A consortium led by Mitsui Fudosan, selected to redevelop the former Tsukiji Market site, revealed at a press conference held in Tokyo on May 1st, plans to invest 900 billion yen in creating a multi-purpose stadium capable of accommodating 50,000 people.

The site of the former Tsukiji Market is set for a major transformation, including a stadium with a capacity of 50,000 people and a launch pad for flying cars.

The "V-Point" service, now Japan's largest point-based loyalty program, officially began on Monday, boasting approximately 150 million members.

Domestic production facilities for ethylene, a basic raw material for various chemical products including plastics, are set to be shut down for the first time in approximately ten years.

In response to the Bank of Japan's decision to end its negative interest rate policy and implement the first interest rate hike in 17 years, the three major Japanese banks have announced an increase in deposit interest rates.

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, a major non-life insurance company, will offer the industry's first insurance for frozen eggs starting in April.

As concerns mount over aging infrastructure across Japan, six major companies including JR West, the NTT Group, and megabanks have decided to launch a new business to support local governments, by encouraging cooperation between multiple municipalities and assisting with fundraising.

Starting February, Japan's major banks have announced an increase in fixed mortgage rates, reflecting the rise in long-term interest rates.

In the aftermath of the Noto Peninsula earthquake, the affected areas continued to experience frigid conditions Friday morning, including Wajima dropping to -1.1C, with the public advised to be vigilant against hypothermia and to exercise caution during restoration efforts to prevent accidents such as slips and falls due to snow and icy road conditions.

Foundations are being laid for an 18-story, 84-meter tower in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, set to become the tallest wooden building in Japan, embracing the shift towards sustainable construction.

At the Friday New Year gathering of Japan's influential economic groups, major companies announced ambitious wage increases for the coming year, with many proposing raises of "more than 10%" and some as high as "16% and above."

Japanese shipping firms are changing the routes of their ships to avoid the Red Sea, where Yemen's anti-government Houthi group has been attacking passing vessels. (NHK)

Japan's Nikkei share average drifted lower on Friday (Dec 1) to post its first weekly drop in five, as tech shares slumped on elevated bond yields after economic data provided more clues that the US Federal Reserve could end rate hikes. (Business Times)

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group has announced the death of its President and Group CEO. Ohta Jun was 65 and had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. (NHK)

Osaka Digital Exchange (ODX) revealed that its Proprietary Trading System (PTS) “START” for security tokens will begin operations by Dec. 25, according to a Nov. 20 statement. (cryptoslate.com)

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation will soon raise the interest rate on 10-year term deposits from the current 0.002% to 0.2%, a 100-fold increase, following a similar move by Mitsubishi UFJ.

Square Enix Holdings has shed nearly $2 billion of its value since Final Fantasy XVI, the latest installment of its global hit series, came out to mixed reviews. Now investors wonder whether one of the games industry’s most remarkable runs is coming to an end. (Japan Times)

Eight financial and IT companies, including Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, announced on Monday the joint establishment of a new company in October to streamline the overall exchange of assets, including securities transactions and inter-corporate settlements.

All four major Japanese banks will raise rates on 10-year fixed rate home loans from September, it was announced on Thursday.

Japanese commuter rail companies are introducing contactless fare payment systems compatible with credit and debit cards in a push to make the services more convenient for foreign tourists. (Nikkei)

The chief executive officers of Japan’s deal-hungry megabanks are earning a fraction of their global peers, showing how the nation still frowns upon outsized pay packages even with profits forecast near a record. (themalaysianreserve.com)

Berkshire Hathaway on Monday said its wholly-owned subsidiary National Indemnity Company has increased its stake in five Japanese trading firms to average more than 8.5%. (MSN)

Warren Buffet said he is more comfortable with Berkshire Hathaway Inc deploying capital in Japan than Taiwan, reflecting the growing tensions between the United States and China. (The Standard)

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc has increased its stakes in Japan's five largest trading houses to 7.4%, and the billionaire investor said he may invest more in the country. (Reuters)

INVESTOR activist group Market Forces and other environmental nonprofits filed shareholder proposals with several Japanese megabanks and utilities, seeking to require them to disclose more specific plans on how they will work to meet climate targets set by the Paris Agreement. (Business Mirror)