Support for Japanese leader Abe drops after security bills

TOKYO (AP) — Public support for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has dropped sharply after his government pushed through highly contentious legislation last week to expand the role of the military.

Japan's growth surprises, but hold off on the party

Japan's economic growth is doing better than originally expected, but economists say to hold off the celebrations. Gross domestic product grew by an annualized 3.9% in the three months ended March, Japan's Cabinet Office said Monday.

Japan unveils $110 billion plan to fund Asia infrastructure, eye on AIIB

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan unveiled a plan on Thursday to provide $110 billion in aid for Asian infrastructure projects, as China prepares to launch a new institutional lender that is seen as encroaching on the regional financial clout of Tokyo and its ally Washington.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe calls snap election in December

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called an early election, two years ahead of schedule. At a news briefing, he said he would dissolve parliament later this week and was also delaying a planned but unpopular increase in sales tax.

Japan PM, Finance Minister unalarmed by weak yen for now

(Reuters) - Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso said the yen, which struck a six-year low against the dollar last week, was not particularly weak, while Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the currency's decline was both good and bad for the economy.

Shinzo Abe launches 'third arrow' of Japanese economic reform

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe outlined his long-awaited growth strategy on Tuesday spearheaded by promises of expanded childcare to bring more women into the workforce and an investment boom.

Japan to cut corporate tax rate below 30 percent within a few years: source

(Reuters) - Japan plans to lower the corporate tax rate below 30 percent within a few years starting from the next fiscal year, a source told Reuters on Thursday, as part of premier Shinzo Abe's package of steps to boost Japan's growth potential.

BOJ projects inflation exceeding 2 percent, keeps bullish view intact

(Reuters) - The Bank of Japan projected for the first time on Wednesday that inflation will exceed 2 percent roughly two years from now, underscoring its conviction that a sustained end to deflation is on the horizon without additional stimulus.

Yen Weakness in Foreigners’ Hands Leaves Abe Exposed: Currencies

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is entirely dependent on foreigners to deliver the weaker yen that’s the linchpin of his economic policies.

Japan’s Abe Pledges Funds to Help Mozambique Energy Sources Grow

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to invest 70 billion yen ($672 million) in development projects in Mozambique during the next five years as he seeks to secure natural gas supplies from southern Africa.

ECB’s Hansson Says Rate Cut Options Not Fully Exhausted

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s reliance on fiscal and monetary easing to defeat deflation may precipitate a “plunge” in the yen and sovereign bonds, said Noriko Hama, an economics professor at Doshisha University’s Business School in Kyoto.

Abe Aide Urges BOJ Law Revision to Boost Inflation Expectations

Japan should revise its central bank law to make it accountable for job creation and ending deflation, said Etsuro Honda, an economic adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Bank of Japan to hold policy, debate emerging market risks

TOKYO: The Bank of Japan may hold off on declaring the world's third-largest economy has cemented its recovery at a policy review this week as it waits to see the fallout on activity from slowing growth and capital outflows in emerging nations.

No need to hurry with sales tax hikes: Japan PM adviser Koichi Hamada

TOKYO: Japan's government has no need to hurry to raise the sales tax and could consider delaying its scheduled increase by one year, an adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said after data showed the economy expanded less than expected in the second quarter.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe hints at possible tax hike delay

TOKYO: Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Sunday an upper house election will take place on July 21 and voiced the possibility of delaying a consumption tax hike scheduled for next year if the economy remains weak.

Japan Risks Yield Jump Undermining BOJ Easing, Fiscal Panel Says

A Japanese government fiscal advisory panel warned that a failure to improve the nation’s finances could trigger a spike in bond yields that makes central bank easing less effective.

Japan passes $142 billion stimulus budget

TOKYO:Japan's parliament on Tuesday passed a $142 billion extra budget that forms a key part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to tackle the deflation that has dogged the economy for years.

Euro Rallies to Highest Since 2011 as ECB Balance Sheet Shrinks

The euro touched the highest level against the dollar in 14 months as the European Central Bank’s balance sheet contracted while the Federal Reserve said it would continue pumping money into the U.S. economy.

Japan Said to Have Bought 10.3 Percent of ESM Bonds in January

Japan purchased 10.3 percent of bonds issued by the European Stability Mechanism last month, a step which may help to deflect overseas criticism of the country’s monetary easing.

Japan PM adviser urges unlimited BOJ easing, higher price goal

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan should buy more long-dated government bonds and a wider variety of risk asset types, including foreign bonds, to achieve 2 to 3 percent inflation, Koichi Hamada, a special economic adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said on Thursday.