Persian Realm

Japanese exports fall as firms reopen in China

Japanese exports fall as firms reopen in China (cnn)

• Dozens of Japanese factories and stores reopened in China after violent protests
• Exports to China, Tokyo's largest trading partner, dropped nearly 10% year-on-year in August
• Japanese automakers Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda and Suzuki, have reopened in China
• Panasonic has yet to reopen in Qingdao where part of its facility was set ablaze by protesters

Chinese outrage over islands troubles Japanese public

Chinese outrage over islands troubles Japanese public (cnn)

• Japanese public increasingly concerned by anti-Japanese backlash in China
• Centers on disputed islands known by Japan as Senkakus and by China as Diaoyu islands
• So far the reaction in Japan has been limited to few small-scale protests against China

Japan, China playing dangerous game

Japan, China playing dangerous game (cnn)

The standoff in the East China Sea over a handful of small islands is occurring amid political transition in China and Japan, and both countries are seemingly dug in. Can either side dial down the rhetoric? 

• Relations between China and Japan remain tense amid ongoing islands dispute
• Kingston: This is a dangerous game of brinksmanship, both countries have a lot to lose
• Fueled by territorial disputes, seabed resources, strategic ambitions, nationalism
• Political transition in both countries might be an opportunity to hit the reset button

China protests hit Japanese trade

China protests hit Japanese trade (bbc)

Japanese electronics maker Panasonic suspends some of its operations in China after anti-Japan protesters attacked two of its factories

Japan unveils plan to phase out nuclear power by 2030

Japan unveils a plan to phase out nuclear power by 2030, in a major policy shift after last year's Fukushima disaster

Japan marks Hiroshima anniversary

Japan marks the 67th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, amid growing anti-nuclear sentiments.

Japan's economy performed better than expected

Numbers up (bbc)

Japan's economy performed better than expected

Japan's economy performed better than had previously been estimated in the first three months of the year.

The Cabinet Office revised upwards growth figures for the period from a preliminary 1.0% to 1.2%, compared with the previous three months.

That translates to annualised growth of 4.7%, instead of the 4.1% figure reported in May.

The positive revision reflects better capital spending and stronger private consumption.

The data underpins a recovery driven mainly by government spending and improving domestic spending, after Japan was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March last year.

The economy was also hit by flooding in Thailand in late 2011, which disrupted supply chains and the production capabilities of many Japanese manufacturers.

Japanese exports have suffered after the yen rose to record highs in October, reaching 75.74 against the US dollar.

Aging Japan eyes Indian youth

Bank of Japan announces fresh stimulus to boost growth

The Bank of Japan increases its stimulus programme for the second time in just over two months in a bid boost economic growth

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has increased its stimulus programme for the second time in just over two months in a bid boost the country's economic growth.

The central bank said it would expand its purchase of Japanese government bonds by 10tn yen ($123bn; £76bn).

The move comes as Japan's economy continues to struggle amid a slowdown in key export markets such as the US and eurozone and weak domestic demand.

The BOJ also left its key interest rate unchanged between zero and 0.1%.

Okinawa deal between US and Japan to move marines

US and Japan reach Okinawa deal (bbc)

The United States agrees to move thousands of Marines based in Okinawa out of Japan to Hawaii, Guam and other locations in Asia.