Asia business news today japan

Here are some of the top business news stories from Japan today:

Economy

• Japan's economy grew at a slower pace than expected in the fourth quarter, with GDP expanding 0.4% from the previous quarter, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance. (Source: Reuters)
• The Bank of Japan left its monetary policy unchanged, maintaining its ultra-loose stance to support the economy. (Source: Nikkei)

Companies

• Toyota Motor Corp. reported a 23% drop in quarterly profit, citing weaker demand in China and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: Bloomberg)
• Honda Motor Co. said it will invest $2.3 billion in electric vehicle technology over the next five years, as it aims to become a leader in the sector. (Source: Nikkei)
• Sony Corp. announced a 14% increase in quarterly profit, driven by strong sales of its PlayStation 5 console and other gaming products. (Source: Reuters)

Technology

• Japan's government has launched a new initiative to promote the development of 6G technology, with a focus on developing new applications and services. (Source: The Japan Times)
• SoftBank Corp. has partnered with Chinese tech giant Alibaba Group to develop a new 5G-based mobile payment system. (Source: Nikkei)

Finance

• The Japanese government has announced plans to increase its stake in Japan Post Holdings Co. to 75% from 55%, as part of efforts to strengthen the postal service's financial stability. (Source: Reuters)
• Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Japan's largest bank, has reported a 12% increase in quarterly profit, driven by strong loan growth and fee income. (Source: Bloomberg)

Other

• Japan's government has launched a new program to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on providing financial assistance and other forms of support. (Source: The Japan Times)
• The Japanese government has announced plans to increase its investment in renewable energy, with a focus on developing new solar and wind power projects. (Source: Nikkei)

These are just a few of the top business news stories from Japan today.