A second extra budget to finance additional steps to ease the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the current fiscal year that passed the Diet on June 12 comes to a whopping31.9 trillion yen ($297 billion).

It includes 10 trillion yen worth of reserve funds that can basically be used to cover any unexpected expenses.

This extra budget, formulated to cure the nations enfeebled economy, could give the government unprecedented funds to spend as it likes without being checked by the Diet.

By giving a free hand to the government in using such a vast amount of taxpayer money, the Diet has done something that blatantly violates the principles of fiscal democracy. It also negates thejustification for its own existence.

The Constitution requires any state budget to be authorized by the Diet. A reserve fund that can be spent upon the responsibility of the Cabinet is only allowed as an exceptional funding means to provide for unforeseen deficiencies in the budget.

Given this constitutional provision, there is no doubt that any reserve fund must be used in a restrained manner.

There is no legal provision that sets a clear ceiling on the amount of a reserve fund. Controversies flared in the past over the appropriateness of massive reserve funds.

A dispute raged, for instance, over a 1-trillion-yen reserve fund included in the initial state budget for fiscal 2009 as part of emergency financing measures in response to the economic downturn triggered by the collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers in 2008.

Kaoru Yosano, the finance minister at the time, defended the fund, saying it was not outstandingly large (compared with past reserve funds) in terms of its ratio to the total budget, which amounted to 88 trillion yen.

But this time, the size of the reserve fund is by far the biggest in the nation's history. It is 10 times larger than the one in Yosanos spending plan.

Of this amount, 5 trillion yen is to be spent to support troubled small and midsize businesses and help companies avoid cutting jobs, according to the government. But no specifics have yet to be provided. The government has said nothing about the remaining 5 trillion yen except that the money will be used to deal with the effects of the new coronavirus pandemic.

Despite all this uncertainty and vagueness, all the opposition parties with the exception of the Japanese Communist Party voted for the second supplementary budget along with the ruling coalition.

Even though the spending plan includes outlays for measures that need to be implemented immediately, such as expenditures to subsidize rents paid by small and midsize firms, the opposition lawmakers, as well as the ruling camp, fully deserve to be criticized for defaulting on their constitutional responsibility as members of the Diet to check budgets.

In stressing the need for the gargantuan reserve fund, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the government needs to take unprecedented steps to ensure that the nation will overcome this once-in-a-century national crisis.

If so, the administration should first ask the Diet to extend the current regular session beyond the June 17 expiry of its term to ensure it can make a swift response to any emergency.

The Constitution mandates the Cabinet to get subsequent approval of the Diet for all payments from the reserve fund. But this 10 trillion yen appropriation is no ordinary reserve fund.

The government should clarify in advance how the money will be spent and obtain Diet approval. In case additional spending is necessary, the government will be able to submit a third extra budget to the Diet swiftly if it is in session.

Diet deliberations in recent days have underscored the vital importance of rigorous Diet monitoring for proper expenditures by the government.

Doubt is only deepening over the governments plan to contract out the administrative work for a program to help cash-strapped businesses survive the current crisis.

An appropriation to pay up to 300 billion yen in fees for a contractor to handle the administrative work for the Go To Campaign" to support the tourist industry, one of the hardest-hit sectors, has drawn much criticism, forcing the government to suspend the process of recruiting the contractor. But the government has yet to say how it will review the contract.

The first and second supplementary budgets allow the government to spend more than 57 trillion yen, a scale of extra expenditures without precedent, to cushion the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such a tremendous amount of government spending outside the original state budget requires more transparency than ever before.

The Abe administration needs to continue responding to public doubts and suspicions over these spending blueprints without closing the session in haste.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 13

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EDITORIAL: Where are the checks, balances on massive extra budget spending? : The Asahi Shimbun - Asahi Shimbun

Researchers have discovered a new set of signals that cells send and receive to prompt one type of fat cell to convert fat into heat. The signaling pathway, discovered in mice, has potential implications for activating this same type of thermogenic fat in humans.

