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Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda took the helm in April

Bank of Japan to allow 'greater flexibility' on bonds

The Bank of Japan has today eased its grip on its ultra-loose monetary policy in a small step towards normalisation as inflation accelerates and the yen comes under pressure against other major currencies.

Business • 28 Jul 23

Japan's consumer prices rose 3.3% year-on-year in June - in line with expectations

Japan inflation accelerates to 3.3% in June

Japan's consumer prices rose 3.3% year-on-year in June, with the pace of inflation accelerating from the 3.2% recorded in May, government data showed today.

Business • 21 Jul 23

Some 1.33 million cubic metres of groundwater, rainwater and water used for cooling have accumulated at the Fukushima nuclear plant

North Korea slams IAEA for Fukushima water approval

North Korea has criticised the United Nations' nuclear watchdog for approving Japan's plan to discharge treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Asia • 09 Jul 23

IAEA greenlight Japan's plan despite concerns over safety in some neighbouring countries

South Korea respects review of Fukushima water plan

South Korea's government has said it respected the UN nuclear energy watchdog's review of Japan's plan to discharge treated radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima plant into the ocean.

World • 07 Jul 23

Sluggish demand in China and advanced nations clouded the outlook for Asian's exporters

Asia's factory output slumps on weak China demand

Asia's factory activity slumped in June, business surveys showed today, as sluggish demand in China and advanced nations clouded the outlook for the region's exporters.

Business • 03 Jul 23

The new bill clarifies rape prosecution requirements and criminalises voyeurism

Japan raises age of consent from 13 to 16

Japan's age of consent has been raised from 13, among the world's lowest, to 16 years old as politicians passed key reforms to sex crime legislation.

World • 16 Jun 23

Shooting occurred at a training range in central Japan

Two killed in shooting at Japan army training range

Two soldiers were killed and another was wounded when a fellow recruit opened fire at a training range in central Japan, the military has said.

World • 14 Jun 23

Japan's economy expanded by 0.7% in the first quarter of 2023

Japan economy grew more than thought in first quarter

Japan's economy expanded by 0.7% in the January-March quarter, up from an initial estimate of 0.4%, government data showed today.

Business • 08 Jun 23

The inundation has been caused by the remnants of former Typhoon Mawar

One dead, two missing in Japan after heavy rain

Heavy rain across parts of Japan has killed one person, left two missing and injured dozens more, authorities said, with thousands of residents issued evacuation warnings.

World • 03 Jun 23

North Korea had said it would launch its first military reconnaissance satellite between 31 May and 11 June (file pic)

North Korea launches space satellite towards south

North Korea launched what it called a space satellite towards South Korea tonight, according to South Korea's military, prompting emergency alerts and brief evacuation warnings in parts of the south and Japan.

Asia • 30 May 23

Tokyo has warned that North Korea may actually be a sanctions-defying ballistic missile test (Stock image)

North Korea informs Japan of 'satellite launch'

North Korea has informed Japan that it is preparing to launch a satellite as early as this week, Tokyo has announced but warned it may actually be a sanctions-defying ballistic missile test.

World • 29 May 23

The man was taken into custody outside a farm near the city of Nakano in Nagano region

Four killed in gun and knife attack in Japan

Japanese police have detained a man who had holed up in a building after allegedly killing four people, including two police officers, in a gun and knife attack.

World • 26 May 23

Japan's economy continues to improve from a Covid-led recession

Japan manufacturers' mood positive as economy recovers

Business sentiment at big Japanese manufacturers turned positive for the first time this year and service-sector morale hit a five-month high, the latest Reuters Tankan poll shows today,

Business • 24 May 23

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (C) hosts a working session as part of the G7 summit in Hiroshima

G7 calls for adoption of international standards for AI

The world must urgently assess the impact of generative artificial intelligence, G7 leaders said, announcing they will launch discussions this year on "responsible" use of the technology.

World • 20 May 23

Japan's core consumer price index, which excludes fresh food but includes energy items, rose 3.4% in April from a year earlier

Japan's inflation stays above central bank's target

Japan's core consumer inflation stayed well above the central bank's 2% target in April and a key index stripping away the effects of fuel hit a fresh four-decade high, keeping alive expectations of a tweak to its massive stimulus this year.

Business • 19 May 23

US President Joe Biden, left, and Fumio Kishida, Japan's prime minister, at the G7 meeting in Japan

G7 to weigh tighter sanctions on Russia

G7 leaders arrived in Hiroshima in Japan today to weigh tighter sanctions on Russia and protections against China's "economic coercion", surrounded by reminders about the harrowing cost of war.

Business • 18 May 23

Japan, the world's third-largest economy, grew an annualised 1.6% in the three months from January to March

Japan emerges from recession on post-Covid rebound

Japan's economy emerged from recession and grew faster than expected in the first quarter as a post-Covid consumption rebound offset global headwinds, shoring up hopes for a sustained recovery.

Business • 17 May 23

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen with Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki (r) and Governor of the Bank of Japan Kazuo Ueda at the G7 meeting in Japan

US debt standoff overshadows G7 finance chiefs' meeting

A standoff in Washington over raising the US debt ceiling overshadowed a meeting of Group of Seven (G7) finance leaders starting today, heightening US recession fears as central banks seek a soft landing for the global economy.

Business • 11 May 23

The Japanese auto giant said operating profit for the three months to March totalled 626.9 billion yen ($4.64 billion)

Toyota sees 10% rise in annual profit after bumper Q4

Toyota Motor is forecasting a 10% rise in annual operating income after its latest quarterly profit surged 35%, as the world's largest automaker expects higher sales in major markets amid an easing of global chip supply woes.

Business • 10 May 23

Paschal Donohoe is President of the Eurogroup and Minister for Public Expenditure

Donohoe to represent Eurogroup at G7 meeting in Japan

President of the Eurogroup and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe is in Japan where he will take part in the G7 meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.

Business • 09 May 23

Bullet trains were temporarily suspended between the cities of Nagano and Kanazawa (file pic)

Strong earthquake kills one, destroys houses in Japan

A powerful earthquake has struck central Japan, leaving at least one person dead and 21 injured, as rescuers searched for another trapped under rubble after several houses collapsed.

World • 05 May 23

Japan's 3.1% inflation figure is above the 2% target, which has been surpassed every month since April last year

Japan's inflation rate unchanged at 3.1% in March

Japan's consumer prices rose 3.1% in March, matching last month's figure and roughly in line with expectations, as inflation slows from four-decade highs, government data showed today.

Business • 21 Apr 23

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida making a speech during an election rally earlier today

Japan PM back on campaign trail after blast incident

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resumed campaigning today after being evacuated unharmed from the scene of an apparent "smoke bomb" blast.

World • 15 Apr 23

The giant resort complex located on Yumeshima, a reclaimed island in Osaka Bay, will also include hotels, a conference centre, a shopping mall, museum and a ferry terminal, while high-rollers will have access to an adjace

Japan approves plan to build its first casino

Japan has approved a plan to build the country's first casino in the western city of Osaka, paving the way for a €12 billion resort set to open in 2029, aimed at attracting domestic and international tourist spending.

World • 14 Apr 23

Japan's core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food but includes oil products, rose 3.1% in February from a year earlier

Japan's inflation down from 41-year high

Japan's core consumer inflation slowed in February but an index stripping away energy costs hit a four-decade high, data showed today, suggesting cost-push pressures may persist longer than policymakers thought.

Business • 24 Mar 23

Japan