Bloomberg Japan doesn’t see a quick resumption of talks with South Korea on export restrictions for materials vital to its tech sector, as a deadline approaches for Tokyo to step up curbs on its neighbour. Economy Minister Hiroshige Seko told reporters that export controls were not a matter for international organisations. His comments came the day after South Korean President ...

Bloomberg The retailer Muji became one of Japan’s most recognisable brands by selling simple, practical items that it hopes will last for decades. It turns out, though, that “less is more” has its limits as a business strategy. After a decade of expansion that brought its minimalist emporia of modular shelving, sturdy kitchen gear and earth-tone fashions to cities from ...

President Donald Trump claims he has “tremendous Democrat support” in the House for the accord he signed last year with Mexico and Canada to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. He threatens to withdraw from Nafta if Congress doesn’t quickly pass his new trade deal. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants the deal, now called the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement, improved ...