Japan’s economy contracts in Jan-March, as spending lags

TOKYO -- Japan's longest straight period of expansion in nearly three ... a deflation-fighting stimulus program driven mainly by asset purchases by the central bank that are injecting billions of dollars into the economy each year. The aim has been to ... ( read original story ...)

Japan GDP A Clear Signal For BOJ, While Savings Rate Surges

However, the report sends a loud and clear message for policy makers in general, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) in particular: there is no room for complacency. All components of private demand contracted simultaneously; only exports reported solid growth ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese bank to pilot digital currency for in-store payments

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, the world’s fifth largest bank, is to invite 100,000 customers to participate in a pilot of MUFG Coin, a blockchain-based digital currency that customers will be able to use to make mobile payments in stores. The trial is ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s Economy Likely to Rebound: 5 Solid Buys

For the first time in two years, Japan’s economy slipped in the first quarter. The economy contracted 0.6% on an annualized basis in the first quarter thanks to an unexpected fall in capital investment and flat private consumption. This might cause a ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese seniors sue government over forced sterilization program

They filed their cases Thursday at district courts in Tokyo and the northern cities of Sendai and Sapporo. One of them, Kikuo Kojima, 76, from Sapporo, said he decided to speak out to let people know about the policy. He is seeking 11 million yen ($127,000 ... ( read original story ...)

Finance Minister Aso warned over jeering in Diet

TOKYO -- Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura said on May 16 that he gave a verbal warning to Finance Minister Taro Aso over his jeering of an opposition legislator during a recent Diet session. During a House of Representatives Budget ... ( read original story ...)

Mercari, Japan’s first unicorn, files for $1.1B Tokyo IPO

Mercari, the eBay-like service that is Japanese first tech startup unicorn, has filed to go public in an IPO that could raise as much as $1.1 billion. The company is scheduled to list on the Toyko Stock Exchange’s Mothers Market — a board for high ... ( read original story ...)

Coming to grips with Yokohama Advan dB V552

We tested Yokohama’s latest Advan dB series and checked out its ‘silent running’ credentials in Thailand. Yokohama Rubber is extremely proud of its “silent” tyre, the Advan dB; thus labelling it ‘dB’ (decibel) was deemed the perfect ... ( read original story ...)

Earthquake jolts eastern Japan’s Chiba, no tsunami warning

TOKYO (Reuters) - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 hit eastern Japan on Thursday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The epicenter of the quake was off the coast of Chiba prefecture, the agency said, adding that a tsunami warning had ... ( read original story ...)

Light earthquake, 4.5 mag was detected near Ofunato in Japan

A light earthquake with magnitude 4.5 (ml/mb) was reported 65 kilometers (40 miles) from Ofunato in Japan on Thursday. Global date and time of event UTC/GMT: 19/04/18 / 2018-04-19 04:57:59 / April 19, 2018 @ 4:57 am. The 4.5-magnitude earthquake has ... ( read original story ...)

Japan plans retaliatory tariffs against United States: NHK

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan is considering slapping tariffs on U.S. exports worth $409 million in retaliation against steel and aluminum import tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday. The government is preparing to ... ( read original story ...)

Halep races past Osaka in Rome, Wozniacki advances

(Reuters) - World number one Simona Halep produced a ruthless display to see off Japan’s Naomi Osaka 6-1 6-0 in the second round of the Italian Open on Wednesday. Romanian Halep was forced to save four break points in her opening service game for 1-1 but ... ( read original story ...)