Nikkei closes over 11-mth high on upbeat China data

TOKYO Dec 8 Japan's Nikkei share average closed at the highest level since last December on Thursday as upbeat Chinese trade data boosted sentiment, while Tepco shares soared on news Japan will increase an interest-free loan related to its Fukushima costs. ( read original story ...)

Japanese kindergarten teaches students pre-war ideals

Tsukamoto kindergarten, in Osaka, introduced the rescript 15 years ago, although school officials say it is not intended to fuel nationalism. "What we're aiming to foster in education is patriotism or 'Japanese-ism', expanding Japan's spirit all over the ... ( read original story ...)

Trip to Tokyo? Ex-Goldman Trader Sells Secret, Top Dining Access

Are you a business traveler who wants to jump to the front of the waiting list for Tokyo’s most exclusive restaurants? Check out this former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. trader’s new venture. Takashi Yamada, who worked at the Wall Street firm for 15 years ... ( read original story ...)

6.9-magnitude earthquake strikes off Japan

(CNN)A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's Honshu island on Tuesday, triggering tsunami waves and bringing back traumatic memories for locals of the devastating 2011 Fukushima disaster. Residents in Fukushima Prefecture braced for the worst after a ... ( read original story ...)

Japan: Earthquake triggers tsunami at Fukushima

A powerful earthquake sent a series of moderate tsunamis towards Japan's northeastern shore, raising concerns about the Fukushima nuclear power plant destroyed by a much larger tsunami five year ago. The magnitude 7.4 earthquake, which was felt in Tokyo ... ( read original story ...)

The Latest: Japan earthquake revives 2011 tsunami memories

TOKYO - The Latest on the earthquake that struck off the coast of Japan (all times local): 10:30 a.m. A powerful earthquake off Japan has brought back memories of the 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster. Kazuhiro Onuki (kah-zoo-hee-roh oh-noo-kee) is a ... ( read original story ...)

Light earthquake: M4.5 quake has struck near Namie in Japan

A light earthquake with magnitude 4.5 (ml/mb) was detected on Tuesday, 68 kilometers (42 miles) from Namie in Japan. Exact location, longitude 141.6767° East, latitude 37.1831° North, depth = 42.21 km. The 4.5-magnitude earthquake has occurred at 17:58 ... ( read original story ...)

Light earthquake, 4.3 mag strikes near Namie in Japan

A light earthquake magnitude 4.3 (ml/mb) strikes 81 kilometers (50 miles) from Namie in Japan on Tuesday. A tsunami warning has not been issued (Does not indicate if a tsunami actually did or will exist). The epicenter was at a depth of 10 km (6 miles). ( read original story ...)

The Latest: At least 14 injured in Japan earthquake

At least 14 people have been injured by a strong earthquake that struck off Japan's northeast coast on Tuesday. Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency says at least three people were seriously injured with broken bones. They included two women in ... ( read original story ...)

The Latest: Japan lifts all tsunami warnings and advisories

All tsunami warnings and advisories have been lifted in Japan, seven hours after a powerful offshore earthquake triggered a series of moderate tsunami waves. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of waves of up to 3 metres (10 feet) soon after the ... ( read original story ...)

Japan's third-quarter growth rate revised down sharply

Japan's economy grew much slower than initially estimated in the third quarter of the year, figures have revealed, as business investment fell. The Cabinet Office said the economy grew 1.3% in the three months to the end of September, compared to the same ... ( read original story ...)

Japan's consumers are still in a funk

GMO manages some 800 billion yen ($7 billion) worth of Japanese stocks. The benchmark Nikkei Stock Average rose faster after OPEC agreed to its first oil production cut in eight years on Nov. 30. Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities estimates that ... ( read original story ...)

Nissin plant feeds Japan's noodle habit, global ambitions

TOKYO -- Nissin Food Products is set to build its first Japanese plant in two decades, aiming to help satisfy the country's persistent appetite for instant noodles while pioneering technologies to enhance productivity at factories worldwide. The domestic ... ( read original story ...)