Current Affairs 21 April 2026
Circular Economy
- Meaning: Economic system that uses a systemic approach to maintain a circular flow of resources by recovering, retaining, or adding to their value, while contributing to sustainable development (International Organization for Standardization).
- It is in contrast to traditional, linear economic model based on take-make-consume-throw away pattern.
- Potential In India: It could generate a market value of over $2 trillion and create close to 10 million jobs by 2050.
- Key Benefits of Circular Economy: Reduction in waste generation; Preservation of Natural Capital; Reducing raw material dependence; Creating Jobs; etc.
Japan (Capital: Tokyo)
- A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the north coast of Japan.
- Japan experiences frequent seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
- Political Features
- Location: An island country situated in East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
- Neighbouring countries: It has no land borders.
- It is an archipelago consisting of over 14,000 islands.
- Four main islands (North to South): Hokkaido, Honshu (Largest), Shikoku, and Kyushu.
- Maritime Boundaries:
- East: Pacific Ocean
- North: Sea of Okhotsk
- West: Sea of Japan (also called East Sea)
- Southwest: East China Sea
India- S. Korea Relations
- India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership was established in 2015
- Bilateral Trade: $27 billion with India facing trade deficit of $15.19 billion
- Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement 2010: India seeks its upgrade to address trade deficit and ensure a more balanced partnership.
- Defence: 2020 Roadmap to Defence Industry Cooperation, K9-Vajra howitzers being built in India via technology transfer by South Korean firm, KIND-X (Korea-India Defence Accelerator), to connect startups and investors