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Hiromi Horie
For Hiromi Horie's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Demand for infertility treatment is high in Japan, where the number of live births fell for eight straight years to another record low last year.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Mar 30, 2024
Fertility startups in Japan step in as treatment demand soars
In Japan, shortages of treatment options plague patients as the country grapples with one of the world’s lowest birthrates.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 29, 2023
Japan startup raises ¥4 billion to build space robot workforce
The comapny's CEO believes it’s too risky and impractical for humans to assemble and inspect machinery in space, while equipment now used is far too expensive.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 16, 2023
Wagyu goes high tech to meet surging demand
Farmers say overseas wagyu fans help make up for weak domestic demand, particularly in premium cuts such as sirloin.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 6, 2019
World's first self-styled space trader scopes out a $43 billion industry
The business of manufacturing and launching small satellites is projected to grow almost fourfold over the coming decade to $42.8 billion, creating an opportunity for those seeking to profit from increased commerce between companies in the industry.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 18, 2018
Mercian, Japan's oldest winemaker, readies for onslaught of European grapes following trade deal
With the removal of tariffs on European wines as soon as next year, Mercian Corp. is betting on Japanese grapes to weather the onslaught.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2018
Japan's largest sake exporter eyes even larger slice of international market
The new boss of Takara Holdings Inc., Japan's biggest sake-supplier to overseas markets, wants to make the rice-based alcohol as popular as wine.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 12, 2018
Climate change threat sends Japan's Key Coffee on bean hunt
Coffee lovers beware: Climate change is threatening supplies of high-quality beans, with one coffee house hunting for the perfect bean to withstand warmer conditions.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 27, 2017
End of 47-year Japan rice program signals boost for ramen wheat
The end of Japan's four decades of rice-market control could be good news for noodle lovers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 16, 2017
Internet bad boy Takafumi Horie and Wagyumafia bet the farm on intensely marbled steaks
Corporate enfant terrible, Takafumi Horie, built one of Japan's most successful internet businesses, stood for the Diet, went to prison and started a space company that aims to put the country's first privately funded rocket into orbit. Now he has a new frontier: cattle.
BUSINESS
Sep 7, 2017
Want hydrogen with your fish? Japan eyes home delivery of clean fuel in rural north
Want a canister of clean energy to go with your basket of carrots and fresh fish?
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 26, 2017
Sake makers tout locally sourced rice to entice terroir-obsessed wine enthusiasts
Brewery executive Kosuke Kuji brought his best sake to a New York booze showcase 16 years ago hoping to promote high-end sake to a new generation of sophisticated foreign drinkers. They were a little disappointed.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jun 3, 2017
Chilean wine a hit among Japan's working women
Japan's swelling ranks of working women have grape growers 10,000 miles away cheering.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 25, 2015
Diamonds not forever as Japanese offload jewels for cash
Diamonds aren't necessarily forever. At least not in Japan, where jewelry owners are unloading unwanted jewels for cash at a record pace and shipping them off to buyers in China and India.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores