In the face of criticism, Shoko Kawata, 35, says she loves her job and is proud to be taking time off to have a baby.

By Makiko Yamazaki and Leika Kihara TOKYO, July 3 (Reuters) - Japan issued a fresh warning to currency markets on Friday as Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said Tokyo was in regular contact with Washington on foreign exchange issues and remained ready to support the yen after it clawed its way back from 40-year lows.

Beijing’s moves have included flying bombers near Japan, detaining businesspeople and restricting the exports of rare earths.

If Japan intervenes to support the yen, investors will also be watching the country's dollar-denominated reserve assets, including US Treasurys.

Japanese officials are abandoning their habit of telegraphing intervention risks, instead signalling a more targeted campaign to squeeze speculators and raise the cost of betting against the ​battered yen,

Japan's yen fell to a nearly 40-year low near 162 per dollar, adding pressure on South Korea's won, import prices, capital flows and exporters.

In 2007 Japan’s prime minister, Abe Shinzo, told India’s parliament that the Indian and Pacific oceans were merging into a “confluence of the two seas”. Japan’s current leader, Takaichi Sanae, hopes to build upon her mentor’s vision of an open Indo-Pacific.

Hajime Moriyasu was expected to confirm on Thursday he was staying as head coach of the Japan men’s soccer team, but instead he said he needed time to relax and review the World Cup results before deciding his future.

Vinnie Massaro reflects on nearly three decades in professional wrestling, from Japan wrestling at Korakuen Hall to training the next generation.

Brazil take on dark horses Japan in the World Cup round of 32 at NRG Stadium in Houston today. Brazil topped their group to reach the knockout stage, while Japan finished as runners-up in Group F. The winners of today’s game will face either Ivory Coast or Norway in New York for a place in the quarter-finals.