Abenomics (a portmanteau of Abe and economics) refers to the economic policies advocated by Shinzō Abe, the current Prime Minister of Japan. Expectations for Abenomics have apparently shifted the economy into a positive cycle, as seen through increased personal spending, the gradual expansion of corporate production and an improvement in unemployment.

Japan's public broadcaster says it could begin transmissions in a format with 16 times the resolution of today's high-definition television in 2016. The format, called Super Hi-Vision, has been under development by Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) for the last few years. Super Hi-Vision images have a resolution of 7,680 pixels by 4,320 pixels. That's four times the resolution of "4K" television that's currently being touted by TV set makers as the next big thing.

Softbank Corp. (9984)’s bid for control of Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) is adding to evidence that Japan Inc.’s overseas buying spree isn’t about to abate. Softbank, Japan’s third-largest wireless carrier, agreed to pay $20.1 billion to acquire about a 70 percent stake in Sprint, according to a statement issued in Tokyo today. That would make it the country’s biggest outbound acquisition on record.

McDonald's Company (Japan) Ltd. on Monday opened its first cafe-style outlet, which will serve special brewed coffee and other products to compete with rivals such as Starbucks Co. The McCafe by Barista outlet opened in Tokyo's posh Omotesando district in Shibuya Ward. 

The crowd last month at Laforet Harajuku, an upscale shopping complex in Tokyo's most fashionable area, looked like it'd stepped out of Barbie's very messy dream house. Its members wore oversized bows, eyeball-shaped pinky rings, spiky neck collars, and pink—lots and lots of pink. They'd assembled to watch Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, a new face in J-Pop whose debut album Pamyu Pamyu Revolution was arriving in stores that day. She emerged dressed like her fans, with a giant bow on her head and in a dress designed like a Rubik's cube. 

LinkedIn Corp. on Thursday launched its online professional networking service in Japanese, the first Asian language platform for the rapidly growing company as it pushes to expand in the region. Mountain View, California-based LinkedIn also established a small Tokyo office, following the opening of its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore in May.

Amazon.com Inc may enter the Japanese e-book market this year and launch its Kindle readers in the market, the Nikkei business daily reported. The largest internet retailer, which plans to set up an online e-book store this year, is in final stages of negotiations with publishers like Shogakukan Inc, Shueisha Inc, Kodansha Ltd and Shinchosha Publishing Co, the Nikkei said.