The radical Islamic group claims to be holding two Japanese hostages.
Shinzo Abe hopes an election win will give him a mandate to delay planned increase in sales tax.
Daily low-dose aspirin usage may not have significant benefits for older people's heart health.
Gross domestic product fell at annualized 1.6% from July to September, compared to forecasts of a 2.1% rise.
Nations' leaders meet for formal talks in first time in two years.
Two reactors at Sendai plant first to be restarted since 2011 meltdown.
North Korea admitted it kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens in the 1970s-80s.
Meeting in Beijing fuels talk of meeting between leaders.
Typhoon lashed Japan with torrential rain after killing at least one person.
Efforts to recover bodies suspended amid new activity on Mount Ontake.
