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May 18, 2024
 

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Akemi Nakamura
For Akemi Nakamura's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2002
Domestic retailers brace for Seiyu-Wal-Mart impact
Japan's retail industry, suffering from a decade-long economic slump and the advance of powerful specialty discount stores, is gearing up to compete with another formidable player.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 30, 2002
Japan urged to push for Chile FTA
Japan should gear up for pushing a bilateral free-trade agreement with Chile to expand business in South America, a Chilean business leader urged.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 29, 2002
Top business lobbies tie knot, hope to better sway politics
The Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren) and the Japan Federation of Employers' Associations (Nikkeiren) merged Tuesday to become the Japan Business Federation, hoping the more powerful business lobby can wield greater influence over government policies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 3, 2002
Ailing Japan looks to World Cup to spark a spending spree
While the nation continues to struggle with weak consumer spending amid the protracted economic slump, the World Cup soccer finals, which Japan and South Korea will cohost from May 31 to the end of June, seem to be loosening the purse strings of some consumers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 25, 2002
Sumitomo, Mitsui Chemicals unite to weather tough times
As a global wave of consolidation sweeps through the chemicals industry, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Japan's second-largest chemicals maker, is trying to get a jump on its domestic rivals by merging with industry No. 3 Mitsui Chemicals Inc.
JAPAN
Feb 21, 2002
Lifetime employee laments end to her dream of promotion
Setsuko Tanao, an employee at Nomura Securities Co., has fought for gender equality in the workplace since joining the firm's Osaka branch as a high school graduate in 1961.
BUSINESS
Jan 29, 2002
Keidanren, Nikkeiren still have hurdles to clear
The Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren) and the Japan Federation of Employers' Associations (Nikkeiren) are putting the final touches on mandatory procedures for their much ballyhooed integration, scheduled for May 28.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 4, 2002
Imported appliances selling well as buyers search for simplicity
Reiko Shibata, a 48-year-old housewife in Musashino, western Tokyo, occasionally visits Gaikoku Kaden, a neighborhood shop specializing in imported home appliances ranging from General Electric refrigerators and Dyson vacuum cleaners to La Pavoni espresso makers and Cuisinart blenders.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2001
Wholesalers still clinging on
While foreign retailers are seeking to trade directly with Japanese manufacturers in an effort to cut costs and prices, wholesalers will continue to play a key role in the domestic distribution chain, according to Seiichiro Kojima, president of nonfood wholesaler Chuo Bussan Corp.
Japan Times
JAPAN / INTERNATIONAL RATIONALE
Dec 19, 2001
Foreign retailers relying on adaptability to survive
When French retailer Carrefour and U.S.-based Costco Wholesale Corp. opened their outlets in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture, a year ago, many saw the foreign stores as a threat to domestic supermarkets.
BUSINESS
Nov 17, 2001
British firm eyes communications technology niche
After forming a partnership with a major Japanese electronics company, nCo Tec ventures Ltd., a venture capital firm based in Britain, is gearing up to promote European ventures involving communications technology in the Japanese market, according to George MacRitchie, a partner in nCo Tec.
BUSINESS
Oct 27, 2001
DaimlerChrysler to take advantage of present Asian alliances
...
BUSINESS
Oct 26, 2001
Volkswagen to accelerate sales promotion, presence in Asia
MAKUHARI, Chiba Pref. -- German auto giant Volkswagen AG is accelerating sales promotions to increase its presence in Asia, especially in Japan and China, according to an executive of the firm.
BUSINESS
Oct 25, 2001
Fuel cells, IT on stage at motor show
MAKUHARI, Chiba Pref. -- The 35th Tokyo Motor Show opened to the media Wednesday, showcasing concept cars, motorbikes and the latest auto parts at the Makuhari Messe international event hall.
BUSINESS
Sep 14, 2001
Japan could be key to Asia recovery
Asian countries should cooperate in tackling a looming global recession, and Japan can play a key role in doing so, according to an executive of an international business organization.
JAPAN / 50 YEARS SINCE SAN FRANCISCO
Aug 28, 2001
Carmakers had shaky start until oil shock hit market
Staff writer In 1957, Toyota Motor Corp. shipped two samples of its Toyopet Crown sedan to the United States as the first Japanese cars exported to that market. Nissan Motor Co. followed with Datsun compacts in 1958.
BUSINESS
Aug 16, 2001
New cafes offer broadband experience
With most homes in Japan not yet ready for high-speed access to the Internet, more and more "broadband cafes" are sprouting up to offer firsthand experience with the latest Internet services.
JAPAN / STAGING A COMEBACK
Aug 7, 2001
Businesses bustle to board biotech bandwagon
With the mapping of the human genome opening the door to new possibilities for curing diseases and developing medicine, many Japanese companies are running to catch the bandwagon for the emerging biotech business.
BUSINESS
Aug 4, 2001
Nikkeiren urges jobless safety net
FUJIYOSHIDA, Yamanashi Pref. -- Hiroshi Okuda, chairman of the Japan Federation of Employers' Associations (Nikkeiren), said creating a safety net for the unemployed should be a priority for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who is promoting structural reforms.
BUSINESS
Aug 3, 2001
Nikkeiren calls on government to implement jobless aid fund
FUJIYOSHIDA, Yamanashi Pref. -- The Japan Federation of Employers' Associations (Nikkeiren) called on the central government Thursday to implement a 1 trillion yen emergency employment scheme to help cope with rising unemployment.
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.
U.S. envoy to Japan makes landmark visit to front-line island near Taiwan
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel meets with members of the Self-Defense Forces stationed on Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, on Friday.
Japan to review romanization system for first time in 70 years
An advisory panel to the education ministry will consider how the Japanese language should be transcribed into the Latin alphabet, including unifying different romanization styles currently in use.
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.
Japan’s economy contracts as consumers and firms cut spending
Japan's gross domestic product shrank at an annualized pace of 2% in the three months through March.
Can AI-generated inventions be patented? A Tokyo court says no.
The Tokyo court's ruling comes amid ongoing debates on how to regulate generative AI and is part of a transnational class action lawsuit.
A new initiative rethinks old Tohoku crafts
The colored patterns of Tsuguru "nuri," made in Aomori Prefecture, are achieved by applying multiple coatings of lacquer, which are later polished down to reveal layers of colors beneath.
Xi and Putin mark ‘new era’ amid efforts to counter U.S. ‘containment’
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend an event in Beijing on Thursday. During Putin's visit, the leaders showed off their growing alignment amid efforts to push back against the U.S.-led world order.
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.

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