The investment gives SoftBank a non-controlling stake in Improbable, and, according to the Financial Times, values the British company at over 1 billion pounds ($1.29 billion). The deal is the second major British investment by SoftBank in a year. Last ... ( read original story ...)
Nikkei slips as 20,000 mark looms; earnings broadly well received
May 12 Japanese shares slipped from near 1-1/2-year highs on Friday as the market took a breather from its rally since mid-April, while trading was also influenced by a mixed bag of earnings with Nissan Motor rising on a surprise dividend hike. The Nikkei ... ( read original story ...)
Japan's Osaka rolls the dice on being Integrated Resort destination
Osaka, the less glitzy cousin of Tokyo, is pulling out all the stops to put itself at the forefront of Japan's move to roll out integrated resorts (IRs), even as the national government mulls over ways to ease concerns about social ills. Osaka, which is ... ( read original story ...)
WTS Yokohama in Japan: who's racing?
The line up for WTS Yokohama includes Olympic medallist Jonathan Brownlee. This will be Jonny’s first race of the 2017 season after having to pull out of the earlier races in Abu Dhabi and the Gold Coast. Jonny said: “It’s good to be back in Japan ... ( read original story ...)
'Proud to be Japanese' posters star Chinese woman
Japanese Twitter users have called the message behind the Kyoto poster "frightening" and "pathetic", reported news portal SoraNews24. The fact that it appeared in Kyoto, a major tourist destination, was not lost on many. One Twitter user said the "self ... ( read original story ...)
Office tower planned for downtown Vancouver inspired by Japanese lamp
With a design inspired by a Japanese lamp, a new highrise planned for 400 West Georgia Street could become a bright spot on Vancouver's often maligned architectural design scene. According to Westbank Development president Ian Gillespie, the 24 storey ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s fiscal 2016 current account surplus largest in nine years
Japan relies heavily on energy imports, with most of the country’s nuclear power plants offline since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. The value of crude oil imports slid 16.1 percent from a year ago and that of liquefied natural gas slumped 26.6 ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo by night: the good and the dark side
Back from Japan, in this article I will talk about my very first experience in Tokyo, and in particular, of what I appreciated more and less of this vibrant city the first night i walked along its streets. Tokyo in my opinion, is certainly one of those ... ( read original story ...)
Iran doing business with 3 mega-banks of Japan
Indications have emerged in the media that three of the biggest Japanese banks are already doing effective business with Iran – what could show a major portion of post-sanctions banking problems in dealing with the Islamic Republic has been removed. ( read original story ...)
UPDATE 1-Japan's Tepco to seek partners for nuclear business
TOKYO, May 11 Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco) will seek partners for its nuclear business with the goal of beginning cooperation in the financial year starting April 2020, under a plan submitted to the government for approval on Thursday. ( read original story ...)
Japan Display still swimming in red ink after missing Apple wave
TOKYO -- Japan Display's dismal fiscal 2016 earnings stood out in the sea of good results from electronic-device makers, but the company has only itself to blame for misreading a clear shift in demand from its biggest customer -- Apple. The major LCD panel ... ( read original story ...)
Japan bolsters defense-technology cooperation with Europe
TOKYO -- Japan plans to conclude separate treaties on defense-equipment and technology transfers with Italy, Germany and Sweden that will give Japan's Self-Defense Forces access to advanced technology from those countries. Strengthening cooperation in this ... ( read original story ...)
Japan March current account surplus beats forecasts, Trump trade policies in focus
TOKYO Japan's current account balance posted a stronger-than-expected surplus in March on solid income from overseas investments, maintaining a run of uninterrupted monthly surpluses that has continued for almost three years. The surplus of 2.91 trillion ... ( read original story ...)
US, Japan, France, UK practice amphibious landings on Guam
HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — Troops from the U.S., Japan and two European nations are gathering on remote U.S. islands in the Pacific for drills they say will show support for the free passage of vessels in international waters amid fears China could restrict ... ( read original story ...)
Japan's Gamba Osaka fined 2 million yen over Nazi-like banner – Kyodo
Japan's Gamba Osaka have been fined 2 million yen (13,560 pounds) and reprimanded by the J-League after a group of supporters displayed a Nazi-like banner at a game last month, Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday. The banner carrying a symbol resembling ... ( read original story ...)
X Japan's Yoshiki to Have Emergency Surgery
X Japan founder and bandleader Yoshiki made a name for the group ... Yesterday (May 9) the band cancelled all forthcoming shows following the news of Yoshiki's impending operation. A statement from the band's management reads that the drummer has sustained ... ( read original story ...)