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July 16, 2024
 

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Kazuaki Nagata

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Kazuaki Nagata
Materials derived from cabbage (left), iyokan (center) and onion by Tokyo-based startup Fabula, which is working to develop new materials that can replace concrete.
ENVIRONMENT / Sustainability / OUR PLANET
Aug 27, 2023
Japan’s scrap-and-rebuild culture faces an environmental reckoning
The nation's tendency toward new construction — rather than renovation — is coming under renewed scrutiny amid concerns over sustainability.
The Japan National Tourism Organization's booth at the Beijing International Tourism Expo in Beijing in June
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 15, 2023
Return of Chinese group tours to Japan to bring economic boost
The average amount of spending by individual Chinese tourists is the second largest at ¥338,238, just behind ¥358,888 by travelers from the U.K.
The Azabudai Hills development in Tokyo on Tuesday
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 8, 2023
Mori Building to open Azabudai Hills complex in Tokyo in November
The company hopes the project will boost the capital’s competitive edge over metropolises overseas.
Pedestrians outside a Seibu department store in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district in April
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 31, 2023
Seven & I struggles to sell slumping Sogo & Seibu department stores
The holdup is centered around the flagship Seibu department store in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district, with the local government expressing rare opposition.
Kazuo Ueda, governor of the Bank of Japan, speaks during a news conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 28, 2023
BOJ to allow ‘greater flexibility’ with yield curve control policy
The bank also raised its inflation forecast in the quarterly outlook, projecting that consumer prices for fiscal 2023 will be 2.5%.
Members of a labor ministry panel on wages meet in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 28, 2023
Japan’s average minimum wage set to top ¥1,000
With the government eager to create a healthy cycle of pay and price increases, the minimum wage panel suggested a record 4.3% hike from the current average of ¥961.
Bigmotor President Hiroyuki Kaneshige (center) apologizes for improper conduct by the company's employees at a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 25, 2023
Bigmotor chief to resign in wake of repair fraud scandal
Employees were found to have intentionally damaged the vehicles of some customers in order to charge excessive repair fees and make fraudulent insurance claims.
Some economists hope the labor ministry panel will make an annual average minimum wage proposal of above ¥1,000 this week.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 23, 2023
The average minimum wage may top ¥1,000 this year. But is that enough?
Aside from the symbolic hurdle, a more substantial issue remains: Will momentum for wage hikes from this spring continue or will it be short-lived?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jul 17, 2023
Japan ramps up support for startups venturing overseas
Private-sector and government initiatives are seeking to equip young companies with the knowledge and contacts to be successful outside Japan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jul 16, 2023
How the deteriorating Twitter experience affects its prized Japan market
Concerns are growing over the fate of the site following a series of revisions since Elon Musk acquired it that have prompted a chorus of complaints by users and companies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Jul 5, 2023
Japan's firms turn to celebrities to boost ranks of female executives
In addition to boosting diversity, some firms say female celebrities may bring fresh perspectives and ideas.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 29, 2023
Japan and South Korea revive expired currency swap deal
The decision came after Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki and his counterpart Choo Kyung-ho met in Tokyo during an event that was held for the first time since 2016.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets / FOCUS
Jun 26, 2023
When it comes to crypto, turmoil in the U.S. could be a boon for Japan
With a solid legal framework already in place, some players see the U.S. crypto downturn as an opportunity for Japan to advance its standing in the field.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 16, 2023
BOJ maintains ultraeasy policy, but governor hints at surprises to come
After his second meeting as chief, Kazuo Ueda said that in order to deal with the changing economic environment, “a certain degree of surprise may be unavoidable.”
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 13, 2023
Cabinet approves Kishida's child care policies but questions remain over funding
“Depopulation is an imminent problem that cannot be shelved and affects our nation’s overall social and economic activities,” the prime minister said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 8, 2023
Japan to focus on keeping wage hike momentum and ending crisis-mode spending
For Japan to keep its wage hike momentum, the economic and fiscal policy blueprint stresses the importance of pursuing three trends in the labor market.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jun 2, 2023
Japan and South Korea ramp up chip collaboration amid U.S.-China tensions
A need to work around trade restrictions is seen as the main factor driving the engagement with Japan by firms such as Samsung, rather than improving diplomatic relations.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 25, 2023
Seven & I management wins showdown with U.S. fund over 7-Eleven strategy
ValueAct Capital, an activist hedge fund and major shareholder of Seven & I, was seeking to replace several directors including current President Ryuichi Isaka with their own candidates.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
May 24, 2023
Seven & I and activist fund ValueAct set for a showdown at shareholders meeting
Despite making a steady recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Seven & I Holdings is facing pressure from a foreign shareholder that claims the firm is wasting its potential.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 21, 2023
G7 aims to beef up collaboration for AI governance
The G7 nations will start an initiative — dubbed the Hiroshima AI process — this year to facilitate discussions as concern grows over chatbots and other tools.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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