By Tim Kelly TOKYO, March 16 (Reuters) - Japan has no plan to dispatch naval vessels to escort vessels in the Middle East, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday, after U.S. President Donald Trump called on allies to protect tankers traversing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Cherry blossoms, or "sakura," usually reach their peak in late March to early April, as the country celebrates the start of a new school and business year. Many Japanese enjoy walking or picnicking under the trees.

Japan's World Baseball Classic title defense is over. Saturday night at loanDepot Park in Miami, Venezuela rallied from behind to eliminate Japan ( VEN 8, JPN 5) and advance to the semifinals. Venezuela is one step away from Tuesday's Championship Game and Japan will head home following its worst World Baseball Classic finish ever.

TOKYO, March 14 (Reuters) - The United States and ⁠Japan ⁠have agreed on the ⁠roles they will take in a potential joint nuclear project ​involving Westinghouse and Japanese nuclear power equipment makers, Dan Lipman, president of global ‌business initiatives at Westinghouse, told ‌Reuters on Saturday.

By Katya Golubkova and Yuka Obayashi TOKYO, March 15 (Reuters) - Japan plans to start releasing oil from its stockpiles on Monday to soften the shock from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, a stark reminder of the oil crisis half a century ago that prompted Tokyo to create reserves.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday after U.S.

With the conflict in Iran rattling financial markets and oil prices, the Bank of Japan finds itself in a familiar dilemma, weighing a policy pause against the continued push for rate hikes.c

Scotland number eight Jack Dempsey is to leave Glasgow Warriors this summer after agreeing to join a club in Japan.