Toyota Japan told the BBC that it wants to minimise its "currency risk exposure", but has not set a date for the change-over yet.

BBC: Toyota tells UK suppliers to use euro

The BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo said Japan Airlines still had plenty of problems to overcome - including massive debts.

BBC: Japan Airlines receives new offer

The issue for people in Japan is a shortage of information, says the BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo.

BBC: Robots record high radiation levels at Japan reactors

While Ms Gillard underlined continued strategic ties with the US, her speech formalised trends built up during the past three decades in which China has become Australia's top trading partner, ahead of Japan, the US and South Korea, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Sydney.

BBC: Australia PM Julia Gillard outlines Asia manifesto

In 2011 the horse trams celebrated their 135th anniversary and featured in television programmes in Germany, Japan and the Netherlands as well as starring in Michael Portillo's BBC show Great British Railway Journeys.

BBC: Isle of Man horse tram passenger numbers fall by 5%

Paul Lewis, a spokesman for Boeing, told the BBC that the planemaker was "aware of the diversion of a 787 operated by ANA to Takamatsu in western Japan".

BBC: Top Japan airlines ground Boeing 787s after emergency

The BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says the new prime minister will have to oversee the biggest reconstruction effort in Japan since WWII and resolve the nuclear crisis at Fukushima where reactors are still leaking radiation.

BBC: Japan PM Naoto Kan announces resignation amid criticism