Thermogenic fat cells, also called beige fat or beige adipocytes, have gained attention in recent years for their potential to curb obesity and other metabolic disorders, due to their ability to burn energy stored as fat. But scientists have yet to translate this potential into effective therapies.

The challenge of activating beige fat in humans arises, in part, because this process is regulated through so-called adrenergic signaling, which uses the hormone catecholamine to instruct beige fat cells to start burning energy. But adrenergic signaling also controls other important biological functions, including blood pressure and heartbeat regulation, so activating it in humans with agonists has potentially dangerous side effects.

Heat map of thermogenic fat cells (artistic rendering). Credit: Illustration by Life Sciences Institute multimedia designer Rajani Arora.

In a new study scheduled for online publication today (June 12, 2020) in the journal Developmental Cell, a team of researchers led by the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute describes a pathway that can regulate beige fat thermogenesis independently of adrenergic signaling. Instead, it operates through a receptor protein called CHRNA2, short for Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic Alpha 2 Subunit.

This pathway opens a whole new direction for approaching metabolic disorders, said Jun Wu, an assistant professor at the LSI and the studys senior author. Of course, this cholinergic pathway also is involved in other important functions, so there is still much work to do to really figure out how this might work in humans. But we are encouraged by these initial findings.

For their study, Wu and her colleagues blocked the CHRNA2 pathway only in adipocytes in mice, and then fed the mice a high-fat diet. Without the CHRNA2 receptor proteins, the mice showed greater weight gain than normal mice, and were less able to activate thermogenesis in response to excess food intake.

Wu believes the findings are particularly exciting in light of another research teams recent discovery of a new type of beige fat that is not regulated by catecholamine. This newest study from the LSI indicates that this subpopulation of beige fat, called glycolytic beige fat (or g-beige fat), can be activated through the CHRNA2 pathway.

Many patients with metabolic disorders have catecholamine resistance, meaning their cells do not detect or respond to catecholamine, said Wu, who is also an assistant professor of molecular and integrative physiology at the U-M Medical School.

So even if it could be done safely, activating that adrenergic pathway would not be an effective treatment option for such patients. This new pathway, with this new subtype of beige fat, could be the beginning of a whole new chapter for approaching this challenge.

###

Reference: Adrenergic-Independent Signaling via CHRNA2 Regulates Beige Fat Activation by Heejin Jun, Yingxu Ma, Yong Chen, Jianke Gong, Shanshan Liu, Jine Wang, Alexander J. Knights, Xiaona Qiao, Margo P. Emont, X.Z. Shawn Xu, Shingo Kajimura and Jun Wu, 12 June 2020, Developmental Cell.DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.05.017

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, American Diabetes Association, Chinese Scholarship Council and Michigan Life Sciences Fellows program.

Study authors are: Heejin Jun, Shanshan Liu, Jine Wang, Alexander Knights, Margot Emont, X.Z. Shawn Xu and Jun Wu of U-M; Yingxu Ma of U-M and Central South University, China; Yong Chen and Shingo Kajimura of the University of California, San Francisco; Jianke Gong of U-M and the Huazhong University of Science and Technology; and Xiaona Qiao of U-M and Fudan University, China.

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Researchers Discover How to Turn On the Heat in Energy-Burning Fat Cells - SciTechDaily

Heat map of thermogenic fat cells (artistic rendering). Image credit: Life Sciences Institute multimedia designer Rajani Arora

Researchers have discovered a new set of signals that cells send and receive to prompt one type of fat cell to convert fat into heat. The signaling pathway, discovered in mice, has potential implications for activating this same type of thermogenic fat in humans.

Thermogenic fat cells, also called beige fat or beige adipocytes, have gained attention in recent years for their potential to curb obesity and other metabolic disorders, due to their ability to burn energy stored as fat. But scientists have yet to translate this potential into effective therapies.

