2:44pm

Japan’s opposition LDP ahead in surveys

Ten-year bond futures rise on expectations of further stimulus

8:35am

China looms large over Japanese poll

Critics argue Abe election would damage tense relations with Beijing

10:18pm

Candidates vie for BoJ governorship

LDP win would put Toshiro Muto among frontrunners

Ferguson ©Ferguson David Pilling from COMMENT Dec 5, 2012

Old rivalries stir in Japan and Korea

The differences in the elections in Asia’s second and fourth-largest economies are striking

First ship Ob River cross the top of the world from Scandinavia to Asia. ©EPA From GLOBAL ECONOMY Dec 4, 2012

Arctic voyage opens way for ‘ice rush’

Tanker routes point to opportunities amid climate fears

Shinzo Abe ©EPA Dec 4, 2012

Economic indecision turns off Japan voters

Main parties bound by pact on tax and social security reform

Dec 4, 2012

Japan’s election campaign kicks off

Prime minister and main rival woo voters in Fukushima

solar energy panels in Tokyo ©Bloomberg From SPECIAL REPORTS Dec 4, 2012

Japan seeks new normal after Mar 2011 disaster

Capacity to adapt essential to tackle challenges

Rescue workers and police gather outside the Sasago tunnel in Japan ©Getty Dec 3, 2012

Japan orders tunnel checks after deaths

Road disaster puts spotlight on public safety

People in Tokyo's Ginza district ©AFP From UK Dec 2, 2012

Japan holds UK’s economic policy clues

Tokyo’s experience offers lessons for Britain’s policy makers

From COMPANIES Dec 2, 2012

Japan bank chief warns on bond exposure

Tokyo-Mitsubishi’s Hirano says lenders powerless to alter position

Dec 2, 2012

Fears grow in Japan tunnel collapse

Seven missing and several feared dead in 4.7km tunnel

Dec 2, 2012

Japan grapples with nuclear question

Parties’ policies unclear ahead of December election

From MARKETS Nov 30, 2012

Yen falls after foreign bond move floated

Japan’s opposition leader comments hint at debt purchases

Nov 30, 2012

Abe talks tough on China before election

Japan’s former PM in pole position to regain power

Nov 30, 2012

Japan’s Abe in U-turn on BoJ attack

Opposition leader will not dictate policy if he wins election

From GLOBAL ECONOMY Nov 30, 2012

EU to pursue Japan trade deal

Bilateral initiative has inflamed struggling European carmakers

Nov 30, 2012

Japan unveils $11bn stimulus package

Noda government acts ahead of December 16 election

Markets Insight from MARKETS Nov 29, 2012

Tokyo faces weak yen and high bond yields

Tension between government and central bank set to escalate

From COMMENT Nov 27, 2012

Japan’s nationalism is a sign of weakness

If the country looks inward, both it and the world will be worse off, writes Joseph Nye