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April 30, 2024
 

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Shinya Ajima
For Shinya Ajima's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Apr 23, 2012
Analysts query value of IMF contribution
The leading role Japan played in convincing the Group of 20 major economies to almost double the resources of the International Monetary Fund highlighted Tokyo's fear of losing its global presence to emerging economies such as China.
BUSINESS
Mar 8, 2012
Recovery from quake could block reforms
One year after the devastating March 11 quake and tsunami, the economy has been recovering from the tremendous shocks caused by the disasters, which disrupted the nation's production and exports while hurting business and consumer sentiment.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Feb 16, 2012
BOJ faced pressure over inflation goals
The Bank of Japan's decision to announce its first-ever inflation target is being widely interpreted as the central bank stepping up its commitment to end chronic deflation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 31, 2011
Few growth options in 2012
The sky-high yen and global economic downturn will likely continue to exert downward pressure on the economy in 2012, but domestic demand linked to postdisaster reconstruction work is expected to underpin growth.
BUSINESS
Oct 17, 2011
Europe the real test for economy
Some people may be wondering why, despite the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March, the yen has been rising against the dollar, the euro and other major currencies, indicating investor confidence in the country's economy, at least so far.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Aug 26, 2011
Currency experts mixed over yen selloff measure
Market participants remain skeptical of the impact of the government's $100 billion package aimed at curbing the rising yen, and are on the lookout for additional intervention in the near future.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Aug 6, 2011
Forex intervention raises doubts
Thursday's intervention in currency markets by the government clearly illustrated their fear that the economy could collapse unless they take action.
BUSINESS
Jul 13, 2011
Political turmoil casting doubt on public finances
Four months after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in the northeast, the economy shows some signs of recovery, but at the same time uncertainty is growing over public finances as the government struggles to implement budgets and push through fiscal reforms amid political turmoil.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 12, 2011
Economic outlook dimmer a month after earthquake
A month after the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, uncertainty over the country's economy has only escalated, with manufacturers crippled and the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant weighing heavily on business and consumer sentiment.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Mar 18, 2011
Blackouts ravaging faltering economy
As the havoc wreaked by the massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami last week becomes clearer day by day, one critical problem for Japan's already fragile economic recovery has emerged: a lack of electricity.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jan 30, 2011
Downgrade can help Kan make case for fiscal reform
Japan's deteriorating public finances have prompted Standard & Poor's to cut its sovereign debt rating, but experts say the move has had little negative impact and could even help the government persuade the public to accept reforms that might result in a tax hike.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Dec 17, 2010
Fear propels corporate tax cut
The decision by the government to cut the corporate tax rate was a clear reflection of its fear that the country is losing its attractiveness as a destination for investment.
BUSINESS
Oct 12, 2010
Structural reform 'indispensable' for economic recovery: BOJ's Shirakawa
WASHINGTON — Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa on Sunday called for the Japanese government to promote structural reforms to ensure an economic recovery, without making pointed reference to it after the central bank played its part by significantly easing the country's monetary conditions.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 11, 2010
G7 silently assents to intervention
WASHINGTON — Japan may have been the biggest beneficiary this weekend when the Group of Seven leading economies responded ambiguously about its currency intervention last month, which drew fire from U.S. and European lawmakers.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Aug 7, 2010
Obama runs risk with Roos in Hiroshima
HIROSHIMA/WASHINGTON — As U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos on Friday became the first U.S. representative to attend the annual ceremony to commemorate the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the move was fraught with both political gains and risks for U.S. President Barack Obama.
BUSINESS
Jun 3, 2010
Japan to brief finance chiefs on austerity measures at G20 meet
Financial chiefs from the Group of 20 advanced and major developing economies were to gather Friday and Saturday in South Korea to discuss measures to ease tensions in global financial markets caused by the debt crisis in the euro zone.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
May 11, 2010
Dollar-swap pact needed to keep recovery on track
The Bank of Japan's decision Monday for a dollar-swap accord with the U.S. Federal Reserve was welcomed by analysts, who said pumping liquidity into the banking system and helping businesses raise necessary funds are crucial to keeping Japan's economic recovery on track.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Apr 29, 2010
EU trade talk trouble highlights shift to South Korean market
Japan and the European Union have had difficulty launching a joint study on a free-trade deal, with analysts pointing out that Japan's market appears less promising than other Asian economies.
JAPAN
Feb 3, 2010
EU FTA quest to test political will
Japan goes into semiannual regulatory reform talks with the European Union this week, with some participants expecting to make headway on bilateral free trade.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2009
Finland to Japan: exploit strengths
Finland, recently named the world's "most prosperous" country, no longer sees economic growth as a reason to feel happy as the global crisis has changed how people value their lives, Finland foreign minister said in a recent interview in Tokyo.
When will Japan intervene to support the yen?
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki has reiterated the government's readiness to take an appropriate action as the yen continues to slide against the U.S. dollar.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Raising kids in Japan as a single parent? It takes a village.
Making things work as a foreign, single mother in Japan isn't easy, but these tips and tricks can help you through the hardest parts.
Yen rebounds strongly after first slide past ¥160 since 1990
The yen dropped to ¥160.245 per dollar on Monday before heading into the other direction to ¥155.01 amid speculation of an intervention by Japanese currency authorities.
JAL cancels international flight after captain gets drunk at Dallas hotel
A Japan Airlines' flight from Dallas to Tokyo was canceled last week after its captain got drunk at a local hotel.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.

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

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
By Alex K.T. Martin

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