Tag - investments

 
 

INVESTMENTS

According to the National Police Agency, a total of 3,326 romance scam were reported in the first 11 months of this year, more than double that in the same period of last year.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 30, 2024
'For our future together': The rising threat of romance scams in Japan
The prevalence of such scams, which prey on the lonely, has led authorities to step up measures to crack down on scammers who are often not even in the country.
A Nissan dealership and a Honda dealership in Tokyo. As the two firms negotiation a potential merger, Nomura Holdings is advising Honda, while Nissan has retained Mizuho Financial Group and Bank of America.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 28, 2024
Honda-Nissan deal sets up next fight for bankers in Japan M&A boom
At roughly $200 billion, the volume of transactions including mergers and acquisitions in the country is up 48% this year.
Makino Milling Machine's headquarters in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 27, 2024
Japan's Nidec takes aim at Makino Milling with $1.6 billion unsolicited bid
Nidec said Makino's board had not agreed to the ¥11,000 per share offer, a 42% premium to Thursday's closing share price, as it had not proposed the bid before announcing it.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at the meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy on Thursday at the Prime Minister's Office.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 26, 2024
Japan wage growth projected to outpace inflation in fiscal 2025
In fiscal 2025, nominal wages are projected to increase 2.8% from the previous year, while the overall consumer price index is forecast to rise 2.0%.
Comedian-turned-investor Toshiya Imura (left) and former Goldman Sachs analyst Keizo Takeiri pose prior to an interview in Tokyo on Dec. 3.
BUSINESS
Dec 26, 2024
Japanese comedian-turned-investor launches fund with 'stock geek'
The one-time entertainer, Toshiya Imura, has teamed up with Keizo Takeiri, a former Goldman Sachs analyst, to launch Japan's newest stock fund.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's Osaka factory
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 26, 2024
Hong Kong fund increases its stake in Kobayashi Pharmaceutical
Oasis Management said its stake in Kobayashi Pharmaceutical climbed to 10.1% from 7.5%.
The government plans to invest ¥100 billion in Rapidus under its fiscal 2025 budget.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 26, 2024
Japanese government to invest ¥100 billion in Rapidus in 2025
The government hopes its investment will encourage private funding for the chipmaker, which is building a plant to produce next-generation semiconductors.
"In order to secure quality talent, we have to raise wages above inflation," Daiwa Securities CEO Akihiko Ogino has said.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 24, 2024
Daiwa aims to raise wages at least 5% next year amid competition for talent
Daiwa is discussing a pay raise of at least 5% for the financial year beginning in April 2025, after hikes of 5%, 4% and 7% in the three years prior.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market 250 Index is down about 11% so far this year and set for its fourth yearly loss.
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 24, 2024
Japan startups set for longest rout on record as rate hike looms
A rate hike by the Bank of Japan would make it more expensive for new companies to finance research and development.
BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda said in July that the central bank’s holdings would decrease by 7% to 8% in about two years’ time, but they are set to stay at higher-than-desirable levels in the long-term.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 23, 2024
Japan's bond supply set to reach decade high as BOJ bond purchases slow
The BOJ’s plan to almost halve bond purchases comes as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans additional spending in an extra budget.
Residential buildings under construction at China Evergrande Group's Riverside Palace development in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, China, in November 2023
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Dec 20, 2024
China’s economic rebound hangs on the fate of its richest cities
Preserving earning power in China was given fresh urgency as U.S. Presidential-elect Donald Trump says he will choke off critical Chinese exports.
A limited edition of PlayStation 5 (PS5) Pro video game console
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 20, 2024
Sony’s record climb makes investors more bullish on gaming boom
Sony Group’s long-awaited rise to record highs has emboldened bullish investors and analysts, who see gains extending into 2025 on a robust outlook for video games.
Nippon Steel headquarters in Tokyo
BUSINESS
Dec 19, 2024
Nippon Steel to join iron ore mine project in Canada
Nippon Steel will acquire a 30% interest in the Kamistiatusset project. Its investment is seen exceeding ¥140 billion, including development costs.
The headquarters building for Sony in central Tokyo
BUSINESS
Dec 19, 2024
Sony buys 10% of Elden Ring owner for $320 million
The new deal will see Sony pay ¥50 billion ($320 million) for 12 million new Kadokawa shares, making it the company's biggest shareholder.
Nissan and Honda are exploring a merger, which would create a rival to Toyota Motor in Japan and better position the combined company to face competitive challenges around the world.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 19, 2024
Foxconn in talks with Nissan shareholder Renault, CNA says
Renault’s stake in Nissan is a holdover from a longstanding alliance between the French automaker, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors.
Most market players expect shareholder activism to be as frenetic, if not more, next year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 17, 2024
Activist investors set record with $6.6 billion spree in Japan
Activists have taken stakes in at least 146 companies, successfully demanding disposal of real estate, changes in strategy and stock buybacks.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump embraces SoftBank chief Masayoshi Son at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 17, 2024
SoftBank pledges $100 billion U.S. investment at Trump event
SoftBank chief Masayoshi Son’s announcement this time marks the highest-profile commitment by a company to expand investment in the U.S. since Trump’s election win.
Investors' expectations for corporate governance reform triggered by the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s campaign have been a major driver of the rally in Japanese stocks over the last two years, but the market’s historic crash in early August has changed the dynamics.
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 13, 2024
Cheap valuations are out as investors like new metric for Japan stocks
Investors are now trying to identify companies that have strong fundamentals but have a lot to gain by improving capital allocation, one portfolio manager said.
Nippon Life Insurance, Japan’s largest insurer by assets, will buy $250 million worth of convertible notes and $300 million of preferred securities issued by TCW Group.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 12, 2024
Nippon Life ramps up global push with $550 million TCW deal
The announcement comes just a day after Nippon Life agreed to buy Bermuda-based Resolution Life Group Holdings for about $8.2 billion.
A production line at Mazda's plant in Salamanca, Guanajuato state, Mexico
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 12, 2024
Mazda’s Mexico investment to hinge on Trump’s tariff decisions
Mazda joins a growing number of auto firms that have either paused or signaled they may reconsider plans in the country.

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Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone. 
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan