Asia

Japan has said it will consider helping to save Greece as part of a wider bailout plan as it looks to avert a crisis in global growth.

ON JAPAN

JAPAN SIX MONTHS ON

Schroders Japan Alpha Plus manager says region will not be hit with crisis of confidence despite year's events.

Among the brigade of economists and investment strategists a depressing idea has been gaining traction in recent years, one we might call the Japanification of the Anglo Saxon world.

China's premier, Wen Jiabao, said the country is ready to help Europe through its current debt crisis, but is calling for Europe to recognise China as a full market economy.

China's attempts to cool rising prices have begun to have an impact, as inflation slowed in August after hitting a three-year high the previous month.

ON JAPAN

Moody's downgrade of Japan's credit rating last week came as no shock to markets, while economists warned the appreciation of the yen is a more crucial issue for the country.

Credit rating agency Moody's has downgraded Japan's sovereign debt rating by one notch, saying weak political leadership has hampered growth.