3:42pm

Japanese voters disillusioned by politics

Attention falls short on people affected by tsunami

4:06pm

China flies aircraft over disputed islands

Tokyo scrambles fighter jets and makes formal protest

9:34am

Q&A: the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands

Key facts about the disputed group of small islands in the East China Sea

Chinese demonstrators set fire to a Japanese national flag during a protest over the Diaoyu islands ©AFP From COMMENT 7:10pm

Asia: Sparring partners

Protests in China against Japan’s attempts to secure a group of islands are taking a toll on both

Dec 12, 2012

Japan tunnel collapse changes poll debate

Tragedy makes it acceptable for politicians to promise more spending

Yamba mega dam in Tokyo, Japan ©AFP Dec 12, 2012

Japan dam debacle shows DPJ’s failings

U-turns over Yamba Dam highlight indecision of ruling DPJ

Ingram Pinn illustration Sebastian Mallaby Sebastian Mallaby from COMMENT Dec 11, 2012

Japan should scare the eurozone

Europe risks replicating Japan’s lost decades

Japan Restoration Party leader and nationalist former Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara (2nd R) and his deputy and popular Osaka mayor Toru Hashimoto (2nd L) hold speeches for voters atop of a campaign van in Tokyo December 9, 2012. Japan's conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) looks on course to win a surprisingly solid majority in a December 16 parliamentary election, media polls showed on Thursday, returning to power with a hawkish former premier at the helm. The newly launched, right-leaning Japan Restoration Party founded by popular Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto ©Reuters Dec 11, 2012

Japan’s ‘odd couple’ struggle to be heard

Ishihara and Hashimoto forging populist campaign

People crossing a street are reflected on the electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo ©AP John Plender from COMMENT Dec 10, 2012

Monetary policy: Back under control

Attacks on central bank independence are on the rise, but nowhere more than in Japan

japanese exports ©Reuters Dec 10, 2012

Japan enters recession before election

Contraction a blow to Noda ahead of vote

Trading Post from MARKETS Dec 10, 2012

Nikkei looks vulnerable short-term

Abe win already priced in and weaker dollar may also hit stocks

Dec 9, 2012

Philippines backs rearming of Japan

Manila seeks balance to China’s power

Dec 7, 2012

Strong earthquake hits northeast Japan

No immediate reports of significant damage from magnitude-7.3 tremor

Dec 7, 2012

Family ties trump card in Japan elections

Networking power and family name count for a lot at election time

Dec 6, 2012

Japan’s opposition LDP ahead in surveys

Ten-year bond futures rise on expectations of further stimulus

Dec 6, 2012

China looms large over Japanese poll

Critics argue Abe election would damage tense relations with Beijing

Dec 5, 2012

Candidates vie for BoJ governorship

LDP win would put Toshiro Muto among frontrunners

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

From GLOBAL ECONOMY Dec 4, 2012

Arctic voyage opens way for ‘ice rush’

Tanker routes point to opportunities amid climate fears

Dec 4, 2012

Economic indecision turns off Japan voters

Main parties bound by pact on tax and social security reform