The ratio of employees supporting pensioners has fallen from 40:1 in 1979 to just 2.5:1 in 2009 -- an unsustainable situation.

Over the last 9 months the amount of foreign M&As being done by Japanese companies has been remarkable.

High domestic costs and a dwindling market are the drivers for Japanese companies to move abroad.

JVCA member companies investing almost as much in Q1 this year as they did in Q3 of 2008.

You get to see some interesting pets being taken for a walk in the park.

Despite the big numbers, there is also plenty of action at lower levels, like Osaka firm Endo Lighting.

The company says that compared to other countries the Japan operation trails far behind in profitability.

Old people own most of the wealth, and young working tax payers cover the oldies' increasing health care bills.

A decision was made a to reduce the Global Markets team and to possibly cut all the foreign offices.

This "merger of equals" would create Japan's second largest company after Toyota.