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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-asks-japan-to-hike-payments-for-us-troops-to-8-billion-foreign-policy-262592">Japan</a> Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's approval rating has taken a hit in the past month, a media poll shows, amid opposition accusations that his office may have violated political spending laws.

Allegations that his political office sponsored a party for supporters are the latest in a string of gift-giving scandals that have brought down politicians across Japan in recent months, eroding public sentiment.

A monthly Yomiuri Shimbun poll conducted late last week showed an approval rating of 49 per cent&nbsp;for Abe's cabinet, down 6 points from the October poll, and falling below 50 per cent&nbsp;for the first time since February.

The disapproval rating rose to 36 per cent&nbsp;from 34 per cent&nbsp;last month, with 45 per cent&nbsp;of respondents citing "lack of trust in the prime minister" over the party-funding allegations.

Abe on Monday confirmed that 800 guests attended the dinner reception at a five-star hotel in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-emperor-performs-thanksgiving-rite-with-sun-goddess-262141">central Tokyo</a> in April, which he and his wife attended, adding that attendees each paid a 5,000 yen ($46) admission fee.

"Neither my office nor the party's supporters organisation contributed funding towards admission for guests or myself at the dinner event," Abe told reporters on Monday, adding that his office held no record of the event.

Opposition parties say that the admission price was much lower than that of other receptions held at the Hotel New Otani, which start at 11,000 yen per head, according to the hotel's website. They say if Abe subsidised the admission, it may violate the Political Offices Election Law and Political Funds Control Law.

"Abe has said that his office sponsored the reception, so it's mandatory that it keeps records of the event for bookkeeping purposes," Jun Azumi, deputy secretary-general of the centre-left Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, told reporters. "The fact that these records do not exist shows that his office had no intention to keep such records, that his office doesn't acknowledge the event. This is an issue."

Politicians are strictly forbidden to give anything to constituents that even hints at being a gift. The rule is so strict that one cabinet minister quit in 2014 after distributing paper fans during the summer.

Last month, two government officials separately resigned over accusations that they had given fruit and vegetables to constituents as gifts.

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's approval rating has taken a hit in the past month, a media poll shows, amid opposition accusations that his office may have violated political spending laws.

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's approval rating has taken a hit in the past month, a media poll shows, amid opposition accusations that his office may have violated political spending laws. Allegations that his political office sponsored a party for supporters are the latest in a string of gift-giving scandals that have brought down politicians across Japan in recent months, eroding public sentiment. A monthly Yomiuri Shimbun poll conducted late last week showed an approval rating of 49 per cent for Abe's cabinet, down 6 points from the October poll, and falling below 50 per cent for the first time since February. The disapproval rating rose to 36 per cent from 34 per cent last month, with 45 per cent of respondents citing "lack of trust in the prime minister" over the party-funding allegations. Abe on Monday confirmed that 800 guests attended the dinner reception at a five-star hotel in central Tokyo in April, which he and his wife attended, adding that attendees each paid a 5,000 yen ($46) admission fee. "Neither my office nor the party's supporters organisation contributed funding towards admission for guests or myself at the dinner event," Abe told reporters on Monday, adding that his office held no record of the event. Opposition parties say that the admission price was much lower than that of other receptions held at the Hotel New Otani, which start at 11,000 yen per head, according to the hotel's website. They say if Abe subsidised the admission, it may violate the Political Offices Election Law and Political Funds Control Law. "Abe has said that his office sponsored the reception, so it's mandatory that it keeps records of the event for bookkeeping purposes," Jun Azumi, deputy secretary-general of the centre-left Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, told reporters. "The fact that these records do not exist shows that his office had no intention to keep such records, that his office doesn't acknowledge the event. This is an issue." Politicians are strictly forbidden to give anything to constituents that even hints at being a gift. The rule is so strict that one cabinet minister quit in 2014 after distributing paper fans during the summer. Last month, two government officials separately resigned over accusations that they had given fruit and vegetables to constituents as gifts.

Japanese prime minister Abe's approval rating sags due to accusations of violating laws for political spending

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Japan's SoftBank Corp plans to merge internet unit Yahoo Japan with messaging app operator Line Corp to create a $30 billion tech giant, as it strives better compete to with local rival Rakuten and US tech powerhouses.

The deal, which would combine the providers of two of Japan's top QR code payment services, offers SoftBank access to 164 million Line users and their data in Japan and Southeast Asia as it expands into services outside its core wireless business.

It also offers Line a deep-pocket patron who can offer its tech expertise, including potentially via the giant Vision Fund.

The deal comes as SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son battles to restore his reputation after a disastrous investment in office-sharing firm WeWork.

Telecoms firm SoftBank Corp said in a statement that Yahoo Japan, which last month changed its name to Z Holdings Corp, would aim to complete its merger with Line, owned by South Korea's Naver Corp, in October 2020.

The companies plan to reach a definitive agreement by next month in a transaction that would see SoftBank Corp and Naver form a 50:50 venture that would control Z Holdings, which in turn would operate Yahoo Japan and Line.

SoftBank Corp and Naver, which owns 73 per cent of money-losing Line, plan to launch a tender offer for Line's remaining shares at 5,200 yen each - a 13.4 per cent&nbsp;premium to the shares' price before news of the merger broke. That values Line at about $12 billion.

Line's shares closed up 2.2 per cent&nbsp;at 5,150 yen after the announcement. Shares in Z Holdings rose 1.2 per cent, with Naver's shares up 2.9 per cent&nbsp;and SoftBank Corp's down 0.3 per cent.

Line has been looking for growth through expansion into areas such as QR code payments with Line Pay but has been squeezed because of its limited funds and heavy-spending peers including SoftBank, which has a rival service called PayPay.

The merger of Japan's most popular messaging app and one of the country's top online retailers is the latest consolidation in its tech industry and comes as Rakuten is expanding into SoftBank's core business with the launch of mobile services.

SoftBank this month completed its acquisition of online fashion retailer Zozo Inc, whose founder and ex-Chief Executive Yusaku Maezawa sold down his stake following a series of missteps.

The merger is driven by the two companies' "sense of crisis" over the rise of tech giants from the U.S. and China, Line CEO Takeshi Idezawa told a news conference, wearing a tie in Yahoo Japan's red corporate colour.

SoftBank Group's Son frequently laments Japan's tardiness in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, with Monday's presentation showing even after combining the company's research and development budget would be dwarfed by overseas rivals.

Yahoo Japan CEO Kentaro Kawabe, who was wearing a tie in Line's corporate green, declined to comment on which services would be combined or abolished post-merger.

Line launched to overcome downed networks in the aftermath of a 2011 earthquake and tsunami before building a strong following with its use of colourful emojis, eventually listing in 2016.

However, the messaging service struggled to make inroads in countries dominated by apps like Facebook's Whatapp and eventually retrenched in its core markets of Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia.

Coming at a time of heightened political tension between Japan and South Korea, the merger might be the two countries' most significant economic cooperation of the last decade, Jaewoong Lee, a South Korean serial entrepreneur and founder of Naver rival Daum wrote on his Facebook page late on Sunday.

Z Holdings will continue to be a consolidated subsidiary of SoftBank Corp, which is a unit of investment conglomerate SoftBank Group Corp.

SoftBank retained Mizuho Securities, a unit of Mizuho Financial Group, as its financial advisor. Naver retained Deutsche Bank.

Japan's SoftBank Corp plans to merge internet unit Yahoo Japan with messaging app operator Line Corp to create a $30 billion tech giant, as it strives better compete to with local rival Rakuten and US tech powerhouses.

Japan's SoftBank Corp plans to merge internet unit Yahoo Japan with messaging app operator Line Corp to create a $30 billion tech giant, as it strives better compete to with local rival Rakuten and US tech powerhouses. The deal, which would combine the providers of two of Japan's top QR code payment services, offers SoftBank access to 164 million Line users and their data in Japan and Southeast Asia as it expands into services outside its core wireless business. It also offers Line a deep-pocket patron who can offer its tech expertise, including potentially via the giant Vision Fund. The deal comes as SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son battles to restore his reputation after a disastrous investment in office-sharing firm WeWork. Telecoms firm SoftBank Corp said in a statement that Yahoo Japan, which last month changed its name to Z Holdings Corp, would aim to complete its merger with Line, owned by South Korea's Naver Corp, in October 2020. The companies plan to reach a definitive agreement by next month in a transaction that would see SoftBank Corp and Naver form a 50:50 venture that would control Z Holdings, which in turn would operate Yahoo Japan and Line. SoftBank Corp and Naver, which owns 73 per cent of money-losing Line, plan to launch a tender offer for Line's remaining shares at 5,200 yen each - a 13.4 per cent premium to the shares' price before news of the merger broke. That values Line at about $12 billion. Line's shares closed up 2.2 per cent at 5,150 yen after the announcement. Shares in Z Holdings rose 1.2 per cent, with Naver's shares up 2.9 per cent and SoftBank Corp's down 0.3 per cent. Line has been looking for growth through expansion into areas such as QR code payments with Line Pay but has been squeezed because of its limited funds and heavy-spending peers including SoftBank, which has a rival service called PayPay. The merger of Japan's most popular messaging app and one of the country's top online retailers is the latest consolidation in its tech industry and comes as Rakuten is expanding into SoftBank's core business with the launch of mobile services. SoftBank this month completed its acquisition of online fashion retailer Zozo Inc, whose founder and ex-Chief Executive Yusaku Maezawa sold down his stake following a series of missteps. The merger is driven by the two companies' "sense of crisis" over the rise of tech giants from the U.S. and China, Line CEO Takeshi Idezawa told a news conference, wearing a tie in Yahoo Japan's red corporate colour. SoftBank Group's Son frequently laments Japan's tardiness in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, with Monday's presentation showing even after combining the company's research and development budget would be dwarfed by overseas rivals. Yahoo Japan CEO Kentaro Kawabe, who was wearing a tie in Line's corporate green, declined to comment on which services would be combined or abolished post-merger. Line launched to overcome downed networks in the aftermath of a 2011 earthquake and tsunami before building a strong following with its use of colourful emojis, eventually listing in 2016. However, the messaging service struggled to make inroads in countries dominated by apps like Facebook's Whatapp and eventually retrenched in its core markets of Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia. Coming at a time of heightened political tension between Japan and South Korea, the merger might be the two countries' most significant economic cooperation of the last decade, Jaewoong Lee, a South Korean serial entrepreneur and founder of Naver rival Daum wrote on his Facebook page late on Sunday. Z Holdings will continue to be a consolidated subsidiary of SoftBank Corp, which is a unit of investment conglomerate SoftBank Group Corp. SoftBank retained Mizuho Securities, a unit of Mizuho Financial Group, as its financial advisor. Naver retained Deutsche Bank.

SoftBank to create $30 billion tech giant with Yahoo Japan, Line Corp merger

&nbsp;A Japanese space probe is heading home from an asteroid 250 million km (155 million miles) from Earth after collecting sub-surface samples that could help scientists seeking the origins of life, Japan's space agency said on Monday.

Asteroids are believed to have formed at the dawn of the solar system and scientists say the asteroid, called Ryugu, may contain organic matter that may have contributed to life on Earth.

If the return trip is completed successfully, that will be the first time samples from beneath an asteroid's surface have been brought back to Earth, a spokeswoman for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said.

The unmanned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../japans-hayabusa2-probe-lands-successfully-on- asteroid-234824">Hayabusa 2</a>, named after a falcon, began leaving <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../japanese-spacecraft-hayabusa2-lands-on-ryugu- asteroid-takes-samples-198878">Ryugu </a>last week, but it is still sending images back to Earth.

Those observations will be wrapped up on Monday or Tuesday before its main engine is activated for the year-long flight, JAXA said.

"This is us bidding farewell to Ryugu," the spokeswoman said.

Hayabusa 2 is scheduled to return to Earth by the end of 2020. After dropping off a capsule containing the samples, without landing, the probe itself will keep on going and fly away into space, finishing its six-year, 29 billion yen ($266 million) mission.

A Japanese space probe is heading home from an asteroid 250 million km (155 million miles) from Earth after collecting sub-surface samples that could help scientists seeking the origins of life, Japan's space agency said on Monday.

