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Yoshio Nakamura
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Apr 14, 2003
Take heart! Japan can beat deflation, create jobs through 2010: JBF
People are becoming increasingly wary of the condition of the Japanese economy and uncertain of its future. Some media commentators and economists speak as if the economic slump is going to continue for another decade, or even another century.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVE
Mar 17, 2003
Next BOJ team must sell the public a fiscal policy it can believe in
A lot has been said about the nomination of Bank of Japan Gov. Toshihiko Fukui, the events that led to the formation of his team, and the political dynamics behind that decision. Now, with his formal appointment due on Thursday, I would like to point out several tasks the central bank will need to tackle...
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Feb 17, 2003
FTC's 'procedures' trample human rights
Article 11 of the Constitution says, "The people shall not be prevented from enjoying any of the fundamental human rights. These fundamental human rights guaranteed by this Constitution shall be conferred upon the people of this and future generations as eternal and inviolable rights." The principle...
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Jan 20, 2003
Hike in consumption tax center of lobby's vision
The Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) on Jan. 1 released a grand vision aimed at reviving Japan into a vigor- ous and attractive nation.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Nov 18, 2002
Reality check in order for 'antideflation' plan
The comprehensive package of so-called antideflation measures spelled out by the government late last month incorporates steps for revitalizing Japan's financial and industrial sectors, stimulating economic activity and bolstering the safety net for workers.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Sep 30, 2002
Immediate revamp of securities tax holds cure for ailing stock market
The stock market remains mired in a slump. On Sept. 3, the benchmark Nikkei average in Tokyo plunged to yet another post-Bubble low.
BUSINESS
Jul 22, 2002
Education key to boosting Japan's competitiveness
The Switzerland-based Institute for Management and Development releases an annual report on the international competitiveness of major countries.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
May 20, 2002
Tax reform will offer Japan realistic chance to revitalize economy
The government's Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy is scheduled to set the direction for tax reform by the end of June. Since its establishment last year, the council has set out guidelines for structural reform in fiscal, social security and other fields, but not much has been discussed about the...
BUSINESS
Feb 11, 2002
FTC moves raise doubts over Antimonopoly Law
For more than 120 years during the Meiji, Taisho and Showa eras, the government was the primary driving force of the Japanese economy. That changed as the nation entered the Heisei era, as the private sector began to play a public role previously monopolized by the government. This is why the nation...
BUSINESS
Nov 19, 2001
Tokyo Stock Exchange breaks new ground as a stock company
On Nov. 1 the Tokyo Stock Exchange made a fresh start as a stock company, trailing the Osaka Stock Exchange by seven months but beating its rival in New York.
BUSINESS
Jun 25, 2001
Commercial Code revision threatened by old mind-set
Japan is changing from a society tightly ruled by proactive laws into one where economic activities are supervised only on a retrospective basis. This is the result of progress in administrative and fiscal reforms, and it is one reason behind the proposal to overhaul the judicial system.
BUSINESS
Apr 16, 2001
Improving profitability critical to concluding bad-loan debacle
The government's emergency economic package released April 6 featured steps to promote bad-loan disposal in the banking industry. The specific targets involved a two-year deadline for major banks to remove some 12.7 trillion yen in outstanding loans to borrowers either bankrupt or on the brink of collapse,...
BUSINESS
Feb 26, 2001
Japan in sore need of direct financing
The Tokyo stock market remains in a slump, with its key indicator threatening to fall below 13,000, as uncertainties linger over the future and selling pressures intensify with the unwinding of cross-shareholdings toward the end of the fiscal year.
BUSINESS
Jan 7, 2001
Think twice before 'penalizing' firms that adopt consolidated tax
Following tax reform proposals issued by the ruling coalition late last year, the government has decided to introduce the consolidated corporate taxation system in fiscal 2002.
BUSINESS
Dec 18, 2000
Popularity polls belie Mori's 'reform plans'
Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori launched his new Cabinet on Dec. 5, reshuffling his team to prepare for the reorganization of government ministries and agencies in January.
BUSINESS
Jul 3, 2000
Election results mean Diet must heed fickle workforce
The tripartite coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party have managed to win an "absolute comfortable" majority that will enable them to control all standing committees in the powerful Lower House and chair them as well.
BUSINESS
May 22, 2000
Ishihara tax reflects paralysis caused by national tax scheme
The new size-based tax on big banks that has been introduced by Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara is causing major repercussions and prompting Osaka Prefecture to consider a similar tax.
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2000
Make 'Rebuilding Confidence' the government slogan for 2000
Last year a series of mishaps shook our faith in various things we have grown to trust over the years, from the H-II rocket failure and the crumbling tunnels of our shinkansen lines to the nuclearcriticality accident in Tokai, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Longform

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.
Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat