Japan's spending on tourism is drying up. Since Sept. 11, its tourists have canceled half their holidays in the US, Singapore and other markets -- leaving carriers fighting to stem losses and setting back the industry's recovery
This time of year, Vangelis Papas is usually busy guiding spendthrift Japanese tourists around the cathedrals and opera houses of Prague and Vienna. This week, he's in Tokyo in search of a market that went away.

[ FULL STORY ]

The public is keen to buy more cheaply, but policymakers are worried that the new stance will have deleterious effects on companies
In a country where it will cost US$15 for a ticket to the new Harry Potter movie, consumers reckon prices have plenty of room to fall.

[ FULL STORY ]

Eleven-year-old Narumi Nakajima couldn't wait. After watching her self-made tape of the trailer for Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone more than 100 times she was about to see the movie itself at a special Tokyo preview.

[ FULL STORY ]