Search - 2003

 
 
EDITORIALS
Mar 28, 2002

A fairer tax system needed

Two years ago the Tokyo Metropolitan Government imposed a controversial tax on large banks doing business in the capital, with business size, not income, as the standard. Twenty-one banks (now 18 due to reorganization) filed a lawsuit seeking repeal of the tax. On Tuesday the Tokyo District Court ruled...
BUSINESS
Mar 28, 2002

Three electric cable makers to merge

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. and two other electric cable makers said Wednesday they have reached a basic agreement to integrate operations to overcome a slump in demand.
BUSINESS
Mar 28, 2002

DaimlerChrysler's Eckrodt to take over at MMC

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. announced Wednesday that its executive vice president, Rolf Eckrodt, who came from DaimlerChrysler AG, will become the automaker's president and chief executive officer.
BUSINESS
Mar 27, 2002

Warring factors may lock yen above 130

The yen has given up much of its recent gains and now sits just about where it did earlier in the year.
BUSINESS
Mar 26, 2002

MMC to break even this business year: COO

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will break even in the current business year, which ends Sunday, chief operating officer of the automaker said Monday.
BUSINESS
Mar 26, 2002

Nissan, MMC sign transmission pact

Nissan Motor Co., its transmission unit Jatco TransTechnology Ltd. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. signed an agreement Monday to integrate the automatic transmission and continually variable transmission businesses of MMC and Jatco, the three firms said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 25, 2002

Sumitomo, Mitsui Chemicals unite to weather tough times

As a global wave of consolidation sweeps through the chemicals industry, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Japan's second-largest chemicals maker, is trying to get a jump on its domestic rivals by merging with industry No. 3 Mitsui Chemicals Inc.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Mar 24, 2002

A greener shade of gray

Ever since Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, people have been trying to climb back over the fence, because, whatever the attractions of city living, there is nothing like a garden to refresh both body and soul.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2002

Asian economies looking stronger

Asian economies -- other than Japan -- are expected to stage a strong rebound this year thanks to a faster-than-expected recovery in demand for information technology products resulting from the U.S. economic recovery, Nomura Research Institute said.
BUSINESS
Mar 22, 2002

Culture clash arises out of FTA deliberations

Japan and Mexico have made it halfway through what for Japan remains an unexplored tunnel and are beginning to see a glimmer of light.
BUSINESS
Mar 21, 2002

Pay-scale freeze may extend to '03

The chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association on Wednesday said if deflationary pressure continues in Japan, no pay-scale increases will be possible, even after 2003.
COMMENTARY / WASHINGTON UPDATE
Mar 21, 2002

Americans continue to rally behind President Bush's war on terrorism

WASHINGTON -- The last week began with ceremonies marking the six-month anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States. President George W. Bush took advantage of the occasion to project his program for the next phase of the war on terrorism.
BUSINESS
Mar 20, 2002

Daiei seeks government handout

As part of its rebuilding efforts, debt-saddled supermarket chain Daiei Inc. filed with the government Tuesday for tax breaks and other preferential treatment under the industrial rehabilitation law, government officials said.
BUSINESS / TAKING STOCK
Mar 19, 2002

Rally not just down to technical factors

Having slumped to 9,420.85 on Feb. 6, the 225-issue Nikkei average has been hovering around 12,000 in recent days.
BUSINESS
Mar 19, 2002

Shimadzu to create DNA mapper with nanotechnology

OSAKA -- Precision-equipment maker Shimadzu Corp. said Monday it will begin developing a next-generation DNA-mapping device by using nanotechnology.
BUSINESS
Mar 19, 2002

UFJ hastens branch closures by six months

OSAKA -- UFJ Bank will accelerate the consolidation of 108 of its domestic branches by six months and complete the process by the end of next March 2003, President Masashi Teranishi said Monday.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Mar 17, 2002

The Steiff of teddy-bear legend

Cute. In Japan, there's cuteness wherever you look -- Hello Kitty, Tare Panda, The Dog, etc., etc. But from next month to September 2003, Japanese people will be able to glimpse the creativity behind the cuteness of that cuddliest of all cuddlies -- the teddy bear -- when Germany-based Margarete Steiff...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Mar 16, 2002

Researching business ops for African-Americans

They are packed and at the ready at the Westin Hotel in Tokyo's Yebisu Garden Place. Ready to return home to America. Ready to give me the remaining few minutes of their precious time before boarding the bus for the airport. Talk about a rush.
BUSINESS
Mar 15, 2002

Government considering tax cuts for fiscal 2002

The government may cut taxes in fiscal 2002, which starts April 1, instead of waiting until fiscal 2003 if the economy shows signs of worsening, officials said.
BUSINESS
Mar 14, 2002

Toshiba, Mitsubishi in new 3G deal

Toshiba Corp. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. announced Wednesday they will jointly develop a third generation dual-mode mobile phone platform that will allow users of rival technology to use their handsets around the world.
BUSINESS
Mar 9, 2002

Bank lending falls for 50th consecutive month

Lending by Japanese banks fell 4.6 percent in February from a year earlier, down for the 50th month in a row, the Bank of Japan said Friday.
BUSINESS
Mar 9, 2002

Can stock market continue its rebound?

Tokyo stocks have rebounded strongly in recent days, reflecting an increase in optimism among investors.
EDITORIALS
Mar 2, 2002

Launching a human rights board

The Justice Ministry is preparing legislation to create a powerful human rights commission that would recommend corrective measures, assist in lawsuits and take other steps to help victims of discrimination, abuse and other human rights violations. The government, which plans to send a related bill to...
COMMENTARY
Mar 2, 2002

Trans-Atlantic rift widening

PARIS -- U.S. President George W. Bush's recent State of the Union speech referring to an " 'axis of evil' arming to threaten the peace of the world" appears to have polarized the feelings of doubt and reluctance many Europeans now harbor toward the sole superpower.
BUSINESS
Mar 2, 2002

Toshiba and Mitsubishi to set up power venture

Toshiba Corp. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. said Friday that they have agreed to set up a joint venture in April to integrate their electric power transmission and distribution businesses.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 2, 2002

Daiwa Bank Holdings swallows up Asahi Bank

Asahi Bank became a wholly owned subsidiary of Daiwa Bank Holdings Inc. on Friday, creating the nation's fifth-largest banking group with more than 50 trillion yen in assets.
EDITORIALS
Mar 1, 2002

Seeds of change

If you have ever visited Britain, or just dropped by one of Tokyo's popular British pubs, you might have tasted fish and chips flavored with salt and maybe a dash of vinegar. This classic takeout has been a favorite of the British working class for as long as anyone can remember. It came as a bit of...

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.