Work
Japan's smaller companies gain leeway to raise pay on steady profits
With slower growth in labor costs, wage hikes poised to spread to more industries
Japan
Markets
Japan and U.S. stock rallies fueled by tech on AI boom
Some see 1990s dot-com-style bubble, but current stock prices supported by earnings
Business deals
Nippon Steel executive to negotiate with union on U.S. Steel deal
Japan steelmaker aims to complete purchase before November presidential election
Commodities
Mitsubishi Corp. to invest in Canadian lithium project
Japanese trading house teams with Frontier for supply chain without China
Pharmaceuticals
Sumitomo Pharma to cut 400 jobs at U.S. subsidiary
Move comes amid slow sales as company eyes net loss for second straight year
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Announcements
Disco, Socionext and Zozo to be added to Nikkei 225
Takara Holdings, Sumitomo Osaka Cement and Pacific Metals to be deleted
Markets
Japan's Nikkei average closes above 40,000, led by booming chip stocks
Toyota, Fast Retailing fall while benchmark index crosses key milestone
Economy
Japan corporate capital spending jumps 16.4% in Q4
Solid data could pave way for Bank of Japan exit from stimulus
Automobiles
Japan antitrust watchdog to warn Nissan on underpaying subcontractors
Automaker alleged to have underpaid companies by $20m upon delivery
Energy
Japan's J-Power makes bid for Australian renewables firm Genex
$249m bid, at AU$0.275 per share, is nearly 50% premium on Friday close
Economy
More young Japanese choosing flexibility over full-time jobs
Rising trend raises questions about social security programs
Education
Japanese universities set to raise foreign student tuition
Colleges seek to attract global talent by offering better support
Defense
U.S. seeks to revive idled shipyards with help of Japan, South Korea
Navy secretary visits Hyundai, Hanwha and Mitsubishi to invite investment
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Food & Beverage
Wasabi exports grow as Japan cuisine gains fans overseas
Wasabi food makers tweak spiciness and products for foreign tastes
Arts
Oscar-winning director Ryusuke Hamaguchi and the art of storytelling
Japanese filmmaker shares how his life shaped films like 'Evil Does Not Exist'
Automobiles
Toyota, Honda hybrids power U.S. sales growth streak for Japanese cars
Automakers log 18% rise in volume in February along with Subaru and Mazda
Materials
High-tech Japan lab seeks breakthrough in contact lenses
R&D will use advanced radiation microscope to see molecular level
Defense
Japan to take part in AsterX space defense drill with NATO members
South Korea will also join as concerns rise over Russian and Chinese threats
Travel & Leisure
Bento food tourism lures visitors to Japan
Classes making 'character' meals increasingly seen as main purpose of visits
Politics
Japan's lower house passes $750bn fiscal 2024 budget
Second-biggest ever, includes funds for inflation and earthquake relief, defense
Defense
AUKUS weighs Japan's participation in defense tech development
Ahead of PM Kishida's visit in April, U.S. leads talks with U.K. and Australia
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Datawatch
Space superpower Russia falls down to earth
Orders for satellite launches plummet 90% as India and China fill the void
Society
Japanese ex-soldier wins U.S. award for her fight against sexual harassment
'Women of Courage' honor goes to 24-year-old Rina Gonoi, 11 others around the world
Environment
Malaysia's Petronas and Japanese partners team on carbon storage
Eneos, JX Nippon and Mitsubishi look to ship Tokyo Bay emissions to Malaysian oil field