Why Japan’s Latest Attempt to Boost its Economy Won’t Work

After weeks of calls by the Japanese government to do something about deflation and the fast appreciating yen, the Bank of Japan held an emergency meeting Tuesday — and decided what the world’s second largest economy needs is more money. Central bank governor Masaaki Shirakawa announced steps to step up monetary easing by injecting 10 trillion yen into Japan’s financial system.

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Western nations urge Japan to sign child abduction treaty

The ambassadors of eight Western nations urged Japan on Friday to consider signing The Hague Convention on international child abduction. The meeting came as an American Christopher Savoie, jailed for allegedly wresting his two children away from his ex-wife, was released by Japanese authorities and was on his way home to Tennessee.

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American father in custody case released from Japanese jail

An American man who had been accused of trying to take his children from his ex-wife was released from jail on Thursday and charges against him were dropped. Police in the rural southern town of Yanagawa said Christopher Savoie was let go, but did not say whether authorities set any conditions for his release, such as requiring that he leave the country immediately.

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Does ‘strengthening diplomacy’ warrant Nobel? Americans split

The decision to award President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to “strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples” appears to have left some in the United States divided over whether non-tangible achievements are worthy of such an esteemed award. “So can anyone tell me how this man won the Nobel Peace Prize” iRepoter Katy Brown wondered, asking whether it had more to do with him becoming the first black U.S.

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Use toilet before boarding, Japan airline asks

To offset carbon dioxide, a Japanese airline is asking its passengers to go to the toilet before boarding. The unusual request by All Nippon Airways (ANA) is part of its “e-Flight” promotional program to reduce the amount of carbon expelled on 38 domestic routes and its twice daily international flights to Singapore.

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Controversial former Japanese finance minister found dead

Former Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa, who resigned from his post after appearing intoxicated at a news conference earlier this year, was found dead in his home Sunday, police told CNN. Tokyo police found Nakagawa, 56, lying face down on a bed on the second-floor of his home, Kyodo reported.

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Chicago, Rio de Janeiro in heated battle for 2016 Olympic Games

The battle to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games appears to be heating up between Chicago, Illinois, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, two sources close to the process said Thursday. The revelation came after a day of furious behind-the-scenes lobbying of International Olympic Committee members by American first lady Michelle Obama and famed talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who both hail from Chicago

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