A Japanese space probe is heading home from an asteroid 250 million km (155 million miles) from Earth after collecting sub-surface samples that could help scientists seeking the origins of life, Japan's space agency said on Monday. Asteroids are believed to have formed at the dawn of the solar system and scientists say the asteroid, called Ryugu, may contain organic matter that may have contributed to life on Earth. If the return trip is completed successfully, that will be the first time samples from beneath an asteroid's surface have been brought back to Earth, a spokeswoman for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said. The unmanned Hayabusa 2, named after a falcon, began leaving Ryugu last week, but it is still sending images back to Earth. Those observations will be wrapped up on Monday or Tuesday before its main engine is activated for the year-long flight, JAXA said. "This is us bidding farewell to Ryugu," the spokeswoman said. Hayabusa 2 is scheduled to return to Earth by the end of 2020. After dropping off a capsule containing the samples, without landing, the probe itself will keep on going and fly away into space, finishing its six-year, 29 billion yen ($266 million) mission.

Japan space probe on its way back after asteroid mission

Japan's&nbsp;SoftBank&nbsp;Corp&nbsp;plans to merge internet unit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/yahoo-japan-bids-for-control-of-fashion-e-tailer-zozo-for-37-billion-249306">Yahoo&nbsp;Japan</a>&nbsp;with messaging app operator&nbsp;Line&nbsp;Corp&nbsp;to&nbsp;create&nbsp;a $30&nbsp;billion&nbsp;tech&nbsp;giant, as it strives better compete to with local rival Rakuten and US&nbsp;tech&nbsp;powerhouses.

The deal, which would combine the providers of two of&nbsp;Japan's top QR code payment services, offers&nbsp;SoftBank&nbsp;access to 164 million&nbsp;Line&nbsp;users and their data in&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;and Southeast Asia as it expands into services outside its core wireless business.

It also offers&nbsp;Line&nbsp;a deep-pocket patron who can offer its&nbsp;tech&nbsp;expertise, including potentially via the&nbsp;giant&nbsp;Vision Fund.

The deal comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/softbank-backed-oyo-to-raise-15-billion-led-by-founder-other-existing-investors-254242">SoftBank&nbsp;Group</a> founder Masayoshi Son battles to restore his reputation after a disastrous investment in office-sharing firm WeWork.

Telecoms firm&nbsp;SoftBank&nbsp;Corp&nbsp;said in a statement that&nbsp;Yahoo&nbsp;Japan, which last month changed its name to Z Holdings&nbsp;Corp, would aim to complete its&nbsp;merger&nbsp;with&nbsp;Line, owned by South Korea's Naver&nbsp;Corp, in October 2020.

The companies plan to reach a definitive agreement by next month in a transaction that would see&nbsp;SoftBank&nbsp;Corp&nbsp;and Naver form a 50:50 venture that would control Z Holdings, which in turn would operate&nbsp;Yahoo&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;and&nbsp;Line.

SoftBank&nbsp;Corp&nbsp;and Naver, which owns 73 per cent&nbsp;of money-losing&nbsp;Line, plan to launch a tender offer for&nbsp;Line's remaining shares at 5,200 yen each - a 13.4 per cent&nbsp;premium to the shares' price before news of the&nbsp;merger&nbsp;broke. That values&nbsp;Line&nbsp;at about $12&nbsp;billion.

Line's shares closed up 2.2 per cent&nbsp;at 5,150 yen after the announcement. Shares in Z Holdings rose 1.2 per cent, with Naver's shares up 2.9 per cent&nbsp;and&nbsp;SoftBank&nbsp;Corp's down 0.3 per cent.

Line&nbsp;has been looking for growth through expansion into areas such as QR code payments with&nbsp;Line&nbsp;Pay, but has been squeezed because of its limited funds and heavy-spending peers including&nbsp;SoftBank, which has a rival service called PayPay.

The&nbsp;merger&nbsp;of&nbsp;Japan's most popular messaging app and one of the country's top online&nbsp;retailers is the latest consolidation in its&nbsp;tech&nbsp;industry, and comes as Rakuten is expanding into&nbsp;SoftBank's core business with the launch of mobile services.

SoftBank&nbsp;this month completed its acquisition of online&nbsp;fashion retailer Zozo Inc, whose founder and ex-Chief Executive Yusaku Maezawa sold down his stake following a series of missteps.

The&nbsp;merger&nbsp;is driven by the two companies' "sense of crisis" over the rise of&nbsp;tech&nbsp;giants from the US&nbsp;and China,&nbsp;Line&nbsp;CEO Takeshi Idezawa told a news conference, wearing a tie in&nbsp;Yahoo&nbsp;Japan's red&nbsp;corporate colour.

SoftBank&nbsp;Group's Son frequently laments&nbsp;Japan's tardiness in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, with Monday's presentation showing even after combining the company's research and development budget would be dwarfed by overseas rivals.

Yahoo&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;CEO Kentaro Kawabe, who was wearing a tie in&nbsp;Line's&nbsp;corporate green, declined to comment on which services would be combined or abolished post-merger.

Line&nbsp;launched to overcome downed networks in the aftermath of a 2011 earthquake and tsunami before building a strong following with its use of colourful emojis, eventually listing in 2016.

However, the messaging service struggled to make inroads in countries dominated by apps like <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nso-snoop-row-how-pegasus-broke-into-whatsapp-260055">Facebook's Whatapp</a> and eventually retrenched in its core markets of&nbsp;Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia.

Coming at a time of heightened political tension between&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;and South Korea, the&nbsp;merger&nbsp;might be the two countries' most significant economic cooperation of the last decade, Jaewoong Lee, a South Korean serial entrepreneur and founder of Naver rival Daum wrote on his Facebook page late on Sunday.

Z Holdings will continue to be a consolidated subsidiary of&nbsp;SoftBank&nbsp;Corp, which is a unit of investment conglomerate&nbsp;SoftBank&nbsp;Group&nbsp;Corp.

SoftBank&nbsp;retained Mizuho Securities, a unit of Mizuho Financial Group, as its financial advisor. Naver retained Deutsche Bank.

Japan's SoftBank Corp plans to merge internet unit Yahoo Japan with messaging app operator Line Corp to create a $30 billion tech giant, as it strives better compete to with local rival Rakuten and US tech powerhouses. The deal, which would combine the providers of two of Japan's top QR code payment services, offers SoftBank access to 164 million Line users and their data in Japan and Southeast Asia as it expands into services outside its core wireless business. It also offers Line a deep-pocket patron who can offer its tech expertise, including potentially via the giant Vision Fund. The deal comes as SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son battles to restore his reputation after a disastrous investment in office-sharing firm WeWork. Telecoms firm SoftBank Corp said in a statement that Yahoo Japan, which last month changed its name to Z Holdings Corp, would aim to complete its merger with Line, owned by South Korea's Naver Corp, in October 2020. The companies plan to reach a definitive agreement by next month in a transaction that would see SoftBank Corp and Naver form a 50:50 venture that would control Z Holdings, which in turn would operate Yahoo Japan and Line. SoftBank Corp and Naver, which owns 73 per cent of money-losing Line, plan to launch a tender offer for Line's remaining shares at 5,200 yen each - a 13.4 per cent premium to the shares' price before news of the merger broke. That values Line at about $12 billion. Line's shares closed up 2.2 per cent at 5,150 yen after the announcement. Shares in Z Holdings rose 1.2 per cent, with Naver's shares up 2.9 per cent and SoftBank Corp's down 0.3 per cent. Line has been looking for growth through expansion into areas such as QR code payments with Line Pay, but has been squeezed because of its limited funds and heavy-spending peers including SoftBank, which has a rival service called PayPay. The merger of Japan's most popular messaging app and one of the country's top online retailers is the latest consolidation in its tech industry, and comes as Rakuten is expanding into SoftBank's core business with the launch of mobile services. SoftBank this month completed its acquisition of online fashion retailer Zozo Inc, whose founder and ex-Chief Executive Yusaku Maezawa sold down his stake following a series of missteps. The merger is driven by the two companies' "sense of crisis" over the rise of tech giants from the US and China, Line CEO Takeshi Idezawa told a news conference, wearing a tie in Yahoo Japan's red corporate colour. SoftBank Group's Son frequently laments Japan's tardiness in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, with Monday's presentation showing even after combining the company's research and development budget would be dwarfed by overseas rivals. Yahoo Japan CEO Kentaro Kawabe, who was wearing a tie in Line's corporate green, declined to comment on which services would be combined or abolished post-merger. Line launched to overcome downed networks in the aftermath of a 2011 earthquake and tsunami before building a strong following with its use of colourful emojis, eventually listing in 2016. However, the messaging service struggled to make inroads in countries dominated by apps like Facebook's Whatapp and eventually retrenched in its core markets of Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia. Coming at a time of heightened political tension between Japan and South Korea, the merger might be the two countries' most significant economic cooperation of the last decade, Jaewoong Lee, a South Korean serial entrepreneur and founder of Naver rival Daum wrote on his Facebook page late on Sunday. Z Holdings will continue to be a consolidated subsidiary of SoftBank Corp, which is a unit of investment conglomerate SoftBank Group Corp. SoftBank retained Mizuho Securities, a unit of Mizuho Financial Group, as its financial advisor. Naver retained Deutsche Bank.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday held bilateral meetings with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono and the United States Secretary of Defence Mark T Esper on sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Minister's Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). 
 
"Had a wonderful interaction with Japan's Minister of Defence, Mr&nbsp;Taro Kono. We had a detailed discussion on adding further momentum to India-Japan defence cooperation," Singh tweeted.

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Had a wonderful interaction with Japan’s Minister of Defence, Mr. Taro Kono. 
 
We had a detailed discussion on adding further momentum to India-Japan defence cooperation. <a href="https://t.co/WaiTt6GPTI">pic.twitter.com/WaiTt6GPTI</a>
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1195927720183529473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The ADMM-Plus meeting will witness the participation of defence ministers from ASEAN member countries and eight other nations. The ministers would gather and discuss the way forward for security cooperation in this meeting. 
 
Prior to this, Singh also had a fruitful discussion with Esper over boosting defence cooperation between India and the US as well as the opportunities and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. 
 
"Had an excellent meeting with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-meets-mark-esper-on-the-sidelines-of-admm-plus-meeting-in-bangkok-262660">US Secretary of Defence, Dr&nbsp;Mark T Esper</a> in Bangkok today. We talked about ways to expand defence cooperation between India and the United States," Singh said. 
 
"Productive discussion today with Indian MinDef Rajnath Singh on opportunities and challenges in the #IndoPacific. As the largest democracy in the world, India is a major defence partner and has an essential role in maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean region," Esper tweeted. 
 
Singh, earlier today, told that the ASEAN cooperation forms a central point in India's Act East policy. 
 
He said that the forum will provide an opportunity to deliberate on sustainable security, terrorism and coastal security. 
 
"Security can only be successful if it is sustainable," the minister stressed. 
 
Later today, Singh will also inaugurate the India pavilion at the Defence and Security Exhibition in Bangkok. He will address the business seminar and interact with the industry representatives. 
 
As part of the agenda for the ADMM Plus meeting, Singh will also release the Handbook on Military Medicine for ASEAN along with the Defence Minister of Myanmar. 
 
A courtesy call with&nbsp;the Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha will also take place during the visit.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday held bilateral meetings with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono and the United States Secretary of Defence Mark T Esper on sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Minister's Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday held bilateral meetings with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono and the United States Secretary of Defence Mark T Esper on sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Minister's Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). "Had a wonderful interaction with Japan's Minister of Defence, Mr Taro Kono. We had a detailed discussion on adding further momentum to India-Japan defence cooperation," Singh tweeted. Had a wonderful interaction with Japan’s Minister of Defence, Mr. Taro Kono. We had a detailed discussion on adding further momentum to India-Japan defence cooperation. pic.twitter.com/WaiTt6GPTI — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 17, 2019 × The ADMM-Plus meeting will witness the participation of defence ministers from ASEAN member countries and eight other nations. The ministers would gather and discuss the way forward for security cooperation in this meeting. Prior to this, Singh also had a fruitful discussion with Esper over boosting defence cooperation between India and the US as well as the opportunities and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. "Had an excellent meeting with US Secretary of Defence, Dr Mark T Esper in Bangkok today. We talked about ways to expand defence cooperation between India and the United States," Singh said. "Productive discussion today with Indian MinDef Rajnath Singh on opportunities and challenges in the #IndoPacific. As the largest democracy in the world, India is a major defence partner and has an essential role in maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean region," Esper tweeted. Singh, earlier today, told that the ASEAN cooperation forms a central point in India's Act East policy. He said that the forum will provide an opportunity to deliberate on sustainable security, terrorism and coastal security. "Security can only be successful if it is sustainable," the minister stressed. Later today, Singh will also inaugurate the India pavilion at the Defence and Security Exhibition in Bangkok. He will address the business seminar and interact with the industry representatives. As part of the agenda for the ADMM Plus meeting, Singh will also release the Handbook on Military Medicine for ASEAN along with the Defence Minister of Myanmar. A courtesy call with the Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha will also take place during the visit.

