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 Kazuaki Nagata

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Kazuaki Nagata
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 3, 2023
Z Holdings to merge with Line and Yahoo Japan by March 2024
The SoftBank-backed company is looking to streamline its operations in a bid to position itself as a world-leading AI company.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 3, 2023
KDDI and SoftBank to provide new dual-SIM service to ensure connectivity during emergencies
The announcement is a response to KDDI’s massive mobile network outage last summer that affected more than 30 million users.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 18, 2023
Despite speculation of shift, BOJ maintains dovish policies
The Bank of Japan said it will maintain its monetary easing policy, including its short-term interest rate at minus 0.1%.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 18, 2023
At long last, Japan’s startup scene may finally be ready to take big leap forward
The president of Cambridge Innovation Center Japan is among those feeling bullish that Japan’s startup scene is on the right track, thanks in part to new government initiatives.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2023
Sony-Honda EV alliance unveils Afeela brand and Qualcomm partnership
The first model under the Afeela brand is expected to be delivered in 2026 in North America and will be based on a prototype debuted at CES in Las Vegas.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 4, 2023
Both hurt and saved by regulations, what is next for crypto in Japan?
Strong regulations may have helped Japan avoid some of the FTX fallout, but some LDP lawmakers are pushing for a loosening of rules to embrace virtual assets.
BUSINESS / Economy / Outlook for 2023,New Year Special 2023
Jan 3, 2023
What to expect from Japan’s economy in 2023
The Japanese economy faced its share of hurdles last year, but economists say better days may be ahead in 2023.
BUSINESS / Outlook for 2023
Jan 1, 2023
Japan's monetary policy outlook more cloudy than ever
Expectations have been shaken by a recent surprise move by the Bank of Japan, and speculation over its next governor is also adding to the uncertainty.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 21, 2022
Why the BOJ chose the final weeks of the year to shift policy
The BOJ has apparently been keen to shore up its easing policy's side effects, but such a shift needed to catch market participants off guard to prevent speculative moves.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 16, 2022
Tax reform package takes on defense spending and individual investors
Ruling coalition approves proposal after debate over plan to hike taxes for a bolstered defense budget.
BUSINESS
Dec 15, 2022
Japan plans higher taxes, but only on small group earning over ¥3 billion
The idea of imposing higher taxes on the wealthy stems from the fact that the tax rate on overall earnings begins to decrease once an individual's income exceeds u00a5100 million.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Dec 12, 2022
Kishida's plan to fund higher defense spending faces backlash
The prime minister's suggestion of tax increases hasn't gone down well, even among Cabinet members and lawmakers from his own party.
BUSINESS
Dec 9, 2022
Japan looks to boost protections for freelancers with new law
With business usually agreed on verbally, many freelancers experience issues with payment and disagreements over the expected work.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / EXPLAINER
Dec 2, 2022
The Tokyo Games bribery and bid-rigging scandals: What you need to know
Allegations of bid-rigging by leading advertising firms for Games test events have recently surfaced, adding to a scandal over suspected bribes paid for sponsorship contracts.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 25, 2022
Tokyo aims to be 'most startup-friendly' city with new support for firms
The capital, which is aiming for a tenfold increase in 'unicorns' over five years, plans to create a hub for young firms and increase its procurement from such companies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 24, 2022
Japanese firms re-imagine offices to make them hubs of communication
Whether staffers are mostly working remotely or in person, firms have a similar concept in mind — that the office should be a place to strengthen networks within the organization.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Nov 17, 2022
Following U.S. on China chip export curbs would hit Japan's industry hard
The impact on chip equipment- and material-makers would be more significant than on chipmakers, as Japan's powerful global players are concentrated in those areas.
BUSINESS
Nov 11, 2022
Leading firms join Japan's 'last chance' push to reinvigorate domestic chip sector
Eight major companies have jointly invested to launch a new firm that is expected to play a key role in boosting the chip sector.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 10, 2022
Chip shortages and rising costs hurt automakers despite boost from weak yen
Although the earnings of some major carmakers for the April-September period showed that many have benefited from the historically weak yen, they now appear to be more cautious than upbeat.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Longform
Nov 7, 2022
Collapsing pyramid: EV shift strikes at heart of Japan’s auto sector
The major transition is fundamentally reshaping how the domestic industry works and is understood.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan