Japanese robot makers see strong Chinese tailwinds in 2018

TOKYO -- Japanese production of industrial robots appears likely to rise 10% in value this year and hit 1 trillion yen ($8.99 billion) for the first time, the Japan Robot Association said Friday, as China feverishly automates factories amid a labor ... ( read original story ...)

Japan offers $23m in fresh aid for Rohingya refugees

YANGON -- The Japanese government will provide an additional $23 million to help repatriate Rohingya Muslims who have fled Myanmar, Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Friday in a meeting with Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Kono and Suu Kyi ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei edges lower; Fast Retailing’s gains limit losses

TOKYO, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average edged lower on Friday as weakness in exporters weighed on the index, but strong gains in index-heavy Fast Retailing on record quarterly profit limited the losses. The Nikkei ended 0.2 percent lower at ... ( read original story ...)

Gearing up for 2020 Olympics, Japan breaks tourism record

Tokyo (AFP) - A record number of tourists visited Japan last year, the government said Friday, as the country gears up to welcome the world to the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. Some 28.7 million foreign tourists entered Japan in 2017, meaning the country ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese nursing care provider eyes Vietnam

NAGANO, Japan -- The Nozomi Group, an operator of nursing care and medical facilities in Komoro, Nagano Prefecture, is to look into running similar businesses in Vietnam, where the population is rapidly aging. In April, Nozomi and Vietnam's government will ... ( read original story ...)

Asian shares rise on Wall St, oil gains; Nikkei dips on yen

HONG KONG (AP) — Most Asian stocks markets are higher after Wall Street's latest record close. Japan's Nikkei 225 recovered from early losses to gain 0.1 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng and the Shanghai Composite index also advanced. KEEPING SCORE ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s Banks Are Yet to Grow a Taper Tail

Soon, Japanese banks may no longer be the cheapest in the world. The yield-curve control undertaken by the nation's central bank has done lasting damage. Data compiled by Bloomberg on financial institutions with a market capitalization of $10 billion or ... ( read original story ...)

Takashi Kurai meets Finance Minister

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Takashi KURAI, called on the Minister of State for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan here on Thursday. Mr. KURAI congratulated the Minister on assuming his responsibilities. He praised the efforts made by Pakistan to ... ( read original story ...)

Japan expands missile defense with eye on China, Russia

KAUAI, U.S. -- As Japan looks to bolster missile defenses with the Aegis Ashore surface-to-air system, citing North Korean threats, the growing attack capability of China and Russia appears also to be driving Tokyo's decision. Defense Minister Itsunori ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s journey to budget surplus gets 2 years longer

TOKYO -- Japan's goal of reaching a primary budget surplus, a measure that excludes debt service costs, is new expected to recede to fiscal 2027 as Shinzo Abe's government seeks to divert tax revenue meant to reduce borrowing to social programs. ( read original story ...)

Saudi bourse ‘taking all measures’ for successful Aramco IPO

The IPO of the world’s largest oil exporter has drawn interest from international stock exchanges in New York, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and Toronto and even spurred US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Theresa May to lobby for the ... ( read original story ...)