Page 57 - Japan
Helicopter money may be Japan's next big experiment
Japan may resort to financing state spending directly, or in other words putting money into the hands of companies
Tokyo prepares for 2020 Olympics, facing rising costs and new sports
Rising costs is one of the major concern for Tokyo and one never relax, if you are hosting Olympics, said John Coates, IOC members who heads the inspection team in Tokyo
 "Tokyo prepares for 2020 Olympics, facing rising costs and new sports")
Hundreds of flights grounded as typhoon nears Japan
241 flights were cancelled affecting more than 48,000 passengers
 "Hundreds of flights grounded as typhoon nears Japan")
Japan hit by 6.0 magnitude quake, no tsunami warning
Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of violent quakes every year
 "Japan hit by 6.0 magnitude quake, no tsunami warning")
Japan exports tumble most since financial crisis, policymakers meet over yen moves
Japan's exports have now fallen for 10 consecutive months, the longest losing streak since losses on US subprime mortgages sparked a global financial crisis that crippled the US financial system
 "Japan exports tumble most since financial crisis, policymakers meet over yen moves")
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's economy stalls in April-June, casts doubts on Abe's policies")
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 records biggest current account surplus since 2007")
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
 "Japan protests China's vessels around disputed islands")
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 says North Korea missile test 'outrageous act'")
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
 "Japan approves $130 billion fiscal steps as BOJ denies curbing stimulus")
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
 "Helicopter money talk takes flight as Bank of Japan runs out of runway")
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 to compile $265 billion stimulus, puts policy pressure on BOJ: Abe")
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 logs first half-year trade surplus since Fukushima")
