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JAPAN
Oct 24, 1997

JAS and KLM sign cooperation agreement

Japan Air System Co. has signed an agreement for opening comprehensive business cooperation with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to strengthen the two carriers' competitiveness between Japan and Europe.The two airlines exchanged a memorandum of understanding at KLM's headquarters in Holland on Oct. 23, a JAS...
JAPAN
Oct 23, 1997

Large chain stores seek tax relief

Large retailers urged the government Oct. 23 to stimulate private consumption by reducing income taxes and allowing greater income tax breaks for part-time workers.The Japan Chain Stores Association made the request during a meeting with trade chief Mitsuo Horiuchi, according to a Ministry of International...
JAPAN
Oct 22, 1997

Kobe mayor poll faces the quake factor

Staff writerKOBE -- The Kobe mayoral election is slated for this Oct. 26, but Tsuka Izuta would rather stay in that day than spend the 1,000 yen in transportation costs to get to a voting booth.Although she is a registered voter in Nada Ward, 68-year-old Izuta has abstained from voting in any elections...
JAPAN
Oct 21, 1997

GM execs call for balance, brawnier yen

Top executives of General Motors Corp. voiced support Oct. 21 for a stronger yen, continued investment in Southeast Asia and a "global solution" to greenhouse warming.John Smith, GM's chairman, president and CEO; Richard Wagoner, president of GM's North American Operations; and other executives were...
JAPAN
Oct 21, 1997

Pump-priming package leaves analysts disappointed

The package of pump-priming measures decided Oct. 21 by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party does not seem capable of giving the sluggish economy a quick jolt because it lacks sufficient stimulus targeting personal consumption.Disappointment over the measures forced the benchmark Nikkei average of the...
JAPAN
Oct 15, 1997

Mercosur and Japan to step up ties

Japan and Mercosur, the South American common market comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, will step up cooperation, according to Alvaro Ramos, the foreign minister of Uruguay and leader of the Mercosur delegation.After three days of meetings with public and private sector officials, Ramos...
JAPAN
Oct 15, 1997

Small, medium-size firms urge prompt cuts in taxes

Small and medium-size enterprises urged the government Oct. 15 to promptly reduce corporate and income taxes to stimulate the economy.The request was made during a meeting between Mitsuo Horiuchi, the minister of international trade and industry, and representatives for four organizations of small and...
JAPAN
Oct 14, 1997

Navy port calls raise eyebrows

Was there something going on under the surface when U.S. Navy ships recently made an unprecedented string of calls across the nation?There's no evidence of that, but plenty of speculation by military analysts and elements of the general public.The port calls -- the official line is that the navy was...
JAPAN
Oct 13, 1997

22 homeless people apply for Tokyo job counseling

After a number of clashes over the years with homeless people living in Shinjuku Station's underground concourse, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has organized a job counseling program that accepted applications Oct. 13 at a briefing for the concourse dwellers.Such a service has been hindered partly...
JAPAN
Oct 13, 1997

JCP wants Yamasaki summoned before Diet

The Japanese Communist Party on Oct. 13 insisted that Taku Yamasaki, the LDP's policy chief, be summoned to the Diet, saying a recently completed investigation has deepened suspicion that he violated laws in receiving political donations from oil wholesaler Junichi Izui.Izui, now on trial on suspicion...
JAPAN
Oct 9, 1997

Digital cameras shaking up photo industry

Digital technology is evolving and product prices are declining at such stunning clips that hardly any new industry developments evoke surprise.
JAPAN
Oct 9, 1997

Two Osaka banks to merge next year

OSAKA -- Fukutoku Bank and the Bank of Naniwa, two Osaka-based regional banks suffering from mounting bad loans, announced Oct. 9 they will merge next Oct. 1 to speed up restructuring and strengthen their foothold in the region.The merger is expected to become the first one subject to an expected revision...
JAPAN
Oct 8, 1997

Opposition chiefs stage rally for summoning Izui

The heads of three opposition parties staged a public rally Oct. 8 outside Shimbashi Station in Tokyo, calling for support for their Diet boycott over delays in summoning oil wholesaler Junichi Izui to testify in the Diet.Shinshinto, the Democratic Party of Japan and Taiyo Party boycotted the opening...
JAPAN
Oct 7, 1997