Rajnath Singh holds bilateral meetings with Japan, US at ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus in Bangkok

Inside The Secret & Symbolic Japanese Ritual That Has Come In For A Lot Of Criticism.

Gravitas: Cost Of Japan's Emperor's Symbolic Night With Sun Goddess: $18 Million

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito on Thursday began an elaborate and secretive ritual dating back 1,300 years, giving thanks to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu as part of his enthronement rites.

The Daijosai, considered the most important ritual for Japan's imperial household, came three weeks after Naruhito proclaimed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne and is performed only once in an emperor's reign.

Television footage showed the emperor in white silk vestments walking slowly through a specially constructed complex of wooden buildings in the imperial palace known as the Daijokyu.

Escorted part of the way by servants, Naruhito entered one of two halls where the main ritual would take place overnight.

The emperor was to offer newly harvested rice to Amaterasu, from whom the Japanese imperial line is considered to have descended, and other deities of heaven and earth.

He was to recite prayers for peace and "share" a feast with the goddess including salmon, abalone, jujube fruit, and millet, washed down with sake.

Empress Masako, wearing a white layered kimono, was to offer her own prayers in separate halls within the Daijokyu.

Other royals and several hundred attendants, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, took part in separate pavilions. No foreigners attend the sacred rite.

The emperor disappeared from sight after he entered the main hall by torchlight. Throughout the rituals that end just before dawn on Friday, he was to be accompanied only by a lady-in-waiting.

'Simple ceremony'

The rite was mentioned in historical documents dating back as far as the seventh century but was discontinued for more than 200 years because of civil war and financial constraints, starting up again in the late 17th century.

The Daijosai, which is carried out whenever a new emperor ascends the throne, is estimated to cost 2.7 billion yen ($25 million), including building and dismantling the Daijokyu and later banquets at the palace.

The Daijokyu complex is built on an area of about 2,700 square metres and consists of around 30 pavilions of different sizes for those performing and observing the rituals.

"It was originally a simple ceremony using natural materials but it is expensive to replicate it in the modern age," said Keiko Hongo, professor at the Historiographical Institute of the University of Tokyo.

The buildings are of a traditional, simple construction. The floors are laid with straw mats and the pillars made from logs with unstripped bark.

The Daijosai, though not officially a state occasion, has drawn criticism given its highly religious nature and cost.

The rice used in the Daijosai was planted earlier in the year after palace courtiers selected sites using an ancient ritual involving the shells of rare green sea turtles.

Two thin plates made from turtle shells were heated over a flame to produce cracks, which "told" officials to grow the rice in two locations -- the ancient capital of Kyoto and the Tochigi region north of Tokyo.

The harvesting in September was also bound in ritual. The day before, rituals were performed to "purify" everyone involved.

On the day, the emperor's envoys offered prayers and the rice was harvested by farmers in traditional clothes and black hats at the two locations selected.&nbsp;

Only the most carefully selected heads are threshed to make the offerings for the Daijosai.

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito on Thursday began an elaborate and secretive ritual dating back 1,300 years, giving thanks to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu as part of his enthronement rites.

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito on Thursday began an elaborate and secretive ritual dating back 1,300 years, giving thanks to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu as part of his enthronement rites. The Daijosai, considered the most important ritual for Japan's imperial household, came three weeks after Naruhito proclaimed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne and is performed only once in an emperor's reign. Television footage showed the emperor in white silk vestments walking slowly through a specially constructed complex of wooden buildings in the imperial palace known as the Daijokyu. Escorted part of the way by servants, Naruhito entered one of two halls where the main ritual would take place overnight. The emperor was to offer newly harvested rice to Amaterasu, from whom the Japanese imperial line is considered to have descended, and other deities of heaven and earth. He was to recite prayers for peace and "share" a feast with the goddess including salmon, abalone, jujube fruit, and millet, washed down with sake. Empress Masako, wearing a white layered kimono, was to offer her own prayers in separate halls within the Daijokyu. Other royals and several hundred attendants, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, took part in separate pavilions. No foreigners attend the sacred rite. The emperor disappeared from sight after he entered the main hall by torchlight. Throughout the rituals that end just before dawn on Friday, he was to be accompanied only by a lady-in-waiting. 'Simple ceremony' The rite was mentioned in historical documents dating back as far as the seventh century but was discontinued for more than 200 years because of civil war and financial constraints, starting up again in the late 17th century. The Daijosai, which is carried out whenever a new emperor ascends the throne, is estimated to cost 2.7 billion yen ($25 million), including building and dismantling the Daijokyu and later banquets at the palace. The Daijokyu complex is built on an area of about 2,700 square metres and consists of around 30 pavilions of different sizes for those performing and observing the rituals. "It was originally a simple ceremony using natural materials but it is expensive to replicate it in the modern age," said Keiko Hongo, professor at the Historiographical Institute of the University of Tokyo. The buildings are of a traditional, simple construction. The floors are laid with straw mats and the pillars made from logs with unstripped bark. The Daijosai, though not officially a state occasion, has drawn criticism given its highly religious nature and cost. The rice used in the Daijosai was planted earlier in the year after palace courtiers selected sites using an ancient ritual involving the shells of rare green sea turtles. Two thin plates made from turtle shells were heated over a flame to produce cracks, which "told" officials to grow the rice in two locations -- the ancient capital of Kyoto and the Tochigi region north of Tokyo. The harvesting in September was also bound in ritual. The day before, rituals were performed to "purify" everyone involved. On the day, the emperor's envoys offered prayers and the rice was harvested by farmers in traditional clothes and black hats at the two locations selected. Only the most carefully selected heads are threshed to make the offerings for the Daijosai.

Japan's emperor performs thanksgiving rite with Sun Goddess

Asian&nbsp;stocks&nbsp;fell on Thursday after soft economic data in China and Japan showed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../trade-truce-unlikely-in-2020-but-us-recession- fears-recede-economists-reuters-poll-261987">trade war</a> between Beijing and Washington hitting&nbsp;growth&nbsp;in some of the world's biggest economies.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.3 per cent. Japan's Nikkei stock index fell further, dropping 0.8 per cent.

Australia's S&amp;P/ASX200 wiped earlier gains to close 0.5 per cent&nbsp;higher, while Shanghai blue chips trod water, supported by expectations the gloomy figures would add to the case for stimulus.

European stock futures point to a flat open after recent rises. US&nbsp;futures were down 0.1 per cent, following a record-high close on the S&amp;P 500 on Wednesday.

China's&nbsp;industrial production&nbsp;growth&nbsp;slowed sharply in October, with the 4.7 per cent&nbsp;year-on-year rise well below forecasts for 5.4 per cent. Investment&nbsp;growth&nbsp;hit a record low and retail sales also missed expectations.

"The weakness in investment and production would suggest that confidence is down," said Shane Oliver, chief economist at AMP Capital in Sydney.

"It puts more pressure on Chinese authorities to come to a deal with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../garbage-dropped-by-china-india-and-russia- into-the-sea-floats-into-los-angeles-trump-261937">Donald Trump</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../trump-says-china-trade-deal-close-but-dashes- hopes-for-signing-details-261767"> on trade</a>, just as President Trump's desire to be re-elected puts pressure on him to come to a deal."

The weak figures also come as market confidence toward a resolution weakens, with a new Reuters poll showing most economists do not expect Washington and Beijing to strike a permanent truce over the coming year.

Trump offered no update on the progress of negotiations in a policy speech on Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that talks had snagged on farm purchases.

Meanwhile, the&nbsp;global&nbsp;fallout from the dispute is widening.

Data due at 0700 GMT will reveal whether Germany has entered a technical recession, as forecast.

Japan's economic&nbsp;growth&nbsp;hit its slowest pace in a year in the third quarter as soft demand knocked exports.

"Looking around the region, you've had some near misses of recession - Korea's been one, Singapore's also been one and you've got Hong Kong in a recession at the moment," said Sean Darby,&nbsp;global&nbsp;equity strategist at Jefferies in Hong Kong.

"So it's not great. It's not a cycle that is not leaving any scars," he said.

Worries about spiralling violence as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../protesters-block-central-hong-kong-streets-as- chaos-grips-city-261782">anti-government protests</a> intensify in Hong Kong have also soured investor sentiment.

Protesters paralysed parts of Hong Kong for a fourth day on Thursday, forcing school closures and blocking highways and other transport links in a marked escalation of unrest in the financial hub.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.8 per cent on&nbsp;Thursday to a fresh one-month low.

In currency&nbsp;markets, safe havens such as the Japanese yen and Swiss franc held on to gains.

The yen was quoted at 108.70 per dollar, close to a one-week high. The Swiss franc traded at 0.9900 versus the greenback, near the highest in more than a week.

The Australian dollar skidded to a one-month low on Thursday after a worryingly weak reading on employment re-ignited speculation about another cut in interest rates.

Brent crude futures rose 0.6 per cent&nbsp;to $62.76 a barrel while US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.63 per cent&nbsp;to $57.48 per barrel.

The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes rose to 1.8652 percent&nbsp;compared with its US&nbsp;close of 1.869 per cent&nbsp;on Wednesday.

Asian stocks fell on Thursday after soft economic data in China and Japan showed the trade war between Beijing and Washington hitting growth in some of the world's biggest economies.

Asian stocks fell on Thursday after soft economic data in China and Japan showed the trade war between Beijing and Washington hitting growth in some of the world's biggest economies. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.3 per cent. Japan's Nikkei stock index fell further, dropping 0.8 per cent. Australia's S&P/ASX200 wiped earlier gains to close 0.5 per cent higher, while Shanghai blue chips trod water, supported by expectations the gloomy figures would add to the case for stimulus. European stock futures point to a flat open after recent rises. US futures were down 0.1 per cent, following a record-high close on the S&P 500 on Wednesday. China's industrial production growth slowed sharply in October, with the 4.7 per cent year-on-year rise well below forecasts for 5.4 per cent. Investment growth hit a record low and retail sales also missed expectations. "The weakness in investment and production would suggest that confidence is down," said Shane Oliver, chief economist at AMP Capital in Sydney. "It puts more pressure on Chinese authorities to come to a deal with Donald Trump on trade, just as President Trump's desire to be re-elected puts pressure on him to come to a deal." The weak figures also come as market confidence toward a resolution weakens, with a new Reuters poll showing most economists do not expect Washington and Beijing to strike a permanent truce over the coming year. Trump offered no update on the progress of negotiations in a policy speech on Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that talks had snagged on farm purchases. Meanwhile, the global fallout from the dispute is widening. Data due at 0700 GMT will reveal whether Germany has entered a technical recession, as forecast. Japan's economic growth hit its slowest pace in a year in the third quarter as soft demand knocked exports. "Looking around the region, you've had some near misses of recession - Korea's been one, Singapore's also been one and you've got Hong Kong in a recession at the moment," said Sean Darby, global equity strategist at Jefferies in Hong Kong. "So it's not great. It's not a cycle that is not leaving any scars," he said. Worries about spiralling violence as anti-government protests intensify in Hong Kong have also soured investor sentiment. Protesters paralysed parts of Hong Kong for a fourth day on Thursday, forcing school closures and blocking highways and other transport links in a marked escalation of unrest in the financial hub. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.8 per cent on Thursday to a fresh one-month low. In currency markets, safe havens such as the Japanese yen and Swiss franc held on to gains. The yen was quoted at 108.70 per dollar, close to a one-week high. The Swiss franc traded at 0.9900 versus the greenback, near the highest in more than a week. The Australian dollar skidded to a one-month low on Thursday after a worryingly weak reading on employment re-ignited speculation about another cut in interest rates. Brent crude futures rose 0.6 per cent to $62.76 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.63 per cent to $57.48 per barrel. The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes rose to 1.8652 percent compared with its US close of 1.869 per cent on Wednesday.

