Tokyo

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on March 10 urged Japan to resolve issues surrounding Tokyo's system of wartime sex slavery, her second foray into the delicate issue of East Asia's history.
      

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on a visit to Japan on Monday that Europe faced a formidable challenge in reaching a financial aid agreement with Greece that would keep it in the euro zone.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel waded into the fraught area of wartime forgiveness during a visit to Japan on Monday, saying that "facing history squarely" and "generous gestures" are necessary to mend ties.
      

Britain's Prince William compared royal notes with Japan's imperial family on Febç 27 in the tradition-laden Imperial Palace that dominates central Tokyo.
      
The young scion of the House of Windsor was welcomed by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the entrance of the imposing palace, which is cut off from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo by a large moat.
      

By Nick Gentle and Yuji Nakamura

Europe?s benchmark equity index traded near a seven-year high and the euro fell before talks on further funding for Greece resume, while oil headed for its first weekly loss in a month as record US supplies reinforced concern over a glut. Japanese stocks extended a 15-year high.

The euro rose Thursday on hopes for a deal in Greece's debt standoff, while the dollar was under pressure after Federal Reserve policy meeting minutes suggested it was in no hurry to hike interest rates.

In Tokyo, the single currency strengthened to $1.1413 and 135.46 yen, from $1.1398 and 135.35 yen in New York.

The dollar slipped to 118.68 yen from 118.76 yen.

International advisers to Japan?s atomic regulator have raised concern a mandatory review of its performance could lead to a loss of independence for the body, which was set up in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Athletics global governing body is to launch a doping crackdown on elite marathon runners after scandals involving top Kenyan and Russian stars.
      
Organisers of the top races in London, New York, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo and Berlin have agreed to finance extra testing of top runners by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
      

Japan on Feb. 17 announced $15.5 million to fight "terrorism" in the Middle East and Africa, as Tokyo tries to demonstrate its resolve despite the murder of two citizens by Islamist extremists.
      
The amount doubles the $7.5 million in assistance that Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida pledged during a visit to Brussels in January.
      

The euro weakened Tuesday after the showdown debt talks between Greece and its creditors collapsed, raising the prospect the country will be dumped out of the eurozone.

However, many equity markets were unfazed by the trouble in Europe as trade begins to wind down in several Asian bourses before the Lunar New Year holiday at the end of the week.