Japanese bank shares tumble on collapse of investment scheme

The collapse of a company that persuaded hundreds of salarymen to invest almost $1bn in ultra-cheap “shared house” developments for single women in Tokyo has triggered a probe into lending practices at one of Japan’s most successful regional banks ... ( read original story ...)

Japan finance official denies sexual misconduct allegation

Japan's Vice Finance Minister Junichi Fukuda ... citing difficulty carrying out his duties due to escalating criticism and attention. (Yoshitaka Sugawara/Kyodo News via AP) Fukuda's case is the latest embarrassment for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government. ( read original story ...)

Bank of Japan Turns Back on State-Issued Cryptocurrency

Digital currencies issued by central banks may have a large impact on the current financial system, the Deputy Governor of Japan’s central bank Masayoshi Amamiya said during a fintech conference. He told attendees, including representatives of the ... ( read original story ...)

San Francisco Earthquake Risks: Questions and Answers

Susan Rose, Berkeley “I wonder what California can learn from that most earthquake-prone nation — Japan. What has been the experience of the engineers in Tokyo? What’s their engineering and skyscraper codes like?” — Luboman411, New York City ... ( read original story ...)

Trump says he prefers bilateral trade deal with Japan

Trump tweets dislike for TPP while hosting Japanese PM Trump asks trade officials to look into getting back into TPP Trump said Wednesday during a joint news conference in Florida with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that if he could reach a new trade ... ( read original story ...)

The Latest: Abe says Japanese steel would be hard to replace

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says his country's steel and aluminum supplies "would not exert any negative influence" on the security of the United States. Abe says in a joint news conference with President Donald Trump that the quality of Japan's ... ( read original story ...)

Japan finance official quits over alleged sexual misconduct

(Yoshitaka Sugawara/Kyodo News via AP) Fukuda acknowledged having regular one-on-one meetings with members of the finance ministry press club — most of whom work for major Japanese newspapers and broadcast companies — but denied making such remarks. ( read original story ...)

Top Japan finance official quits after harassment claims

The top bureaucrat at Japan's finance minister quit Wednesday following allegations he sexually harassed female reporters, saying he wanted to clear his name. Junichi Fukuda has denied a magazine report he harassed several women, but calls for him to step ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Fears Being Sidelined by Trump on Trade and North Korea

It was yet another sign that the United States was acting independently of Japan, its strongest ally in Asia. Mr. Abe originally planned his trip to meet Mr. Trump after news last month that Mr. Trump had accepted an invitation to meet Mr. Kim for ... ( read original story ...)