Foreigners urge Tokyo to accelerate deregulation

Foreign business communities on Oct. 7 urged Japan to further accelerate and deepen economic structural reforms to boost domestic demand and reduce its massive trade surplus.The opinions were voiced by foreign members of the Import Board, a subcouncil under the Trade Conference chaired by Prime Minister...
JAPAN
Oct 6, 1997

Compromise key to climate policies, German minister says

Staff writerTo achieve both economic growth and environmental protection, one must make compromises and seek "intermediate paths," according to German Economic Minister Gunter Rexrodt."Germany views the simultaneous achievement of economic growth and environmental protection as an important challenge,"...
JAPAN
Oct 6, 1997

Maverick assemblyman fights dress code, graft

MISAWA, Aomori Pref. -- The city assembly here has attracted nationwide attention, not for its legislating, but for a member who was punished for his casual attire.He claims his dressing down symbolizes his crusade against corruption. "I know it all looked like a kindergarten-level farce," said Yuki...
JAPAN
Oct 2, 1997

Posts Ministry releases policy plan for breakup of NTT

The Posts and Telecommunications Ministry released a draft policy plan Oct. 2 on the reorganization of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., which will be split into three firms under the control of a single holding company.Under the basic draft, the ministry proposed that the disintegration of NTT,...
JAPAN
Oct 2, 1997

U.S. gets thumbs up for Super 301 ruling

Osamu Watanabe, vice minister for international trade and industry, on Oct. 2 applauded Washington's decision not to list Japan's auto market on a Super 301 retaliatory watch list."I regard the decision as the natural conclusion and I appreciate the U.S. government's just judgment," Watanabe told a...
JAPAN
Oct 1, 1997

SESC criminal complaints hit new high

Reflecting an increase in crimes involving financial firms, the nation's securities watchdog filed a record five criminal complaints during the year up to June, according to the annual report released Oct. 1 by the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission.The cases brought to prosecutors include...
JAPAN
Oct 1, 1997

Internet securities trade has couch investors jumping

OSAKA -- With convenience like late-night or early morning service and never having to leave one's own home, stock trading via the Internet has not surprisingly become increasingly active.It is also alluring to securities companies, who are able to expand their business without opening new branches...
JAPAN
Sep 30, 1997

Philippines' fundamentals still sound, Bautista says

Staff writer
JAPAN
Sep 30, 1997

ITJ-Japan Telecom tieup faces stiff competition

On the eve of their merger, the heads of Japan Telecom Co. and International Telecom Japan Inc. said Sept. 30 the new firm aims at becoming a leading company in the industry by offering seamless services from domestic to international services at lower prices than competitors.
JAPAN
Sep 29, 1997

Corporate tax cut tied to size of income base

Any reduction in the corporate income tax should be considered only within the scope of revenue that can be gained by expanding the taxable income base for companies, a top Finance Ministry official indicated Sept. 29.
JAPAN
Sep 29, 1997

Closure of JR Building ends an era

The JR Building, which once housed the former head offices of the Japanese National Railways, will be closed Sept. 29, putting an end to a 60-year history that encompassed the defunct Railway Ministry.
JAPAN
Sep 26, 1997

Broker Sanyo seeks extra bank financing

Ailing Sanyo Securities Co. disclosed Sept. 26 that it is seeking additional financial assistance from the three banks with which it has close ties in an effort to improve its balance sheets.
JAPAN
Sep 25, 1997

Thai economic crisis puts a dent in carmakers

Staff writer
JAPAN
Sep 22, 1997

Aoki president denies market rumors

The president of medium-size general contractor Aoki Corp. denied market rumors Sept. 22 that his firm was in a financial crisis, stressing that the company has been steadily reducing its debts.
JAPAN
Sep 19, 1997

Hokkaido Takushoku urged to seek local backing

Troubled Hokkaido Takushoku Bank should first look for support from local business circles in increasing its capital, the president of Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Co. said Sept. 19.
JAPAN
Sep 16, 1997

MITI chief vows to tackle 'global megacompetition'

Mitsuo Horiuchi, the newly appointed minister of international trade and industry, is determined to push through "drastic policies" to accelerate deregulation and create a level playing field for Japanese companies competing in this era of "global megacompetition."
JAPAN
Sep 12, 1997

BOJ outlines new structural reorganization plan

The Bank of Japan partially outlined an organizational reform plan Sept. 12 that would streamline its operations starting in April 1998.

Longform

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.
Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat