Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
National Mar 15, 2013
Tsunami trash a long-term hazard
by Richard Ingham
The tsunami that ravaged Tohoku in March 2011 swept some 5 million metric tons of shattered buildings, cars, household goods and other rubble into the sea. About 3.5 million metric tons, according to official Japanese estimates, sank immediately, leaving some 1.5 million metric tons ...
Environment Feb 16, 2013
Environmental sea disaster threatens world's future
by Damian Carrington
An environmental catastrophe with greater economic impact than the global financial crash is occurring on the high seas, according to former British foreign secretary David Miliband.