japan

The major players in the auto industry have had it rough in the past few years, first with the massive sales declines caused by the recession, and more recently, with the disaster in Japan. But the next challenge they face is already looming on the horizon: A slowdown in Chinese car sales.

Days after Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami, some investing experts pronounced the country's woes a buying opportunity. A cash stampede into U.S.-based Japan exchange-traded funds followed. But these investments carry greater risks than the average Joe probably realizes.

Japan's domestic food supply faces plenty of threats, including nuclear radiation, a crippled distribution infrastructure and a shaky electric grid. But there's some good news for U.S. suppliers: A shortage of domestic beef and pork could increase the market for imported meat.

As the crisis at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant continues, some worry that radiation from the damaged reactors will reach U.S. shores. Dr. Edward Maher, president of the Health Physics Society, and an environmental science expert at Harvard, explains why we should breathe easy.

Despite turbulent times, U.S. markets are rising again. But is this a temporary bump, or the return of a bull market? The sharp-eyed analysts of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs say its the latter, and their money is on strong growth ahead.

The Japanese government says the economic toll from the earthquake and tsunami could exceed $300 billion, considerably higher than other estimates.

Both a major buyer and processor of fish, Japan is an important link in the global seafood distribution chain. So the effects of the disaster -- including the ruined ports, roads, fisheries and processing centers -- have taken their toll on the seafood industry worldwide.

Sushi lovers needn't fear the effects of radiation on their sashimi and tuna rolls -- at least not here in the U.S. For one thing, it will be a long while before anyone starts fishing off the coast of Japan near where the earthquake-ravaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is emitting dangerous...

Toyota Motor (TM) reportedly won't resume vehicle production at any of its plants in Japan on Tuesday, as the automaker had planned. The continued stoppage leaves in question just how soon the world's largest automaker will be able to resume operations in its home market, following the March 11...

One of Japan's best-known exports, its unique style of animation, faces a new crisis -- a disruption in production following the recent earthquake and tsunami. The multi-billion-dollar "anime" industry has already been challenged by overseas competition and high employee turnover at home.