author

 
 

Meta

Anna Kitanaka
For Anna Kitanaka's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 15, 2016
The BOJ's unstoppable rise to shareholder No. 1 in Japan
The Bank of Japan's controversial march to the top of the shareholder rankings in the world's third-largest equity market is picking up pace.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 28, 2016
CEO taps monk training to shine way for driverless taxis
Hisashi Taniguchi used a sabbatical from developing software for driverless taxis and drones to take a pilgrimage to a Buddhist temple in western Japan. He shaved his head, donned black robes and studied to become its leader.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 27, 2016
GPIF head says too soon to pass verdict on negative rates
Stocks tumbled, the yen strengthened and bond yields melted away after Japan moved to negative interest rates, but the head of the country's giant pension fund is far from fazed.
BUSINESS
Apr 25, 2016
BOJ seen quietly snapping up big stakes in Japan Inc. via ETFs
They may not realize it yet, but Japan Inc.'s executives are increasingly working for a shareholder unlike any other: the nation's money-printing central bank.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 18, 2016
Japan index compilers rush to please BOJ and excite normal investors
A man walks into a tailor, orders a custom-made suit and then says he's bound by his own rules to only buy half of it. Sell the rest to someone else, he says.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 11, 2016
Abenomics rebuked as major foreign investors join $46 billion Japan pullout
For global equity investors and Shinzo Abe, itu2019s splitsville.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 23, 2016
As overseas investors flee Japan, BlackRock places bets
As foreign investors flee Tokyo stocks, the world's largest asset manager says the move by the Bank of Japan that spooked the market will be one of the main things that pushes it back up.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 3, 2016
Economist says pre-bout parade of sumo sponsors gives clues to Japan Inc.'s health
When the giants of sumo wrestling prepared to step into the ring for last month's grand tournament in Tokyo, Akiyoshi Takumori fired up his spreadsheet.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 18, 2016
Japan's stock buyers unconvinced despite positive technical signs
After the worst start to a year on record, Japanese stocks are approaching levels that in the past have proved to be springboards to recoveries.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 4, 2016
Foreign investors get it wrong on Japan stocks, ending 25-year run
For the first year since 1989, foreign investors sold Japanese stocks and missed a rally.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 11, 2015
Twenty years in the making, Daiwa-tutored Myanmar bourse fetes baby-steps debut
Starting a stock market is hard. Just ask Ryota Sugishita.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Nov 16, 2015
Recession ignored by Japan investors as profits drive rally
If Japan's economy is in trouble, you wouldn't know it from the stock market.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 27, 2015
One year after BOJ 'Halloween easing,' investors eye repeat
The Bank of Japan and a state money manager worked hand in hand last October with surprise easing and a portfolio reshuffle that boosted both stock and bond markets. This year, a similar one-two punch is not off the cards.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Oct 23, 2015
Postal IPO hype said sign of public shift to equities
Appetite for the world's biggest equity listing this year shows the interest of a group that could swallow it more than 600 times over: stock-averse Japanese households.
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 30, 2015
GPIF's smaller clones seen as savior to BOJ as it runs out of bonds to buy
The Bank of Japan's search for fresh bonds to fuel its unprecedented asset-purchase program is set to get easier as public retirement funds with $276 billion turn into sellers of government debt.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 27, 2015
Market mayhem shakes brokers out of usual August lull
On Daiwa Securities Group Inc.'s Tokyo trading floor, Yukio Ikehata is spending more time listening to clients than processing orders to buy stocks.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 25, 2015
Part-time traders join pros in mass exodus from Japan stocks
Whether part-time or professional, Japan's stock investors are heading for the exits.
BUSINESS
Aug 10, 2015
Analysts baffled by shame index reshuffle as Tepco sinks
It turns out numbers aren't the only things that matter for companies trying to gain entry into the index of Japan's best companies.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 24, 2015
Toshiba case points to whistleblower law's shortcomings
One of the more intriguing questions stemming from the Toshiba accounting scandal is this: Where was the whistleblower?
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 16, 2015
GPIF head says no need to be 'bang on' with asset targets
The world's biggest pension fund, nearing the end of a plan to shift its asset mix and bulk up on equities, need not rush itself to reach new allocation targets, according to its president.

Longform

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