TOKYO, May 16 (Reuters) - Japanese ethylene production in April rose 3.7 percent from the same month a year earlier to 549,800 tonnes, data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed on Tuesday. Ethylene, made from naphtha, is a basic ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese firms are employing ROBOTS to replace the plummeting working-age population
Japan's working-age population peaked in 1995 at 87 million ... They are also being sought by property developers, food and beverage makers and hotel chains. The Hen na Hotel, or the 'Odd Hotel,' near Tokyo Disneyland, for example, bills itself as a ... ( read original story ...)
Japan has disaster theme parks where you can ride out fake earthquakes. Should we try it in Seattle?
KOBE, Japan — Somehow, it’s not surprising that the country that gave us Godzilla and elevated fake food to a fine art has also found a way to make earthquake preparedness entertaining. Guided by the philosophy that experience is the best teacher ... ( read original story ...)
Japan's ruling party heavyweight signals readiness to join AIIB: Nikkei
TOKYO Japan's senior ruling party official has signaled Tokyo's readiness to join the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), saying it was crucial to reach a decision soon, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Tuesday. "The key would be how ... ( read original story ...)
Bank of Japan Fintech Head: Don't Expect Central Banks to Lead DLT
While central banks around the world are taking an active interest in blockchain and digital ledger technology (DLT), we shouldn't expect the institutions that manage money supplies to lead their development. That was one takeaway from a new conversation ... ( read original story ...)
BRIEF-Ambition sells Tokyo-based building
* Says it sold a Tokyo-based building at an undisclosed price, on May 15 Source text in Japanese: goo.gl/Fngq46 Further company coverage: (Beijing Headline News) Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles Next In Financials ( read original story ...)
Fire hits Yokohama tire factory along NLEX
A fire hit the Yokohama tire factory along the North Luzon Expressway ... share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000. ( read original story ...)
UPDATE 1-Japan bank MUFG's profit down 2.6 pct on weak domestic lending
TOKYO, May 15 Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Japan's biggest lender by assets, reported a 2.6 percent fall in profit for the year ended in March due to weak lending income and the central bank's negative interest rate policy. Weak economic growth ... ( read original story ...)
Japan bank MUFG's annual profit down 2.6 pct on weak domestic lending
TOKYO May 15 Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) said on Monday net profit fell 2.6 percent for the year ended in March, hurt by weak lending income. Japan's biggest lender by assets said net profit came in at 926.4 billion yen ($8.16 billion)in the ... ( read original story ...)
Japan wakes up to global 'ransomware' cyberattack
The global "ransomware" cyberattack hit computers at 600 locations in Japan, but appeared to cause no major problems as people in the country started their workday Monday, even as the attack caused chaos elsewhere. 'We haven't fully dodged this bullet ... ( read original story ...)
Two Moxy Hotels Announced for Japan
Moxy Hotels continues its global expansion with the announcement of two new properties in Japan. Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho and Moxy Osaka Honmachi are both set to open in late 2017, further expanding the brand's presence in Asia Pacific with the opening of the ... ( read original story ...)
Riding high: Toyota eyes 'flying car' future
Toyota has its sights set on a Blade Runner future as the Japanese automaker backs a move to launch a flying car in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The company is giving about 42.5 million yen ($375,000) to the Cartivator project, which is developing the ... ( read original story ...)
Asian shares rise despite cyberattack, North Korea missile launch
TOKYO - Shares were higher in early trading Monday in Asia, despite worries of disruptions from the "WannaCry" ransomware cyberattack over the weekend. Yet another missile launch by North Korea also appeared to have little impact, while upbeat talk on ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese army aircraft disappears from radar
Ministry officials said the LR-2 reconnaissance and communications plane took off from Okadama airport in Sapporo city at 11.23 a.m. It was heading for Hakodate airport, public broadcaster NHK reported. The plane, with two pilots and two maintenance ... ( read original story ...)
Nagoya team working on robot to help elderly drivers stay alert, safe
A research team at Nagoya University is developing a system to help the elderly drive safely using a small robot, with the aim of releasing the technology by 2019. Authorities in Japan are stepping up measures aimed at encouraging the elderly to give up ... ( read original story ...)
Nikkei edges down on stronger yen, geopolitical concerns
TOKYO, May 15 Japanese stocks edged down on Monday morning, pressured by a stronger yen, a widespread cyber attack, and North Korea's missile test over the weekend. The Nikkei share average fell 0.2 percent to 19,853.71 points in midmorning trade. ( read original story ...)