Politics & Diplomacy
Hashimoto to retract sex suggestion for U.S. military
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto aims to retract his remark that U.S. servicemen in Okinawa should use the local adult entertainment industry to avoid committing sex crimes.
Economy May 25, 2013
'Abenomics' still has long way to go
by Jun Hongo
The recent volatility of the Nikkei 225 stock average should not be a cause for alarm, government officials assured Friday, but pundits pointed out that “Abenomics” seems to have a long way to go until the economy begins to show a robust and steady ...
Economy May 23, 2013
Trade deficit extends to 10th straight month
Japan on Wednesday posted its worst April trade deficit as a weak yen ramped up import costs and helped extend the run of monthly shortfalls to the longest in over three decades. Data from the Finance Ministry showed the nation incurred a trade deficit ...
Business May 22, 2013
Zoellick warns of Japan 'sugar high'
Former World Bank President Robert Zoellick said Monday Japan’s economic drive needed accompanying structural reforms, voicing fear that recent growth could be just a “sugar high.” Japan posted 0.9 percent quarter-to-quarter growth in the three months through March, during which time Prime Minister Shinzo ...
Economy May 21, 2013
Economic assessment raised as weak yen fuels exports
The government on Monday upgraded the economy for the first time in two months by deleting the word “weak” from its description to reflect the effect the “Abenomics”-weakened yen is having on exports and production. The economy “is picking up slowly,” the Cabinet Office ...
Economy | JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES May 20, 2013
Utility, ubiquity playing key roles in corrupting policymakers' thinking
by Noriko Hama
Two mind-sets seem to be catching on in Japan these days. They worry me. One is the notion that something has to be useful to be of value. The other is that anything is justifiable on the grounds that everybody else is doing it. ...
Economy May 20, 2013
Eurozone now eager to copy Japan, take 'easy way out'
by Fabien Zamora
Budding growth in the Japanese economy, just as a recession in Europe digs in, is renewing pressure on European policymakers to shift course from austerity to stimulus. Data released on Thursday said that Japan’s economy grew markedly in the first quarter, only weeks after ...
Economy May 20, 2013
Japan must boost credibility of bonds as exodus to stocks hikes rates: Amari
by Yoshiaki Nohara and Yuji Okada
Japan’s government must demonstrate a commitment to fiscal rehabilitation to boost the credibility of government bonds and prevent a spike in long-term yields as soaring stocks damp the allure of the nation’s sovereign debt, Economy Minister Akira Amari said. “As stocks have rallied this ...
Economy May 18, 2013
'Abenomics' turns Japan into global investor target
by Shamim Adam
Investors are more confident in a Japanese leader than any time since at least September 2010, with optimism about Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s policies exceeding that for counterparts in the U.S., Europe and China. The number of respondents who are more optimistic than pessimistic ...
National May 18, 2013
Abe lays out next step in his growth strategy
by Reiji Yoshida
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveils strategies for economic growth, ranging from promoting exports of infrastructure systems and developing measures to help create startup ventures to easing tourist visa regulations.
Business May 6, 2013
'Abenomics' meets curse of the second 100 days — will the mirage last?
by William Pesek
The accomplishments of the first 100 days in office are a favorite benchmark for democratic leaders. It’s thought to offer a preview of his or her worldview, ambition and political fortune. So, viewed through this lens, just how is Prime Minister Shinzo Abe doing? ...
Economy Apr 26, 2013
National casino ban might fold under 'Abenomics'
The government may insert a plan to lift the nation’s casino ban in the new economic growth strategy to be drawn up in June, informed sources said. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is examining the idea of designating special zones in which resort complexes ...
Business Apr 24, 2013
OECD: Specify steps to fiscal health
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development put pressure on Japan in a policy proposal issued Tuesday to specify concrete measures to restore the country’s precarious fiscal health, considered the worst among major developed economies. “Given the size and duration of fiscal consolidation, Japan ...