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 Kazuaki Nagata

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Kazuaki Nagata
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi at the National Diet Building in Tokyo on Monday
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 20, 2025
Takaichi government will likely spend less than expected
The Japan Innovation Party, the Liberal Democratic Party's new coalition partner, could take the edge off some original policy priorities.
Japan National Stadium will be called the MUFG Stadium from 2026 to 2030.
MORE SPORTS
Oct 15, 2025
MUFG buys Japan National Stadium naming rights for five years 
The financial services company anticipates opportunities from the investment.
The 'Takaichi trade' is in doubt and Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi faces challenges from opposition parties.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 14, 2025
China-U.S. trade war and political turmoil in Japan weigh on Tokyo stocks
The Nikkei 225 fell as much as 1,500 points, and closed the day down 2.58%, at 46,847.32.
Less than a week ago, Sanae Takaichi seemed set to become Japan's first female prime minister.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 10, 2025
‘Takaichi trade’ starts unwinding as political calculus upended by Komeito exit
Stocks fell and the yen rose after the coalition collapsed
A monitor in Tokyo shows the Nikkei 225 index closing Monday at 47944.76, up 2,175.26 points from the previous week.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 6, 2025
‘Takaichi trade’ takes Nikkei to record high
Takaichi is a proponent of expansionary fiscal spending and monetary easing, which is believed to have fueled market optimism and led to the rally.
Sanae Takaichi, newly elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, speaks during a news conference at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Saturday.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Oct 5, 2025
Japan's economic policy outlook unclear under Takaichi-led minority government
Much depends on whether new Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi can successfully find an additional coalition partner.
The Bank of Japan is likely to raise rates by the end of this year or early next year.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 1, 2025
Japan's tankan survey suggests rate increase sooner rather than later
Corporate sentiment improved as tariff uncertainty lessened following an agreement with the U.S.
Takeshi Niinami speaks at a news conference in early September after police investigated him over the shipment of supplements to his home.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 30, 2025
Niinami resigning as head of Keizai Doyukai
The business lobby's senior vice chairperson, Mutsuo Iwai, will become acting chairperson until a new leader is chosen.
Most Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Section companies have independent directors now.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Sep 26, 2025
Japanese corporate boards have changed dramatically in recent years
Governance reforms have led to the addition of independent outside directors.
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi has changed course on some economic issues.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 24, 2025
LDP presidential candidates get closer to opposition on some economic issues
They have to make more compromises as the ruling coalition no longer has the majority.
The Bank of Japan has maintained a wait-and-see approach for most of the year.
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 17, 2025
Bank of Japan set to hold rates steady even as inflation remains high
It is expected to keep the policy rate at 0.5% at its meeting this week.
The Bank of Japan's wait-and-see approach is likely to continue given the political climate and the tariff situation.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 11, 2025
Rate increase in Japan less likely following Ishiba's resignation
Political uncertainty will make a move higher in October difficult.
Takeshi Niinami resigns as chairman and CEO of Suntory Holdings.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 9, 2025
Niinami’s ouster quick but not unusual as corporations protect reputation
Sometimes it makes sense to act before the investigation is done.
Representatives from member companies of JOINT3, a consortium working together on semiconductor-related developments announced by Resonac, pose for a photo in Tokyo on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 4, 2025
Resonac creates 27-member consortium to pursue advanced chip developments
It will develop materials, equipment and design tools suitable for large, square organic interposers used in chipmaking.
Former Suntory Holdings CEO Takeshi Niinami said he did not violate the law.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 3, 2025
Niinami, a tough and respected leader, remains at helm of Keizai Doyukai for now
He has championed fast wage increases and a tough approach to wrongdoing.
Dan Kerrigan, CEO of Interactive Brokers Securities Japan, said inflation is here and more money is likely to move into stocks.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 3, 2025
Last man standing is bullish on Japanese stocks
Dan Kerrigan, the CEO of Interactive Brokers, has been here for decades and seen it all.
Sukiya plans to cut prices for its beef bowls for the first time since 2014 starting on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 31, 2025
Sukiya to slash beef bowl prices for first time in 11 years
The move, which comes after a hike in March, will effectively bring prices back down to levels below its major rivals Yoshinoya and Matsuya.
The ministry of labor has suggested a 6% minimum wage increase, but most prefectures reporting so far are opting to go slightly higher.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 25, 2025
Japanese prefectures break with labor ministry on minimum wage
Many prefectures are choosing increases higher than the 6% suggested by the ministry.
Kazuhiro Nomura, president of BK Japan Holdings, which operates Burger King in Japan
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 21, 2025
Big burgers and bigger ambitions for Japan's Burger King
The fast-food chain has grown fourfold in just six years.
The Bank of Japan maintains a wait-and-see approach as calls grow for it to raise rates.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Aug 19, 2025
Bank of Japan encouraged to increase rates soon, before it’s too late
Business and political leaders argue that inflation is too high and must be brought under control soon.

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The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.