Taking a Toll: How Japan Post's big global bet unraveled

TOKYO/SYDNEY In February 2015, bankers working on Japan's biggest IPO in three decades woke to news that left them shaken. Their client had just closed a multi-billion dollar deal - but had kept them firmly out of the loop. Just months ahead of its listing ... ( read original story ...)

Japan carrier leaves port ‘to escort US warships’

A JAPANESE naval destroyer has left port on a reported mission of escorting US military ships off the coast as Japan tries to increase its military role amid heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula. The helicopter destroyer Izumo departed from the ... ( read original story ...)

Japan PM says he will initiate debate on new constitution

TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged to initiate debate in parliament on revising the country's U.S.-drafted constitution. The democratic and pacifist charter took effect 70 years ago on May 3. Abe, attending an annual rally on revising ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Yakuza: 'Split' in powerful Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi gang

These are external links and will open in a new window One of Japan's largest organised crime gangs is reported to have split into rival factions, sparking fears of a turf battle. Some key members of the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi have left to form a splinter ... ( read original story ...)

BOJ's Kuroda welcomes expansion of China-led infrastructure bank

YOKOHAMA, Japan Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda welcomed the expansion of China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as positive for the regional economy and urged multinational lenders to cooperate in meeting fast-growing infrastructure needs ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei climbs to 6-week high on earnings optimism

TOKYO May 2 Japan's Nikkei share average rose to six-week highs on Tuesday in a holiday-shortened week, getting a lift from robust earnings and gains on Wall Street. The Nikkei was up 0.6 percent in morning trade at 19,434.01. Wall Street climbed on Monday ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei gains on strong data; Markets in Europe closed

S&P 500 futures were also up 0.1 percent to 2,383.60. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 0.6 percent to finish at 19,310.52. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.6 percent to 5,956.50. JAPAN MANUFACTURING: The Nikkei purchasing managers index survey of ... ( read original story ...)