The strength of the U.S. currency pressured commodity prices and helped knock oil off an 18-month top, but gave Japan's exporter-heavy stock market a fillip. The Nikkei climbed 1.2 percent in early trade, recovering from two sessions of losses. ( read original story ...)
On this day: Japan overthrows its last shogun and enters the modern era full steam ahead
On this day in 1868, the samurai of Japan ousted the last shōgun, setting Japan on a course of radical modernisation. In 1192, Minamoto Yoritomo became the first shōgun of feudal Japan. The appointment evolved into a hereditary military dictatorship ... ( read original story ...)
Xoom Expands Reach in Asia with Fast Bank Deposit Service to Japan
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Xoom, a leading digital money transfer provider, today announced it will be expanding its service in Asia, making it easier for people in the United States to quickly and securely send money to Japan. With Xoom, people get ... ( read original story ...)
Small Japanese banks offered lending lifeline
The Japanese export credit agency, the Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC), has kick-started a programme that will help smaller banks finance power projects overseas. Through the scheme, JBIC will place loans (the volume or value of which are ... ( read original story ...)
McCann Health Japan opens new office in Osaka
Osaka City as the base for its health communication business in the Kinki region (Kyoto, Osaka, Shiga, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Mie and Fukui) The launch of the Osaka Branch Office will enable McCann Health to expand its offering in Japan and provide the ... ( read original story ...)
Japan in talks with New Zealand for defense aircraft
TOKYO -- Japan is in negotiations with New Zealand to export the Self-Defense Forces' patrol and transport aircraft, in hopes of beating out U.S. and European competition to score its first large-scale arms contract. The deal will also involve the ... ( read original story ...)
Japan automakers' tie-up synergies to take shape in 2017
TOKYO -- The Japanese auto industry saw extensive realignment in 2016 as carmakers joined hands to sharpen their edge in a global race demanding the adoption of myriad new technologies. How these partnerships fare will be a focal point in the new year. ( read original story ...)
Japan seeks to increase its U.N. staffers to match financial outlay
Tokyo, which recently celebrated its sixth decade of U.N. membership, is not represented as much as its bountiful financial contributions to the international body would justify. At the job fair in Tokyo, students raised their hands in succession to ask ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo Olympics fueling expectations of an economic boom — and fear of a bubble
However, property sales in Tokyo, a barometer of the underlying tone of the economy, are showing signs of slowing as major developers are delaying projects due to a labor shortage, which raises personnel costs, and shrinking demand as a result of weak wage ... ( read original story ...)
Real Estate Trends Spell Trouble For Japan's Traditional Izakaya
Commercial property lending generally allows for a loan-to-value ratio ... making it more attractive to turn izakaya properties into retail or office space. Retail rents in Tokyo’s main wards were running at ¥25,625 per tsubo mid-year, up 16% from ... ( read original story ...)
Japan Looks to Escape Its Economic Slump
Despite the upheavals of 2016, Japan plans to begin the new year by staying its economic course. In a Dec. 20 monetary policy meeting, the Bank of Japan chose to hold its interest rates steady — an unsurprising decision, given that in September the bank ... ( read original story ...)
Japan's annual sticky New Year's mochi rice cake tradition claims lives again
Every year, Japan’s national police and emergency response services issue public warnings to be careful when eating mochi rice cakes, the sticky, sweet traditional delicacy served to celebrate the new year. And every year people die anyway. This year ... ( read original story ...)
Japan seeks to attract workers, tourists to quake-hit region
TOKYO -- Japan aims to attract more workers and tourists to the northeastern region of Tohoku, which is still trying to rebuild its economy from a devastating earthquake and tsunami nearly six years ago. Starting in April, government programs will provide ... ( read original story ...)
Foreign trends play larger role in Japanese growth for 2017
TOKYO -- The Japanese economy appears likely to expand by roughly 1% this year, but foreign risks such as a protectionist shift in Western nations and a stronger dollar threaten to undermine the growth potential. The global economy is trending upward. ( read original story ...)
Japanese stocks to rise in 2017
TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei is set to end slightly lower this year but rise in 2017 as expectations US President-elect Donald Trump’s policies will ratchet up interest rates buoyed the dollar against the yen, giving Japan Inc’s earnings a boost ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo’s Nikkei ends volatile 2016 to mark highest close in two decades
"The market is changing from monetary to fiscal policies." Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.42 percent in 2016 to close at 19,114.37, marking the fifth consecutive annual increase and highest year-end finish since 1996 when it ended at 19,361.35. ( read original story ...)