In June 2015, Shinzo Abe became the first Japanese prime minister to visit Ukraine since its independence in 1991. Many observers hoped his visit was a turning point lifting Ukraine-Japan relations to a higher level. Upon Japan’s invitation, the president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, paid a reciprocal visit to Japan from April 5 to 7 this year. During his …

  China is determined to become the low-emissions electric-car capital of the world. Unfortunately, its car buyers aren’t cooperating. Cleaner Cars The Chinese government has been spending billions on research grants, steep subsidies and new infrastructure — such as charging stations — to encourage consumers to go electric. It hopes to boost the number of such vehicles on the road …

  BLOOMBERG Crude oil’s fourth-straight decline weighed on energy companies and currencies of commodity-exporting nations after talks between major producers ended in Doha without any agreement on limiting output. While the drop in energy prices was moderated by a labor strike in Kuwait that curbed production, it dragged down the ruble, which posted the biggest loss among major currencies. The …