Investors who pay attention to Japan’s looming election can expect to be well-rewarded for their time.  Normally, we confess, Japanese elections don’t matter much, because the same guys always win. However, this one – set for Aug. 30 – looks different: It may actually bring about the first real change in Japan’s government in 55 years. That’s important.

Kazakhstan was once a nation of nomads wandering vast steppes. They herded cattle, goats and camels. On the country’s western edge lies the Caspian Sea. Towns grew up along the shore there, hauling in catches of sturgeon and black caviar.

For two decades, the Japanese economy has been dead as a doornail – in spite of hefty Japanese consumer savings. Why?

China made headlines around the world this week when it revealed that its foreign reserves had eclipsed the $2 trillion market for the first time, rising by a record $178 billion in the second quarter – thanks to a flood of “hot money” that flowed into the world’s most promising economy.

Markets were cheered Wednesday when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected global growth of 2.5% for 2010, a slight increase from its earlier forecast of 1.9% growth. That’s good news for investors – but consumers in the United States and investors focused on it may not see much benefit.

It’s the perfect time to make money from some of the world’s fastest-growing markets as long as you invest in them the right way.

Iran has a bigger place in the global economy than most people know.

European shares climbed 1 percent on Monday, boosted by upbeat euro zone data, while the dollar steadied after falling late last week on a renewed call by China for a super-sovereign reserve currency.

Commodity prices and world stocks rose while the U.S. dollar and government bond prices slipped on Friday when investors cautiously put money back into riskier assets.