The Nikkei carried a feel-good article about Japan's top three banks had cut their Non-performing Loans (NPLs) to small and mid-size companies -- however, government propaganda has its own language and smell.

Interesting case going on in Vietnam at present. It involves the bribery of at least 4 and possibly as many as 14 Vietnam Railways Corporation (VRC) officials by a Japanese contracting firm called JTC.

Although almost all commercial tea apparently comes from the same bush, "Camellia Sinensis", it's the Japanese method of processing the leaves right after harvesting that give it the distinctive color and taste.

In 2012 the mayor of Osaka, Toru Hashimoto, came out "full blast" with a policy that outlawed tattoos -- in the Osaka government at least. Specifically, he ordered a stop to city employees getting inked.