Asian stocks retreat as China's growth slowdown deepens

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-abe-tells-cabinet-to-compile-stimulus-package-to-support-economy-260734">Prime Minister Shinzo Abe</a> surged back to power seven years ago, pledging to bolster Japan's defences in response to a growing threat from China and aiming to amend the pacifist constitution.

Now on track to become Japan's longest-serving premier, Abe has kept his first promise. The second remains elusive.

That means Japan, which US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has criticised over what he called an "unfair" security alliance, still faces limits on acting as a full-fledged American ally.

Trump has even suggested changing the two-way security pact that underpins the alliance, at a time when China is flexing its military muscle in the region and North Korea is pursuing nuclear and missile programmes.

During Abe's watch, Japan has boosted defence spending by 10 per cent&nbsp;after years of decline, expanding the military's ability to project power abroad. In a historic shift in 2014, his government reinterpreted the constitution to allow Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two.

But the conservative leader's inability to cement his legacy by revising the charter's pacifist Article 9 symbolises persistent public wariness about putting troops in harm's way far from home and a fear of entanglement in US-led wars.

"For the Japanese people, Article 9 is a kind of Bible," Hajime Funada, a ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker and former head of a panel on revising the charter, told Reuters.

Japan's US-drafted constitution is seen by conservatives as a humiliating symbol of defeat but by others as a brake on entanglement in foreign conflicts.

For both sides, a revision would be hugely symbolic.

According to a survey by NHK TV this week, voters gave the highest marks to Abe's security and diplomacy policies. But an Asahi newspaper survey earlier this year showed 64 per cent&nbsp;opposed revising Article 9 while 28 per cent&nbsp;favoured the amendment.

Any constitutional amendment requires approval by two-thirds of both houses of parliament and a majority in a national referendum.

Abe, who quit in 2007 after a troubled one-year term, returned to office in December 2012. On November&nbsp;20, he will exceed the record 2,886 days in office set by Taro Katsura in the early 20th century.

Abe's term as LDP leader ends in September 2021 and unless party rules are revised, that would spell the end of his tenure.

A five-year defence programme unveiled last year allocates 25.5 trillion yen ($233.7 billion) in spending, a 6.4 per cent&nbsp;rise over the previous five years, and includes refitting two warships as Japan's first aircraft carriers since World War Two, a step toward a full-fledged blue-water navy.

A year after the cabinet reinterpreted the constitution, parliament enacted laws that ended a ban on exercising the right of collective self-defence, or defending a friendly country under attack, if Japan's survival is threatened.

Such steps have further pushed the limits of Article 9, which, if taken literally, bans the maintenance of a standing military but has been stretched by previous administrations to allow armed forces for self-defence.

"There is not much left of the post-war constraints," said Richard Samuels, director of the Center for International Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"It was under his (Abe's) administration where the fastest progress was achieved to get more distance from Article 9."

Nonetheless, Abe has been forced by public opinion and the LDP's less hawkish coalition partner, the Komeito party, to compromise.

"Theoretically, Abe has laid the groundwork for Japan to take one step closer to ... supporting the US&nbsp;in combat for collective interests," said Ellis Krauss, professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego.

"But I don't think Japan is near actually doing it."

Last month, Japan proposed a mission by its navy in Middle East waterways, not as part of a US-led coalition to protect merchant ships but separately under a Japanese law allowing research and intelligence gathering.

Even that sparked calls for caution from liberal media.

For Abe, revising the constitution is a personal mission - one that eluded his grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, who quit as premier in 1960 due to a furore over a US-Japan security pact.

"It's not only who he is, it's who his grandfather was and it's his base," Samuels said. "It's the view that says that ... we are a different Japan, no longer bound and constrained by the defeat of World War Two."

Abe has proposed writing the existence of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, as the military is known, into Article 9, far short of more drastic changes proposed previously by the LDP.

Critics in his own party say that would be a waste of political capital for little gain, although experts note an amendment could open the door to future bolder changes.

Abe appears unlikely to abandon the cause.

"Abe's fundamental philosophy is nationalism and without a change in Article 9, there can be no independence from the (US) Occupation regime," said Yoshihide Soeya, a political science professor at Keio University. "I think he'll never give it up."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe surged back to power seven years ago, pledging to bolster Japan's defences in response to a growing threat from China and aiming to amend the pacifist constitution.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe surged back to power seven years ago, pledging to bolster Japan's defences in response to a growing threat from China and aiming to amend the pacifist constitution. Now on track to become Japan's longest-serving premier, Abe has kept his first promise. The second remains elusive. That means Japan, which US President Donald Trump has criticised over what he called an "unfair" security alliance, still faces limits on acting as a full-fledged American ally. Trump has even suggested changing the two-way security pact that underpins the alliance, at a time when China is flexing its military muscle in the region and North Korea is pursuing nuclear and missile programmes. During Abe's watch, Japan has boosted defence spending by 10 per cent after years of decline, expanding the military's ability to project power abroad. In a historic shift in 2014, his government reinterpreted the constitution to allow Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two. But the conservative leader's inability to cement his legacy by revising the charter's pacifist Article 9 symbolises persistent public wariness about putting troops in harm's way far from home and a fear of entanglement in US-led wars. "For the Japanese people, Article 9 is a kind of Bible," Hajime Funada, a ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker and former head of a panel on revising the charter, told Reuters. Japan's US-drafted constitution is seen by conservatives as a humiliating symbol of defeat but by others as a brake on entanglement in foreign conflicts. For both sides, a revision would be hugely symbolic. According to a survey by NHK TV this week, voters gave the highest marks to Abe's security and diplomacy policies. But an Asahi newspaper survey earlier this year showed 64 per cent opposed revising Article 9 while 28 per cent favoured the amendment. Any constitutional amendment requires approval by two-thirds of both houses of parliament and a majority in a national referendum. Abe, who quit in 2007 after a troubled one-year term, returned to office in December 2012. On November 20, he will exceed the record 2,886 days in office set by Taro Katsura in the early 20th century. Abe's term as LDP leader ends in September 2021 and unless party rules are revised, that would spell the end of his tenure. A five-year defence programme unveiled last year allocates 25.5 trillion yen ($233.7 billion) in spending, a 6.4 per cent rise over the previous five years, and includes refitting two warships as Japan's first aircraft carriers since World War Two, a step toward a full-fledged blue-water navy. A year after the cabinet reinterpreted the constitution, parliament enacted laws that ended a ban on exercising the right of collective self-defence, or defending a friendly country under attack, if Japan's survival is threatened. Such steps have further pushed the limits of Article 9, which, if taken literally, bans the maintenance of a standing military but has been stretched by previous administrations to allow armed forces for self-defence. "There is not much left of the post-war constraints," said Richard Samuels, director of the Center for International Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "It was under his (Abe's) administration where the fastest progress was achieved to get more distance from Article 9." Nonetheless, Abe has been forced by public opinion and the LDP's less hawkish coalition partner, the Komeito party, to compromise. "Theoretically, Abe has laid the groundwork for Japan to take one step closer to ... supporting the US in combat for collective interests," said Ellis Krauss, professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego. "But I don't think Japan is near actually doing it." Last month, Japan proposed a mission by its navy in Middle East waterways, not as part of a US-led coalition to protect merchant ships but separately under a Japanese law allowing research and intelligence gathering. Even that sparked calls for caution from liberal media. For Abe, revising the constitution is a personal mission - one that eluded his grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, who quit as premier in 1960 due to a furore over a US-Japan security pact. "It's not only who he is, it's who his grandfather was and it's his base," Samuels said. "It's the view that says that ... we are a different Japan, no longer bound and constrained by the defeat of World War Two." Abe has proposed writing the existence of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, as the military is known, into Article 9, far short of more drastic changes proposed previously by the LDP. Critics in his own party say that would be a waste of political capital for little gain, although experts note an amendment could open the door to future bolder changes. Abe appears unlikely to abandon the cause. "Abe's fundamental philosophy is nationalism and without a change in Article 9, there can be no independence from the (US) Occupation regime," said Yoshihide Soeya, a political science professor at Keio University. "I think he'll never give it up."

Abe's mission unaccomplished: Pushing to revise Japan's pacifist charter

On Thursday evening, Japan's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-new-emperor-naruhito-officially-takes-up-post-214938">Emperor Naruhito</a> will dress in pure white robes and be ushered into a dark wooden hall for his last major enthronement rite: spending the night with a goddess.

Centred on Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess from whom conservatives believe the emperor has descended, the "Daijosai" is the most overtly religious ceremony of the emperor's accession rituals after his father Akihito's abdication.

Scholars and the government say it consists of a feast, rather than, as has been persistently rumoured, conjugal relations with the goddess.

Although Naruhito's grandfather Hirohito, in whose name soldiers fought World War Two, was later stripped of his divinity, the ritual continues.

That has prompted anger - and lawsuits - from critics who say it smacks of the militaristic past and violates the constitutional separation of religion and state, as the government pays the cost of £19.32 million.

&nbsp;

What happens?

At about 7 p.m., Naruhito enters a specially-built shrine compound by firelight, disappearing behind white curtains.

In a dimly-lit room he kneels by piled straw mats draped in white, said to be a resting place for the goddess, as two shrine maidens bring in offerings of food, from rice to abalone, for Naruhito to use in filling 32 plates made from oak leaves.

Then he bows and prays for peace for the Japanese people before eating rice, millet and rice wine "with" the goddess.

The entire ritual is repeated in another room, ending at about 3 a.m.

Long a secret, the ceremony was re-enacted this year by NHK public television, an unprecedented move scholars say may have been a government initiative to dispel rumours.

"There is a bed, there is a coverlet, and the Emperor keeps his distance from it," said John Breen of Kyoto's International Research Centre for Japanese Studies, adding that de-mystifying the ceremony could be a government defence.

"Kingmaking is a sacred business, it's transforming a man or a woman into something other than a man or a woman," he said, pointing to mystical elements in Britain's coronation functions.

"So the Japanese government's denial that there's anything mystical to it is bizarre, but the purpose is pretty clear - it's to fend off accusations there's something unconstitutional going on."

How ancient is the tradition?

Believed to have started in the 700s and observed for about 700 years, the ritual was then interrupted for nearly three centuries, a gap that Breen said led to the loss of much of its original meaning.

Although believed to have initially been one of the less important enthronement rites, the ceremony gained status and its current form from 1868, as Japan began to turn itself into a modern nation-state, unified under the emperor.

What is the funding controversy?

At a news conference, the Emperor's younger brother, Crown Prince Akishino, wondered if it was "appropriate" to use public money, suggesting instead the private funds of the imperial family, which would necessitate a far smaller ceremony.

But Koichi Shin, the head of a group of 300 people suing the government to halt the ritual, and demand damages of 10,000 yen each for "pain and suffering", says that would still not be satisfactory, as the private funds are still tax money.

With part of one lawsuit thrown out by the Supreme Court and another set for hearing after next week's rite, the court battle is mostly symbolic, as concern over nationalism and the emperor fades.

At then emperor Akihito's accession in 1990, protests were louder and bigger, including rocket attacks ahead of some of the rituals, while 1,700 people sued amid harsh media coverage.

"Emperor Hirohito was responsible for the war, but Akihito has done a lot to soften the family's image," said Shin, a 60-year-old office worker.

"But I think showing these ceremonies on television solidifies the idea of the emperor as religion."

On Thursday evening, Japan's Emperor Naruhito will dress in pure white robes and be ushered into a dark wooden hall for his last major enthronement rite: spending the night with a goddess.

