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April 20, 2024
 

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Rocky Swift
For Rocky Swift's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Asahi Group Holdings chief executive Atsushi Katsuki
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 26, 2024
Asahi eyes overseas acquisitions to quadruple sales of Super Dry beer
Spurred on by the need to seek growth outside of the shrinking home market, Japanese firms went on an overseas buying spree worth ¥8.1 trillion last year.
Japanese civil engineering group Infroneer said it would buy Japan Wind Development from Bain Capital for about $1.4 billion.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 12, 2023
Japan's Infroneer to buy Japan Wind Development from Bain Capital
The $1.4 billion acquisition will expand the Japanese civil engineering group's renewable energy business.
Foreign tourists in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on Wednesday
JAPAN
Oct 18, 2023
Foreign visitors to Japan hit 96% of pre-COVID level in September
The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure was 2.18 million last month, up slightly from 2.16 million in August.
The average price for a new condominium in central Tokyo rose 60% to a record ¥129.6 million ($865,000) in the first half of this year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 4, 2023
Surging Tokyo property prices squeeze out young professionals
The average price for a new condominium in central Tokyo rose 60% to a record ¥129.6 million ($865,000) in the first half of this year.
Suntory Beverage & Food's chief executive Makiko Ono sees Australia as a model for integrating canned alcoholic drinks into offerings in other global markets.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 31, 2023
Suntory Beverage sees Australia as model for can cocktail growth
The company is considering building a factory in Australia's northeastern city of Brisbane to produce canned drinks.
Staff from All Nippon Airways and a travel agency escort a Chinese tour group from Beijing upon their arrival at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 24, 2023
Will 'explosive spending' return to Japan with China group tours?
Hopes the tours will herald big returns clash with a struggling Chinese economy and Japan's controversial release of treated wastewater into the sea.
Nadine, a 43-year-old tourist from the U.S., wears a sumo wrestler costume and tries to spar against former sumo wrestler Towanoyama in the sumo ring at Yokozuna Tonkatsu Dosukoi Tanaka in Tokyo in June 30.
SUMO
Jul 23, 2023
Sumo retirees play for laughs from tourists flooding back to Japan
Themed restaurants, including those offering sumo performances, are part of a tourism ecosystem that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hopes will add ¥5 trillion a year to the nation's economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 13, 2023
Uniqlo owner posts record Q3 profit and raises forecast on China recovery
Fast Retailing has 925 Uniqlo outlets in mainland China — more than in Japan — making it a bellwether for a retail market that was hammered by tough COVID-19 restrictions.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 1, 2023
Astellas to buy Iveric Bio for $5.9 billion to expand eyesight treatments
The deal marks the fifth major overseas acquisition by Astellas, Japan's third biggest drugmaker by sales, since 2019.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 29, 2023
As home market shrinks, 'Made in Japan' appeal still offers hope for Miki House
From a country with ever-fewer births, the firm is looking overseas — for production, and for customers who will buy products like its ¥100,000 Gold Label brand pajamas.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 24, 2023
Japan firms see global inflation risk as major headwind for fiscal 2023
Of nearly 500 major companies polled, 82% said a continuation of global inflation was a concern for their business in the coming period.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 24, 2023
Nearly half of Japan's firms want BOJ to revise negative rate policy
In the next most common response, 28% said the central bank should revise its 2% inflation target.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 19, 2023
Majority of Japan firms heed Kishida's call to raise wages this year
The prime minister has repeatedly urged companies to make strong efforts to lift employee pay, which has failed to keep up with the fastest inflation in 40 years.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2023
McDonald's Japan hikes prices for third time in 10 months
The company cited currency fluctuations as well as surging costs for materials, labor, transportation and energy as the reasons for the move.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 19, 2022
Suntory Beverage's first female CEO wants to see more women as managers
Makiko Ono will be one of only a handful of women to lead a big Japanese company once she takes over the job early next year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 18, 2022
Buying a bomb shelter in Japan's suburbs
Nao Engineering, which has been selling its Crisis-1 shelters since December 2021, has seen a surge in inquiries after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 8, 2022
Most Japanese firms in poll don't support Kishida, citing leadership and prices
Dissatisfaction among major corporations mirrors public opinion polls showing dwindling support for Kishida amid scandals that have taken down three of his ministers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 30, 2022
Japanese biotech firm uses tiny worms in test for pancreatic cancer
The creatures, a species of nematodes known scientifically as C. elegans, have olfactory senses much more powerful than dogs, the firm says, and they follow their nose toward cancer cells.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 15, 2022
Japan's Olympus says moving from asset sales towards doing deals
After two decades in human resources roles, incoming Stefan Kaufmann will become one of the few foreign CEOs leading a major Japanese company.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 10, 2022
Japanese companies hold firm on capital spending with focus on technology
A survey has backed up reports by the Japanese government and central bank last month that the capital expenditure outlook is turning up.
No link to Nankai Trough quake seen after temblor in Shikoku
Satoshi Harada from the Meteorological Agency explains about the magnitude 6.6 earthquake during a news conference early Thursday.
Tehran signals no retaliation against Israel after drones attack Iran
A reported strike against Iran by Israel on Friday came against the backdrop of Iran's support for the Palestinian Hamas militant group, whose assault into Israel on Oct. 7 triggered Israel's invasion of Gaza.
In a first, Japan doctors sue Google over negative reviews on firm's map app
One of the lawyers representing a group of doctors suing Google told a news conference that the main purpose of the lawsuit is not to seek compensation but instead to raise awareness over various problems with the Google Maps system.
Former No. 1 Kento Momota retires from international badminton at 29
Badminton star Kento Momota leaves a news conference after announcing his retirement from Japan's national team, in Tokyo on Thursday.
Thousands evacuated as Indonesia volcano erupts
Indonesia's Mount Ruang spews hot lava and smoke as seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi, on Wednesday.
'House of the Owl' brings Hollywood values to Japanese TV
In the new Disney+ series “House of the Owl,” Min Tanaka (left) plays a powerful political fixer, or “kuromaku,” who has a troubled relationship with his adult children, particularly his idealistic son, played by Mackenyu.
Benefits and risks: AUKUS looks to take gamble on Japan
U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British leader Rishi Sunak deliver remarks on the AUKUS partnership, after a trilateral meeting, at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego in March last year.
Kyoto’s demon night parade lives to haunt another day
In a Kyoto long past, the "hyakki yagyō" (100 demon night parade) haunted a sleepy corner of Kyoto. Now, one enterprising monster enthusiast has won a small batttle to keep the march alive.
U.S. deploys midrange missile system in Indo-Pacific for first time
A U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Launcher arrives as part of the capability’s first deployment into theater on Northern Luzon, Philippines, April 8.
Unpacking the chaotic by-election in a scandal-hit Tokyo district
People listen to a campaign speech in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Tuesday.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on
By Lance Henderstein

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