Business deals
Nippon Steel sees path toward U.S. Steel deal after November election
Management expects political climate to be calmer following presidential race
Property
Japanese-style suburban communities set to pop up outside Metro Manila
Nomura Real Estate embarks on project with Philippine partner Federal Land
Japan immigration
Japan eyes new language test to help foreigners live in country
Effort part of sweeping immigration reforms aimed at attracting talent
Podcast: News Roundup
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Automobiles
Nissan shuts down China auto plant in eastern city of Changzhou
Japanese carmaker aims to trim output capacity amid sales slump
Retail
Uniqlo parent to digitally track materials across its supply chain
Fast Retailing wants to keep stores well stocked by collecting factory data
SoftBank
SoftBank's Son lays out ambitious mission on 'artificial super intelligence'
Conglomerate's shares drop 3.8% at one point after the meeting
South China Sea
Philippines wants China economic ties despite tensions: top official
Manila hopes Japan will take a larger economic role, including more ODA funding
Inflation
Japan's inflation rose in May due to rising electricity costs
Core CPI gained 2.5%, accelarating for the first time in three months
South China Sea
China says Japan has 'no right to intervene' in sea dispute with Philippines
Beijing's embassy slams Tokyo's statement after latest South China Sea incident
Books
'Cozy fiction' fires British appetite for Japanese novels in translation
Toshikazu Kawaguchi's 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' tops best-seller chart
Business Spotlight
The AI scramble: Why SoftBank, KDDI and others are racing for Sharp's LCD factory
As Japan aspires to be a major player in AI it is desperate for data centers
Companies
Tractor maker Yanmar eyes India, Africa in quest to double overseas sales
Under new Turkish-born boss, Japanese brand fights for piece of emerging markets
Defense
European powers step up air, sea drills in Japan's backyard -- and China's
Italy, Germany and France among nations sending ships and planes to region
Business trends
Bangladesh attracts more global factories, from Japan's Lion to Godiva
Manufacturers drawn to cheap labor and growing market in effort to diversify
Finance
SBI-backed Japan firm plans $630m fund to buy cross-held shares
Keystone taps growing demand as regulators and TSE push for reform
Politics
Tokyo's governor election race kicks off amid political distrust
Koike vs. Renho race reflects popularity contest between LDP and opposition
Companies
Hitachi eyes Singapore and Malaysia rail markets in race with China
Talks with India 'ongoing' for high-speed trains, says Hitachi's rail chief
Interview
Germany to push for Chinese contributions to climate finance
Beijing has capacity to fund others, says envoy Jennifer Morgan prior to visit
Transportation
Australia's Qantas drops Sapporo flight idea over labor shortages
Japan faces ground staff shortage as oil refiners struggle to meet surging demand
Materials
Komatsu opens Central Asia hub to tap mining rush for EV metals
Region's reserves of lithium and more draw attention as China curbs exports
Currencies
Yen sell-off broadens with fresh lows against U.K. pound, Swiss franc
Japan currency weakens amid limited intervention impact outside of dollar
Food & Beverage
Japanese ice cream melts hearts in Asia with record exports
Taiwan is top overseas market, with Malaysia emerging as new battleground
Japan immigration
Japan to ease financial burden on Vietnamese migrant workers
Employers to pay half of recruitment costs under new program
Companies
Japan's Marubeni steps up bets on Southeast Asian consumer business
Trading house looking for several investments over $60m each annually