Japan Looks to Escape Its Economic Slump

Despite the upheavals of 2016, Japan plans to begin the new year by staying its economic course. In a Dec. 20 monetary policy meeting, the Bank of Japan chose to hold its interest rates steady — an unsurprising decision, given that in September the bank ... ( read original story ...)

Japan seeks to attract workers, tourists to quake-hit region

TOKYO -- Japan aims to attract more workers and tourists to the northeastern region of Tohoku, which is still trying to rebuild its economy from a devastating earthquake and tsunami nearly six years ago. Starting in April, government programs will provide ... ( read original story ...)

Foreign trends play larger role in Japanese growth for 2017

TOKYO -- The Japanese economy appears likely to expand by roughly 1% this year, but foreign risks such as a protectionist shift in Western nations and a stronger dollar threaten to undermine the growth potential. The global economy is trending upward. ( read original story ...)

Japanese stocks to rise in 2017

TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei is set to end slightly lower this year but rise in 2017 as expectations US President-elect Donald Trump’s policies will ratchet up interest rates buoyed the dollar against the yen, giving Japan Inc’s earnings a boost ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s ‘lucky bag’ market is a basket of unknowns

The next few weeks may see enlivened speculation Toshiba will be removed from the Nikkei 225 altogether. If that happens, even a cheap yen may not reverse an impression that Japan equities are a lucky bag best left on the shelf. ( read original story ...)

Japanese media critical of new comfort woman statue in Busan

The Japanese news outlets also expressed concerns about South Korea’s upcoming presidential election. The Nikkei noted that while President Park Geun-hye “reached an irreversible agreement” on the comfort women issue, South Korea “could demand ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese is affecting the English lexicon in new ways

The earliest Japanese loanword to appear in the Oxford English Dictionary ... It first appeared in the OED in a 1997 citation from the Nikkei Weekly, but didn’t make the dictionary until 2013. The year before last, it was dubbed Oxford Dictionaries ... ( read original story ...)

More to IBM's AI business than Watson: Japan chief

TOKYO -- IBM Japan succeeds in marketing artificial intelligence solutions by giving customers the advice needed to make the most of its Watson technology, according to the company's president. Paul Yonamine, at the helm since 2015, discussed IBM Japan's ... ( read original story ...)

Japan flavour makers search for tastes of Southeast Asia

Japanese flavor and scent makers are sniffing around for business opportunities in Southeast Asia, relying on local talent to guide them through the subtleties of the region's palates and into the hearts of growing markets. Green tea or seaweed? ( read original story ...)