A toy helicopter created from cannibalized smartphones was among the main attractions at a huge toy show in Tokyo on Friday, where producers were targeting the young and the young-at-heart.

The Japanese government shrugged off stock market gyrations Thursday, saying a raft of reforms including tax breaks for firms wanting to invest would boost the economy.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) said Tuesday the economy was “picking up” and held off ramping up April's huge stimulus scheme, but warned of possible headwinds caused by uncertainty in Europe and the United States.

Japan's economy grew faster than previously thought in the first quarter, offering renewed hope for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's growth-boosting plan after two weeks of stock market tumbles.

A Japanese man was caught smuggling nearly 3 kilograms of heroin into Taiwan Wednesday, police said. The 57 year-old man, identified only as Tamura, was detained after his checked luggage was found to contain 12 bricks of a suspicious looking white powder that was later determined to be heroin, the Kaohsiung branch of the Aviation Police Office said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed on Monday that deregulation is the priority for the nation's growth strategy and aimed to push forward his economic policies.

The International Monetary Fund on Friday gave a cautious thumbs up to Japan's economy-boosting efforts, but warned there are “considerable downside risks” if Tokyo doesn't chop its huge national debt.

Tokyo stocks plunged more than 5 percent Thursday as jittery investors dumped shares on the back of a stronger yen and after Wall Street fell on concerns over global growth.

Japan and Russia on Wednesday signed a deal that will see them jointly explore and develop a potentially lucrative oil and gas field off Russia's Far East coast.

Bank of Japan (BOJ) board member Ryuzo Miyao said on Tuesday it was vital to keep long- and short-term interest rates stable but offered no new prescriptions to contain the recent bond market turmoil that has threatened to undercut the central bank's massive easing campaign.