Japan to aid Manila 'war on drugs'

MANILA - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged a 1 trillion yen ($8.7 billion) aid package, including government aid and private investment in infrastructural development in the Philippines over the next five years, as Japan moves to strengthen ties ... ( read original story ...)

Japan watching closely for rapid yen rises – Ishihara

TOKYO The Japanese government is monitoring closely for rapid rises ... hit by a loss of confidence in the U.S. reflation trade a day after a news conference by President-elect Donald Trump. (Reporting by Minami Funakoshi; Editing by Chris Gallagher) ( read original story ...)

Japan gov't "highly praises" outgoing U.S. envoy Kennedy's work

... Okinawa Prefecture shoulders for hosting the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan. To have fuller access to the Kyodo News website, it is necessary to subscribe. We offer a broad range of subscription options depending on your needs. Learn more. ( read original story ...)

McDonald's to sell Japan stake

The fast food chain is selling up to a third of its stake in its Japan unit, and private equity firms are considering making bids, according to the Wall Street Journal. Fred Katayama reports. ( read original story ...)

Japan emperor: How abdication could usher in a calendar change

For the first time in two centuries a Japanese emperor may be about to abdicate. The huge change for Japan could also affect one aspect of everyday life - the calendar. Emperor Akihito, 83, has hinted he wants to stand down at the end of 2018, allowing ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei drops while other Asian markets largely gain

Japan’s Nikkei fell Thursday as a higher yen hurt export stocks. Asian equity markets were slightly higher Thursday, after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump largely avoided fresh attacks on global trade in his first news conference in six months. ( read original story ...)

Japan's Abe Starts 4-Nation Trip With Visit to Philippines

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived Thursday for a two-day visit to Manila as the Philippines has boosted ties with China while taking a hostile stance toward Tokyo's main ally the United States. The Philippines is Abe's first stop in a four-nation ... ( read original story ...)

Japan's Office Market to Reach a Tipping Point in 2017

According to global real estate consultant CBRE, Japan's office leasing and investment markets will likely reach a turning point in the cycle in 2017. In Tokyo's office market, which is scheduled to see three consecutive years of above average new supply ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese start-ups head abroad for innovation programme

Also, “The Japan Bank Consortium to Centrally Provide Domestic and Cross-border Payments” officially launched with 42 member banks. Using Ripple, customers of the banks will get real-time domestic and cross-border payments. Participants include Bank of ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese PM touring Asia’s youngest, growing economies

SINGAPORE - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe begins a six-day tour of Asia-Pacific nations on Thursday that includes the region’s youngest and fastest-growing economies, seeking to strengthen ties as growth at home lags. The three Southeast Asian ... ( read original story ...)

Blizzard pounds northern Japan

A blizzard is battering wide areas of northern Japan, with weather authorities warning of avalanches, heavy snow, high waves and transport disruption. The winter storm has piled up 30 to 60 centimetres of snow on the northern island of Hokkaido and on the ... ( read original story ...)