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 ...)
Japan authorised to fire against North Korea 'if necessary' as it stands by US Navy
JAPAN reportedly deployed a helicopter carrier to a US vessel ... Whereas a spokesman for North Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement carried by its official KCNA news agency: "Now that the US is kicking up the overall racket for sanctions and ... ( read original story ...)
North Korea missile fears in Japan: ‘Whatever will be, will be’
FUSSA, Japan >> Residents living near U.S. military bases in Japan are facing a fresh reality: Their neighborhoods are on the front-line of North Korea’s dispute with America and if Pyongyang were to attack they would have just minutes to shelter from ... ( 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 ...)
Japan finance minister warns against yen instability on North Korea
LOS ANGELES Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said the yen is vulnerable to rising political tensions over North Korea's missile program and development of nuclear weapons, and warned against extreme instability in the currency. "We should always think ... ( read original story ...)
Mom, daughter sue business which claimed it could help socially withdrawn child
In seeking around ¥17 million in the suit filed with the Tokyo District Court, the mother claims the business in Tokyo did not help her daughter as advertised even though she paid it around ¥5.7 million for a three-month contract. The case is an example ... ( read original story ...)
‘Hikikomiri’ rescue business sued for alleged fraud by mom and daughter
A business that claims to help socially withdrawn people is being sued by a mother and daughter for allegedly taking the daughter from home by force and holding her against her will under the threat of violence. According to the suit filed with the Tokyo ... ( 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 ...)
Japan April services PMI falls to 52.2 as new business growth slows
TOKYO Activity in Japan's services sector expanded at a slightly slower pace in April as new business growth slowed, a private survey found on Tuesday - a sign that the broader economy could be losing some momentum. The Markit/Nikkei Japan Services ... ( read original story ...)
'Evaporated people' could be disappearing from Japanese society by the thousands
Similar to those in the Witness Protection Program in the US, johatsu opt to change their names, addresses, and business ties. They can essentially wipe the slate clean. In Japan this escape can be surprisingly easy, Public Radio International reports. ( 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 ...)
Japanese banking consortium continues push into fintech, turns to blockchain
Central Bank Digital Currency Brings Wider Access: Bank of Japan https://t.co/rWw2sfambN #fintech pic.twitter.com/NRKWjZ6vcL Blockchain technologies will allow these banks to develop more convenient and low-cost processes for wiring money to a society ... ( read original story ...)
DIARY-Top Economic Events to June 23
TUESDAY, MAY 2 ** BERLIN - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaueble speaks at the B20 summit – 1215 GMT. TOKYO - Bank of Japan will release the minutes of its March monetary policy meeting. YOKOHAMA, Japan – Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda ... ( read original story ...)
AFC Champions League 2017: Rising Star of the Month (April) – Gamba Osaka's Ritsu Doan
Japanese youngster Ritsu Doan was always likely to be earmarked for greatness when he made his debut for Gamba Osaka at the tender age of 16 in both the AFC Champions League and J.League. The talented youngster, now 18 years old, had a productive April for ... ( read original story ...)