Japan had a vibrant economy. Then it fell into a slump for 30 years. : Planet Money Last month, Japan's central bank raised interest rates for the first time in 17 years. That is a really big deal ...

The Bank of Japan predicted growth of just 0.5 percent, cutting its previous forecast in half, and decided against another hike in interest rates. By River Akira Davis and Kiuko Notoya Reporting ...