Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe has attempted to lift the economic stagnation that has afflicted the country in recent years with his 'Abenomics' reform policy. Jacopo Dettoni examines why, after some early success, the plan is showing signs of strain.

Shinzo Abe’s government is striving to lift barriers to foreign investment in Japan, and Asian investors are already making the most of the improving business environment. However, as Jacopo Dettoni reports, overall business sentiment among foreign investors remains subdued, although gradually improving. 

Japan has been at the forefront of technological development for years, and hopes a new incentive programme to lure foreign investors into setting up local R&D operations will ensure it reaps the rewards of this fertile environment. 

With the Abe government aiming to increase Japan's stock of FDI to Y35,000bn by 2020, business and immigration reforms are a key pillar of its strategy to improve the business environment for foreign investors, as Hiroyuki Ishige, CEO of the Japan External Trade Organization, tells Jacopo Dettoni.

Annual visitors to Japan look set to exceed the 20 million mark for the first time ever in 2016, creating new tourism investment opportunities, as Jacopo Dettoni reports.