Cryptocurrency exchanges step away from Japan and Hong Kong

Kraken, a San Francisco-based exchange, in April announced that it will stop offering its services to residents of Japan. The exchange will cease accepting deposits from the country, one of the biggest markets for digital coin trading, around the middle of ... ( read original story ...)

Japan juices efforts for new electric-vehicle battery

TOKYO -- Leading Japanese manufacturers have teamed up with the government in a program to develop solid-state batteries, which are expected to power the electric vehicles of the future. Kicking off in May, the program teams the Consortium for Lithium Ion ... ( read original story ...)

Why the Bank of Japan could still shock markets

As a political noose tightens around Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s premiership in Tokyo, investors are buzzing about something else tightening – Japanese monetary policy. No, not because the Bank of Japan is getting closer to 2 per cent ... ( read original story ...)

Japan fleshes out crypto market rules to prevent Coincheck 2.0

TOKYO -- Japan's Financial Services Agency is imposing stricter review ... aiming to forestall another digital currency heist like the Coincheck scandal that grabbed headlines in January, Nikkei has learned. "We need to introduce a new perspective in ... ( read original story ...)

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 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 ...)

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 ...)

Retooled Japan Inc. triples profit in five years

TOKYO -- Japan's listed companies achieved record net profit and sales ... yen ($262 billion), according to full-year earnings releases from 257 companies and Nikkei forecasts for the rest. Fiscal 2017 represented a second record-breaking year in a row ... ( read original story ...)

Japan kicks can on fiscal discipline, again

TOKYO -- Japan is considering fiscal 2025 as its new target for fiscal consolidation, a time frame that will still be difficult to meet amid tepid growth, falling tax revenues and higher spending. The government now aims to get its house in order five ... ( read original story ...)