Expo, casinos and shinkansen at top of Kansai’s 2018 agenda

For Osaka, the next 11 months will be spent on all manner of public relations efforts at home and abroad, via Japan’s embassies and major business lobbies, to overcome the Paris bid in particular. It will not be easy. Paris can count on most if not all ... ( read original story ...)

Japan might push through TPP without Canada

Japan's top diplomat in Western Canada is urging B.C. government and business officials to reconsider the merits of the newly re-formed, 11-member Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP-11), despite Ottawa’s controversial decision to back out of a document ... ( read original story ...)

Japan unveils record defence budget against North Korea threat

Japan’s defence budget will swell to a record USD 46 billion for the next fiscal year, the government said today, as the nation shores up its missile shield against the threat posed by North Korea. The defence spending was part of a $860-billion national ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s Nuclear Exports: Risky Business

While Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s electoral victory in October has generated plenty of debate regarding prospective constitutional change, another highly controversial issue — nuclear power — has largely escaped attention despite being ... ( read original story ...)

Bank of Japan keeps easy credit stance as inflation eludes

TOKYO — Japan's central bank opted Thursday to keep its ultra-lax monetary policy unchanged, saying rising private consumption, exports and business investment were signs that a moderate recovery has taken hold. In a policy statement, the BOJ said it is ... ( read original story ...)

Making Japanese small business thrive

MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA – Japan and the European Union have concluded a new and wide-ranging trade deal that has been four years in the making. Many Japanese companies no doubt hope that this agreement will give their business a boost, while politicians ... ( read original story ...)

Japan exports, imports surge on strong demand in China, US

Japan's exports rose 16 percent in November from a year earlier driven by robust overseas demand for cars and manufacturing equipment that is helping to sustain the longest economic expansion in more than 15 years. Customs data released Monday showed the ... ( read original story ...)

Asian markets mostly higher on upbeat Japan trade data

TOKYO — Share prices were mostly higher in Asia on Monday, lifted by robust trade data from Japan that suggest a sustained recovery in demand in China and other major markets. Last week's strong finish on Wall Street also helped lift regional benchmarks. ( read original story ...)

Japanese export growth accelerates

TOKYO: Japan's export growth accelerated in November to mark a full year of annual gains, underscoring the strength of external demand that has led the economy to its second-longest run of postwar growth. The 16.2% export growth in November handily beat a ... ( read original story ...)