Japan's Takeda buys US cancer specialist Ariad for $5.2bn

Japanese pharmaceutical giant Takeda has agreed to buy US drugmaker Ariad Pharmaceuticals for $5.2bn (£4.3bn). Ariad specialises in making medicines for patients with rare forms of leukemia and other rare cancers. The takeover was approved by the boards ... ( read original story ...)

S. Korean Dies After Setting Himself Ablaze Over Japan Deal

A South Korean Buddhist monk has died days after he set himself on fire to protest the country's deal with Japan on former Korean sex slaves, a Seoul hospital said Tuesday. The monk, 64, set himself ablaze Saturday during rallies against impeached ... ( read original story ...)

Sapporo licenses Thai firm to produce ethanol

Japanese brewer Sapporo Holdings Ltd has licensed Thai fuel retailer PTG Energy Plc to manufacture cassava-based bioethanol. The deal was signed Monday between Sapporo and Innotech Green Energy Co, PTG's subsidiary and joint venture with Thai tapioca ... ( read original story ...)

Yokohama To Acquire Industrial Tire Manufacturer Aichi Tire

Yokohama Rubber Co. has made an agreement to acquire all of the shares of Japanese industrial tire manufacturer, Aichi Tire Industry Co., strengthening Yokohama’s place in the industrial tire market. Headquartered in Komaki, Aichi, Aichi Tire ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo may partially foot cost of temporary Olympic facilities

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is considering shouldering some of the costs for building temporary facilities in the capital for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, sources said. The metropolitan government plans to hold talks on the matter shortly with ... ( read original story ...)

'No Way!'; Trump slams Toyota for planned Mexico plant

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) TOKYO — Toyota Motor Corp. stock fell 2% in early Friday morning trading after President-elect Donald Trump said on Twitter that the Japanese automaker faces a “big border tax” if it goes ahead with plans on a new Mexico ... ( read original story ...)

S Korea monk self immolates in WW2 Japan sex slavery protest

Tensions between the two countries increased on Friday after Tokyo withdrew its ambassador to South Korea in a row over a statue representing sex slaves. Japan said the 1.5m-tall (5ft) bronze statue depicting a young, barefoot woman sitting in a chair ... ( read original story ...)

Japan recalls Korean envoy over 'comfort women' statue

Japan has temporarily withdrawn its ambassador to South Korea, amid an escalating row over a statue representing wartime sex slaves. The statue was installed by activists outside the Japanese consulate in the South Korean city of Busan last month. South ... ( read original story ...)