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 Kanako Takahara

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Kanako Takahara
Kanako Takahara is a staff writer who has covered national politics, diplomacy, business and the economy at The Japan Times. A graduate of Sophia University, she is currently a national news editor.
BUSINESS
Apr 13, 2006
Convenience stores outshined stale supermarkets in 2005
Japan's major convenience stores on Wednesday posted rosy figures for the 2005 business year, while supermarket chains lagged despite signs that personal consumption is recovering.
BUSINESS
Apr 8, 2006
Yoshinoya halves loss, harbors high hopes
Yoshinoya D&C Co. President Shuji Abe on Friday painted a rosy picture for his company, one in which United States beef imports resume by September, sharply boosting profit at the restaurant chain famed for its beef-on-rice bowl dishes in time for the latter half of the business year.
BUSINESS
Apr 8, 2006
TSE could resume regular hours by month end: Nishimuro
The Tokyo Stock Exchange could resume regular market hours by the end of the month, TSE President Taizo Nishimuro said Friday, a move that would bring an end to some three months of curtailed trading.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 1, 2006
TV programs go mobile as One Seg services begin
Starting Saturday, many cell phone users may find their beloved handsets even more indispensable. In addition to tapping out messages to their friends and surfing the Net, people will be able to see digital broadcasts of their favorite TV shows wherever they go, on their mobiles.
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2006
Accountants helped fake Livedoor figures: SESC
The Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission filed a criminal accusation with prosecutors Thursday against two accountants it alleges knowingly certified a falsified financial report by Internet firm Livedoor Co.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2006
TSE keeps Nishimuro at helm, fines Mizuho unit
Tokyo Stock Exchange President Taizo Nishimuro will retain his post to see through comprehensive organizational reforms at the bourse, the TSE announced Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Mar 21, 2006
Softbank may prove worthy rival
Softbank Corp.'s announcement last Friday it was buying Vodafone K.K., a Japanese unit of Vodafone Group PLC, may give the Internet company a competitive edge in the mobile phone industry.
JAPAN
Mar 17, 2006
Oil firms adjust footing amid Iran's nuclear follies
As tension mounts worldwide over the standoff concerning Iran's nuclear ambitions, Japanese oil companies are starting to take precautions as uncertainties surrounding the situation may force them to stop importing oil from the Islamic state.
JAPAN
Mar 17, 2006
Usen chief to buy Fuji's Livedoor stake
Usen Corp. President Yasuhide Uno said Thursday he will personally purchase Fuji Television Network Inc.'s entire 12.75 percent stake in Livedoor Co. for 9.5 billion yen.
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2006
Wage increases reflect growing pay disparity
The pay raises at major carmakers and electronics firms announced Wednesday may be the first increases in five years but illustrate the fact that there are growing wage disparities between industries, companies and individuals.
BUSINESS
Mar 15, 2006
How will delisting impact Livedoor?
The Tokyo Stock Exchange will delist Livedoor Co. on April 14, depriving the Internet company of the ability to raise capital on the market. How will the move affect Livedoor? Here are some questions and answers that address the firm's possible fate:
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 14, 2006
TSE elects to delist Livedoor
The Tokyo Stock Exchange said Monday it will delist scandal-tainted Livedoor Co. and subsidiary Livedoor Marketing Co. from its Mothers market for emerging firms on April 14 due to alleged accounting fraud.
BUSINESS
Feb 28, 2006
NSG inks deal to acquire Pilkington
Nippon Sheet Glass Co. announced Monday it has sealed a deal to acquire British glassmaker Pilkington PLC in a friendly takeover bid worth some 359 billion yen that at one point was rejected by the Pilkington side.
BUSINESS
Feb 25, 2006
Hiramatsu: Horie finished at Livedoor
Livedoor Co. President Kozo Hiramatsu said Friday that the firm will not let founder and former President Takafumi Horie rejoin the company even if he is acquitted of charges that he spread false financial information and allegations he committed accounting fraud.
BUSINESS
Feb 24, 2006
What is Livedoor's future on TSE?
With the Wednesday arrest of Livedoor Representative Director Fumito Kumagai and fresh warrants served on founder Takafumi Horie and three former executives for alleged accounting fraud, Livedoor's delisting from the Tokyo Stock Exchange may be inevitable. Below are answers to some questions about what...
BUSINESS
Feb 23, 2006
Acquisitive Don Quijote posts 13% profit rise
Discount retailer Don Quijote, currently under the spotlight over its hostile takeover bid for Origin Toshu Co., said Wednesday it posted a net profit of 4.85 billion yen from July to December 2005, up 13.2 percent from the same period the previous year.
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2006
GSDF troops to start Iraq exit in March
Japan will start pulling out its Ground Self-Defense Force troops from the southern Iraq city of Samawah in March and complete the withdrawal by the end of May, Foreign Ministry officials said Friday.
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2006
ASDF general labels China 'threat'
Is China a military threat to Japan or not?
JAPAN
Feb 16, 2006
SDF to get random drug testing: agency
The Defense Agency will conduct urine tests on Self-Defense Forces members in the wake of several narcotics busts since July, according to an internal report submitted to the agency director general Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 15, 2006
Most U.S. beef processors safe: LDP team
Most U.S. beef processing facilities looking to export beef to Japan are taking sufficient measures to satisfy the criteria agreed upon between the United States and Japan, an inspection team of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said Tuesday.

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