‘Conspiracy bill’ draws backlash in Japan over state powers

Japan's lower house has approved a bill that allows authorities to punish those found guilty of planning serious crimes. It has been called the "conspiracy bill" by critics who worry the bill expanding state powers could be used to undermine basic civil ... ( read original story ...)

Japan exports gain in April, rising oil prices pinch surplus

TOKYO (AP) " Japan reports its exports rose a solid 7.5 percent in April from a year earlier though the trade surplus dropped as higher oil prices pushed the value of imports higher. The figures released Monday were in line with estimates, given a rebound ... ( read original story ...)

WWII hurt Manipur: Japan

Japan has acknowledged that its wartime actions in the 1940s caused grave human suffering in Manipur. A senior Japanese official posted in India said on Monday that Tokyo is aware of the “aggression” that its soldiers unleashed in Manipur during the ... ( read original story ...)

The Bank of Japan Chief’s Perspective

Monetary policy can stymie or enhance free trade and global economic growth. And one of the biggest influencers of monetary policy in the world is the Bank of Japan. Gerard Baker, editor in chief of The Wall Street Journal, sat down with the bank’s ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s banking newcomers enjoy steady growth

TOKYO -- Japan's 10 new entrants to the banking sector, such as Sony Bank, recorded a 10% rise on the year in their total deposit balance to more than 17 trillion yen ($152 billion) as of the end of March 2017. Improved convenience looks to have attracted ... ( read original story ...)

Mizuho Chases Financial Bond Deals as It Starts London Team

Mizuho Financial Group Inc.’s investment bank is targeting a bigger share of global financial bond deals as it seeks more profits overseas and expands its debt capital markets business at home and abroad. The Japanese bank has managed $8.7 billion of ... ( read original story ...)

Japan ratifies Nagoya Protocol on genetic resources use

NEW YORK – Japan on Monday completed the process of ratifying the Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the sharing of benefits arising from them, taking the step more than two years after the international agreement came into effect. ( read original story ...)

Korea ratifies Nagoya Protocol, becomes 98th Party to treaty

Adopted in 2010 in Nagoya, Japan, it entered into force on 12 October 2014. Dr. Cristiana Pașca Palmer, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), said: “This is great news for the Republic of Korea and for the Nagoya Protocol. ( read original story ...)

Tokyo police crack down on cosplay kart tour safety

Police in the Japanese capital Tokyo are urging operators to improve the safety standards of their popular fancy dress go-kart tours of the city. The sight of convoys of go-karts snaking through Tokyo's streets, their drivers wearing outfits based on the ... ( read original story ...)