Japan sets sights on improving pay for contract workers

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's government has placed a high priority on narrowing the gap in pay and benefits between regular and contract employees as this will raise productivity and consumer spending, said Katsunobu Kato, minister for labour market reform. ( read original story ...)

Why is Japanese anime getting big in China?

Japanese anime film Your Name has already been a huge success in its own country. And now it has become the country's most successful film yet at the Chinese box office. Despite the lack of big-name Hollywood stars or expensive stunts, it has taken nearly ... ( read original story ...)

Week Ahead Bank of Japan in the Spotlight

The USD is higher across the board after the Fed finally announced its much awaited rate hike. The market had already priced in the 25 basis points rate hike to the Fed funds rate, but the hawkish tone of the FOMC statement, dot plot and Fed Chair Janet ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Has Trade Surplus for 3rd Month as Imports Fall

Japan had a trade surplus of 152.5 billion yen ($1.3 billion) in November. The seasonally adjusted trade balance was a surplus of 536.1 billion yen. The results were released as the Bank of Japan begins a two-day monetary policy board meeting. The yen has ... ( read original story ...)

BANK OF JAPAN : Main events scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 20

Main events scheduled in Japan for Tuesday, Dec. 20: -- Supreme Court to rule on Okinawa government's attempt to block relocation of U.S. military base within prefecture. -- Bank of Japan to announce decision reached at two-day policy meeting from Monday ... ( read original story ...)

Bank Of Japan Meets This Week And Is Talking About Tightening

One reason for the stock market's success has been record global central bank easing and bond buying. The latest leaks out of the BOJ are that they are excited about growth and even in early discussions for tightening. Add to that inflation just jumped in ... ( read original story ...)

VietinBank provides services for Japanese banks

The Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank) has agreed to provide a number of financial services for corporate customers operating in Vietnam of several Japanese banks. The bank struck a trilateral cooperation agreement on ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo stocks open lower as investors take profits

Tokyo stocks opened lower on Monday following declines on Wall Street, while investors took profits following a recent rally and a stronger yen weighed on demand. The dollar declined against the yen on tensions between the United States and China over an ... ( read original story ...)

Light earthquake 4.5 mag, 72 km ESE of Hirara, Japan

A light earthquake with magnitude 4.5 (ml/mb) was reported 72 kilometers (45 miles) from Hirara in Japan on Friday. A tsunami warning has not been issued (Does not indicate if a tsunami actually did or will exist). Exact location of event, depth 37.77 km ... ( read original story ...)

Asia stocks find relief as China set to return seized U.S. drone

The dollar will remain strong. One key question is whether the Dow Jones will hit the 20,000 mark," said Koichi Yoshikawa, executive director of financial markets at Standard Chartered Bank in Tokyo. Expectations that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will ... ( read original story ...)