Disaster in Japan

The Bank of Japan on Tuesday lowered its real GDP growth forecast for this fiscal year, citing a sharp contraction in production in the immediate aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

TOKYO - Japan's central bank on Tuesday cut its annual economic growth forecast due to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, but said the economy is beginning to recover.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan kept monetary policy on hold and revised up its assessment of the economy on Tuesday, encouraged by a rebound in factory output and increasing signs that the recovery from the devastating March earthquake is broadening.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo Electric Power Co said it resumed generating electricity from the oil-fired 600 megawatt No.2 unit at its Hirono plant in northern Japan on Monday evening for the first time since the facility was rocked by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake on March 11.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan is expected to hold off on easing monetary policy further and revise up its assessment of the economy at a policy meeting that ends on Tuesday, encouraged by a pickup in factory output and recovery in business sentiment hit by the March 11 earthquake.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan is expected to stand pat on monetary policy on Tuesday while presenting a brighter view on the economy, encouraged by a rebound in factory output and increasing signs that the recovery from the devastating March earthquake is broadening.

Small tsunami waves reached the Pacific coast of northern Japan Sunday after a major quake hit the region heavily damaged by the March earthquake and tsunami, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

TOKYO (Reuters) - A strong earthquake jolted on Sunday the same area of northeastern Japan that was hit by a massive quake in March, but there was no sign of further damage along the coast or to the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, officials said.

TOKYO - A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 hit Japan's northeastern coast on Sunday, prompting a brief tsunami warning for the area still recovering from a devastating quake and killer wave four months ago.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off eastern Japan Sunday, triggering a tsunami warning that was cancelled within two hours.

A small tsunami reached the Pacific coast of northern Japan after a strong quake hit the region heavily damaged by the March earthquake and tsunami, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp's brand Lexus will end its streak of 11 years as the top luxury brand in the U.S. market due to lost sales in the aftermath of the Japan earthquake and tsunami, said Mark Templin, Lexus Division general manager.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp's brand Lexus will end its streak of 11 years as the top luxury brand in the U.S. market due to lost sales in the aftermath of the Japan earthquake and tsunami, said Mark Templin, Lexus Division general manager.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - An earthquake registering 5.6 shook the Pacific off Honshu, Japan, the U.S. Geological Survey said Thursday. That is the area of northeast Japan ravaged by a March 11 quake and tsunami that knocked out power at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's core machinery orders rose in May at the fastest pace in four months in a sign that capital expenditures will stay firm and support the economic recovery as the country rebuilds from a devastating earthquake and tsunami.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Forced to quit after barely a week as Japan's reconstruction minister for remarks deemed offensive to victims of the March earthquake and tsunami, Ryu Matsumoto had an unusual explanation for his behavior -- his blood type.