Japanese banks eye cross-group custody services merger

The two aim to integrate Trust & Custody Services Bank, in which Mizuho holds a 54% stake, and Japan Trustee Services Bank, in which Sumitomo Mitsui Trust has a roughly 67% interest. The main proposal entails bringing the custodians together under a single ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei touches lowest level since early December

Safe-haven yen gains ahead of British PM May's Brexit speech * Investors weigh Trump's promises ahead of Friday's inauguration TOKYO Jan 17 Japan's Nikkei share average skidded to its lowest levels since early December on Tuesday, undermined by a resurgent ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei falls to near 6-week low on strong yen; Honda tumbles

TOKYO Jan 17 Japan's Nikkei fell to its lowest level in more than a month on Tuesday as a strong yen soured sentiment, while shares of Honda tumbled after it said an air bag made by Takata Corp had ruptured in one of its cars in Japan. The Nikkei share ... ( read original story ...

Nikkei plummets ahead of inauguration

Japan's Nikkei share average has hit its lowest level in over five weeks as investors locked in recent gains ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump later in the week. The benchmark Nikkei fell 0.6 per cent to 18,990.48, falling below ... ( read original story ...)

Japan's lawmakers eye speedy consensus on emperor's abdication

It has argued that abdication via a special law could run afoul of the Japanese Constitution's Article 2, which states that the throne shall be "succeeded to in accordance with the Imperial House Law passed by the Diet." "I think discussions would ... ( read original story ...)

BOJ offers brighter view on regional Japan economies

TOKYO The Bank of Japan raised its economic assessment for three of the country's nine regions in a quarterly report on Monday, saying that most areas were seeing a moderate economic recovery. The upgrade reflected a pick-up in private consumption and ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo stocks lower by break, Takata dives on US deal

At the lunch break, Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei index was down 0.91 percent, or 175.38 points, at 19,111.90, while the broader Topix index of all first-section issues was down 0.84 percent, or 12.95 points, at 1,531.94. US officials said Friday that Takata ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo stocks end morning down on strong yen

Tokyo shares fell Monday morning as automakers and other exporters were hit by a stronger yen, while the pound tumbled on reports Britain may be headed for a clean break with the EU. The benchmark Nikkei index fell 0.91 percent, or 175.38 points, to 19,111 ... ( read original story ...)

Sterling slides to three-month lows on 'hard Brexit' fears

TOKYO/SYDNEY (Reuters) - Sterling wallowed at three-month lows in Asian trade on Monday after media reports that the British government is prepared to make a "hard" exit from the European Union rekindled investors' fears about the impact of the impending ... ( read original story ...)

Japan government to divest additional Japan Post stocks

TOKYO -- Japan's Ministry of Finance will sell part of its stake in Japan Post Holdings in the coming months. The maximum total value of the sale will be some 4 trillion yen ($35 billion) and could happen as early as this summer. The ministry will hold a ... ( read original story ...)

Indonesia, Japan discuss maritime security, railway project

BOGOR, Indonesia (Reuters) - Indonesia and Japan have agreed to step up maritime security and start discussions on a major railway project to link the Southeast Asian nation's capital and second-biggest city, the leaders of both countries said on Sunday. ( read original story ...)

Japan, Indonesia agree to boost maritime ties

which is majority owned by Japan's Inpex. Inpex had proposed a plan to develop the project offshore, but Indonesia said last year the project will be developed onshore instead. Nikkei staff writers Jun Suzuki and Bobby Nugroho in Bogor contributed to this ... ( read original story ...)