Nor could Mr Hashimoto promise that Japan's banks would not call in their loans to companies in the afflicted countries, perhaps precipitating national bankruptcies.

ECONOMIST: Burying the Asian miracle

All three were nominated by new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who came into office on the promise of bringing Japan's economy out of its prolonged slump.

BBC: Haruhiko Kuroda

One big promise came from Japan, which has agreed to pay the salary of Afghanistan's national police for the next six months, a "huge" commitment, Holbrooke said.

CNN: Officials: Afghanistan strategy formed with great deliberation

Results from midstage clinical trials in 208 patients in Europe and Japan show promise.

FORBES: Modesty ablaze

The education ministry, meanwhile, has been encouraging graduate studies at Japan's public universities, with the promise of funding for a new type of professional graduate school.

ECONOMIST: Business studies in Japan

Retired 8 years ago from Japan's No. 3 consumer lender, Promise, to grow mangoes, bananas.

FORBES: Japan's 40 Richest

Foreigners are waiting for Japan to open the market for corporate control by honouring its promise that they will, in effect, be able to issue shares to finance a takeover.

ECONOMIST: Japan's economy

Toru Hashimoto, governor of Osaka prefecture, Japan's second-biggest industrial hub, is campaigning on a promise to build a similar megalopolis, though against opposition from local mayors.

ECONOMIST: Some see a tea party brewing in Japan��s hinterland