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Nicholas Takahashi
BYD's Dolphin electric car during a test drive in Yokohama
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 20, 2023
BYD takes aim at Japan's EV market with new Dolphin hatchback
The base model Dolphin starts from ¥3.63 million and is equipped with a 70 kilowatt hour battery that offers 400 kilometers of range.
Self-propelled electric vehicles move through the factory floor during a demonstration of its new assembly line technology at Toyota's Motomachi plant in the city of Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, on Sept. 13.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 20, 2023
Toyota keeps up the push to prove it can embrace new technology
The carmaker was eager to show that it wasn’t about to sit idle as the global auto industry shifts toward electrification and automation.
An illustration of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, which will be carried by JAXA’s H2-A rocket if it launches on Sunday
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 25, 2023
Japan set to shoot for the moon after Russia and India missions
Success could provide the thrust JAXA badly needs to begin rebuilding its battered reputation after a series of costly setbacks over the past year.
Simon Humphries, head of design at Toyota, speaks during the world premier of the new Land Cruiser in Tokyo on Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Aug 2, 2023
Toyota’s iconic Land Cruiser returns to North America
The world’s biggest carmaker has unveiled three variations of one of its most enduring models, starting at around $50,000.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 30, 2023
Top auto executives in Japan are paid a lot, but not as much as their U.S. counterparts
Japan boasts some of the world’s biggest carmakers, but pay packages for their executives pale in comparison to industry leaders in the United States.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jun 16, 2023
Shareholder ire takes shine off stock rally for Toyota chairman
Akio Toyoda’s reappointment to the board this week with 85% of voted shares marked a decline from 96% last year and the lowest on record for him since 2013.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 14, 2023
Toyota shares surge most since 2020 after investors reappoint chairman
A resolution calling for greater disclosure on climate lobbying was put forward by a trio of European asset managers, but failed to find support among shareholders.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 9, 2023
Dismal sales undercut Toyota and Hyundai as they push hydrogen fuel-cell cars
Such vehicles accounted for only 0.02% of global passenger vehicle sales last year, according to a report, with sales dropping in Toyota's home market.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 30, 2023
Alternative fuels take the spotlight at Japanese endurance race
Toyota's Corolla H2 Concept, running on liquid hydrogen, crossed the finish line at Fuji International Speedway 24 hours after Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda climbed into the driver's seat.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 10, 2023
Mitsubishi Motors to stick with China despite poor sales
The automaker’s retail sales in China dropped to 32,000 units in the third quarter, and those numbers are expected to decline again for the quarter that ended in March.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 1, 2023
Toyota’s shift to electric future rests on Koji Sato’s shoulders
When announcing his leadership team in February, Sato said he intends to take a bolder and faster 'EV first” approach, promising to overhaul battery production and manufacturing platforms.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 21, 2023
China’s EV revolution shows grim future for Japan’s car titans
Although chip shortages and supply chain snarls have played a part in Japanese automakers' falling sales in China, a growing issue is the lack of attractive EV offerings.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 15, 2023
New Toyota CEO joins merit-based pay argument as inflation rises
Koji Sato, who will take over at the helm of the world’s largest carmaker next month, said the company’s goal is to become more innovative with its labor force, rather than just efficient.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 10, 2023
Mitsubishi Motors plays catchup with plans for all-electric fleet by 2035
The company also said it’s aiming for sales of 1.1 million units a year and an operating profit of ¥220 billion by fiscal 2025.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 3, 2023
Subaru makes CEO change as Japan's carmakers play catch-up on EVs
Subaru hasn’t yet made plans to produce EVs in the U.S., where new federal legislation is offering hefty subsidies to domestically made EVs.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 22, 2023
Toyota agrees to biggest wage hikes in 20 years as momentum builds on raises
Wages have taken center stage in Japan, with the Bank of Japan having indicated that it must see stronger wage growth to ensure that the trend in prices is sustainable.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2023
Japan’s first next-generation rocket aborts before launch
Sparks flew from the craft as it prepared to take off, but within seconds they spluttered to a halt.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Jan 27, 2023
Lexus chief’s ascension comes at make-or-break moment for Toyota
Toyota surprised the market when it announced that Lexus President Koji Sato will take over from Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the venerable carmaker’s founder, effective April 1.

Longform

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.
As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals