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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should get a much needed boost from the stronger than expected Tankan survey

Japan business confidence hits three-year high - Tankan

Confidence among Japan's biggest manufacturers has risen for the third quarter in a row to the best level in more than three years, a key central bank survey showed today as exports continue to grow.

Business • 03 Jul 17

Shinzo Abe boards a flight from Tokyo to Hawaii

Japanese leader in Hawaii for Pearl Harbor visit

The Japanese Prime Minister has arrived in Hawaii ahead of a symbolic meeting with his US counterpart Barack Obama at the site of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Pearl Harbor • 26 Dec 16

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to delay a scheduled sales tax hike by two and a half years

Japan's Prime Minister delays sales tax rise

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has decided to delay a scheduled sales tax increase by two and a half years, putting his plans for fiscal reforms on the back burner amid more weakness in the economy.

Business • 01 Jun 16

Japan's Economy Minister Akira Amari acknowledged taking money from a construction company executive

Japan economy minister resigns over money scandal

Japanese Economy Minister Akira Amari resigned abruptly today to take responsibility for a political funding scandal that rocked the government, but denied having taken bribes.

Business • 28 Jan 16

Doves fly over the Peace Statue during the memorial ceremony in Nagasaki

Japan PM marks Nagasaki anniversary with pledge

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki by renewing his commitment to a nuclear weapons free Japan.

World • 10 Aug 15

IS called for the release of Sajida al-Rishawi (L) in exchange for air force pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh (R)

Jordan seeks proof pilot hostage is still alive

Jordan has said it had received no assurance that one of its pilots captured by Islamic State insurgents was safe, and that it would go ahead with a proposed prisoner swap only if he was freed.

News • 29 Jan 15

Depressed conditions in Japan over the summer were due partly to poor weather

Japan downgrades economic assessment

Japan today downgraded its assessment of the economy for the first time in five months, as a string of weak data hammers hopes for a quick recovery after Tokyo's April sales tax hike.

Business • 19 Sep 14

The Q1 2014 rise in Japan's GDP marked the sixth consecutive quarter of growth

Japan's economy grows 1.5% in first quarter

Japan's economy grew by a fast 1.5% in the three months to March, accelerating from the end of last year on rush demand before an April tax hike.

Business • 15 May 14

Japan's consumer price index rose 0.4% last year

Japan inflation sees first annual rise in 5 years

Japanese consumer prices saw their first annual rise for five years in 2013.

Business • 31 Jan 14

A Shinto priest leads Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (centre) as he visits the Yasukuni war shrine in Tokyo

Japan PM visits controversial WWII shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has visited a shrine which is seen by critics as a symbol of Tokyo's wartime aggression, infuriating China and South Korea and prompting a message of concern from the United States about deteriorating ties between the North Asian neighbours.

News • 26 Dec 13

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Japanese Prime Minister Mr Shinzo Abe in Dublin in June

Taoiseach visits Japan hoping to boost trade ties

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has begun a five day visit which will focus on enhancing trade and investment opportunities with the world's third largest economy.

News • 30 Nov 13

Bank of Japan says economy is recovering moderately

Japan keeps massive stimulus, rosy outlook

The Bank of Japan maintained its ultra-loose monetary policy today and reiterated its view that the economy is recovering moderately.

Business • 21 Nov 13

Japanese men bow at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo

Japanese PM creates controversy over WWII shrine

Japan has angered China and South Korea after the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent an offering to a shrine for war dead on the 68th anniversary of Japan’s World War Two defeat.

News • 15 Aug 13

Shinzo Abe travelled to Dublin having attended the G8 summit in Fermanagh

Ireland 'important partner' for Japan - Shinzo Abe

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said that Ireland is an extremely important partner for Japan.

Business • 19 Jun 13

Shinzo Abe was in Dublin following the G8 summit in Fermanagh

Ireland an 'important partner' for Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said Ireland is an extremely important partner for his country.

News • 19 Jun 13

Japan's Prime Minister wants to bring more women into workforce and promote industrial innovation

Japan leader outlines reform strategy for economy

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has today outlined a blueprint for rejuvenating Japan's ailing economy with regulatory reforms.

Business • 05 Jun 13

Japan economy is picking up, central bank says

Japan's central bank says economy picking up

Japan's central bank said the world's third-biggest economy is "picking up" as demand recovers in other countries and remains resilient at home.

Business • 22 May 13

Japan economy grew by 0.9% on a quarterly basis

Japan economy recorded growth of 0.9% in Q1

Japan's economy enjoyed a stronger than expected recovery in the first quarter of 2013.

Business • 16 May 13

Haruhiko Kuroda nominated for top job at Bank of Japan

ADB president nominated to head Bank of Japan

Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe vowed to push ahead with more aggressive monetary easing as he nominated Haruhiko Kuroda to head the country's central bank.

Business • 28 Feb 13

Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda set for new top in Japan

ADB president leading name for Japan central bank

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is preparing to nominate Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda to head Japan's central bank.

Business • 25 Feb 13

Bank of Japan starts two day meeting today

Bank of Japan set to heed calls for more easing

Japan's central bank convened a two-day policy meeting today that is widely expected to end with fresh measures to stimulate the economy.

Business • 21 Jan 13

New huge stimulus plan set to add to Japan's debts

Japan announces new $224 billion stimulus plan

A 20 trillion yen ($224 billion) stimulus package announced today by Japan's new prime minister Shinzo Abe will likely give the recession-struck economy a quick boost.

Business • 11 Jan 13

Shinzo Abe