On Thursday evening, Japan's Emperor Naruhito will dress in pure white robes and be ushered into a dark wooden hall for his last major enthronement rite: spending the night with a goddess. Centred on Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess from whom conservatives believe the emperor has descended, the "Daijosai" is the most overtly religious ceremony of the emperor's accession rituals after his father Akihito's abdication. Scholars and the government say it consists of a feast, rather than, as has been persistently rumoured, conjugal relations with the goddess. Although Naruhito's grandfather Hirohito, in whose name soldiers fought World War Two, was later stripped of his divinity, the ritual continues. That has prompted anger - and lawsuits - from critics who say it smacks of the militaristic past and violates the constitutional separation of religion and state, as the government pays the cost of £19.32 million. What happens? At about 7 p.m., Naruhito enters a specially-built shrine compound by firelight, disappearing behind white curtains. In a dimly-lit room he kneels by piled straw mats draped in white, said to be a resting place for the goddess, as two shrine maidens bring in offerings of food, from rice to abalone, for Naruhito to use in filling 32 plates made from oak leaves. Then he bows and prays for peace for the Japanese people before eating rice, millet and rice wine "with" the goddess. The entire ritual is repeated in another room, ending at about 3 a.m. Long a secret, the ceremony was re-enacted this year by NHK public television, an unprecedented move scholars say may have been a government initiative to dispel rumours. "There is a bed, there is a coverlet, and the Emperor keeps his distance from it," said John Breen of Kyoto's International Research Centre for Japanese Studies, adding that de-mystifying the ceremony could be a government defence. "Kingmaking is a sacred business, it's transforming a man or a woman into something other than a man or a woman," he said, pointing to mystical elements in Britain's coronation functions. "So the Japanese government's denial that there's anything mystical to it is bizarre, but the purpose is pretty clear - it's to fend off accusations there's something unconstitutional going on." How ancient is the tradition? Believed to have started in the 700s and observed for about 700 years, the ritual was then interrupted for nearly three centuries, a gap that Breen said led to the loss of much of its original meaning. Although believed to have initially been one of the less important enthronement rites, the ceremony gained status and its current form from 1868, as Japan began to turn itself into a modern nation-state, unified under the emperor. What is the funding controversy? At a news conference, the Emperor's younger brother, Crown Prince Akishino, wondered if it was "appropriate" to use public money, suggesting instead the private funds of the imperial family, which would necessitate a far smaller ceremony. But Koichi Shin, the head of a group of 300 people suing the government to halt the ritual, and demand damages of 10,000 yen each for "pain and suffering", says that would still not be satisfactory, as the private funds are still tax money. With part of one lawsuit thrown out by the Supreme Court and another set for hearing after next week's rite, the court battle is mostly symbolic, as concern over nationalism and the emperor fades. At then emperor Akihito's accession in 1990, protests were louder and bigger, including rocket attacks ahead of some of the rituals, while 1,700 people sued amid harsh media coverage. "Emperor Hirohito was responsible for the war, but Akihito has done a lot to soften the family's image," said Shin, a 60-year-old office worker. "But I think showing these ceremonies on television solidifies the idea of the emperor as religion."

Symbolic night with goddess to wrap up Japan emperor Naruhito's accession rites

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako rode through central Tokyo on Sunday in a motorcade to mark this year's imperial succession as well-wishers waved national flags and held up mobile phones for snapshots of the smiling royal couple.

Japan imperial couple rides through Tokyo in grand enthronement parade

Thousands of people gathered in Tokyo on Sunday ahead of a rare open-top car parade featuring newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, with heavy security in place for the event. The motorcade scheduled for later in the afternoon is one of the final public events associated with Naruhito's assumption of the throne following his father Akihito's abdication earlier this year. Watch this video to know more.

Japan hails the new emperor Naruhito

Tens of thousands of people gathered on Saturday at a national festival to celebrate the enthronement of Japan's Emperor Naruhito with dancers and pop stars offering jubilant performances.

Some 10,000 citizens who won hard-to-get tickets and 20,000 invited guests attended&nbsp;the evening festival at Tokyo's Imperial Palace Plaza, which was broadcast live across the nation.

The festival came after Naruhito completed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne on October 22 in a ceremony steeped in the traditions and grandeur of a monarchy that claims 2,000 years of history.

"I am grateful to you gathering here today for your congratulations," Naruhito told a flag-waving crowd, standing on a stone bridge at the palace with Empress Masako following congratulatory speeches by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other notable figures.

J-pop group Arashi performed a song composed for the event.

Earlier in the day, another 30,000 people enjoyed local dancing performances at the venue.

On Sunday, the royal couple will parade in a convertible car along a 4.6-kilometre&nbsp;route from the palace to their residence in central Tokyo to mark the enthronement.

The parade was originally scheduled for October 22 but postponed after more than 80 people were killed when Typhoon Hagibis slammed into Japan and caused widespread damage.

In his brief speech, the emperor offered his condolences to the victims and voiced his "sincere hope" for an early recovery from the disaster.

Tens of thousands of people gathered on Saturday at a national festival to celebrate the enthronement of Japan's Emperor Naruhito with dancers and pop stars offering jubilant performances.

Tens of thousands of people gathered on Saturday at a national festival to celebrate the enthronement of Japan's Emperor Naruhito with dancers and pop stars offering jubilant performances. Some 10,000 citizens who won hard-to-get tickets and 20,000 invited guests attended the evening festival at Tokyo's Imperial Palace Plaza, which was broadcast live across the nation. The festival came after Naruhito completed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne on October 22 in a ceremony steeped in the traditions and grandeur of a monarchy that claims 2,000 years of history. "I am grateful to you gathering here today for your congratulations," Naruhito told a flag-waving crowd, standing on a stone bridge at the palace with Empress Masako following congratulatory speeches by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other notable figures. J-pop group Arashi performed a song composed for the event. Earlier in the day, another 30,000 people enjoyed local dancing performances at the venue. On Sunday, the royal couple will parade in a convertible car along a 4.6-kilometre route from the palace to their residence in central Tokyo to mark the enthronement. The parade was originally scheduled for October 22 but postponed after more than 80 people were killed when Typhoon Hagibis slammed into Japan and caused widespread damage. In his brief speech, the emperor offered his condolences to the victims and voiced his "sincere hope" for an early recovery from the disaster.

Tens of thousands celebrate Japan emperor's enthronement

A court in southern&nbsp;China&nbsp;sentenced a&nbsp;former&nbsp;politician&nbsp;from Japan to life imprisonment on Friday for attempting to smuggle&nbsp;drugs&nbsp;out of the country hidden in the soles of platform&nbsp;shoes.

76-year-old Takuma Sakuragi was caught at an airport in 2013 with 3.29 kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden in the handle of his suitcase and in the soles of "women's foam sandals" inside the case, according to a report published on an official court website.

Sakuragi, a&nbsp;former&nbsp;city councillor in Japan's Aichi Prefecture, was attempting to fly from Guangzhou to Japan via Shanghai.

Sakuragi said at the trial that he had been asked to transport the suitcase to Japan by a Nigerian acquaintance, but had not known that it contained methamphetamine, Kyodo News reported.

Two other people, a Malian national identified on the court's live stream page as Aly Yattabare and Guinean national Mohamed Soumah, were arrested by police weeks later and believed to have packed the&nbsp;drugs&nbsp;into the suitcase.

Police found another 18 grammes of methamphetamine in the two men's homes, the report said.

Officials in the central&nbsp;Japanese&nbsp;city of Inazawa said at the time that Sakuragi had travelled to&nbsp;China&nbsp;for his private trading business.

The Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court sentenced the men on Friday for&nbsp;smuggling&nbsp;drugs, sentencing Mohamed and Sakuragi to life imprisonment and Yattabare to death with a two-year reprieve, which generally means a life term.

China's criminal law exempts most defendants 75 and older from the death penalty.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Friday that&nbsp;China&nbsp;had already notified Japan's consulate general in Guangzhou.

The sentencing comes&nbsp;a day after&nbsp;China&nbsp;jailed nine people for selling fentanyl to Americans in what a court in northern Hebei province described as the first successful joint US-Chinese probe related to the deadly opioid.

A court in southern China sentenced a former politician from Japan to life imprisonment on Friday for attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country hidden in the soles of platform shoes.

A court in southern China sentenced a former politician from Japan to life imprisonment on Friday for attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country hidden in the soles of platform shoes. 76-year-old Takuma Sakuragi was caught at an airport in 2013 with 3.29 kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden in the handle of his suitcase and in the soles of "women's foam sandals" inside the case, according to a report published on an official court website. Sakuragi, a former city councillor in Japan's Aichi Prefecture, was attempting to fly from Guangzhou to Japan via Shanghai. Sakuragi said at the trial that he had been asked to transport the suitcase to Japan by a Nigerian acquaintance, but had not known that it contained methamphetamine, Kyodo News reported. Two other people, a Malian national identified on the court's live stream page as Aly Yattabare and Guinean national Mohamed Soumah, were arrested by police weeks later and believed to have packed the drugs into the suitcase. Police found another 18 grammes of methamphetamine in the two men's homes, the report said. Officials in the central Japanese city of Inazawa said at the time that Sakuragi had travelled to China for his private trading business. The Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court sentenced the men on Friday for smuggling drugs, sentencing Mohamed and Sakuragi to life imprisonment and Yattabare to death with a two-year reprieve, which generally means a life term. China's criminal law exempts most defendants 75 and older from the death penalty. China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Friday that China had already notified Japan's consulate general in Guangzhou. The sentencing comes a day after China jailed nine people for selling fentanyl to Americans in what a court in northern Hebei province described as the first successful joint US-Chinese probe related to the deadly opioid.

China jails former Japanese politician for smuggling drugs in shoes

Japanese Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moon-abe-hold-friendly-talks-on-asean-sidelines-259835">Shinzo&nbsp;Abe</a>&nbsp;on Friday asked his&nbsp;cabinet&nbsp;to&nbsp;compile&nbsp;a&nbsp;package&nbsp;of&nbsp;stimulus&nbsp;measures to&nbsp;support&nbsp;the&nbsp;economy&nbsp;and build infrastructure to cope with large natural disasters, the government's top spokesman said.

Chief&nbsp;Cabinet&nbsp;Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that the&nbsp;package&nbsp;will include steps to promote investment for growth through aggressive use of fiscal investment and loan programmes.

The government will&nbsp;compile&nbsp;the&nbsp;package&nbsp;as soon as possible, though the size of spending will depend on proposals to be made by various ministries,&nbsp;Economy&nbsp;Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a news conference after a regular&nbsp;cabinet&nbsp;meeting.

"I've received an instruction from the prime minister to&nbsp;compile&nbsp;a new economic&nbsp;package&nbsp;to guard against the chance overseas risks may hurt&nbsp;Japan's&nbsp;economy," Nishimura said.

Japanese policymakers have been under pressure to fend off heightening overseas risks with a diminishing tool-kit, as the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-us-agree-tariff-rollback-if-phase-one-trade-deal-is-completed-260641"> US-China trade war </a>and soft global demand hurt the export-reliant&nbsp;economy.

Finance Minister Taro Aso said the planned economic&nbsp;package&nbsp;should help enhance productivity and achieve strong growth to overcome the pressure caused by the declining population, which he said was the "biggest problem" Japan faces in the long run.

Aso added that the size and scope of the&nbsp;stimulus&nbsp;still needed to be worked out. He suggested that a supplementary budget would be&nbsp;compiled by the year-end, along with an annual budget for the next fiscal year that starts in April 2020, to ensure the economic&nbsp;package&nbsp;would be rolled out seamlessly over a 15-month period.

Abe&nbsp;had told a top economic council on Thursday that the government will consider what policy measures it can take to prevent intensifying global risks from derailing the export-reliant economic recovery.

Japan's&nbsp;economic growth likely slowed to an annualised 0.8 per cent&nbsp;in July-September from 1.3 per cent&nbsp;in the second quarter, a Reuters poll showed this week. The data will be reported on November&nbsp;14.

An increase in the sales tax to 10 per cent&nbsp;from 8 per cent, put in place from October, may also hurt consumption, analysts say.

Slowing growth underscores the challenge for&nbsp;Abe's government as it tries to strike a delicate balance between the need to boost growth and fix the industrial world's heaviest public debt burden that is more than twice the size of&nbsp;Japan's&nbsp;$5 trillion&nbsp;economy.

