Asia, Japan | featured news

Washington has urged the governments in Tokyo and Seoul to increase cooperation. But the pact triggered an uproar in South Korea, where resentment of Japan’s early 20th-century colonization remains raw and the public regards any sign of Japan’s growing military role with deep suspicion.

Japanese industrial production fell a worse-than-expected 3.1% in May from the previous month while consumer prices were lower in the period, in a sign that a recovery in the domestic economy has yet to take hold.

A treaty between South Korea and Japan will encourage the sharing of military data on their common concerns: North Korea’s threats and China’s military expansion.

Japan's government on Saturday approved bringing the country's first nuclear reactors back online since last year's earthquake and tsunami led to a nationwide shutdown, going against wider public opinion that is opposed to nuclear power after Fukushima....

China remained the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasurys in April, marginally increasing its net portfolio. Japan reduced its net holdings for the second month in a row. Overall, foreigners were net buyers of long-term U.S. financial assets in April, according to the monthly Treasury International Capital report, known as TIC.

Japan Airlines soon is expected to emerge after less than three years in bankruptcy. Ashikaga Holding has been a classic "zombie company," taking nearly a decade to resume trading. That contrast could prove a tipping point for changing Japanese attitudes toward filing for bankruptcy.

Japan’s government on Wednesday approved a 1 trillion yen ($12.55 billion) bailout for the operator of the disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear plant, putting the massive utility under temporary state control as it continues to deal with the colossal damages.

Japan shuts down its last working nuclear power reactor this weekend just over a year after a tsunami scarred the nation and if it survives the summer without major electricity shortages, producers fear the plants will stay offline for good.

Some passengers traveling through international airports in Japan can expect body searches beginning in June, the Kyodo news agency reported, citing transport ministry sources.

Japan says it will forgive about 300 billion yen ($3.7 billion) of Myanmar's debt as a way to support the country's democratic and economic reforms.