The Yamazaki crisis — Japanese whisky is going dry

TOKYO -- Bottles of high-end Japanese whisky are put on display every day at the entrance of Japan's largest duty-free shop in Haneda Airport. But there is one problem: it is nearly impossible to buy one. "These days, we can secure just 12 bottles of ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s Nikkei sags as automakers slip on softer U.S. sales

TOKYO, May 2 (Reuters) - Japan’s Nikkei share average dipped on Wednesday, weighed by weaker automakers, although the dollar’s rise to three-month highs versus the yen and positive sentiment toward tech stocks helped curb some of the losses. The Nikkei ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese PM praises relations with oil-rich U.A.E.

Abe appeared briefly at a Japan-UAE Business Forum in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi, at one point even praising Japanese fruit for sale. "Japan and the UAE are keen to develop a people-to-people dialogue," he said. But produce and interpersonal ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese cosmetics makers look to lure repeat customers in China

TOKYO -- Japanese cosmetics makers in China are expanding operations as they try to keep Chinese tourists returning from Japan as repeat customers while growing a domestic customer base. Shiseido is setting up in-store "experience spaces" for its major ... ( read original story ...)

In Japan, Ichiro’s move starts long ‘Sayonara’

Ichiro dominated Japanese TV talk shows, news shows and social media on Friday. National broadcasters showed historical footage of Ichiro playing with the Orix Blue Wave — his team before he joined the Mariners in 2001 — and his news conference in ... ( read original story ...)

After 6 years of growth, Japan’s economy sputters

TOKYO -- Japan's six-year economic recovery likely stumbled in the January-March quarter, as exports of electronic parts and other items stalled while rising prices for everyday goods turned off consumers. Real gross domestic product including goods prices ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo digital art museum looks to ‘expand the beautiful’

The waterfall appears to run down the wall of a room and across the floor, but the flow is an illusion -- a digital exhibit at a new interactive museum in Tokyo. The flower-filled waterfall is the work of Japanese collective teamLab, known internationally ... ( read original story ...)