Some economists worry that additional public works spending would further strain the nation's dire public finances and aggravate a labour crunch in a fast-ageing population.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday asked his cabinet to compile a package of stimulus measures to support the economy and build infrastructure to cope with large natural disasters, the government's top spokesman said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday asked his cabinet to compile a package of stimulus measures to support the economy and build infrastructure to cope with large natural disasters, the government's top spokesman said. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that the package will include steps to promote investment for growth through aggressive use of fiscal investment and loan programmes. The government will compile the package as soon as possible, though the size of spending will depend on proposals to be made by various ministries, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a news conference after a regular cabinet meeting. "I've received an instruction from the prime minister to compile a new economic package to guard against the chance overseas risks may hurt Japan's economy," Nishimura said. Japanese policymakers have been under pressure to fend off heightening overseas risks with a diminishing tool-kit, as the US-China trade war and soft global demand hurt the export-reliant economy. Finance Minister Taro Aso said the planned economic package should help enhance productivity and achieve strong growth to overcome the pressure caused by the declining population, which he said was the "biggest problem" Japan faces in the long run. Aso added that the size and scope of the stimulus still needed to be worked out. He suggested that a supplementary budget would be compiled by the year-end, along with an annual budget for the next fiscal year that starts in April 2020, to ensure the economic package would be rolled out seamlessly over a 15-month period. Abe had told a top economic council on Thursday that the government will consider what policy measures it can take to prevent intensifying global risks from derailing the export-reliant economic recovery. Japan's economic growth likely slowed to an annualised 0.8 per cent in July-September from 1.3 per cent in the second quarter, a Reuters poll showed this week. The data will be reported on November 14. An increase in the sales tax to 10 per cent from 8 per cent, put in place from October, may also hurt consumption, analysts say. Slowing growth underscores the challenge for Abe's government as it tries to strike a delicate balance between the need to boost growth and fix the industrial world's heaviest public debt burden that is more than twice the size of Japan's $5 trillion economy. Some economists worry that additional public works spending would further strain the nation's dire public finances and aggravate a labour crunch in a fast-ageing population.

Japan's Abe tells cabinet to compile stimulus package to support economy

North Korea on Thursday called Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a moron who should not even dream of setting foot in Pyongyang in a state media commentary laden with insults in response to his criticism of the North's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-short-range-projectiles-souths-military-259136">latest weapons test</a>.

North Korea conducted a test of what it called "super-large multiple rocket launchers" on October&nbsp;31, but Japan said they were likely ballistic missiles that violated U.N. sanctions.

Abe condemned the test at an Asian summit this week, while saying he was eager to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "without conditions" to resolve the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the isolated state, Kyodo news agency reported citing the Japanese government.

"Japanese <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-shinzo-abe-renews-call-on-south-korea-to-keep-promises-to-mend-ties-257928">Prime Minister Abe</a>, who is now making such a fuss over our super-large multiple rocket launcher test-fire as if a nuclear warhead had fallen on Japanese soil, is a moron," the North's KCNA news agency said, citing a statement by Song Il Ho, its ambassador for ties with Japan.

"Abe, who has been making ill-advised remarks about our legitimate self-defence measures by recklessly wagging his tongue ... should not even dream of crossing the Pyongyang threshold ever."

In 2002, North Korea admitted that its agents had kidnapped 13 Japanese from the 1960s to the 1980s. Japan says 17 of its citizens were abducted, five of whom were repatriated.

North Korea has said eight of them were dead and another four never entered the country.

Abe has vowed to pursue the issue until all of the abductees come home and said previously that he was willing to meet Kim without conditions.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Pyongyang in 2002 and met the father of the current North Korean leader but Abe has never met Kim.

North Korea on Thursday called Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a moron who should not even dream of setting foot in Pyongyang in a state media commentary laden with insults in response to his criticism of the North's latest weapons test.

North Korea on Thursday called Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a moron who should not even dream of setting foot in Pyongyang in a state media commentary laden with insults in response to his criticism of the North's latest weapons test. North Korea conducted a test of what it called "super-large multiple rocket launchers" on October 31, but Japan said they were likely ballistic missiles that violated U.N. sanctions. Abe condemned the test at an Asian summit this week, while saying he was eager to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "without conditions" to resolve the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the isolated state, Kyodo news agency reported citing the Japanese government. "Japanese Prime Minister Abe, who is now making such a fuss over our super-large multiple rocket launcher test-fire as if a nuclear warhead had fallen on Japanese soil, is a moron," the North's KCNA news agency said, citing a statement by Song Il Ho, its ambassador for ties with Japan. "Abe, who has been making ill-advised remarks about our legitimate self-defence measures by recklessly wagging his tongue ... should not even dream of crossing the Pyongyang threshold ever." In 2002, North Korea admitted that its agents had kidnapped 13 Japanese from the 1960s to the 1980s. Japan says 17 of its citizens were abducted, five of whom were repatriated. North Korea has said eight of them were dead and another four never entered the country. Abe has vowed to pursue the issue until all of the abductees come home and said previously that he was willing to meet Kim without conditions. Former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Pyongyang in 2002 and met the father of the current North Korean leader but Abe has never met Kim.

North Korea slams door on Japan PM Abe visit, calls him a 'moron'

Asian shares napped near multi-month peaks on Thursday while bonds eked out a bounce as reports of delays in sealing a preliminary Sino-US&nbsp;trade deal left investors frustrated at the lack of concrete progress.

In early European trades, the pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 futures&nbsp;were up slightly while those for German DAX were flat. London's FTSE futures&nbsp;rose 0.2 per cent.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan&nbsp;dipped a slight 0.2 per cent, just off a six-month highs hit earlier in the week.

Japan's Nikkei dithered either side of flat in very quiet trade, having touched a 13-month top on Wednesday. South Korean stocks eased 0.15 per cent&nbsp;after hitting their highest since May, while Shanghai blue chips lost 0.08 per cent.

E-Mini futures for the S&amp;P 500 eased 0.1 per cent.

Reuters reported on Wednesday a meeting between US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to sign an interim trade deal could be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-trade-deal-signing-could-be-delayed-to-december-london-a-possible-venue-report-260422">delayed until December</a> as discussions continue over terms and venue.

Among various suggestions was to sign a deal after a scheduled NATO meeting in early December.

"One could take the view that by not committing to meet the original deadline it gives more time for a somewhat more comprehensive agreement to be thrashed out," said Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at National Australia Bank.

"But markets have understandably jumped the other way, exhibiting a slight loss of confidence that anything more substantial than an agreement not to further lift tariffs, in return for some increase in US agricultural purchases, can be agreed by way of an initial deal."

Wall Street was underwhelmed by the news and the Dow ended Wednesday all but flat, while the S&amp;P 500&nbsp;gained 0.07 per cent&nbsp;and the Nasdaq&nbsp;dropped 0.29 per cent.

HP Inc&nbsp;rose over 6 per cent&nbsp;after Reuters reported US&nbsp;printer maker Xerox Holdings Corp&nbsp;has made a roughly $33 billion cash-and-stock offer for the computer group.

The pause in the risk rally helped bonds recoup a little of their recent losses. Yields on benchmark US&nbsp;10-year notes&nbsp;fell back to 1.81 per cent&nbsp;from a two-month top of 1.87 per cent.

That, in turn, restrained the dollar, which eased to 108.74 yen&nbsp;from a weekly high of 109.24. The dollar was steady on a basket of currencies at 97.965.

The euro was struggling to sustain any bounce at $1.1061, perilously close to chart support at $1.1060.

Spot gold was little changed at $1,490.38 per ounce&nbsp;and well within recent tight trading ranges.

Oil prices nursed losses after taking a hit from a surprisingly large build in US&nbsp;crude inventories.

US&nbsp;crude&nbsp;was 6 cents lower at $56.29 a barrel, while Brent crude&nbsp;slipped 7 cents to $61.67.

Asian shares napped near multi-month peaks on Thursday while bonds eked out a bounce as reports of delays in sealing a preliminary Sino-US trade deal left investors frustrated at the lack of concrete progress.

Asian shares napped near multi-month peaks on Thursday while bonds eked out a bounce as reports of delays in sealing a preliminary Sino-US trade deal left investors frustrated at the lack of concrete progress. In early European trades, the pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 futures were up slightly while those for German DAX were flat. London's FTSE futures rose 0.2 per cent. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped a slight 0.2 per cent, just off a six-month highs hit earlier in the week. Japan's Nikkei dithered either side of flat in very quiet trade, having touched a 13-month top on Wednesday. South Korean stocks eased 0.15 per cent after hitting their highest since May, while Shanghai blue chips lost 0.08 per cent. E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 eased 0.1 per cent. Reuters reported on Wednesday a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to sign an interim trade deal could be delayed until December as discussions continue over terms and venue. Among various suggestions was to sign a deal after a scheduled NATO meeting in early December. "One could take the view that by not committing to meet the original deadline it gives more time for a somewhat more comprehensive agreement to be thrashed out," said Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at National Australia Bank. "But markets have understandably jumped the other way, exhibiting a slight loss of confidence that anything more substantial than an agreement not to further lift tariffs, in return for some increase in US agricultural purchases, can be agreed by way of an initial deal." Wall Street was underwhelmed by the news and the Dow ended Wednesday all but flat, while the S&P 500 gained 0.07 per cent and the Nasdaq dropped 0.29 per cent. HP Inc rose over 6 per cent after Reuters reported US printer maker Xerox Holdings Corp has made a roughly $33 billion cash-and-stock offer for the computer group. The pause in the risk rally helped bonds recoup a little of their recent losses. Yields on benchmark US 10-year notes fell back to 1.81 per cent from a two-month top of 1.87 per cent. That, in turn, restrained the dollar, which eased to 108.74 yen from a weekly high of 109.24. The dollar was steady on a basket of currencies at 97.965. The euro was struggling to sustain any bounce at $1.1061, perilously close to chart support at $1.1060. Spot gold was little changed at $1,490.38 per ounce and well within recent tight trading ranges. Oil prices nursed losses after taking a hit from a surprisingly large build in US crude inventories. US crude was 6 cents lower at $56.29 a barrel, while Brent crude slipped 7 cents to $61.67.

Asia stocks frustrated as trade doubts resurface

Microsoft Japan's 4-day Workweek; Work less, Achieve more. Watch video to know more

Microsoft Japan's 4-day Workweek; Work less, Achieve more

Microsoft Japan's Four-Day Work Week Trial Becomes A Success.

Gravitas: 4 Day Work Week Project In Japan: Reduced Hours Boosts Productivity!

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Microsoft Japan's 4 Day week, A Success

Police believe a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-engulfs-world-heritage-castle-in-japans-okinawa-258989">fire that tore through</a> World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle in Japan's southern-most island of Okinawa this week was not likely to have been caused by arson, Kyodo news agency reported on late Friday, citing sources.

In analysing the evidence, such as surveillance footage at the destroyed castle, local police have found no traces of intrusion into the castle before the fire breaking out, Kyodo reported, citing unnamed investigators.

The blaze was believed to have started in the main hall early on Thursday morning, public broadcaster NHK said. The fire was put out nearly 12 hours later, but by then most of the wooden castle's major buildings had been reduced to charred skeletons.

A spokesman at the main police station at Naha, the capital city of Okinawa prefecture, said investigations are still going on and the police have not excluded any possibilities. "As we are still in the middle of the investigation, we can't say anything further," he said.

Shuri Castle, once a palace and cultural heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom which flourished from the 15th to 19th century, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000 and was also a scheduled stop on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic torch relay route.

Police believe a fire that tore through World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle in Japan's southern-most island of Okinawa this week was not likely to have been caused by arson, Kyodo news agency reported on late Friday, citing sources.

Police believe a fire that tore through World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle in Japan's southern-most island of Okinawa this week was not likely to have been caused by arson, Kyodo news agency reported on late Friday, citing sources. In analysing the evidence, such as surveillance footage at the destroyed castle, local police have found no traces of intrusion into the castle before the fire breaking out, Kyodo reported, citing unnamed investigators. The blaze was believed to have started in the main hall early on Thursday morning, public broadcaster NHK said. The fire was put out nearly 12 hours later, but by then most of the wooden castle's major buildings had been reduced to charred skeletons. A spokesman at the main police station at Naha, the capital city of Okinawa prefecture, said investigations are still going on and the police have not excluded any possibilities. "As we are still in the middle of the investigation, we can't say anything further," he said. Shuri Castle, once a palace and cultural heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom which flourished from the 15th to 19th century, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000 and was also a scheduled stop on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic torch relay route.

Police believe Japan's castle fire unlikely caused by arson: Report

Seven South Koreans were missing Friday after their helicopter took off from islets disputed with Japan and crashed into the sea moments later, Seoul officials said.

