TOKYO (Reuters) - Several Japanese retailers have halted operations in China and have taken steps to protect staff in the country after violent protests flared over a territorial dispute that threatened to hurt trade ties between Asia's two biggest economies.
A spokeswoman at Fast Retailing said that five stores of its clothing chain Uniqlo were closed on Monday, and three others were operating on shortened hours. The company has asked its Japanese staff in China to work from home and follow guidelines on Japan's foreign ministry webpage.