Daimaru Inc. and Matsuzakaya Holdings Co. announced in 2007, that they would integrate under a joint holding company in September to create the nation's biggest department store group. The new retailing giant Daimaru Matsuzakaya opened for business this Monday now bringing the fruition of the huge merger to its customers.

The annual Foodex Japan is one of  Asia’s largest food and drinks fairs. Foodex is the go-to event for  Japanese and foreign companies to network and show off their products . . . and for everyone else to sample their wares.

Japan's unemployment rate fell for the second straight month in January and household spending posted solid growth despite a decline in wages -- further signs of recovery in the world's second largest economy.