Shinzo Abe

Fate of two Japanese hostages threatened with execution remains unclear

Isis deadline expires shortly as mother of hostage Kenji Goto appeals for release.

Japan's PM responds to Islamic State's $200m ransom demand for life of two hostages.

A sudden recession after a planned sales tax rise sent Japan's Abe back to the ballot box.

Japan election result and caution ahead of Fed policy also weigh on currency markets.

Abe's Liberal Democratic Party tipped to sweep polls considered a referendum on economic reforms.

EUR/USD touches 28-month low while GBP/USD holds tad above 14-month low.

Moody's has cut rating by one notch to A1 from Aa3.

Sales tax hike has hurt consumption and resulted in recession in the economy.

Exports increased to 9.6% year-on-year in October, representing a steep rise and its highest in the past eight months, compared to 6.9% growth in September.

Consumption tax hike, which was scheduled for October 2015, will now be implemented in April 2017.

Japanese leader to delay seconds sales tax hike by 18 months as country falls into recession.

Japanese Q3 GDP data shows Abenomics not yielding desired results.

Leaders of Japan and China hold first milestone talks on sidelines of Apec summit in Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

Retail sales rose 2.3% year-on-year in September, representing biggest gain since March.

Trade minister's political group listed visit to bondage bar as entertainment expenses.

Pachinko parlors are noisy, smoky and lurid, but the industry is reportedly worth £115 billion

Trade and justice ministers Yuko Obuchi and Midori Matsushima resign in a blow to gender reform

The Yasukuni Shrine honours Japan's war dead including convicted war criminals.

The book endorsement followed photograph of minister posing with Neo-Nazi politician.

Internal affairs minister and senior lawmaker deny links to Holocaust-denier Kazunari Yamada.

Sanitary-ware maker Toto opened a plant in Gujarat, spending $58m.

Hiromichi Mizuno hired as member of investment committee at Japan's $1tn Government Pension Investment Fund.

Chinese president Xi Jinping attacks Japan's pacifist policy change at 1937 Marco Polo Bridge incident commemoration.

Amid public protests and Chinese criticism, Japan makes major shift in post-war defence policy.

Japan's sales tax hike in April resulted in high prices for goods.

Japan has one of highest tax rates among industrialised nations at about 36%.

Japan's UH-X helicopter project is part of a plan to develop domestic military export industry.

Japan sees little impact of sales tax increase on economic growth.

Netanyahu set to hold talks with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and other leaders on a range of topics.