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Hideki Suzuki
For Hideki Suzuki's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group said it is already managing to enhance its tolerance to an anticipated rise in yen interest rates.
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 6, 2024
Japan’s biggest bank readies for BOJ shift on rate policy within weeks
Hiroyuki Seki, head of global markets business at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, predicts that the BOJ will raise rates not once but twice by October.
Toru Nakashima, CEO of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, says he is considering an expansion of the bank’s alliance with Jefferies Financial Group into Asia.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 27, 2024
Sumitomo Mitsui may expand Jefferies pact into Asia amid focus overseas
The partners won more than 30 deals since expanding their tie-up last year, in which Sumitomo Mitsui agreed to triple its stake in the U.S. bank.
Noriyuki Sato, head of asset management at Mizuho Financial Group, says the bank plans to ramp up its expansion into private markets.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 18, 2024
Mizuho considers U.S. deal to supercharge private markets growth
The lender’s $460 billion money-management arm is considering buying a stake in a U.S. or European firm specializing in alternative investments.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group’s CEO Jun Ohta died Saturday. He was 65.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 27, 2023
Sumitomo Mitsui CEO Jun Ohta, who pushed Asia expansion, dies at 65
Ohta’s well-being attracted attention when he missed an earnings briefing earlier this month, with the bank citing health reasons.
A Tsuruha Holdings store in Otaru, Hokkaido. The drug store chain is considering selling the entire company for about $4 billion or even more, sources said.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 15, 2023
Japan’s Tsuruha weighs sale after proxy battle with Oasis
The company is working with an adviser on the potential transaction and has reached out to some private equity firms to gauge their interest.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group announced a $2.6 billion share buyback program after fiscal second-quarter profit tripled.
BUSINESS
Nov 14, 2023
Japan’s largest banks to buy back shares after profits soar
Japan’s biggest banks have unveiled plans to boost shareholder returns after posting record first-half profits, thanks in part to a cheaper yen.
Mizuho Financial Group will raise its stake in Rakuten Securities to nearly 50%.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 9, 2023
Mizuho said to raise Rakuten Securities stake to almost 50%
The banking group plans to increase its investment in Rakuten’s online securities arm, which isn’t proceeding with an initial public offering for now.
Notification of a system glitch is posted at MUFG Bank's Ueno branch in Tokyo's Taito Ward on Oct. 10.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 18, 2023
Compensation to be given over Japan payments clearing system glitch
Zengin-Net, the system’s operator, said member banks will reimburse customers for extra fees and penalties incurred.
Kioxia's Kitakami plant in Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture. Western Digital and Kioxia initially aimed to reach a decision on a merger in August, but discussions have dragged on as the companies tried to iron out details.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 20, 2023
Banks prepare ¥2 trillion funds for Kioxia-Western Digital merger
The moves towards a refinancing commitment would mark a step forward in the merger, which has faced months of delays.
Fumitaka Nakahama, Head of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group's global corporate and investment banking business, speaks in an interview in Tokyo on Sept. 7.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 13, 2023
MUFG battles private equity and startups to hire U.S. bankers
MUFG is plowing more resources into the American market in a bid to grow alongside established powerhouses.
The Shiodome City Center building in Tokyo's Minato Ward
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 6, 2023
GIC considering sale of Tokyo skyscraper for over $2 billion
The sale plans come as a glut of new office supply is expected in Tokyo over the next two years, potentially tempering investor appetite.
Signage for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking (right) and Mizuho Bank (center) in Tokyo. Two of Japan's mega-banks reported solid quarterly profit on Monday.
BUSINESS
Jul 31, 2023
Japan’s biggest banks beat estimates, adding to BOJ tailwind
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group said net income for the quarter ending June 30 was ¥248 billion, while Mizuho Financial Group’s was ¥245.2 billion.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 21, 2016
Rule No. 1 for scoring big pay in Japan: Don't be Japanese
In Japan, expatriates rule when it comes to the biggest pay packages.

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A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world