problems? -Despite multi-billion-dollar contracts, data suggests South Korea’s shipbuilding industry is losing ground in the global race.China dominates with South Korea’s market share dropping, according to industry data.Demand for eco-friendly vessels is rising, and the government need to overhaul regulations “to support the development of next-generation eco-friendly vessels,” Rhee Shin-hyung, a professor at Seoul National University, told AFP.South Korea’s woeful demographics also make staffing hard. In Geoje -– home to Samsung Heavy Industries -– the number of residents in their 20s and 30s has nearly halved in recent years.Orders are down in 2025 which hints that “the shipbuilding boom may end sooner than the market anticipated,” warned Rhee.Global ship orders between January and April fell by almost half the volume recorded during the same period last year.Shipbuilders have been enjoying a “supercycle” but unfortunately the “peak is expected to be lower and the boom shorter-lived compared to the past,” Nam Chul, vice president at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, told AFP.

Euro-2025 Espoirs: la France défie de surprenants Danois pour une place en demie

On attendait les Pays-Bas ou l’Ukraine, ce sera le Danemark. L’équipe de France Espoirs affronte les Scandinaves dimanche (18h) à Presov, à l’est de la Slovaquie, en quarts de finale de l’Euro-2025 pour tenter de se hisser dans le dernier carré.Reversés dans le groupe D avec les Néerlandais, les Ukrainiens, habitués des matches à élimination directe, et la Finlande, les Danois ont terminé premiers invaincus de leur poule grâce à deux victoires sur les deux favoris – 3-2 contre l’Ukraine; 2-1 contre les Pays-Bas – et un match nul, 2-2 sans enjeu, face aux Finlandais.”C’est la seule équipe du tournoi qui a su gagner ses deux premiers matches pour se qualifier en étant première de sa poule. Ça lui a permis d’aborder le troisième match avec beaucoup de confiance, des certitudes et de pouvoir faire tourner en grand nombre” a décrypté samedi Gérald Baticle, le sélectionneur français en conférence de presse.Inconstants lors des éliminatoires pour l’Euro slovaque, les Danois se sont donc révélés lors de la phase de groupes, notamment grâce à leur puissance de feu en attaque, symbolisée par leurs deux avant-centres, la révélation William Osula et la confirmation Conrad Harder.- Deux poisons en attaque -Inconnu du grand public, Osula, 21 ans, n’a pu que se nourrir de miettes cette saison à Newcastle où il est arrivé en début d’année mais n’a jamais été titulaire d’une rencontre de Premier League. Lors de l’Euro pourtant, il a déjà été l’auteur de trois buts et deux passes décisives lors des deux premières rencontres face à l’Ukraine et les Pays-Bas, ce qui lui a permis d’être ménagé face à la Finlande. Conrad Harder, 20 ans, a réussi la performance de se faire une petite place dans l’attaque du Sporting Portugal, vampirisée par le Suédois Viktor Gyökeres et ses 54 buts cette saison, toutes compétitions confondues. Rarement titulaire, Harder a tout de même mis cinq buts et donné cinq passes décisives. Lors de cet Euro, il partage son temps de jeu avec Osula et a inscrit deux buts face à la Finlande. Face à ces menaces, la France veut opposer sa force collective, née des péripéties qui ont émaillé sa préparation pour l’Euro. Privé d’une quinzaine de joueurs sur lesquels il comptait pour le tournoi, Gérald Baticle a bâti un groupe à la hâte, sans véritable tête d’affiche, mais très homogène, un groupe qui s’est fixé l’objectif d’être champion d’Europe, même dans l’adversité.- “Un objectif commun”-“Il y a chez eux un objectif commun, acquiesce le sélectionneur, et quelque part, une union sacrée qui leur permet d’aller loin dans l’expression d’une joie collective, comme après la victoire face à la Géorgie, mais aussi de rester concentrer et de ne pas paniquer dans des moments où on est en grande difficulté, menés toujours face à ces Géorgiens à quelques minutes de la fin du match”.”Fier” et conforté par sa prolongation de contrat à la tête des Bleuets jusqu’en 2027, officialisée vendredi, Gérald Baticle et son groupe ont atteint un “premier objectif” en s’extirpant de leur poule. Leur tournoi serait réussi s’ils atteignaient les demi-finales où ils croiseraient le fer avec l’Allemagne, favorite, ou l’Italie. “On est la France, on est là pour soulever le trophée à la fin du tournoi” a balayé le Strasbourgeois Ismaël Doukouré.

