Inside these posts: Japan

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Hospira drug receives additional approval in Japan

Drug and medical device maker Hospira Inc. said Japanese regulators have approved the use of its sedative Precedex in patients for more than 24 hours. The drug was originally approved there in 2004 to sedate intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care for up to 24 hours.

A Hospira spokesman said the Lake Forest, Ill., company has done trials of the sedative in the United States, where it also is seeking approval for the longer-term use.

Groupon expands into Japan, Russia

Daily deal site Groupon is continuing its international expansion with acquisitions of similar companies in Japan and Russia.

Chicago-based Groupon said it has bought Qpod of Japan and Darberry of Russia. Terms  were not disclosed. Both sites were launched this year, and their founders will stay on, with the sites being redesigned to be consistent with Groupon’s brand name over the next several months, Groupon said in a release. Get the full story »

China becomes No. 2 economy ahead of Japan

Reporting from Beijing and Tokyo –  China’s economy surpassed Japan’s as the world’s second-largest –  a highly anticipated milestone rich in symbolism for a developing country that began market reforms only three decades ago.

The news came Monday when Japan’s government said its economic output in the second quarter slowed to $1.28 trillion, short of the $1.33 trillion China reported for the same period.

Apple ordered to publicize iPod fix in Japan

Japan’s trade ministry has ordered Apple Inc’s Japan unit to state on its website that users who are concerned about their iPod nano portable music player catching fire can receive a replacement battery.

The ministry ordered Apple to publish an “easy to understand” statement online explaining how users of the devices — responsible for four cases of minor burns in Japan — can receive replacement batteries and obtain advice, a spokesman for the ministry said on Friday. Get the full story »

Sony leads upswing in Japanese electronics firms

Sony Corp. lifted its annual outlook and returned to profitability in the first quarter on booming demand for its Bravia flat TVs and PlayStation 3 game consoles.

Rivals Panasonic Corp. and Sharp Corp. also reported profits for April-to-June versus losses a year ago, while Panasonic joined Sony in upgrading its forecast as both cashed in on growing sales in emerging markets. Get the full story »