The aircraft had just picked an injured fisherman up from Dokdo, which is known as Takeshima in Japan when it went down on Thursday night.

The South's coast guard, members of the National Fire Agency and civilian boats were searching for survivors, while the defence ministry had also sent planes and divers to the area, a spokesman for the South's National Fire Agency told AFP.

The crashed chopper is a Eurocopter EC225, made by the European aerospace corporation Airbus.

The seven people on board were five rescuers, the fisherman and a civilian.

"The patient was on a fishing boat when he lost one of his fingers through an accident, and the crew took him to Dokdo and waited for the rescue helicopter there," the official said.

"The patient needed an immediate medical operation that could have only been done at facilities on the mainland."

Seoul has controlled the islets of Dokdo in the Sea of Japan, or East Sea, since 1945, when Tokyo's brutal colonial rule on the peninsula ended, while Tokyo still claims sovereignty over them.

Seven South Koreans were missing Friday after their helicopter took off from islets disputed with Japan and crashed into the sea moments later, Seoul officials said.

Seven South Koreans were missing Friday after their helicopter took off from islets disputed with Japan and crashed into the sea moments later, Seoul officials said. The aircraft had just picked an injured fisherman up from Dokdo, which is known as Takeshima in Japan when it went down on Thursday night. The South's coast guard, members of the National Fire Agency and civilian boats were searching for survivors, while the defence ministry had also sent planes and divers to the area, a spokesman for the South's National Fire Agency told AFP. The crashed chopper is a Eurocopter EC225, made by the European aerospace corporation Airbus. The seven people on board were five rescuers, the fisherman and a civilian. "The patient was on a fishing boat when he lost one of his fingers through an accident, and the crew took him to Dokdo and waited for the rescue helicopter there," the official said. "The patient needed an immediate medical operation that could have only been done at facilities on the mainland." Seoul has controlled the islets of Dokdo in the Sea of Japan, or East Sea, since 1945, when Tokyo's brutal colonial rule on the peninsula ended, while Tokyo still claims sovereignty over them.

Seven South Koreans missing after helicopter crash near disputed islets

Indian shares extended gains seen through the week on Friday, as a raft of strong earnings raised expectations of a better December quarter.

Broader Asian shares reversed early losses with MSCI`s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inching up 0.16 per cent&nbsp;after a surprise bounce in Chinese manufacturing activity boosted investor sentiment.

In domestic markets, the broader NSE index&nbsp;was up 0.23 per cent&nbsp;at 11,904.05 as of 0405 GMT, while the benchmark BSE index&nbsp;was 0.25 per cent&nbsp;higher at 40,219.86.

Indian shares have seen steady gains in the last few sessions buoyed by positive global cues, a strong set of corporate results and expectations of a better third quarter.

The Nifty Media index&nbsp;rose as much as 3.49 per cent, gaining the most among the 14 sectoral NSE indexes.

The Nifty PSU Bank index, which tracks the country`s state-run lenders, rose as much as 0.83 per cent, with shares of Central Bank of India rising nearly 6 per cent.

"Today is the first day of the new derivative segment and we have had one of the best months in the last four months, so that positivity has continued," said A.K. Prabhakar, head of research at IDBI Capital in Mumbai.

Auto stocks will be in focus on Friday as automakers are set to report their monthly sales data. The Nifty Auto index&nbsp;inched up 0.24 per cent&nbsp;in early trade.

Shares of lender Yes Bank Ltd were flat ahead of quarterly results announcement.

State-owned oil retailer<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/indian-oil-profit-tanks-83-as-refining-margins-shrink-259071"> Indian Oil Corporation</a> Ltd slipped as much as 4.22 per cent&nbsp;and was the biggest loser on the NSE index after the refiner recorded an 83 per cent&nbsp;slide in quarterly profit.

Meanwhile, India`s fiscal deficit in the six months through September approached 93 per cent&nbsp;of the target for the full year, limiting the scope for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider more tax cuts to boost economic growth.

Indian shares extended gains seen through the week on Friday, as a raft of strong earnings raised expectations of a better December quarter. Broader Asian shares reversed early losses with MSCI`s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inching up 0.

Indian shares extended gains seen through the week on Friday, as a raft of strong earnings raised expectations of a better December quarter. Broader Asian shares reversed early losses with MSCI`s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inching up 0.16 per cent after a surprise bounce in Chinese manufacturing activity boosted investor sentiment. In domestic markets, the broader NSE index was up 0.23 per cent at 11,904.05 as of 0405 GMT, while the benchmark BSE index was 0.25 per cent higher at 40,219.86. Indian shares have seen steady gains in the last few sessions buoyed by positive global cues, a strong set of corporate results and expectations of a better third quarter. The Nifty Media index rose as much as 3.49 per cent, gaining the most among the 14 sectoral NSE indexes. The Nifty PSU Bank index, which tracks the country`s state-run lenders, rose as much as 0.83 per cent, with shares of Central Bank of India rising nearly 6 per cent. "Today is the first day of the new derivative segment and we have had one of the best months in the last four months, so that positivity has continued," said A.K. Prabhakar, head of research at IDBI Capital in Mumbai. Auto stocks will be in focus on Friday as automakers are set to report their monthly sales data. The Nifty Auto index inched up 0.24 per cent in early trade. Shares of lender Yes Bank Ltd were flat ahead of quarterly results announcement. State-owned oil retailer Indian Oil Corporation Ltd slipped as much as 4.22 per cent and was the biggest loser on the NSE index after the refiner recorded an 83 per cent slide in quarterly profit. Meanwhile, India`s fiscal deficit in the six months through September approached 93 per cent of the target for the full year, limiting the scope for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider more tax cuts to boost economic growth.

Nifty, Sensex extend gains, Indian Oil Corporation drops after weak results

Mazda&nbsp;Motor Corp&nbsp;cut its annual&nbsp;profit&nbsp;forecast by nearly half on Friday as the Japanese automaker expects a&nbsp;strong&nbsp;yen&nbsp;and falling cars&nbsp;sales&nbsp;in the United States and&nbsp;China, its biggest markets, to drive earnings to a seven-year low.

Japan's fifth-largest automaker expects to post $555.4 million&nbsp;in operating&nbsp;profit&nbsp;for the year ending March, down from a prior outlook of 110 billion&nbsp;yen, and lower than a mean forecast of 69.5 billion&nbsp;yen&nbsp;from 20 analysts polled by Refinitiv.

It represents a cut of nearly&nbsp;30 per cent&nbsp;from 82.3 billion&nbsp;yen&nbsp;profit&nbsp;a year ago.

The downgrade comes after operating&nbsp;profit&nbsp;came in at 18.8 billion&nbsp;yen&nbsp;in the July-September quarter, above analysts' forecast of 14.4 billion&nbsp;yen, although&nbsp;profit&nbsp;fell for the fourth straight quarter.

Quarterly operating&nbsp;profit&nbsp;recovered from a 2.9 billion&nbsp;yen&nbsp;loss a year ago.

Demand for&nbsp;Mazda&nbsp;vehicles, including the&nbsp;Mazda3 sedan and the CX-5 SUV crossover, has slumped since the company posted record annual&nbsp;sales&nbsp;of about 1.6 million vehicles in fiscal 2018.

Mazda&nbsp;posted global&nbsp;sales&nbsp;of 378,000 units for the quarter, down 4 per cent&nbsp;from a year ago, partly due to sluggish&nbsp;sales&nbsp;in the United States and&nbsp;China.

Global automakers have been grappling with a&nbsp;sales&nbsp;slowdown, as a prolonged trade war between Washington and Beijing and slowing growth in&nbsp;China&nbsp;have cut demand for cars in the world's top two economies.

The slowdown comes as carmakers invest heavily in electric cars, autonomous driving technologies and ride-sharing services to survive a market shift away from car ownership.

Mazda Motor Corp cut its annual profit forecast by nearly half on Friday as the Japanese automaker expects a strong yen and falling cars sales in the United States and China, its biggest markets, to drive earnings to a seven-year low.

Mazda Motor Corp cut its annual profit forecast by nearly half on Friday as the Japanese automaker expects a strong yen and falling cars sales in the United States and China, its biggest markets, to drive earnings to a seven-year low. Japan's fifth-largest automaker expects to post $555.4 million in operating profit for the year ending March, down from a prior outlook of 110 billion yen, and lower than a mean forecast of 69.5 billion yen from 20 analysts polled by Refinitiv. It represents a cut of nearly 30 per cent from 82.3 billion yen profit a year ago. The downgrade comes after operating profit came in at 18.8 billion yen in the July-September quarter, above analysts' forecast of 14.4 billion yen, although profit fell for the fourth straight quarter. Quarterly operating profit recovered from a 2.9 billion yen loss a year ago. Demand for Mazda vehicles, including the Mazda3 sedan and the CX-5 SUV crossover, has slumped since the company posted record annual sales of about 1.6 million vehicles in fiscal 2018. Mazda posted global sales of 378,000 units for the quarter, down 4 per cent from a year ago, partly due to sluggish sales in the United States and China. Global automakers have been grappling with a sales slowdown, as a prolonged trade war between Washington and Beijing and slowing growth in China have cut demand for cars in the world's top two economies. The slowdown comes as carmakers invest heavily in electric cars, autonomous driving technologies and ride-sharing services to survive a market shift away from car ownership.

Mazda sees 30% FY profit drop on strong yen, weak sales in US, China

Japan's Sharp Corp, an Apple supplier, posted a profit that beat expectations and was its first rise in five quarters, driven by the strength in the laptop business it bought from Toshiba.

Sharp, which makes sensors, camera modules and screens for Apple's iPhones, posted an operating profit of 22.3 billion yen ($206.54 million) for the second quarter ended September, up from 22.2 billion yen a year prior.

That compared with a 19.65 billion yen average of 4 analyst estimates compiled by Refinitiv.

Sharp, a unit of Taiwan's Foxconn, maintained its profit forecast for the year ending March at 100 billion yen, versus a consensus estimate of 82.23 billion yen from 10 analysts.

Sharp took over Toshiba's loss-making laptop unit last year and turned it around, making it a major profit contributor, in a push to regain global presence.

The outlook for Sharp's electronic devices business is also improving as sales at its key customer Apple appear to be stabilising.

While iPhone sales fell 9 per cent&nbsp;in the three months ended September, it was smaller than the drop in recent quarters and better than analyst expectations.

Sharp, which Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, acquired control of in 2016, is aiming to expand globally by launching high-definition 8K television sets and return to the US&nbsp;TV market.

The Osaka-based firm cut back its overseas TV business and licensed China's Hisense to use its brand in the Americas in 2015 when massive losses at its core display panel unit put its survival at risk. But earlier this year, Sharp said it had effectively regained the license sold to Hisense.

Japan's Sharp Corp, an Apple supplier, posted a profit that beat expectations and was its first rise in five quarters, driven by the strength in the laptop business it bought from Toshiba.

Japan's Sharp Corp, an Apple supplier, posted a profit that beat expectations and was its first rise in five quarters, driven by the strength in the laptop business it bought from Toshiba. Sharp, which makes sensors, camera modules and screens for Apple's iPhones, posted an operating profit of 22.3 billion yen ($206.54 million) for the second quarter ended September, up from 22.2 billion yen a year prior. That compared with a 19.65 billion yen average of 4 analyst estimates compiled by Refinitiv. Sharp, a unit of Taiwan's Foxconn, maintained its profit forecast for the year ending March at 100 billion yen, versus a consensus estimate of 82.23 billion yen from 10 analysts. Sharp took over Toshiba's loss-making laptop unit last year and turned it around, making it a major profit contributor, in a push to regain global presence. The outlook for Sharp's electronic devices business is also improving as sales at its key customer Apple appear to be stabilising. While iPhone sales fell 9 per cent in the three months ended September, it was smaller than the drop in recent quarters and better than analyst expectations. Sharp, which Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, acquired control of in 2016, is aiming to expand globally by launching high-definition 8K television sets and return to the US TV market. The Osaka-based firm cut back its overseas TV business and licensed China's Hisense to use its brand in the Americas in 2015 when massive losses at its core display panel unit put its survival at risk. But earlier this year, Sharp said it had effectively regained the license sold to Hisense.

