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May 17, 2024
 

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Takahiro Fukada
For Takahiro Fukada's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 9, 2008
Shinkansen about more than speed
Shinkansen stand as global symbols of Japanese technological innovation. Debuting just in time for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the bullet trains continue to carry people across the nation at record speed.
BUSINESS
Dec 4, 2008
Aso to break with Koizumi reforms
With the economy in recession and public approval ratings low, Prime Minister Taro Aso signaled Wednesday that Japan must depart from the reformist fiscal policies pursued by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his successors.
BUSINESS
Dec 3, 2008
BOJ takes steps to thaw credit crunch
In an extraordinary monetary policy meeting Tuesday, the Bank of Japan said it would help companies get operating funds toward the yearend by accepting lower-rated corporate debt from banks as collateral for loans.
BUSINESS
Nov 29, 2008
Tax Commission pressures Aso to clarify timing of sales tax hike
The government's Tax Commission on Friday urged Prime Minister Taro Aso to clarify when the 5 percent consumption tax would be hiked to deal with the country's ballooning social security costs.
BUSINESS
Nov 27, 2008
Major life insurers' core profits tumble in first half
Six major life insurers saw their core business profits fall in the six months to September amid the ongoing global turmoil, according to earnings reports released Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Nov 22, 2008
BOJ leaves key interest rate unchanged at 0.3%
The Bank of Japan left the key interest rate unchanged Friday at 0.3 percent, as widely expected, amid a stagnating domestic economy, a decelerating global economy and financial turmoil.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 20, 2008
No bonds, at least for now
Despite growing calls for the government to spend more to stimulate the economy, Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa reiterated Wednesday his ministry currently has no plans to issue deficit-covering bonds. But he also indicated the tax revenue situation may make them necessary.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 19, 2008
Profits nosedive at major banking groups
Net profit at the three major banking groups fell in the six months to September amid the ongoing global economic turmoil, according to their earnings results for the first business half.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 18, 2008
Japan slides into recession
The economy shrank at an annualized pace of 0.4 percent in the three months through September, posting its second consecutive quarter of negative growth amid the global financial crisis and indicating Japan has entered a recession for the first time since 2001.
BUSINESS
Nov 15, 2008
SMFG's group net profit plunges 51%
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. said Friday its consolidated net profit plunged 51.2 percent from a year ago to ¥83.3 billion in the April-September half amid the ongoing global financial turmoil.
BUSINESS
Nov 14, 2008
Capital-hungry Mizuho to issue preferred shares
Mizuho Financial Group Inc. said Thursday it will issue preferred stock to up the group's capital base amid the ongoing global financial turmoil.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 11, 2008
In tough economic times, tourism boss finds visitor boost a tall order
Japan's ailing regional economies can be revitalized by tapping the sightseeing potential of growing Asian countries, according to Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Yoshiaki Hompo.
BUSINESS
Nov 6, 2008
Great Depression different
In a bid to stabilize financial markets, Bank of Japan Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa denied Wednesday that the current global economic crisis is similar to the Great Depression of the 1930s.
BUSINESS
Nov 6, 2008
Obama victory to boost Japan, experts predict
At least in the short run, the Japanese economy is likely to benefit from Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's victory in the U.S. presidential election, as large-scale economic stimulus packages loom, economists said Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 1, 2008
BOJ lowers its key lending rate to 0.3%
The Bank of Japan cut its benchmark interest rate Friday to 0.3 percent from 0.5 percent, joining other central banks in moving to limit further damage from the global financial crisis.
BUSINESS
Oct 31, 2008
Aso unveils ¥27 trillion stimulus package
Prime Minister Taro Aso unveiled a fresh stimulus package Thursday that includes about ¥2 trillion in benefits payments to households, expressway toll cuts and record tax breaks on home loans.
BUSINESS
Oct 29, 2008
Nomura posts loss but expects gains via Lehman acquisitions
Nomura Holdings Inc. said Tuesday its group net loss widened to ¥72.9 billion in the quarter that ended in September due to losses related to the global financial turmoil.
BUSINESS
Oct 28, 2008
Aso's call for action fails to buoy Nikkei
Tokyo stocks renewed their plunge on Monday, with the key Nikkei index falling 6 percent to a fresh 26-year low despite Prime Minister Taro Aso's call earlier in the day for emergency measures to help stabilize the market.
JAPAN
Oct 18, 2008
Cigarette price of ¥1,000 a pack would save 190,000 lives, health studies say
Cigarettes should cost at least ¥1,000 to discourage young people from smoking — a price that would also help sharply reduce deaths caused by the public nuisance, according to two research groups funded by the health ministry.
BUSINESS
Oct 11, 2008
Yamato Life customers to get help
Yamato Life Insurance Co.'s decision to file for bankruptcy protection sent shock waves throughout the industry Friday as it became the first major victim in Japan of the global financial crisis.
Japanese stripper bids to have her porn movies taken off internet
Plaintiff Miyuki Ariga (left) speaks at a news conference along with her lawyer, Yoshitomo Morohashi, after filing a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on Monday.
Kishida defends planned rule to revoke foreigners' residency
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a meeting of the Lower House Judicial Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
Human bone-like objects found at Nippon Steel plant’s molten iron pot, with one worker missing
Police believe it’s highly possible that human bones found in a molten iron pot at Nippon Steel's Oita factory belong to a missing male employee.
Japanese billionaire sues Meta over investment scams using his image
Entrepreneurs Yusaku Maezawa (second from right) and Takafumi Horie (third from right) attend a study session on fake social media ads and investment scams at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on April 10.
Was Onosato's defeat of Terunofuji an era-defining bout?
Onosato (right) defeats Terunofuji at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 12. While nothing in sumo is guaranteed, it seems almost inevitable that Onosato is destined for the top of the sport's pyramid.
Unraveling the Japanese prose of Yukio Mishima
Author Yukio Mishima accepts the Arts Festival Award in the drama category at the 20th Arts Festival Award Ceremony on Jan. 22, 1966.
New Taiwan president to set tone for ties with China at inauguration
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te arrives at the CyberSec 2024 Exhibition in Taipei on Wednesday.
Japanese billionaire sues Meta over investment scams using his image
Entrepreneurs Yusaku Maezawa (second from right) and Takafumi Horie (third from right) attend a study session on fake social media ads and investment scams at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on April 10.
Japanese rap creates its mecca in Pop Yours
Tokyo-based artist Jumadiba says he forgoes the label of simply “rap” for his music because the Japanese rap scene isn’t confined to a particular sound.
Was Onosato's defeat of Terunofuji an era-defining bout?
Onosato (right) defeats Terunofuji at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 12. While nothing in sumo is guaranteed, it seems almost inevitable that Onosato is destined for the top of the sport's pyramid.

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

Things may look perfect to the outside world, but today's mom is fine with some imperfection at home.
How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan
By Mai Yoshikawa

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there
Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

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