Nikkei drops to 2-week low on U.S. election concerns

TOKYO Nov 2 Japan's Nikkei share average fell to a two-week low on Wednesday as worries over the U.S. presidential election prompted a recoil in global markets, with a stronger yen adding to the cautious mood. The Nikkei fell 1.8 percent to 17,134.68 ... ( read original story ...)

Japan faces uphill battle in tackling excessive overtime

TOKYO -- Japan is making a renewed push to tackle the problem of karoshi, or death from overwork, after the work-related suicide of a young woman grabbed headlines and caused a public outcry. But changing a deeply entrenched corporate culture that takes ... ( read original story ...)

Japan, South Korea eye joint action on companies aiding North

TOKYO -- Japan and South Korea are joining the U.S. in punishing companies that have helped North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons development, starting with a Chinese trading company suspected of money laundering. Pyongyang conducted its second nuclear ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo shares open lower on Trump surge

Tokyo shares opened lower on Wednesday, following global sell-offs sparked by a new poll that put Republican candidate Donald Trump slightly ahead of his Democratic rival in the US presidential race. "The Trump risk is in revival," said Chihiro Ohta, a ... ( read original story ...)

A portrait of the tattooist as a nice young man

When Hori Benny moved into his brand new business premises in 2014 near Nipponbashi in downtown Osaka, there was an unwelcoming committee waiting for him. A neighboring business owner had gathered over 1,000 signatories for a petition to get him to move ... ( read original story ...)

Bank of Japan Stands Pat, Trims Inflation Forecasts

TOKYO—The Bank of Japan has given up its starring role in Abenomics, for now. After refitting its tool kit in September, the central bank opted Tuesday to leave policy unchanged, despite sharply cutting its inflation forecasts. And the bank doesn’t ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Earthquake Today 2016 Strikes Out to Sea

ST LOUIS (LALATE) – A Japan earthquake today 2016 has just struck out to sea. And the quake was followed by another quake moments thereafter. The Japan earthquake today November 1, 2016 hit late today. First, USGS indicates to news that a 5.2 magnitude ... ( read original story ...)

'Lucky chicken' finds fame in Japan

The male chicken, named Masahiro, has become something of a local celebrity in Osaka, even serving as an honorary "chief" of the local traffic police last month, the Kyodo news agency reports. Masahiro was meant to become raccoon food at the city's Tennoji ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese all-girls band under fire for Nazi-like outfits

TOKYO -- A popular teenage all-girls band in Japan is under fire for performing in outfits resembling Nazi-era German military uniforms. The members of Keyakizaka46 appeared recently in black knee-length dresses that look like military overcoats ... ( read original story ...)

Halloween all the rage in Japan

Enthusiasm among young Japanese for Halloween continues to grow year by year, not only as a day to enjoy "cosplay" but as a time to spend on goodies like nobody's business. Observed in many countries as a time dedicated to remembering the dead, the ... ( read original story ...)

Temples enter matchmaking business in marriage-shy Japan

TOKYO - Traditionally seen as conductors of funerals or memorial services, some Buddhist monks in Japan are carving out a new niche as matchmakers for men and women looking for marriage partners. In a country where an increasing number of people are ... ( read original story ...)

Japan demands talks with U.K. government over Brexit strategy

“Japanese companies are not leaving, they like it here and they have been operating profitably in the U.K.,” the ambassador said. The two governments “should make certain there will be a business environment that will continue to allow them to make ... ( read original story ...)