With a daily circulation in excess of 10 million copies the Daily Yomiuri ranks as one of the world’s most popular newspapers.

In comparison the Wall Street Journal has a circulation in Japan of just under 10,000 copies, surprisingly lower than the Philippines, never mind Hong Kong or Singapore.

So aiming to boost its fortunes, the WSJ has inked a deal with the Yomiuri that doubtless News International executives hope will be a game changer.

There had been talk that the WSJ would be abandoning its subscription only policy following its acquisition by Rupert Murdoch. If that were to occur would the attractiveness of the WSJ to Yomiuri fade?