Page 80 - Japan

Japan's economy stalls in April-June, casts doubts on Abe's policies

The weak reading underscores the challenges policymakers face in ending two decades of crippling deflation, as an initial boost from Abe's stimulus programmes, dubbed "Abenomics", appears to be quickly fading

Japan summons Chinese envoy over intrusion in its territorial waters

Fumio Kishida said despite several protests, the situation remains unchanged and Japan cannot accept

Japan records biggest current account surplus since 2007

Goods trade registered a surplus of 2.35 trillion yen in the first six months of this year

Japan protests China's vessels around disputed islands

China's increasingly assertive maritime activities in the East and South China seas have raised concerns and tensions in the region

Shinzo Abe names Tomomi Inada defence minister

The prime minister shuffled the cabinet for a third time since he took office in 2012

Japan says North Korea missile test 'outrageous act'

Defence minister General Nakatani said the missile landed in the Sea of Japan off the north coast

Japan fiscal plan gives $45-bn spending boost

3.4 trillion yen to help address the nation's demographic challenges

Japan approves $130 billion fiscal steps as BOJ denies curbing stimulus

The government estimates the stimulus would push up real gross domestic product by around 1.3% in the near term

Abheek Barua & Bidisha Ganguly: Will budget binge fuel growth in Japan?

A post-policy gain for yen makes imports cheaper and dilutes effort to fight deflationary pressure

Helicopter money talk takes flight as Bank of Japan runs out of runway

Some economists, however, fear it could trigger hyperinflation and uncontrollable currency devaluation

Japan's pension fund loses $51 bn

The world's biggest pension fund posted the worst annual performance since the global financial crisis, with losses exacerbated by unfavourable currency moves and a foray into equity markets.Japan's $1.3 trillion Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) lost 3.8 per cent in the year ended March 31, or 5.3 trillion yen ($51 billion), the retirement manager said on Friday in Tokyo. That's the biggest drop since the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. GPIF lost 10.8 per cent on domestic equities and 9.6 per cent on shares in other markets, while Japanese bonds handed the fund a 4.1 per cent gain.The annual loss - GPIF's first since doubling its allocation to stocks and paring domestic bond holdings in October 2014 - came during a volatile stint for markets. Japanese shares sank 13 per cent in the year through March while the yen climbed 6.7 per cent against the dollar, reducing returns from overseas investments. The only asset class to post a profit was local debt, which jumped in value as

Stimulating debate

Japan's $265 bn spree is deliberately puffed up

Japan PM unveils more than $266 bn stimulus

More highlights of the package were expected next week when the cabinet is due to approve the measures announced

Japan to compile $265 billion stimulus, puts policy pressure on BOJ: Abe

Though it is unclear how much will be spent to directly boost growth

Japan logs first half-year trade surplus since Fukushima

The Japanese economy was hammered by the quake-tsunami disaster that sparked the accident at Fukushima

Japan's $190-bn spending stimulus a 'paper tiger'

The package could expand during talks with Abe's ruling coalition before his cabinet approves the measures on 2 August

5.2 magnitude earthquake jolts Japan

So far, no major damage or injuries were reported and no tsunami warning was issued

Suspected North Korean defector found in Japan

The man was transferred to Omura Immigration Centre in Nagasaki on Sunday, where immigration officials will decide his future based on confirmation of his identity and claims of defection

Earthquake of magnitude five jolts Japan

The jolt could be felt in central Tokyo, but there were no immediate reports of damage or issuing of a tsunami warning

Japan palace denies emperor's wish to abdicate

There is no provision in the Japanese constitution for an abdication, apparently a mechanism to prevent the arbitrary replacement of emperors