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 ...)

Japanese marketplace app Mercari launches $1.1 billion IPO

TOKYO (Reuters) - Flea market app operator Mercari Inc has received approval for an initial public offering in Tokyo that will raise up to $1.1 billion, a regulatory filing showed on Monday, giving investors a rare chance to buy into a Japanese unicorn ... ( read original story ...)

Japan tightens border controls against smuggled gold and drugs

TOKYO -- At a Tokyo customs inspection site in late April, airfreight from China to Japan's main international gateway, Narita Airport, is being carefully examined. Gloved officials pull wallets from packed boxes, checking each one closely, running through ... ( read original story ...)

Turn the Post Office into a bank? First check Japan

The greatest public speaker I've ever seen was former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. I watched him in 2005 as he gave a speech to a crowd outside a train station. He thundered, cajoled and generally mesmerized the assembled throng. This was all ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo stocks rise for third straight session

Tokyo stocks rose for the third consecutive session Monday on a weak yen, as market sentiment stayed positive on sound corporate earnings and expectations that US inflation will stay low. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index gained 0.47 percent or 107.38 points ... ( read original story ...)

Japan and China agree on mechanism to avoid armed skirmishes

TOKYO -- In a move aimed at preventing accidental military clashes, Japan and China have agreed to implement a bilateral communication mechanism starting on June 8. The agreement, which ends 11 years of negotiations to establish the Maritime and Aerial ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Post gains ground as parcel delivery stalwarts struggle

TOKYO -- Japan Post is closing the gap with the country's leading parcel shippers thanks to a surge of cost-conscious customers, as the e-commerce explosion pushes its understaffed rivals to raise rates and limit package volumes. In absolute terms ... ( read original story ...)