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 Kazuaki Nagata

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Kazuaki Nagata
JAPAN
Mar 8, 2016
Japanese porn actresses defend industry from NGO's accusations of abuse
Responding to a recent NGO report that pointed out the dark side of Japan's porn industry, several adult film actresses are defending their profession.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 2, 2016
Carl's Jr. betting on quality as it re-enters the Japanese market
With its return to Japan Friday after 19 years, U.S.-based hamburger chain Carl's Jr. says it is confident it can penetrate the market amid increasing demand for better burgers.
JAPAN
Feb 26, 2016
Bomb threat that forced Tokyo schools to close on Friday is likely a copycat
Dozens of schools canceled afternoon classes Friday in response to an emailed bomb threat sent to the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education warning that explosions would occur at 3:34 p.m.
BUSINESS / Companies / ANALYSIS
Feb 25, 2016
Life with Foxconn: What lies ahead for Sharp?
Sharp's choice of Hon Hai ends months of speculation and offers clear benefits in terms of a cash injection. But question marks hang over what will happen to Sharp's workforce and management as the Taiwanese giant sets about turning around the firm.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 22, 2016
Cellphone cease-fire signals change
The Japanese mobile phone industry recently came under fire from the government for using ambiguous price-setting schemes and excessive handset discounts that stole customers from rivals but penalized loyalty.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 22, 2016
Toshiba scraps smart glasses days before launch date
Cash-strapped Toshiba Corp. on Monday scrapped a glasses-type device days before it was scheduled to go on sale.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets / ANALYSIS
Feb 15, 2016
Tokyo stocks leap but Japanese market at mercy of global uncertainties
Japan's economic contraction in the fourth quarter has deepened lingering uncertainty in global financial markets, which have been gyrating since the start of the year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech / ADVANCES IN PROGRESS
Feb 7, 2016
As technology improves, future of organic solar cells looks bright
The stereotypical image of solar cells may be of panels placed on the roofs of homes or of vast rivers of panels lined up on large swaths of land, often called mega-solar projects.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 4, 2016
Sharp still talking with both Foxconn, INCJ on bailout, president says
Sharp Corp. says it will decide on the ¥600 billion rescue plan from Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. or the ¥300 billion plan by Innovation Network of Japan in a month.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 29, 2016
Despite spin, Amari's exit delivers major blow to Abe
The unexpected loss of Abenomics architect and TPP negotiator Akira Amari appears crafted to shield Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but trouble is on the way, experts say.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 27, 2016
SoftBank says Pepper on a roll, will staff cellphone store in Tokyo
SoftBank Corp. said Wednesday its Pepper humanoid robots will staff a cellphone store in Tokyo for a week this spring.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 27, 2016
Uniqlo chief tells young entrepreneurs to be persistent and set goals
Do not underestimate your abilities, make sure to set high goals, and be persistent in striving to achieve them — these are just some of the bits of advice billionaire Tadashi Yanai gives to people who want to become successful business managers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2016
BuzzFeed brings its brand of online news to Japan
Online news source BuzzFeed has brought its blend of the novel, quirky and trivial to Japan, launching a Japanese-language service that targets a nation addicted to smartphones.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 18, 2016
MasterCard hopes to catch fintech wave for cashless payments in Asia
The world of finance is newly awash in fintech — the financial software services that leverage state-of-the-art technologies — and MasterCard is jockeying for a larger market share.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2016
Toshiba unveils remote-controlled device to remove reactor 3 fuel assemblies at Fukushima No. 1
Toshiba Corp. on Monday demonstrated a device it anticipates will be used to remove fuel-rod assemblies from the spent fuel pool in the reactor 3 building at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 13, 2016
The future is here: Wearable electronics go on display at Tokyo trade show
From glasses to wristbands and clothing, firms representing a variety of industries began showcasing their wearable electronic devices at a Tokyo trade show that kicked off Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / ADVANCES IN PROGRESS
Jan 11, 2016
Japan moves to develop homegrown GPS
With the proliferation of smartphones and other devices, the use of GPS — the global positioning system — has become ubiquitous. From pinpointing one's location to getting directions online, satellite-based navigation is driving the interactive use of online maps.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 8, 2016
Haneda, Itami airports top global punctuality list; JAL, ANA crack top five airlines
Two of Japan's airports were the world's most punctual in 2015, and two of its airlines were among the world's top five, OAG Aviation's annual report says.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 7, 2016
Tepco unveils loyalty tie-ups in bid to retain household customers
With the retail electricity market set to be deregulated in April, Tokyo Electric Power Co. on Thursday unveiled a range of new price plans that offer discounts to customers who sign up with specific partners.
BUSINESS
Jan 4, 2016
New tax system won't ease burden for car owners, says head of automakers' lobby group
Car owners in Japan have been shouldering unfair levies and a new tax to replace the current car acquisition tax next year will not ease the burden, said Fumihiko Ike, chairman of the nation's biggest automakers' lobby group.

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