author

 
 
 Kazuaki Nagata

Meta

Twitter

@kzinagata

Kazuaki Nagata
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 10, 2023
New BOJ Gov. Ueda says ultraeasy policy will remain in place
In his inaugural news conference, Kazuo Ueda said he will not quickly move to adjust some policy measures seen as problematic, including the so-called yield curve control program.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 7, 2023
Toyota’s new leadership aims for 10 new battery EV models by 2026
The world’s largest automaker is targeting EV sales of 1.5 million that year, compared with about 24,000 worldwide last year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Apr 4, 2023
ChatGPT presents dilemma for Japanese companies
While some firms such as Panasonic Connect have embraced the chatbot, albeit with safeguards, others have restricted use of the service among their employees.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 28, 2023
Japan startup APB signs next-gen battery partnership with Saudi Aramco
APB says its all-polymer batteries possess higher energy density, allowing for a more compact size, and involve a simpler manufacturing process.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Mar 27, 2023
With COVID downgrade, Japan expects an economic windfall
According to one estimate, the negative economic impact of COVID-19 for the rest of this year could be ¥800 billion lower due to its reclassification.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 23, 2023
Toshiba board accepts JIP buyout proposal, report says
The JIP consortium last month submitted a binding buyout proposal backed by $10.6 billion in loan commitments from major banks.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 22, 2023
Samurai Japan fans rise early to witness baseball history
Public viewing events were held at numerous locations and attracted scores of supporters eager to root for Samurai Japan.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 15, 2023
Major Japanese firms agree to hefty wage hikes amid rising prices
Policymakers, economists and employees are closely watching this year’s wage talks to see whether momentum toward higher pay is finally gaining force.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Mar 14, 2023
Tokyo to get major new office spaces this year, but is there demand?
Massive redevelopment projects in central areas are opening at a time when the vacancy rate is already indicating oversupply.
BUSINESS
Mar 10, 2023
BOJ maintains monetary easing at Kuroda's last policy board meeting
Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda is set to end his 10-year term and pass the torch to incoming chief Kazuo Ueda, whose appointment was approved by parliament Friday.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Mar 2, 2023
After years of sluggish growth, are wage hikes finally gaining steam in Japan?
While bigger firms have been more inclined to raise pay amid high inflation and a labor shortage, whether or not this trend spreads to smaller companies is being closely watched.
BUSINESS / Economy / Longform
Feb 27, 2023
How the Russia-Ukraine war has changed Japan’s economic outlook
Soaring energy costs have re-exposed Japan’s weakness as a nation of limited natural resources.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 24, 2023
BOJ governor nominee says monetary easing needs to be maintained
Appearing at a confirmation hearing at the Lower House, Ueda also said he will pursue the stable and sustainable 2% inflation target set by the current BOJ governor.
BUSINESS
Feb 14, 2023
What to expect from the first academic economist to be BOJ governor
Kazuo Ueda's distance from the BOJ is seen as a plus when it comes to unraveling the central bank's ultraeasy policy, but that process will still be far from easy.
BUSINESS
Feb 13, 2023
New developments seek to turn Haneda Airport area into major business hub
Haneda Airport Garden and Haneda Innovation City are part of an attempt to draw new companies and visitors to the area around the Tokyo airport.
BUSINESS
Feb 10, 2023
In surprising twist, economist Kazuo Ueda to be tapped as BOJ governor
Masayoshi Amamiya, viewed as a frontrunner for the position for his extensive experience crafting the bank’s strategies and policies, reportedly turned down the position.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 7, 2023
Mitsubishi Heavy pulls plug on long-troubled SpaceJet project
The firm has pointed to a lack of resources and unclear market prospects as some of the major reasons for discontinuing the project.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / Longform
Feb 6, 2023
Japan’s staff cafeterias becoming more than just places to eat amid office return
Companies are re-imagining the canteen as a space where employees can work, eat healthier food and deepen in-house communication.
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.

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