The challenge of activating beige fat in humans arises, in part, because this process is regulated through so-called adrenergic signaling, which uses the hormone catecholamine to instruct beige fat cells to start burning energy. But adrenergic signaling also controls other important biological functions, including blood pressure and heartbeat regulation, so activating it in humans with agonists has potentially dangerous side effects.

In a new study scheduled for online publication June 12 in the journal Developmental Cell, a team of researchers led by the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute describes a pathway that can regulate beige fat thermogenesis independently of adrenergic signaling. Instead, it operates through a receptor protein called CHRNA2, short for Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic Alpha 2 Subunit.

This pathway opens a whole new direction for approaching metabolic disorders, said Jun Wu, an assistant professor at the LSI and the studys senior author. Of course, this cholinergic pathway also is involved in other important functions, so there is still much work to do to really figure out how this might work in humans. But we are encouraged by these initial findings.

For their study, Wu and her colleagues blocked the CHRNA2 pathway only in adipocytes in mice, and then fed the mice a high-fat diet. Without the CHRNA2 receptor proteins, the mice showed greater weight gain than normal mice, and were less able to activate thermogenesis in response to excess food intake.

Wu believes the findings are particularly exciting in light of another research teams recent discovery of a new type of beige fat that is not regulated by catecholamine. This newest study from the LSI indicates that this subpopulation of beige fat, called glycolytic beige fat (or g-beige fat), can be activated through the CHRNA2 pathway.

Many patients with metabolic disorders have catecholamine resistance, meaning their cells do not detect or respond to catecholamine, said Wu, who is also an assistant professor of molecular and integrative physiology at the U-M Medical School.

So even if it could be done safely, activating that adrenergic pathway would not be an effective treatment option for such patients. This new pathway, with this new subtype of beige fat, could be the beginning of a whole new chapter for approaching this challenge.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, American Diabetes Association, Chinese Scholarship Council and Michigan Life Sciences Fellows program.

Study authors are: Heejin Jun, Shanshan Liu, Jine Wang, Alexander Knights, Margot Emont, X.Z. Shawn Xu and Jun Wu of U-M; Yingxu Ma of U-M and Central South University, China; Yong Chen and Shingo Kajimura of the University of California, San Francisco; Jianke Gong of U-M and the Huazhong University of Science and Technology; and Xiaona Qiao of U-M and Fudan University, China.

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Link:
U-M researchers identify new approach to turning on the heat in energy-burning fat cells - University of Michigan News

Ethan Brown can't wait to go to China.

The founder and CEO of Beyond Meat was scheduled to take the trip in March, but the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to that plan.

Related: Beyond Meat captures triple-digit revenue growth in fiscal 2019

As soon as he can safely travel, though, he'll be there. He wants Beyond Meat to be a major player as more people there begin eating meat.

"It's a really exciting market for us," Brown said this during the William Blair 40th Annual Growth Stock Conference, which of course was conducted via the internet.

Jon Andersen, a research analyst at William Blair, interviewed Brown and tossed in some questions submitted by the company's investors.

Even before Brown can cross the Pacific, Beyond Meat is working toward its goal of selling the plant-based alternative meat at a price lower than animal-based beef is sold.

Since coronavirus triggered the closing of numerous meatpacking plants across the country, the cost of beef skyrocketedjust as Memorial Day kicked off summer grilling season.

Beyond Meat is taking the opportunity to grab more consumers with its new, value pack of 10 frozen patties at price that, by pound, is about half of its other retail offerings, Brown said.

"This summer, we decided to hold our breath and lean in, because of the very rapid increase in beef pricing on the wholesale and, subsequently, retail markets," he said. "We said this would be a good opportunity for us to invest in pricing.

"It's not going to underprice beef, even at these historic highs, but it will come within striking range, and that's what's important," Brown said. The company's goal is to cost less than animal beef within three-and-a-half years. "We want to see how the consumer reacts to that this summer."

