author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 17, 2024
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Kanako Takahara

Meta

Twitter

@jt_takahara

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.
JAPAN / Q&A
Mar 1, 2007
Ministry takes charge of bankrupt city
This month, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry is expected to designate Yubari, Hokkaido, as a "municipality under rehabilitation." Following are questions and answers outlining what that means for the city:
Japan Times
JAPAN / WHEN A CITY GOES BUST
Mar 1, 2007
Yubari tries downsizing to solve fiscal crisis
The announcement in June that Yubari, Hokkaido, has effectively gone bankrupt rolled like an earthquake across Japan, jolting numerous local governments suffering their own financial problems. This two-part series examines the situation in Yubari and in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, which also is in dire...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 1, 2007
A doctor comes to Yubari with the courage to dream
YUBARI, Hokkaido -- Since Yubari's financial collapse came to light last June, many residents have decided to jump from the sinking ship and seek more prosperous environs elsewhere.
BUSINESS
Mar 1, 2007
BOJ's rate hike insane, economy expert says
The Bank of Japan was "insane" to raise its key interest rate to 0.5 percent last week because the economy is still fragile, Bill Emmott, author of several books on the Japanese economy, said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Feb 27, 2007
McDonald's, DoCoMo team up on marketing
McDonald's Holding Co. announced Monday it will form a joint venture with NTT DoCoMo Inc. to use the cell phone company's services to distribute e-coupons and gather customer information for marketing.
BUSINESS / Q&A
Feb 22, 2007
Rate hike means both pain and gain
The Bank of Japan's Policy Board on Wednesday raised the key short-term interest rate by a quarter point to 0.5 percent. Following are some explanations on how the interest rate hike will impact the Japanese economy:
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 9, 2007
Miyazaki outlet sees chicken sell out after governor blessing
Despite the bird-flu outbreaks last month on farms in Miyazaki Prefecture, the famous chicken from the prefecture is flying off the shelves at least one Tokyo store.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 8, 2007
Good bosses key to more career women: speaker
Training both men and women to be better managers is the key to encouraging women to pursue lifelong working careers, according to Victoria Bolam, head of a Tokyo-based corporate personnel training firm.
BUSINESS
Feb 2, 2007
Matsushita net profit up 60% in quarter
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. said Thursday its net profit jumped 59.7 percent to 78.7 billion yen in the three months to December, thanks to vigorous sales of its plasma display TVs.
BUSINESS
Jan 31, 2007
Sony sees 15% fall in profit for quarter
Sony Corp. said Tuesday its group operating profit in the October-December period plunged 14.9 percent from 2005 to 178.9 billion yen due to the cost of launching the PlayStation 3 in November.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jan 30, 2007
Press clubs: Exclusive access to, pipelines for info
Because "kisha" press clubs provide easy access to information provided by the central and local governments and business associations, membership is considered essential for mainstream news organizations.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2007
Some BOJ policymakers wanted hike in January
Several members of the Bank of Japan Policy Board said in their December meeting the benchmark short-term interest rate should be raised when they met in January, according to minutes of last month's gathering unveiled Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2007
Economic outlook still rosy: Cabinet
Despite weak indicators for private consumption, the economy continues to recover thanks to brisk business activity and capital investment, the Cabinet Office said Monday in its monthly economic report for January.
BUSINESS
Jan 19, 2007
Widely awaited BOJ rate hike a no-show
The Bank of Japan held its key short-term interest rate steady Thursday, confounding predictions of a rate hike by market-watchers and avoiding an expected clash with lawmakers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 17, 2007
Fujiya may seek Morinaga's help to regain its lost footing
Fujiya Co.'s product safety blunder is likely to make the confectioner financially vulnerable, prompting market speculation Tuesday it may seek deeper ties or a merger with candy maker Morinaga & Co.
BUSINESS
Jan 13, 2007
Fukui hints at rate hike at next BOJ meeting
BOJ Gov. Toshihiko Fukui said Friday that private consumption is "on the increase," fueling speculation the central bank may raise interest rates at its meeting next week.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2007
2% economic growth seen in '07
Leaders of Japan's three major business lobbies were upbeat Friday about the country's economic prospects for 2007, saying the economy is likely to grow 2 percent this year on the back of a strong recovery in the business sector.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 28, 2006
Murakami's influence will linger
Yoshiaki Murakami's arrest was one of the biggest financial scandals of 2006, but the nation's best-known shareholder activist has played a pivotal role in persuading Japanese managers to be more attentive to shareholder interests, according to Marc Goldstein, head of Institutional Shareholder Services...
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2006
Tax yield lifts '07 budget
The Finance Ministry on Wednesday handed the Cabinet the fiscal 2007 draft budget, which, due to projected increased tax revenues, reflects the first spending rise in two years but also slashes the issuance of new government bonds.
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2006
BOJ, noting weak data, leaves interest rates alone
The Bank of Japan wrapped up its two-day Policy Board meeting Tuesday by saying the benchmark short-term interest rate will remain unchanged, causing market watchers to look for any clue from Gov. Toshihiko Fukui's remarks to gauge when the next rate hike may occur.
South Korea couple beat same-sex barriers to parenthood
South Korean lesbian couple Kim Kyu-jin (left) and her wife, Kim Sae-yeon, pose with a "pregnant woman" badge during an interview in Seoul last month.
Japan unveils new overtourism countermeasures
The majority of tourists in Japan tend to stay in Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto, resulting in overcrowding in popular tourist spots and a strain on transportation systems.
Opportunities await the bold in the Year of the Wood Dragon
2024 marks the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac, with the year predicted to be a good time for fresh starts.
Japan pharma startup developing world-first drug to grow new teeth
A new tooth is seen in a ferret's mouth after it was administered a drug to stimulate the growth of tooth buds.
Don’t worry about global population collapse
Most projections show the world will hit peak humanity in the 21st century as people choose to have smaller families and women gain power over their own reproduction.
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.
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.

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals
Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER