Japan warned on race to the bottom in bank profits

TOKYO -- Japan has too many banks in urban centers and rural areas, forcing them to eke out far skimpier profits than their Western peers, the Bank of Japan writes in a paper published Monday. Japanese banks also take in less fee and commission income than ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese Bank Robots Can Understand Your Emotions

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Mizuho Bank have introduced robots that are able to understand and express emotions when conducting customer service duties. Nao, a robotic teller from SoftBank Robotics used by Bank of Tokyo, is capable of carrying out ... ( read original story ...)

Reliance Mutual Fund IPO draws big demand from anchor investors

Here's are key points you must know before considering the issue: Issue size The issue of Reliance Nippon Asset Management, a joint venture between Reliance Capital and Japan's Nippon Life ... Rs 247-252 price band. The IPO size would be around 10 per ... ( read original story ...)

Japan ruling party win boosts Nikkei; other trading muted

TOKYO -- Global trading was muted Monday, but Japan's benchmark rose on the back of a parliamentary election victory by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democrats, who had promised stability and growth. KEEPING SCORE: France's CAC 40 was virtually ... ( read original story ...)

Japan ruling party victory boosts Nikkei; rest of Asia mixed

TOKYO — Shares were mixed Monday in Asia, while Japan's benchmark rose on the back of a parliamentary election victory by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democrats, who had promised stability and growth. KEEPING SCORE: Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 ... ( read original story ...)

BOJ Suggests Japanese Banks Have Too Many Employees, Branches

“The low profitability of Japanese financial institutions is striking from an international perspective,” the Bank of Japan said in its twice-yearly financial system report. The number of employees and branches “may be in excess relative to demand ... ( read original story ...)

Saudi Aramco’s $100 billion IPO is on track for 2018 launch

Exchanges in London and New York are vying for a role in Aramco’s IPO, with Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and Toronto also trying to attract the sale. "We will announce the venue in due course," Al-Falih said in London, where he was attending the annual ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei hits new highs after Japan election

These are external links and will open in a new window Japanese stocks hit their highest level since 1996 on Monday after exit polls indicated Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had won a clear election victory. The Nikkei climbed nearly 1%, extending its recent ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei rises on Japanese ruling party win, most of Asia up

TOKYO — Asian stocks were mostly higher Monday, with Japan's benchmark rising on the back of an election victory by the prime minister's ruling party, which had promised stability and growth. KEEPING SCORE: Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 1 per cent ... ( read original story ...)

Abe on track to win fresh majority as Japan votes

TOKYO -- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is likely to win a fresh mandate as Japan votes on Sunday in a snap election, according to opinion polls, with a divided opposition and heavy rain helping the incumbent. A Nikkei poll conducted Tuesday through Thursday ... ( read original story ...)