Beyond Meat also plans to start selling its products directly to consumers. Brown didn't give a specific date but said the initiative would launch soon. Although consumers will order via the company's website, it has contracted with a third party to fulfill the orders.

The established retail market has benefited Beyond Meat as the pandemic forced restaurants and other food service outlets to limit sales or close, Brown said. Retail sales haven't completely replaced the lost institutional sales, but they have helped keep the company moving forward.

Europe and Asia are both important markets for Beyond Meat. During Wednesday's conversation, Brown said the European market is better developed than the U.S. market, but that the company needed a production facility there to reduce costs.

The next day, Beyond Meat announced it has contracted with Zandbergen, located in the Netherlands, as a co-packer. The new facility will produce Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage products. It also will debut a sustainable package that features recyclable trays and less paper and plastic, according to a statement from the company.

Beyond Meat also has acquired a manufacturing plant in the Netherlandsits first outside of Missouri. The plant is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, the company reported.

The company has been importing supplies from Europe, making the product in the United States, then shipping it back to Europea process Brown said was ridiculous during Wednesday's discussion.

But even without Brown's visit, Beyond Meat is starting to put down roots in Asia. Yum Brands, which owns Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut, has launched Beyond Meat brands there.

"It's kind of a dream come true for a company like mine," Brown said.

But to enter the retail market there, Beyond Meat has some work to do, he said. Asian consumers have a different palate than American consumers, and they use social media differently, as well. But as more residents of China become affluent, they will be more interested in eating meat, Brown said.

"As more meat consumption comes online we hope to benefit from that by providing a plant-based meat," Brown said. He wants to capture the market before consumers make a habit of eating animal meat, so they simply move from a plant-based diet to a diet with plant-based alternative meat, he explained.

"To what extent can we be super aggressive in Asia to help usher in a new era of plant production?" Brown asked rhetorically.

If Beyond Meat can match the taste and nutrition of animal meat, while beating it on price, Brown said he expects consumers in Asia, Europe and the United States to be very attracted to the product.

Link:
Beyond Meat gets ready to feed China and the world - New Hope Network

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 26: Protesters march on Hiawatha Avenue while decrying the killing of George Floyd on May 26, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Four Minneapolis police officers have been fired after a video taken by a bystander was posted on social media showing Floyd's neck being pinned to the ground by an officer as he repeatedly said,

As states are reopening and lifting social distancing restrictions amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, some communities have begun to host gatherings again. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending all Americans to continue wearing cloth face coverings, among other guidelines, to help lower the risk of spreading the virus during gatherings and events.

In its updated guidelines, the CDC "strongly encouraged" cloth face coverings in settings where "individuals might raise their voice," citing shouting, chanting, and singing as examples. These settings might include protests, concerts, conferences, and weddings, or any other gatherings where physical distancing may be difficult. As a reminder, wearing a cloth face mask isn't necessarily meant to protect an individual from getting the virus, but rather to protect them from unknowingly spreading the virus to others, if they aren't showing any symptoms, according to the CDC.

Related: Experts Agree That Swimming Is Safe During COVID-19, but You'll Need to Take Precautions

While the World Health Organization (WHO) recently said the asymptomatic spread of coronavirus is "very rare," the CDC advises event organizers and attendees to continue to exercise caution, and prioritize outdoor activities as much as possible. "The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and COVID-19 spreading," the CDC states.

In addition to wearing face masks, the CDC recommends washing hands often and maintaining distance when possible, and discourages individuals from exchanging physical interactions, like handshakes, fist bumps, and high-fives at events. If you believe that you're infected with the coronavirus, are showing symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone showing symptoms within the past 14 days, you should stay home, especially from gatherings. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, here's how you can take care of yourself at home.

Read more:
The CDC Recommends Wearing Face Masks at Any Type of Gathering, Big or Small - Yahoo! Voices