Japan's forestry industry thin on workers: survey

TOKYO -- Japan's forestry sector is vastly understaffed, leaving lumber resources planted decades ago in danger of going to waste, according to a survey by The Nikkei. Some 93% of the forest owners' cooperatives polled reported being short-staffed ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo stocks open marginally higher on weaker yen

Weakness in energy and financial shares pushed Wall Street lower on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.5 percent to close at 21,002.97 after breaking through 21,000 for the first time Wednesday. In Tokyo trading, Nintendo jumped 3.78 ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese Banks Plan to Make Payments Using Ripple Blockchain

The Japan Bank Consortium to Central Provide Domestic and Cross-Border Payment, which was launched in October 2016 by leading Japanese financial institutions, and the blockchain company SBI Ripple Asia have announced that its 47 member institutions plan to ... ( read original story ...)

Japan's core inflation rises for 1st time in over a year

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's core consumer prices rose for the first time in over a year in January due to a pickup in energy costs and private consumption, offering some hope for the central bank's efforts in accelerating inflation to its 2 percent target. ( read original story ...)

Japan bolstering emergency support system for foreigners

TOKYO -- The Japanese government is developing a new framework for helping foreigners who need emergency medical or other assistance. The move, spearheaded by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, comes at a time when record numbers of ... ( read original story ...)

Comcast to Buy Remaining Stake in Universal Studios Japan

Comcast announced that its NBC Universal division is set to acquire the remaining 49% stake in Osaka-based Universal Studios Japan ... You may be curious about the buzz surrounding Snap Inc.'s IPO on March 2. With the company expected to be valued around ... ( read original story ...)

Bank of Japan Official: DAO-Style Problems Could Dampen DLT

An official from Japan’s central bank invoked failed ethereum project The DAO in a speech yesterday, suggesting that reoccurrences of such events could impede blockchain adoption. Speaking at a fintech forum hosted by the bank, Shigehiro Kuwabara ... ( read original story ...)

BOJ's Sato calls for raising yield targets flexibly

TOKUSHIMA, Japan Dissenting Bank of Japan board member Takehiro Sato said the central bank should be open to the idea of raising its bond yield targets before inflation hits its 2 percent goal, if improvements in the economy drive up long-term interest rates. ( read original story ...)

Mizuho Bank to open first local branch

Mizuho Bank, one of Japan’s largest financial institutions, will join Cambodia’s crowded banking sector by opening its first branch in the Kingdom next month, a bank executive said yesterday. The Japanese lender, which established a representative ... ( read original story ...)

Bank of Japan publishes bond buying plans to keep yields at 0%

The Bank of Japan published detailed schedules of planned asset purchases for the first time on Tuesday as it seeks to prove its commitment to a zero per cent cap on 10-year government bond yields. Japan’s central bank said it will buy a minimum of ¥1 ... ( read original story ...)