Japan is offering to lend up to $100 billion to the International Monetary Fund to help nations hit hard by the global financial crisis.

A new study published in the September/October issue of the journal Marketing Science reveals the world's most innovative countries, with Japan and the Nordic countries earning top spots and the United States finishing in sixth.

Renault driver Fernando Alonso won the FIA 2008 Formula One Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix on the Fuji Speedway at Oyama, Sunto District, Shizuoka, Japan.

Following the lead of Thursday's huge drop of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Asian markets plunged in Friday trading, setting the stage for possibly another debacle on the American stock market.

An earthquake of magnitude of 6.7 hit the Tokyo area of Japan cutting off power to more than 2,000 homes and causing light injuries, Japan's news agencies and AFP report.

Japan and China have agreed to hold annual leaders' meetings in another sign of improving relations between the Asian neighbors.

President Hu Jintao on Tuesday started the first visit by a Chinese leader to Japan in 10 years as the Asian powers eased decades of tension, but hundreds took to the streets to protest over Tibet.

Relations between U.S. military personnel and Japanese communities that host military bases are growing emotional following a spate of crimes committed by U.S. servicemen. The incidents have prompted calls by Japan's opposition party for a re-evaluation of defense pacts, and have led U.S. commanders to clamp down on their troops.

Japanese stocks fell the most in a month on concern fallout from the U.S. mortgage market crisis is spreading to Japan's consumer lenders and a U.S. recession will extend the dollar's decline against the yen.

The U.S. military says it took a Marine into custody Friday who was being held by Japanese authorities on charges of raping a teenager on the southern island of Okinawa.

Japan 's health authorities have approved Roche's cancer drug Herceptin for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda met with visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Thursday at his official residence.