Latest Japan Headlines

All the headlines from our Japan Topic Page, ordered by recency.

AIR Tracking Typhoon Kompasu, Tropical Cyclones

Aug 31 2010 // According to catastrophe risk modeling firm AIR Worldwide, the sixth, seventh, and eighth named storms of the northwest Pacific season are approaching the Asian mainland bringing high winds and expected heavy...

Japan Analyzing Damage to Tanker in Hormuz Strait

Aug 19 2010 // Checks on a Japanese oil tanker, damaged by a mystery explosion near the Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route, found a soot-like substance in a large dent in its hull, the Transport Ministry in Tokyo said on Wednesday. (See...

Insurers Await Report on Japanese Tanker Attack

Aug 9 2010 // A suspected militant strike on a Japanese-owned tanker illustrates how vulnerable merchant ships are to attack on the high seas with navies stretched fighting Somali piracy, analysts and shipping sources said on...

Japan Tanker: Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility; Insurers Monitor Events

Aug 4 2010 // A militant group linked to al Qaeda said on Wednesday that a suicide bomber was responsible for a mysterious explosion on a Japanese-owned oil tanker a week ago near the Strait of Hormuz. But analysts are sceptical about...

Ozeki Named Executive VP of Chartis Far East

Aug 3 2010 // Chartis has appointed Makoto Ozeki to the newly created position of executive vice president and chief operating officer of Chartis Far East Holdings, which services Japan and Korea. Ozeki will be responsible for...

China’s Economy Set to Pass Japan’s as World’s Second Biggest

Aug 2 2010 // China is set to overtake Japan as the world’s second-largest economy in a resurgence that is changing everything from the global balance of military and financial power to how cars are designed. By some measures it...

Japan Tanker Shows How Getting Answers on Ship Security Not Easy

Jul 30 2010 // The confusion around what the owners initially called a possible “attack” on a Japanese tanker in the volatile Straits of Hormuz shows the difficulties markets and policymakers face reacting to security events...

Japan Supertanker Probe Reveals Crash Impact

Jul 29 2010 // A Japanese supertanker, which triggered fears of an attack in the sensitive Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route, collided with something, possibly a submarine or mine, UAE port officials inspecting the ship said on...

‘Freak Wave’ Damages Japan Supertanker in Strait of Hormuz

Jul 28 2010 // A Japanese oil tanker damaged by a freak wave in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, was making its way to a port in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday. The ship’s owners...

China Braces for Typhoon Conson; Vietnam Evacuates Thousands

Jul 16 2010 // Southern China on Friday battened down to await the arrival of Typhoon Conson, gathering strength over the South China Sea, and Vietnam deployed nearly 3,000 troops to areas in the path of the storm. Swollen rivers and...

Report IDs Pacific Northwest as ‘Mega-Earthquake’ Hotspot

Jul 5 2010 // The Pacific Northwest is one of five regions in the world most likely to see a mega-earthquake, according to a new report. “When The Earth Moves: Mega-Earthquakes To Come?” published by Aon Benfield in...

Willis Re Appoints Byng to Lead New Property Resource Group

Jul 1 2010 // Willis Re, the reinsurance arm of Willis Group Holdings announced the appointment of James Byng Property Resource Group Leader for its International and Specialty reinsurance business. He will assume this new position on...

Aon Benfield Report Identifies ‘Mega-Earthquake’ ‘Hotspots

Jun 15 2010 // Aon Benfield has published a new report – “When The Earth Moves: Mega-Earthquakes To Come?” – in conjunction with the Aon Benfield UCL Hazard Research Centre. The report was prompted by the recent...

Hawaii Insurance Commissioner Schmidt Resigns

Jun 8 2010 // J.P. Schmidt, Insurance Commissioner of the State of Hawaii, announced he be leaving his position to join the Honolulu law firm of Bays Deaver Lung Rose Holma, effective July 1. Schmidt will be practicing general business,...

Saft: Lessons for U.S., UK from Japan’s Lost Decade

May 28 2010 // Deflation and a lost decade can be avoided it seems; all we need are perfect central bankers, sensible politicians, a biddable electorate and cooperative investors. Nothing to worry about there, then. In a speech on...

Bowring Marsh Opens Tokyo Office

May 20 2010 // Bowring Marsh, the Specialist International Placement Broker at Marsh, has expanded its Asian presence with the opening in Tokyo of its eighth office, which will specialize in property, earthquake and business interruption...

RMS Announces New Parametric Loss Index for Japan Quake Risks

May 19 2010 // Risk Management Solutions announced the addition of Japan earthquake to its existing suite of parametric industry loss indices covering U.S. hurricane, U.S. earthquake, and Europe windstorm. RMS said: “Paradex Japan...

Strong Quake Rocks Central Japan

Mar 15 2010 // A strong earthquake hit off the eastern coast of central Japan on Sunday, rattling buildings across a broad swath of the country, including the crowded Tokyo capital. There were no immediate reports of damage or...

Lloyd’s Chairman Visits Japan, So. Korea; Urges Closer Ties

Mar 11 2010 // Lloyd’s Chairman, Lord Levene, visited Japan and South Korea last week where he opened the new Lloyd’s Japan office and hosted an event with Korean Re, titled – Lloyd’s – A Working...

AIG Sells Alico Unit to MetLife for $15.5 Billion

Mar 8 2010 // AIG is selling its foreign life insurance unit to MetLife Inc. for about $15.5 billion, its second major asset sale in a week as it raises funds to repay a massive U.S. government bailout. MetLife said Monday that it would...