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Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
May 11, 2002

Takanao Muramatsu

Bright and bouncy Harajuku in Tokyo has been good to a lot of people. Takanao Muramatsu published a book, "Harajuku Success Story," for which he interviewed more than a hundred people who succeeded in business in Harajuku. The trendy district has been good to Muramatsu too. He commemorated the name in...
BUSINESS
May 11, 2002

Panel urges drastic, extensive action to ensure Japan is competitive again

If Japan is to regain its competitiveness, the government must take drastic and extensive action to increase research and development and make the country a base for value-added industries, according to a report Friday by a government panel.
BUSINESS
May 9, 2002

DoCoMo profits vanish into writeoffs

After years of spectacular growth, NTT DoCoMo Inc. on Wednesday said group net profits in fiscal 2001 plunged 99.8 percent to 862 million yen due to losses on strategic foreign investments.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 8, 2002

Fast Retailing reshuffles management

Fast Retailing Co., operator of the struggling Uniqlo chain, announced Tuesday that Genichi Tamatsuka, a managing director, will take over the presidency in November and that Tadashi Yanai, the current president, will become chairman.
COMMENTARY / JAPAN IN THE GLOBAL ERA
May 6, 2002

Le Pen's philosophy is all too familiar

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- The results in the first round of the French presidential elections on April 21 hit like a seismic shock. Veteran rightwing extremist Jean-Marie Le Pen took second place. There are many reasons why. Some are statistical: Sixteen candidates across the spectrum split the votes...
BUSINESS
May 4, 2002

Snow Brand Milk drafts austere rehab plan

Struggling dairy product maker Snow Brand Milk Products Co. has drafted a rehabilitation program that features a 90 percent reduction in capital and financial assistance from major creditor banks, sources close to the program said Friday.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
May 4, 2002

Marie and Kelly Gray

When the House of St. John USA brought out its fragrance White Camellia, St. John founder Marie Gray thought of it as a celebration of a relationship. The relationship, special and cherished, is between herself and her daughter Kelly. Marie said she could "think of no better way to celebrate something...
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 3, 2002

Vacated banks seeing new tenants

At an intersection in Tokyo's Nihonbashi financial district, a wholesale supermarket with a bright yellow sign and outdoor fruit bins draws the curious eyes of people passing by.
COMMENTARY
May 1, 2002

Economic sense clashes with security concerns

HONG KONG -- Taiwan is coming to grips with a paradox: China is both its best friend and its worst enemy. In recent weeks, the island has been debating what its priority should be -- to enhance its economy by taking advantage of what China has to offer, or to safeguard its political security by restricting...
EDITORIALS
Apr 30, 2002

Rough going awaits postal reforms

The Diet is set to debate legislation that incorporates Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's cherished plans to privatize the postal services (mail, savings and life insurance). At stake is a set of four reform bills. Two were introduced by the government last week. One will create an umbrella postal corporation;...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 30, 2002

Bottom line for recent CPA grad, 71, is to keep at it with immortal energy

For Masahiko Tanabe, 71, the secret to staying young is to stay curious. Having worked in the technological and petrochemical fields for more than 45 years, Tanabe's fascination with accounting led him to acquire a degree as a U.S. certified public accountant at the age of 70.
BUSINESS
Apr 26, 2002

Sony sales figures defy 2001 slowdown

Sony Corp. defied the worldwide slowdown in fiscal 2001 by logging record consolidated sales, thanks to a sharp increase in sales of the PlayStation2 game console and a weakening of the yen, company officials said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Apr 25, 2002

J-Phone delays launch of 3G for second time

In a move that may cast fresh doubt over the next-generation mobile phone business, J-Phone Co. said Wednesday it will postpone its launch of third-generation cellular phone service again from June to December.
BUSINESS
Apr 23, 2002

FSA panel eyes new property rules

An advisory panel to the Financial Services Agency has unveiled a set of draft rules for accounting that would oblige businesses to book latent losses on fixed property holdings, starting in fiscal 2005.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 18, 2002

Israeli offensive shakes Jordanian society

GAZA REFUGEE CAMP, Jordan -- Gloom hung over the house where Amin's adult daughter had died of an unknown disease. Rain was leaking through the tarpaulin that served as a roof in half of the two-room structure of mud brick and cinder blocks where 15 people live.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Apr 14, 2002

It's spring and renewal is in the air

English teachers will definitely want to check out Sunday's two-hour "SmaStation Spring Berabera Festival" (TV Asahi, 6:56 p.m.). "SmaStation" is the latest SMAP-related hit variety series, normally broadcast Saturday nights at 11 p.m. Taking its name from TV Asahi's influential nightly news program,...
BUSINESS
Apr 12, 2002

Zoellick proposes WTO ministerial talks

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick told Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi on Thursday that a four-way ministerial meeting should be held next month in Paris under the World Trade Organization, according to a ministry official.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 11, 2002

Threat of new Iraqi war has neighboring Turkey on edge

ANKARA -- At his shop in the ancient citadel of this busy capital city, Satilimish Sutchuoglu and three fellow carpet sellers gather to drink tea and trade forecasts of economic doom.
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2002

Premium income drops at most casualty insurers

Only four of the nation's top 11 casualty insurers saw their premium revenues rise in the 2001 business year, according to their preliminary financial results released as of Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Nakata promotes Cup with Internet cafe

An Internet cafe set up by Japanese soccer player Hidetoshi Nakata will open in Tokyo from April 19 to July 14 in concert with the 2002 World Cup soccer finals, which are being cohosted by Japan and South Korea.
BUSINESS
Apr 9, 2002

Aeon logs record profits, sales

Aeon Co., which operates the Jusco supermarket chain, reported record sales and record profits on a consolidated basis for its business year, which ended Feb. 20, company officials said Monday.
COMMENTARY
Apr 8, 2002

The 'corporate governance' debate

Over the past decade, "corporate governance" has come to replace "industrial policy" and "Japanese-style management" as the key factor to explain Japanese business performance.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Apr 7, 2002

A profitable day at the races

The year was 1948: Japan was still recovering from the ravages of war. Bombed-out bridges needed rebuilding, cratered roads needed repaving and railroads had to be relaid. It would cost a fortune, but who would foot the bill?
BUSINESS
Apr 6, 2002

U.S. claim over phone costs inaccurate, Katayama says

Telecommunications minister Toranosuke Katayama on Friday dismissed an assertion by the United States that NTT DoCoMo Inc. is overcharging other carriers for connections.
BUSINESS
Apr 5, 2002

Asahi Mutual's new policy contracts see 17% increase

Struggling Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Co. said Thursday the number of new policy contracts in the 2001 business year is estimated to have grown 17 percent due to brisk sales of new products.
BUSINESS / ON THE FRONT LINE
Apr 5, 2002

Don't look for a strong yen showing soon

The yen appears likely to remain under downward pressure for some time.
BUSINESS
Apr 4, 2002

China rife with opportunities: Li

The growing Chinese market presents huge investment opportunities for Japanese companies, Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, said Wednesday in Tokyo.
EDITORIALS
Apr 3, 2002

Not an enduring recovery

A ray of sunlight is breaking through the clouds. That may be one way to describe the state of Japan's economy, judging from the latest "tankan" quarterly survey of business sentiment. The March report from the Bank of Japan, released Monday, says the confidence index for major manufacturers has stopped...

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