Japan faces shortages of samurai, ninja

TOKYO -- Japan is facing unexpected shortages of samurai, ninja and rickshaw drivers. As things stand now, employers hoping to meet demand for exhibitions and rides from foreign tourists cannot find enough workers with centuries' old skills -- or with the ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s aid spending pales to what China is doing

TOKYO -- Japan is under growing pressure to recalibrate its foreign aid policy to counter the rapid expansion of Chinese influence from Asia to Africa. The foreign ministry has decided to request a more than 10% budgetary increase for so-called official ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s ODA spending pales to what China is doing

TOKYO -- Japan is under growing pressure to recalibrate its foreign aid policy to counter the rapid expansion of Chinese influence from Asia to Africa. The foreign ministry has decided to request a more than 10% budgetary increase for so-called official ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s 2nd-Biggest Bank Wants to Invest $900 Million in Stocks

Japan Post Bank Co. plans to spend an initial 100 billion yen ($904 million) directly buying stocks, when it finds the right opportunities. The nation’s second-largest bank by deposits, which currently invests in equities only through passive investments ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei edges up before US job data; set for modest weekly gain

TOKYO, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Japan’s Nikkei share average edged up on Friday, echoing Wall Street gains, but trading was subdued as investors awaited U.S. job data for possible clues on the Federal Reserve’s next move on interest rates. The Nikkei gained ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei climbs to 2-week highs as U.S. data bolsters dollar-yen

TOKYO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average rose to two-week highs on Thursday, after bright U.S. economic data pushed up the dollar against the yen, which in turn lifted cyclical stocks such as automakers and financial companies. The Nikkei ... ( read original story ...)