National / Social Issues Apr 29, 2021

Tokyo to push Olympic sponsors on gender parity following gaffes

A pledge to advance equality and inclusion is also expected to come next month from the games' organizing committee.

Summer Olympics Mar 12, 2021

JOC president Yasuhiro Yamashita no stranger to Olympic frustration

The former judo heavyweight, who missed out on the 1980 Moscow Olympics due to an international boycott, is optimistic that the postponed Tokyo Games will go on this summer.

National Mar 6, 2021

Online funerals and Zen apps keep Japan’s Buddhist temples afloat

As the pandemic forces institutions around the world to change the way they do things, new endeavors are some of the ways that Buddhist groups in Japan are trying to survive.

Business / Financial Markets Jan 28, 2021

Record sales of dollar bonds by Japanese prefectures gather steam

In the latest example, Kyushu's Saga Prefecture sold its first note in the U.S. currency on Tuesday, following last week’s issuance of such debt by neighboring Fukuoka Prefecture.

Business / Economy Jan 14, 2021

Buddhist monks are snapping up ESG bonds in Japan

Japanese religious organizations are also under pressure to earn more from investing.

National Jan 14, 2021

Shadow hangs over Olympics once more with Japan virus surge

Japan is one of several countries where the virus has made a comeback in winter months with Tokyo finding a record 2,447 cases on Jan. 7.

Business / Corporate Dec 2, 2020

A 1% bond in Japan is world’s lowest-coupon junk note in 2020

Unprecedented stimulus from central banks amid the pandemic has dragged down rates, and left investors clamoring for debt that may help increase returns.

Financial Markets Nov 26, 2020

Brave new world of ESG bonds can sometimes leave investors cold

A new type of bond that penalizes issuers for failing to meet social and environmental goals is raising concern that buying the debt may not be all that ethical.