Still, "higher prices of natural rubber and other raw materials will reduce our operating profit by 24 billion yen ($212 million) in 2017," said Gota Matsuo, general manager at Yokohama Rubber, told a news conference. To minimize the impact, the firm plans ... ( read original story ...)
Embattled Osaka kindergarten chief apologizes for denigrating Koreans, Chinese
Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui urged the kindergarten to refrain from using such derogatory language at a regular news conference on Friday. “Even though we have the right of free speech, we should not use vulgar expressions,” Matsui said. The kindergarten ... ( read original story ...)
Japan's manufacturing sector hasn't looked this good in years
Japan’s manufacturing sector enjoyed another strong month in February with activity levels improving at the fastest pace in nearly three years. The Nikkei-IHS Markit “flash” manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) rose to 53.5 in February ... ( read original story ...)
Negative rates put corporate Japan in a spending mood
TOKYO -- The introduction of negative interest rates a year ago by the Bank of Japan is prompting listed companies here to funnel the money they save on borrowing costs toward takeovers and capital investment. The average borrowing rate of 1,387 ... ( read original story ...)
Japan's regional bank consolidation gains momentum
TOKYO -- The planned consolidation of three regional banks in greater Osaka highlights an increasingly harsh business environment and a pressing need to raise efficiency in Japan's shrinking market amid ultralow interest rates. The financial institutions ... ( read original story ...)
Saudi favours New York for Aramco IPO, also considers Toronto, London – WSJ
Saudi officials also talked to exchanges in Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai but are unlikely to pursue ... Saudi officials expect the IPO to value Aramco at a minimum of $2 trillion (£1.61 trillion). Saudi Arabian Oil Co, known as Saudi Aramco ... ( read original story ...)
Japan's SMFG, Resona in talks to combine regional units: sources
TOKYO Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T) (SMFG) and Resona Holdings Inc (8308.T) are in talks to merge some of their units, sources said, in what would be the latest in a slow but steady wave of consolidation in Japan's regional banking industry. ( read original story ...)
Japan’s efforts to end ‘death by overwork’ will have unintended consequences: Deutsche Bank
Japan's efforts to put the kibosh on karoshi, or "death by overwork," by addressing excessive overtime could weigh heavily on economic growth, Deutsche Bank said. "Cuts in overtime hours lead to lower household income, corporate earnings, and the economy's ... ( read original story ...)
Eyes on Kansai for EEC inspiration
Osaka is the centre of the region, a vast metropolitan area second only to Tokyo in scale. Kansai was one of six areas designated on May 2014 by the Abe administration as Japan's national strategic special zones equipped with business-friendly conditions ... ( read original story ...)
BRIEF-Saudi Arabia favors New York for Aramco IPO- WSJ
Saudi Arabia favors New York for Aramco IPO; also said to be considering London, Toronto - WSJ, citing sources * Saudi officials also have talked to exchanges in Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai but are unlikely to pursue listing in those places ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo stocks end higher as yen loses ground
Tokyo stocks overcame early losses to end modestly higher on Monday as yen weakness prompted late bargain-hunting. Shares opened in negative territory even though US stocks hit new highs Friday for the sixth time in seven sessions, with investors focusing ... ( read original story ...)
The surrender of Singapore: Pictures show the moment Britain surrendered island territory to Japan in 1942, leading to three years of hell for 80,000 prisoners of war
Rare images of 'Britain's worst wartime disaster' where the UK surrendered Singapore to the Japanese have been published in a new book. The fall of Singapore was perhaps Britain's greatest military defeat since General Cornwallis surrendered to the ... ( read original story ...)
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Hosts Mt. Fuji Art Exhibition, Featuring Itchiku's Mt. Fuji Kimono Masterpieces
This Smart News Release features multimedia ... art forms and were collected by Itchiku on his travels along the Silk Road. The Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo hosts a wide variety of cultural events on a seasonal basis as part of a wide range of hospitality ... ( read original story ...)
UK Sport rejects Tokyo 2020 funding appeals from seven sports including badminton and table tennis
We are operating in a tight financial envelope, and have responsibilities to both develop the system underpinning our best athletes as well as the sports and athletes themselves, and sadly our investment won't stretch to these sports for the Tokyo 2020 cycle.' ( read original story ...)
Japan logs first trade deficit in five months in January at ¥1.09 trillion
Japan posted its first goods trade deficit in five months in January, logging red ink of ¥1.09 trillion ($9.7 billion) as imports increased more than exports on rising commodity prices, the government said Monday. Imports marked their first gain in 25 ... ( read original story ...)
Bare cheek as Japan men strip off for naked festival
Okayama, Japan: With only a skimpy loincloth to protect their modesty, thousands of men brave freezing temperatures to fight for lucky charms thrown by a priest at Japan’s annual Naked Man Festival. A writhing mass of sweaty worshippers wrestled for ... ( read original story ...)