Nikkei ends flat as yen's retreat halts, capping market

TOKYO Feb 22 Japan's Nikkei share average was little changed on Wednesday, unable to extend a two-day winning run as the yen's retreat against the dollar halted and capped the broader market. Trading was limited with investors staying on the sidelines as ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo governor warns of spiralling 2020 Olympics costs

Tokyo (AFP) - Tokyo's governor has warned that the bill for the city's 2020 Olympics could yet spiral out of control despite exhaustive efforts to rein in runaway costs. Governor Yuriko Koike said there was still a danger of costs reaching an eye-watering ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo stocks fall by break, despite Wall St record

Tokyo stocks lost early gains to end Wednesday morning's session ... Toyota slipped 0.12 percent to 6,470 yen and banking giant Mitsubishi UFJ Financial was down 0.23 percent at 772.2 yen. But Toshiba soared nearly 12 percent to 205.2 yen on expectations ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo shares open higher as automakers, banks rise

A weaker yen generally makes Japanese exports more competitive overseas and lifts the Tokyo market. In share trading, Toyota rose 0.37 percent to 6,456 yen while banking giant Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group was up 0.61 percent to sit at 772.5 yen. ( read original story ...)

Tokyo shares close up on automaker, bank rally

A weaker yen generally makes Japanese exports more competitive overseas and lifts the Tokyo market. Toyota rose 0.71 percent to 6,478 yen, while banking giant Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group was up 0.80 percent at 774 yen. Toshiba fell 1.39 percent to 183.7 ... ( read original story ...)

Money-losing Toshiba selling medical leasing unit to Canon

Toshiba said Tuesday it is selling its entire 65 per cent stake in Toshiba Medical Finance Co. to Canon, a Japanese camera maker, effective March 31. Tokyo-based Toshiba has been in talks with Canon since late last year on the sale. Toshiba, which owns U.S ... ( read original story ...)

Saudi favours New York for Aramco IPO

Saudi officials also talked to exchanges in Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai but are unlikely to pursue ... Saudi officials expect the IPO to value Aramco at a minimum of $2 trillion. Saudi Aramco was not immediately available for comment. ( read original story ...)

Japan carving out wider pathway for foreign service workers

TOKYO -- The Japanese government is moving to ease residency requirements for non-native service workers in an effort to deal with an influx of tourists from outside the country. Beyond work-study Japan hosted a record 24.03 million foreign tourists in 2016. ( read original story ...)

Japan's manufacturing sector hasn't looked this good in years

Japan’s manufacturing sector enjoyed another strong month in February with activity levels improving at the fastest pace in nearly three years. The Nikkei-IHS Markit “flash” manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) rose to 53.5 in February ... ( read original story ...)

Negative rates put corporate Japan in a spending mood

TOKYO -- The introduction of negative interest rates a year ago by the Bank of Japan is prompting listed companies here to funnel the money they save on borrowing costs toward takeovers and capital investment. The average borrowing rate of 1,387 ... ( read original story ...)

Japan's regional bank consolidation gains momentum

TOKYO -- The planned consolidation of three regional banks in greater Osaka highlights an increasingly harsh business environment and a pressing need to raise efficiency in Japan's shrinking market amid ultralow interest rates. The financial institutions ... ( read original story ...)