Japan's Sharp beats second-quarter profit expectations on laptop business

Japan's justice&nbsp;minister&nbsp;stepped down on Thursday - the&nbsp;second&nbsp;resignation&nbsp;from&nbsp;Prime&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;Shinzo Abe's<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-abe-shakes-up-cabinet-brings-in-rising-star-249009"> newly formed&nbsp;cabinet</a>&nbsp;in less than a&nbsp;week&nbsp;- after a media report that his office gave out gifts such as potatoes and corn to constituents.

Justice&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;Katsuyuki Kawai's abrupt resignation came six days after that of former trade and industry&nbsp;minister, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-trade-minister-resigns-over-donation-scandal-258042">Isshu Sugawara</a>, who had been accused of election law violations by allegedly giving gifts of melons and crabs to voters in his Tokyo constituency.

Both men were first-time&nbsp;cabinet&nbsp;ministers, but while their resignations may be an embarrassment to Abe just&nbsp;weeks before he becomes&nbsp;Japan's longest-serving prime&nbsp;minister, they are unlikely to cause lasting damage due a lack of strong rivals and a weak opposition, analysts said.

The report in&nbsp;weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun said that in addition to Kawai distributing produce to supporters - including mangoes, usually pricey in&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;- his wife, Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Anri Kawai, had paid campaign staffers more than amounts permitted by law.

Kawai said neither he nor his wive knew anything about the reported allegations and denied breaking any laws, but added that he decided to resign promptly in order to avoid harming the justice system through a loss of public trust.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Abe apologised for the&nbsp;second&nbsp;time in a&nbsp;week, saying he bore responsibility for appointing the two in a&nbsp;cabinet&nbsp;reshuffle last month.

"As the person who appointed him, I bear responsibility for this, for which I apologise to the nation," Abe told reporters shortly after accepting Kawai's resignation.

"I will have to accept the harsh criticism of this situation and work even harder than ever.

Masako Mori, a former&nbsp;minister&nbsp;in charge of gender equality and measures to combat the declining birthrate, will replace Kawai.

Japan's opposition called the situation "a state of emergency" and said they would pursue the resignations in parliament.

"Resigning automatically because of a&nbsp;weekly magazine report on a matter that is strongly suspicious of illegality is, in a sense, tantamount to admitting it," said Tetsuro Fukuyama, secretary general of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of&nbsp;Japan.

"This should have been a matter worth a general resignation of the&nbsp;cabinet&nbsp;members."

But with the opposition in disarray and lacking strength, Abe is likely to survive unscathed as he has done before, analysts said.

In 2014, two&nbsp;ministers quit within hours of each other to quell brewing political funds scandals without damage to Abe.

"He's a Teflon PM who faces weak rivals and has weathered far worse," said Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University's&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;campus.

Japan's justice minister stepped down on Thursday - the second resignation from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's newly formed cabinet in less than a week - after a media report that his office gave out gifts such as potatoes and corn to constituents.

Japan's justice minister stepped down on Thursday - the second resignation from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's newly formed cabinet in less than a week - after a media report that his office gave out gifts such as potatoes and corn to constituents. Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai's abrupt resignation came six days after that of former trade and industry minister, Isshu Sugawara, who had been accused of election law violations by allegedly giving gifts of melons and crabs to voters in his Tokyo constituency. Both men were first-time cabinet ministers, but while their resignations may be an embarrassment to Abe just weeks before he becomes Japan's longest-serving prime minister, they are unlikely to cause lasting damage due a lack of strong rivals and a weak opposition, analysts said. The report in weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun said that in addition to Kawai distributing produce to supporters - including mangoes, usually pricey in Japan - his wife, Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Anri Kawai, had paid campaign staffers more than amounts permitted by law. Kawai said neither he nor his wive knew anything about the reported allegations and denied breaking any laws, but added that he decided to resign promptly in order to avoid harming the justice system through a loss of public trust. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Abe apologised for the second time in a week, saying he bore responsibility for appointing the two in a cabinet reshuffle last month. "As the person who appointed him, I bear responsibility for this, for which I apologise to the nation," Abe told reporters shortly after accepting Kawai's resignation. "I will have to accept the harsh criticism of this situation and work even harder than ever. Masako Mori, a former minister in charge of gender equality and measures to combat the declining birthrate, will replace Kawai. Japan's opposition called the situation "a state of emergency" and said they would pursue the resignations in parliament. "Resigning automatically because of a weekly magazine report on a matter that is strongly suspicious of illegality is, in a sense, tantamount to admitting it," said Tetsuro Fukuyama, secretary general of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. "This should have been a matter worth a general resignation of the cabinet members." But with the opposition in disarray and lacking strength, Abe is likely to survive unscathed as he has done before, analysts said. In 2014, two ministers quit within hours of each other to quell brewing political funds scandals without damage to Abe. "He's a Teflon PM who faces weak rivals and has weathered far worse," said Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University's Japan campus.

Second minister in a week resigns from Japan cabinet

The&nbsp;Bank&nbsp;of&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;held&nbsp;fire&nbsp;on Thursday but suggested it could&nbsp;cut&nbsp;rates in the&nbsp;future, reflecting its fears that global risks could weigh on the country's fragile recovery.

The announcement came just hours after the US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-again-attacks-federal-reserve-says-central-bank-derelict-in-its-duties-258005">Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;cut&nbsp;its benchmark interest&nbsp;rate&nbsp;for the third straight time as it gauges economic risks.

In its so-called "forward guidance"&nbsp;a signal the central&nbsp;bank&nbsp;gives to the market on its&nbsp;future&nbsp;policy decisions&nbsp;the BoJ said it expects rates "to remain at their present or lower levels."

Previously it had not made reference to the possibility of lower levels, saying instead it expected to keep "current ultra-low rates for an extended period of time, at least until the spring of 2020".

Thursday's announcement dropped the reference to that timeframe, hinting a change could come sooner.

The Japanese central&nbsp;bank&nbsp;warned that a pick-up in the global economy is likely to be delayed "mainly due to the intensified <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-wants-china-trade-deal-in-same-time-frame-despite-apec-summit-cancellation-258895">US-China trade friction</a> as well as slowdowns" in emerging economies including China.

"Japan's economy is expected to grow temporarily at a somewhat slower pace than its potential" reflecting weak exports and the sales tax hike that came into effect on October 1, it said.

The&nbsp;Bank&nbsp;also revised down its inflation and growth forecasts for the world's third-largest economy.

The central&nbsp;bank&nbsp;said it expected prices to rise 0.7 per cent in the year to March 2020, down from a previous forecast of 1.0 per cent, and well short of its years-long target of two per cent.

It also revised down its forecast for the following year to 1.1 per cent from 1.3 per cent and downgraded its projection for the year to March 2022 from 1.6 per cent to 1.5 per cent.

The BoJ has consistently fallen short of hitting the two per cent target it considers key to turbocharging the stuttering economy, despite a barrage of stimulus and monetary easing packages.&nbsp;

Bank&nbsp;policymakers have argued that prolonged periods of low growth and inflation have created a "deflation mindset" that continues to weigh on the national economy.

In a statement, it said there had been "no further increase in the possibility that the momentum towards achieving the price stability would be lost".

But it warned at the same time that "it was necessary to continue to pay close attention to the possibility".

The central&nbsp;bank&nbsp;also slightly lowered its economic growth forecast, citing "the delay in the timing of a pick-up in the growth pace of overseas economies".

It&nbsp;now&nbsp;projects&nbsp;Japan's economy will grow 0.6 per cent in the year to March, 0.7 per cent for the following year and 1.0 per cent for the year to March 22.

&nbsp;

The Bank of Japan held fire on Thursday but suggested it could cut rates in the future, reflecting its fears that global risks could weigh on the country's fragile recovery.

The Bank of Japan held fire on Thursday but suggested it could cut rates in the future, reflecting its fears that global risks could weigh on the country's fragile recovery. The announcement came just hours after the US Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate for the third straight time as it gauges economic risks. In its so-called "forward guidance" a signal the central bank gives to the market on its future policy decisions the BoJ said it expects rates "to remain at their present or lower levels." Previously it had not made reference to the possibility of lower levels, saying instead it expected to keep "current ultra-low rates for an extended period of time, at least until the spring of 2020". Thursday's announcement dropped the reference to that timeframe, hinting a change could come sooner. The Japanese central bank warned that a pick-up in the global economy is likely to be delayed "mainly due to the intensified US-China trade friction as well as slowdowns" in emerging economies including China. "Japan's economy is expected to grow temporarily at a somewhat slower pace than its potential" reflecting weak exports and the sales tax hike that came into effect on October 1, it said. The Bank also revised down its inflation and growth forecasts for the world's third-largest economy. The central bank said it expected prices to rise 0.7 per cent in the year to March 2020, down from a previous forecast of 1.0 per cent, and well short of its years-long target of two per cent. It also revised down its forecast for the following year to 1.1 per cent from 1.3 per cent and downgraded its projection for the year to March 2022 from 1.6 per cent to 1.5 per cent. The BoJ has consistently fallen short of hitting the two per cent target it considers key to turbocharging the stuttering economy, despite a barrage of stimulus and monetary easing packages. Bank policymakers have argued that prolonged periods of low growth and inflation have created a "deflation mindset" that continues to weigh on the national economy. In a statement, it said there had been "no further increase in the possibility that the momentum towards achieving the price stability would be lost". But it warned at the same time that "it was necessary to continue to pay close attention to the possibility". The central bank also slightly lowered its economic growth forecast, citing "the delay in the timing of a pick-up in the growth pace of overseas economies". It now projects Japan's economy will grow 0.6 per cent in the year to March, 0.7 per cent for the following year and 1.0 per cent for the year to March 22.

Bank of Japan suggests future rate cut, but holds fire for now

A fire has spread among structures at Shuri Castle on Japan's southern island of Okinawa, nearly destroying the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Historic UNESCO heritage Japanese castle on fire

A fire tore through Japan's World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle on Thursday, reducing the main hall of the more than 500-year-old landmark to a skeleton.

Emergency responders on the southern island of Okinawa received the first call around 2:47 am&nbsp;(1747 GMT), public broadcaster NHK said, and firefighters were still battling the flames into the daylight hours.

"The main hall has burned down and the castle's dragon monuments have been blackened," Japanese media quoted Mikiko Shiroma, mayor of Naha city where the castle is located, as saying.

"This is truly regrettable."

The wooden castle is painted bright red and enclosed by curved stone walls. It sits on a hill overlooking Naha.

The fire engulfed the popular tourist attraction in the middle of its annual mid-autumn festival. The castle was also a scheduled stop on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic torch relay route.

The city's fire department said that while the castle had exterior sprinkler systems, its halls were not so equipped as this was not required under local fire codes.

Shuri Castle has been destroyed by fire several times, most recently in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

After World War 2, it served as a university campus until the mid-1970s. Following a reconstruction, it re-opened as a national park in 1992 and was designated a World Heritage site in 2000.

In addition to the main hall, the north and south halls have been destroyed, NHK said.

A fire tore through Japan's World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle on Thursday, reducing the main hall of the more than 500-year-old landmark to a skeleton. Emergency responders on the southern island of Okinawa received the first call around 2:47 am (1747 GMT), public broadcaster NHK said, and firefighters were still battling the flames into the daylight hours.

A fire tore through Japan's World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle on Thursday, reducing the main hall of the more than 500-year-old landmark to a skeleton. Emergency responders on the southern island of Okinawa received the first call around 2:47 am (1747 GMT), public broadcaster NHK said, and firefighters were still battling the flames into the daylight hours. "The main hall has burned down and the castle's dragon monuments have been blackened," Japanese media quoted Mikiko Shiroma, mayor of Naha city where the castle is located, as saying. "This is truly regrettable." The wooden castle is painted bright red and enclosed by curved stone walls. It sits on a hill overlooking Naha. The fire engulfed the popular tourist attraction in the middle of its annual mid-autumn festival. The castle was also a scheduled stop on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic torch relay route. The city's fire department said that while the castle had exterior sprinkler systems, its halls were not so equipped as this was not required under local fire codes. Shuri Castle has been destroyed by fire several times, most recently in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. After World War 2, it served as a university campus until the mid-1970s. Following a reconstruction, it re-opened as a national park in 1992 and was designated a World Heritage site in 2000. In addition to the main hall, the north and south halls have been destroyed, NHK said.

Fire engulfs Japan's World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle

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