Mondial des clubs: encore sans Mbappé, le Real doit montrer un autre visage contre Pachuca

Emprunté voire laborieux pour sa première contre Al Hilal (1-1), le Real Madrid est dans l’obligation d’en faire plus contre les Mexicains de Pachuca pour assumer son rang de prétendant dans le Mondial des clubs, dimanche à Charlotte où Kylian Mbappé fera encore défaut. Le meilleur buteur de la saison (43 buts en 56 apparitions toutes compétitions confondues) est insuffisamment remis de la gastro-entérite aiguë dont il a été la victime en début de semaine et ne fera même pas le voyage en Caroline du Nord avec le groupe, a-t-on appris samedi auprès d’une source interne au club.Néanmoins, son état de santé “s’améliore petit à petit” a précisé cette même source.Il avait tout de même dû être admis durant quelques heures à l’hôpital jeudi pour y passer des examens, avant d’en sortir pour rejoindre ses coéquipiers dans leur camp de base établi à Palm Beach Gardens, à une centaine de kilomètres au nord de Miami. Mbappé, qui continue de suivre “le traitement approprié” qui lui a été prescrit, va donc un peu mieux. Le club madrilène a d’ailleurs indiqué qu’il s’est entraîné vendredi dans les installations de l’hôtel de l’équipe. Des exercices de remise en forme donc, à défaut de séance collective pour le capitaine des Bleus, contrairement au milieu de terrain Eduardo Camavinga, remis de sa blessure à un adducteur et qui a participé à certains ateliers.Reste à présent à savoir si la star française aura récupéré assez de forces pour le troisième match du groupe H contre Salzbourg jeudi soir à Philadelphie. En attendant, Xabi Alonso devrait encore faire confiance à son suppléant, Gonzalo Garcia buteur face à Al Hilal, pour compléter l’attaque madrilène composée de Vinicius et Rodrygo, dimanche (15h00 locales, 21h00 françaises) sur la pelouse du Bank of America Stadium de Charlotte.- “Tout prend du temps” -L’entraîneur espagnol sera scruté pour sa deuxième sortie, après la déception occasionnée par la première, tant par le contenu que par le nul concédé à Al Hilal qui a secoué son équipe dans des proportions inattendues. Au vu des rares minutes d’entraînement ouvertes à la presse, il est difficile de savoir s’il procédera à des changements contre Pachuca et c’est plutôt son utilisation de drones et de caméras disposées aux quatre coins des terrains, pour analyser en détail le comportement des joueurs, qui a intrigué les médias présents.Si pour Xabi Alonso, rien ne semble laissé au hasard, rien ne vaut d’avoir du temps pour travailler. Or l’exigence de résultats n’attend pas au Real, surtout en faisant ses débuts dans une compétition telle que le Mondial des clubs élargi à 32 équipes.”Le processus va prendre du temps. Tout prend du temps, tout nécessite d’être répété pour que ça rentre un peu plus dans la tête. Nous nous entraînons depuis dix jours, avec trois séances quotidiennes… Il est évident que nous devons bien figurer durant l’épreuve, mais ce que nous voulons apprendre à faire et ce que nous voulons devenir prend du temps”, a-t-il martelé jeudi.”On sort de quatre ans avec Carlo Ancelotti, durant lesquels on avait des automatismes. Or on essaye d’en changer un peu et de s’adapter à ce que veut le coach maintenant, mais ce n’est pas en quatre jours qu’on va y arriver”, a plaidé le gardien Thibaut Courtois appelant à la patience et la compréhension.Quatre jours, c’est justement ce qui sépare la rencontre face à Al Hilal et celle à venir contre Pachuca, que le Real a battu (3-0) en finale de la dernière Coupe intercontinentale en décembre 2024. De quoi s’en inspirer pour montrer un visage plus conquérant.