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Shigemi Kotaka
For Shigemi Kotaka's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 6, 2004
Banks try weekend consultations to get clients
Japanese banks and other financial institutions are trying to lure individual customers by offering weekend consultation services to make up for dwindling lending to corporate clients.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 3, 2004
Foreign firms listen close to Japan's tough consumers
Many major international companies including L'Oreal of France and Procter & Gamble of the United States are focusing on trying to satisfy Japan's demanding consumers, not only for their business in Japan itself but also because they say it helps their efforts in other markets.

Longform

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.
Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree