FAT boss says J-League stint good for Chanathip

Football Association of Thailand president Somyot Poompunmuang has wished Thailand playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin a successful career with J-League side Consodole Sapporo. Chanathip, who missed Thailand's World Cup qualifier against the United Arab ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Inc’s silence over Toshiba sends chill across Tokyo

head of fund manager WisdomTree Japan, pointing to the diminishing grip of the “keiretsu” — the business groupings whose closeness and mutual support underpinned Japan’s postwar economic growth. “Given that Toshiba is at the core of the Mitsui ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito visits Denmark

(Kyodo News via AP) Under the law enacted Friday in Japan, the 83-year-old Akihito's abdication must take place within three years. The last Japanese emperor to abdicate was Kokaku in 1817. ( read original story ...)

Bank of Japan keeps policy steady, upgrades economic outlook

The Bank of Japan has opted to keep its lax monetary policy intact, while noting signs of improvement in the world's third largest economy. A BOJ statement issued Friday said it expects demand to accelerate, supporting a "moderate expansion." The central ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s ruling bloc rams through conspiracy bill

but there is a clear trajectory" toward making pacifist Japan a more normal country. Still, the bill has sharply divided the public, with a recent Nikkei poll showing 44% in favor and 37% against. Lately, hundreds of protesters have been gathering outside ... ( read original story ...)

Japan readies whaling law to counter activists

TOKYO -- A bill promoting Japan's research whaling program moved closer to enactment this week, potentially giving the government new tools to fend off conservationists and increase the consumption of whale meat. A committee in the upper house of the Diet ... ( read original story ...)

Japan approves contentious bill against planning crimes

The law applies to organized criminal groups of two or more people that have engaged in specific preparations for a crime, such as scouting a location, according to Japan's Kyodo News service. A sizeable crowd protested outside parliament as upper house ... ( read original story ...)

Japan passes controversial anti-terror conspiracy law

Japan's lawmakers have passed a controversial bill allowing authorities to target terror conspiracies. PM Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc pushed it through the upper house early on Thursday, despite vocal opposition. The government argues the law is needed to ... ( read original story ...)

Shhh…The Bank of Japan Is Buying Fewer Bonds

Don’t look now, but Japan’s central bank is slowing its vast bond-buying exercise. The Bank of Japan bought just ¥7.89 trillion ($71.6 billion) worth of Japanese government debt last month, according to J.P. Morgan. While that sounds like a lot, it is ... ( read original story ...)