Japan scrambles jets to head off China plane
Japan scrambled fighter jets Saturday to head off a Chinese state-owned plane that flew near islands at the centre of a dispute between Tokyo and Beijing.
Giant tuna sells for record $1.8 million in Japan
A monster bluefin tuna sold for a record-breaking $1.8 million in the year's first auction at Japan's Tsukiji fish market on Saturday, nearly three times the previous high set last year.
Japan PM Abe wants new nuclear reactors: reports
Japan's new prime minister Shinzo Abe has voiced his willingness to build new nuclear reactors, reports said Monday, despite widespread public opposition to atomic energy in light of the Fukushima crisis.
Fukushima 'unprecedented challenge': new Japan PM
The clean-up at Fukushima after its tsunami-sparked nuclear meltdowns is unlike anything humanity has ever tried, Japan's prime minister said Saturday during a tour of the plant.
Nazarbayev invited new Japanese Prime-Minister to Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulated Prime-Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe on the victory of the Liberal-Democratic Party at the Parliamentary elections.
New Japanese finance chief hits out at BoJ: reports
Japan's new finance chief hit out at the country's under-pressure central bank, reports said Thursday, saying it was "slow" in tackling deflation that has plagued the economy for years.
Japan's new govt to review zero-nuclear policy
Japan's new leaders set to work Thursday on dismantling plans to rid the country of nuclear power by 2040, pledging to review a post-Fukushima policy.
Asian student survivors of Hiroshima to be honoured
Hiroshima University said Thursday it would bestow honorary doctorates on three former students from Southeast Asia who survived the 1945 atomic bombing of the Japanese city.
Toyota says to sell 9.7 mn vehicles this year, up 22%
Toyota said Wednesday that it expects to sell 9.7 million vehicles globally this year, up 22 percent from 2011 as Japan's biggest automaker accelerates a recovery after last year's natural disasters.
China and emerging powers to pay more for UN
China, Brazil, India and other emerging powers agreed to major increases in their United Nations payments as the global body hammered out a new budget deal this week to avoid its own fiscal cliff.
Hawkish Abe to be named Japan's next prime minister
Japan's conservative leader Shinzo Abe is to be named as the country's new prime minister Wednesday, after he swept to power on a hawkish platform of getting tough on diplomacy while fixing the economy.
US-Japan joint venture picked for Mozambique gas project
A joint venture consisting of US company CB&I and Japan's Chiyoda Corporation has been picked to participate in a liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique.
Japan's new China envoy urges stronger economic ties
Japan's new envoy to China urged stronger economic ties with Beijing in an interview broadcast Monday, after the incoming premier pledged to mend bilateral ties strained by a bitter territorial row.
Japan's incoming PM pledges to mend ties with China
Japan's incoming premier Saturday pledged to seek a thaw in ties with China after a report said he will send a special envoy on a fence-mending mission to Beijing.
Mitsubishi expands oil leak recall to 1.7 mn vehicles
Mitsubishi Motors on Wednesday widened a recall over an oil leak issue on vehicles sold in Japan to about 1.7 million vehicles, prompting a rebuke from the country's transport ministry.
Record backing expected for UN anti-death penalty vote
A record number of countries are expected to back a UN General Assembly call for a moratorium on capital punishment on Thursday.
Group defiant over US ban on tackling Japan whalers
US conservation group Sea Shepherd vowed Tuesday to fight a US court order to stay at least 500 yards away from Japanese whaling ships, and to keep protecting whales "with our ships and our lives."
Toyota shares hit highest level this year
Toyota shares on Tuesday jumped to their highest level this year, boosted by a weaker yen and after a report said the firm was on track to be the world's biggest automaker in 2012.
Japan election candidates make final pitches
Hundreds of candidates vying for a seat in Japan's parliament made their final pitches on Saturday in an election expected to see the return of the country's old guard.
Candidate, 94, uses funeral fund for Japan election
A 94-year-old man who cashed in his funeral savings to use as an election deposit was out canvassing for votes Friday, just two days ahead of Japan's general election.