Abdication of Japan’s emperor moves a step closer

TOKYO Japanese Emperor Akihito's abdication moved a step closer ... that we can expect it to pass speedily," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference prior to the vote. While no definite plan for an abdication has been confirmed ... ( read original story ...)

Japan disappointed by Trump’s decision to quit Paris agreement

OSAKA – Japanese government officials, business leaders, and environmental groups expressed regret Friday at U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that America was withdrawing from the Paris Climate Change Agreement, but vowed to find ways to work ... ( read original story ...)

The North Korean threat to Japan

The U.S., working with Japan, must make the nuclear threat from North Korea a priority issue ANALYSIS/OPINION: In early May, I was part of a fact-finding trip to Japan. What I learned from four days of discussions with senior government officials ... ( read original story ...)

Japan and an Anti-Crime Bill

Re “Anti-Conspiracy Bill Advances in Japan” (news article, May 24): Concluding the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, or Untoc, is a pressing issue for Japan, as we prepare to play host to major events, particularly the ... ( read original story ...)

Behind Nikkei rally: dearth of shares to sell

In Asia, South Korean and Indian stocks are in record territory. The Nikkei? It's up 4%. Japanese stocks have not yet received their invitation to the global stock market party. The extent of the neglect is evident from data. According to the Bank for ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo Olympics cost twice the initial estimate: Why?

TOKYO (AP) — Taxpayers beware: The cost of hosting an Olympics is likely to be far more than advertised. The price tag on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has ballooned to nearly twice the initial estimate, even after a major cost-cutting effort. A major reason ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games costs double

The price tag on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games has ballooned to nearly twice the initial estimate, even after a major cost-cutting effort. A major reason is that cities exclude large amounts of associated costs when they submit a bid to host the Olympics. ( read original story ...)

Asian markets rally; Tokyo stocks up as yen falls

Tokyo stocks jumped to the highest level in nearly two years. KEEPING SCORE: Nikkei 225 jumped 1.4 percent to 20,139.31 as the yen weakened against the dollar. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.9 percent to 2,363.07. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained 0.2 percent ... ( read original story ...)

‘Huge potential’ for Irish companies in Japan

However, he noted that “Japanese consumers are very demanding”, but that “conquering the Japanese market enables business to obtain a global standard”. Speaking on his experience in the Japanese market, Joe Redmond, group executive of fintech ... ( read original story ...)

The young Japanese working themselves to death

Critics say the government is prioritizing business and economic interests at the expense of the welfare of workers. "The Japanese people count on the government but they are being betrayed," says Koji Morioka, an academic who has studied the karoshi ... ( read original story ...)