Nikkei drops in choppy trade; Toshiba up on chip unit sale

TOKYO, May 15 (Reuters) - Japanese stocks pulled back from a recent 3-1/2 month high on Tuesday, hit by profit-taking, though bank shares staged a rally on hopes of strong earnings for the sector. The Nikkei share average ended 0.2 percent lower to 22,818 ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese banks trying to hold on to savings of dead clients

In an attempt to keep billions in funds left by deceased customers, Japanese regional banks are using special trusts to enter into banking relationships with the heirs of the departed. The step comes as the country’s local lenders have been losing 60 ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Post Bank plans $1.5bn in-house hedge fund

Japan Post Bank is to launch a $1.5bn in-house hedge fund, according to people familiar with the plan, as an institution that once symbolised the nation’s financial conservatism embraces a new level of risk in a quest for greater returns. The shift ... ( read original story ...)

Bank of Hawaii partners with Japan bank

Bank of Hawaii and Japan-based SMBC Trust Bank recently signed a unique collaboration agreement to provide access to select private banking services for certain Hawaii clients. Bank of Hawaii and SMBC Trust Bank will offer its Japanese clientele enhanced ... ( read original story ...)

Japan economy shrinks after two years of growth

But despite the broad-based slowdown, Minami said the economy would remain solid. "If you look at the Bank of Japan's 'Tankan' survey released in April, business confidence was unshaken, with corporate investment plans remaining solid," he said. ( read original story ...)

Japan automakers race past rivals in profit margins

In the five-year average of net profit margins, the Japanese surpassed U.S. automakers General Motors and Ford Motor in fiscal 2015, and the German big three -- Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW -- in fiscal 2016, according to Nikkei group's QUICK and FactSet. ( read original story ...)

Sulabh International founder awarded Nikkei Asia Prize

NEW DELHI: The founder of Sulabh International, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, has been honoured with the Nikkei Asia Prize in Japan for his contribution to Asia's development, an official statement said today. Pathak is among the three who have been conferred with ... ( read original story ...)

China opens the door a crack wider to Japanese rice imports

TOKYO -- The Japanese ramen noodle chain, Ajisen Ramen, operates around 600 restaurants in China. But if you want Japanese rice with your noodles, you must pay about four times the price of a domestic variety. In China, Japanese rice is only for the deep ... ( read original story ...)

Japan welcomes return of Malaysia’s Mahathir

TOKYO -- Mahathir Mohamad's return to power in Malaysia has come as a welcome surprise for the Japanese government when China's increasing clout in Southeast Asia is eclipsing the influence of Japan and Western nations. Although diplomats are hesitant to ... ( read original story ...)