An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 hit Japan's east coast early Saturday morning but no immediate land damage was reported.

Japanese authorities said the cleanup of the Fukushima nuclear plant would not be completed next year as originally scheduled.

Japan hair and cosmetics company Shiseido on Thursday said it had been discussing with L'Oreal about the latter's acquisition of the Decleor and Carita skincare brands for EUR230 million or USD314.3 million.

A regulatory filing by Softbank Corp had confirmed rumors of the Japanese company purchasing a stake in US mobile distributor company Brightstar Corp.

Tokyo Gas said it would looking at majority stake purchases for mid-sized LNG projects in Southeast Asia or Africa to bring down import costs.

The Japanese Yen had increased versus all its major peers as no progress was seen between US President Barack Obama and the House Republicans to end the US shutdown.

Japan, stretched to the limit because of the increase in foreign exchange funds, is studying to have the private sector manage the funds.

Tokyo Electric's debtors allow debt roll over for the stricken power utility firm. Twenty eight financial institutions, including Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp have agreed to roll nearly a JPY77 billion or USD783 million syndicated loan for Tokyo Electric Power Co due to become mature by month's end.

Last Tuesday, Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso urged the United States to settle its budget issues for Japan to be spared from fiscal trouble, reported Reuters.

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corp announced the completion of its acquisition of Butterfield Fulcrum Group, now known as Mitsubishi UFJ Fund Services.