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 Kazuaki Nagata

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Kazuaki Nagata
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 4, 2016
Key Chinese drone-maker sees promise in newly regulated Japan market
The outlook for Japan's drone market is promising and a recently enacted law to regulate flights of unmanned aerial vehicles will result in a safer user environment, according to the Japan chief of China-based drone-maker DJI.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2015
Tourism surge puts shine on biz hotels, hostels
With the drastic increase in tourism, the lack of lodging in the nation's biggest cities, particularly Tokyo and Osaka, is providing a major opportunity for those running two types of accommodations: "business hotels" and hostels.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2015
Japan tries to improve tourists' access to SIM cards, Wi-Fi
The government kicked off a campaign Monday to give tourists access to SIM cards and Wi-Fi routers, aiming to offer a better quality communications environment.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / ANALYSIS
Dec 17, 2015
Experts see tough road ahead for Sharp and its LCD division
A struggling Sharp Corp. has reached a crossroads as it will soon need to decide what to do with its signature LCD business.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech / ADVANCES IN PROGRESS
Dec 14, 2015
Fintech firms make inroads into the banking biz
With startups offering financial technology services raking in billions of dollars around the world, fintech, coined from "finance" and "technology," has become a buzzword that old guards at big name financial institutions can no longer ignore.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 11, 2015
Jins eyewear-maker plans overseas expansion amid sluggish domestic market
Eyewear-maker Jin Co., which offers low-price glasses under the brand name Jins, aims to expand its business overseas amid a shrinking domestic market, CEO Hitoshi Tanaka said Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 7, 2015
Japan pushes new policies to reboot startup sector
When asked to name globally recognized Japanese firms founded within the last decade, many people would be hard-pressed to list any.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 4, 2015
Toshiba, Fujitsu, Vaio reportedly discussing massive PC merger
The three firms are reported to be in talks on consolidating their personal computer businesses to create a behemoth with a large market share.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 2, 2015
International robot show powers up in Tokyo
The biannual International Robot Exhibition kicked off Wednesday in Tokyo, showcasing the latest advances in robotics — including technology for use in disaster scenarios and in the nursing-care field.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 27, 2015
Toshiba claims ignorance in Westinghouse scandal
Scandal-hit Toshiba Corp. apologized Friday for not disclosing the massive impairment loss of U.S. nuclear power plant maker Westinghouse Electric Co. and vowed to be committed to more proactive information disclosure.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 26, 2015
Japan recognizes Cyberdyne's robotic suit as medical device, widespread use anticipated
Cyberdyne Inc. said Wednesday its powered exoskeleton has received government approval as a medical device. It said it is first robotics device ever to secure such status in Japan.
BUSINESS
Nov 25, 2015
Japan government releases TPP policy paper in attempt to quell unease
The government sets out how the TPP free trade pact could aid businesses, to address unease in the agriculture and small business sectors.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 19, 2015
Tepco's Kashiwazaki nuclear plant safer after upgrades, inspectors say
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant has become safer in terms of physical hardware, while plant workers appear to be improving their emergency-response skills, overseas experts who inspected the facility Thursday said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2015
Oxford chooses emoji as word of the year
Reflecting the increased use of emoticons as a communication method, Oxford Dictionaries has chosen one particular emoji as its word of the year for the first time.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 17, 2015
Uniqlo, Toray agree to third five-year deal, set ¥1 trillion goal
Uniqlo Co. and Toray Industries Inc. agreed Tuesday on another five-year strategic partnership, with the aim of achieving business transactions worth ¥1 trillion between the two companies.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 14, 2015
IT companies scramble to take advantage of Shibuya's transport networks, proximity to youth culture
Shibuya is famous for its scramble crossing, shopping and youth culture but the district has also established itself as a hub for myriad IT firms and Internet-based startups, leading some to describe it as the equivalent to Silicon Valley in the U.S. state of California.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 13, 2015
NRA starts clock ticking on Monju, advising operator be replaced
The Nuclear Regulation Authority asks the science minister to replace the manager of the Monju fast-breeder reactor, casting a shadow over the long-troubled experimental facility.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 13, 2015
First Shake Shack in Asia opens to long lines in Tokyo
Throwing itself among tough competition, U.S.-based hamburger restaurant chain Shake Shack Inc. opened its first burger outlet in Japan on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 10, 2015
Amari says TPP to stand, dismisses concern over renegotiation clause
The ruling and opposition camps lock horns in the Diet over the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, with the Cabinet minister who brokered the deal ruling out any renegotiation of the free trade pact.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech / ADVANCES IN PROGRESS
Nov 9, 2015
Taxi firm hopes to have driverless cabs on the road by 2020
By the time Tokyo hosts the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in 2020, self-driving cars may be a feature on Japan's roads as local automakers work to develop the technology in the next five years.

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