Japan’s big banks plan digital currency launch

A consortium of banks, led by Mizuho Financial Group and Japan Post Bank, has won support from the country’s central bank and financial regulator to launch the J Coin, an electronic currency to pay for goods and transfer money using smartphones. ( read original story ...)

Tokyo Global Financial Center Under the Spotlight Again

Japan has long endeavored to develop its capital, Tokyo, as one of the top global financial — given the status of the Japanese yen as the third international currency after the U.S. dollar and the euro; and large financial markets with abundant capital. ( read original story ...)

Philippine government tries to lure private Japanese investment

TOKYO -- The Philippine government has called on cash-rich Japanese companies to invest more in the country, with senior officials and the central bank governor making the case for the fast-growing economy at a seminar in Tokyo. To attract that cash ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s Abe calls snap election

TOKYO -- Japan is set for an October election ... The general public seems to agree. According to a Nikkei/TV Tokyo survey conducted between Sept. 22 and 24, the LDP enjoys support levels of 44%, no other party in the Diet has more than 10%. ( read original story ...)

Japan Post follow-up offering priced below 2015 IPO

TOKYO -- The second-round float of shares in government-owned Japan Post Holdings will have a price of 1,322 yen each, the Ministry of Finance said Monday, choosing a discount at the low end of its planned range. This week's release consists of a 1.3 ... ( read original story ...)

Old and deadly: Japan’s drive to beat elderly road menace

Kanuma (Japan) (AFP) - A series of fatal crashes caused by elderly drivers in Japan has left authorities desperately grappling for ways to clamp down on a problem that experts warn is only going to get worse as the population ages. Drivers over 65 were ... ( read original story ...)

Japan raising up to $11.6 billion in postal giant share sale

Japan Post shares have not performed particularly well, hanging below their 1,400 yen IPO price. Tokyo: Japan said on Monday that it expects to raise more than USD 11.6 billion by selling off another chunk of the country's massive postal service. ( read original story ...)

Nikkei rises on weak yen, snap election hopes

TOKYO, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Japan’s Nikkei share average rose on Monday morning as a weaker yen lifted exporter shares, while expectations for a snap election continued to support overall sentiment. With the end of the first half looming on Sept. ( read original story ...)

Nikkei rises on weak yen, stimulus hopes; exporters shine

TOKYO, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Japan’s Nikkei share average rose on Monday as a weaker yen lifted exporters, while expectations of economic stimulus measures after an election next month supported overall sentiment. As the end of Japan’s fiscal first half ... ( read original story ...)