Japan gears up for Rugby World Cup 2019

The tournament -- held every four years -- has grown and created business opportunities, especially in recent years. The 2019 tournament will begin on Sept. 20, with finals scheduled on Nov. 2. A total of 48 matches will be held at 12 venues across Japan ... ( read original story ...)

Energy revolution prepares Japanese towns for the next Big One

The Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 has inadvertently driven a number of towns across the archipelago to wean themselves off the grid. The impetus: The National Resilience Program, which has boosted its coffers to JPY3.72 trillion (USD33 billion ... ( read original story ...)

Japan raising up to $11.6 billion in postal giant share sale

Japan Post shares have not performed particularly well, hanging below their 1,400 yen IPO price. Tokyo: Japan said on Monday that it expects to raise more than USD 11.6 billion by selling off another chunk of the country's massive postal service. ( read original story ...)

Nikkei rises on weak yen, snap election hopes

TOKYO, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Japan’s Nikkei share average rose on Monday morning as a weaker yen lifted exporter shares, while expectations for a snap election continued to support overall sentiment. With the end of the first half looming on Sept. ( read original story ...)

Nikkei rises on weak yen, stimulus hopes; exporters shine

TOKYO, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Japan’s Nikkei share average rose on Monday as a weaker yen lifted exporters, while expectations of economic stimulus measures after an election next month supported overall sentiment. As the end of Japan’s fiscal first half ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s diabetic population soars to record 10m

TOKYO -- Japan's number of suspected diabetics hit 10 million for the first time last year, according to health ministry estimates released Thursday, with the increase attributed to growing obesity rates and an aging public. These patient numbers rose by ... ( read original story ...)

The Latest: Japan’s Abe to dissolve parliament’s lower house

Abe said at a news conference Monday that he will dissolve the more powerful house in Japan's two-chamber parliament on Thursday when it convenes after a three-month summer recess. The election is to be held Oct. 22. Support ratings for Abe's government ... ( read original story ...)