Weak earnings push Japanese regional banks toward crisis

TOKYO -- Japan's regional banks are under increasing scrutiny from the country's regulators as their earnings deteriorate due to the Bank of Japan's negative interest-rate policy and a declining population, even while local economic activity starts to pick up. ( read original story ...)

Aramco is said to seek $2bn from Japan’s export agency

Japanese lenders are jostling for position to arrange the loan as a way of getting closer to Aramco and potentially win a role in the IPO, two of the people said. Spokesmen at Aramco and the JBIC declined to comment. The UK government agreed to a $2 ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei pauses after sharp gains; financial stocks rise

Index-heavy stocks such as chip equipment maker Tokyo Electron tumbled 1.7 per cent. TOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share average took a breather on Wednesday after sharp gains, with some index-heavy stocks losing ground after the index hit a 26-year high in the ... ( read original story ...)

Airbnb highlights Thai growth

The top city destinations for Thai travellers in 2017 were Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Kyoto, Singapore, London, Fukuoka, Paris, Sapporo, Rome, Milan and Los Angeles. Moreover, Thais are increasingly using Airbnb to explore their own country, with Khon Kaen ... ( read original story ...)

Trump administration OKs $130M missile defense sale to Japan

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has approved a $130 million missile defense sale to Japan to meet the escalating threat from North Korea. The State Department says Congress was notified Tuesday of the proposed sale of four missiles for the SM-3 ... ( read original story ...)

Yokohama Tire Sponsoring Team in Dakar Rally

(Photo: Yokohama) Yokohama Tire’s strong GEOLANDAR M/T G003 mud-terrain tires will get the ultimate test: the iconic Dakar Rally. Yokohama announced its M/T G003 tires will be on the SsangYong Motorsport Tivoli DKR vehicle in the rally, which runs from ... ( read original story ...)