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Masako Tsubuku
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Apr 9, 2010
Where's the (cheap) beef?
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack might be heartened to hear the gyudon (beef bowl) battle is more ferocious than ever.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Apr 6, 2010
Annals of Cheap: Super Hotel
The Super Hotel chain ranked high in yearly survey of customer satisfaction, and for good reason. As business hotels go, these are super.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Apr 2, 2010
The Mujirushi house: Fans finally get total immersion
Fans of Mujirushi can now live in the no-nonsense, customizable house that Muji built. Simple functionality will cost you, though.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Mar 30, 2010
Food cooperatives offer peace of mind for a price
Food cooperatives offer guilt-free groceries delivered to your doorstep, but that peace of mind will cost you a pretty penny.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Mar 27, 2010
Before Obamacare: Japan's national healthcare system saves some for private insurers
Even though Japan enjoys the benefits of national health care, private insurers are doing a booming business.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Mar 22, 2010
Old eco points vs. new eco points: Where's the savings?
A new eco-points standard for TVs means buying before March 31 could be the ticket to a bargain.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Mar 18, 2010
Driving schools cope with an auto-immune generation
Driving schools used to be on easy street but they're struggling these days and trying to get control of the wheel.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Mar 12, 2010
The road to nowhere leads to Ibaraki Airport
Rumors of a third airport in Tokyo have been greatly exaggerated. It's two hours away, in Ibaraki.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Mar 8, 2010
Tax deductions and the myth of the "no-donation culture"
With few incentives to give to charities and few that qualify as NPOs, it no surprise that Japan has a bum rap as a 'no-donation' culture.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Mar 4, 2010
Annals of cheap: Tokyo Metro kaisuken
Smart cards such as PASMO and Suica are convenient for traveling in Tokyo but there's hidden value in the Metro's kaisuken (multiple tickets).
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Mar 1, 2010
Do your part and take a vacation
Japan tends to vacation en masse at the same times annually, which isn't great for an ailing tourism industry.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Feb 25, 2010
Soccer lottery BIG in Japan
The payout of the BIG soccer lottery promises to be a biggie: u00a5600 million to the lucky ticket owner.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Feb 22, 2010
Government housing allowance ignores market realities
To aid laid-off workers, the government has been offering rent subsidies, but clearly the money isn't reaching the right people.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Feb 18, 2010
Tracking the recession with the Moyashi Index
The Moyashi Index: When bean sprout consumption goes up, it means grocery spending is down. And yes, families are eating more moyashi these days.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Feb 15, 2010
Getting paid for doing the right thing
Spurred by the death of a child-abuse victim, police have begun offering incentives for anonymous tip-offs.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Feb 10, 2010
The other New Year: Can Chinese prop up J-retail?
Inbound tourism has taken a hit recently, with the exception of Chinese tourists who collectively spend a lot of yen.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Feb 8, 2010
Consumer finance regroups: Promise to be good?
Dinged with lawsuits and government scrutiny, the consumer loan business is having to play it a bit cautious.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Feb 3, 2010
Kids are all right at Softbank
If Japan wants to reverse the declining birthrate then maybe more companies should start following the Softbank model of family benefits.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jan 31, 2010
Notes on the end of the department store (as we know it)
Seibu department store has called it quits in Yurakucho. Should we be surprised?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jan 27, 2010
The art of boro: rags to riches
A Tokyo museum takes a look at the time-honored tradition of boro, rag-like hand-me-downs that rise in value as time goes by.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?