Yoshio Nakamura - The Japan Times

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Yoshio Nakamura

For Yoshio Nakamura's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES

Apr 14, 2003

Take heart! Japan can beat deflation, create jobs through 2010: JBF

People are becoming increasingly wary of the condition of the Japanese economy and uncertain of its future. Some media commentators and economists speak as if the economic slump is going to continue for another decade, or even another century.

BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVE

Mar 17, 2003

Next BOJ team must sell the public a fiscal policy it can believe in

A lot has been said about the nomination of Bank of Japan Gov. Toshihiko Fukui, the events that led to the formation of his team, and the political dynamics behind that decision. Now, with his formal appointment due on Thursday, I would like to point out several tasks the central bank will need to tackle under his leadership.

BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES

Feb 17, 2003

FTC's 'procedures' trample human rights

Article 11 of the Constitution says, "The people shall not be prevented from enjoying any of the fundamental human rights. These fundamental human rights guaranteed by this Constitution shall be conferred upon the people of this and future generations as eternal and inviolable rights." The principle of guaranteeing basic human rights is known to all Japanese who have received elementary school education.

BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES

Jan 20, 2003

Hike in consumption tax center of lobby's vision

The Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) on Jan. 1 released a grand vision aimed at reviving Japan into a vigor- ous and attractive nation.

BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES

Nov 18, 2002

Reality check in order for 'antideflation' plan

The comprehensive package of so-called antideflation measures spelled out by the government late last month incorporates steps for revitalizing Japan's financial and industrial sectors, stimulating economic activity and bolstering the safety net for workers.

BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES

Sep 30, 2002

Immediate revamp of securities tax holds cure for ailing stock market

The stock market remains mired in a slump. On Sept. 3, the benchmark Nikkei average in Tokyo plunged to yet another post-Bubble low.

BUSINESS

Jul 22, 2002

Education key to boosting Japan's competitiveness

The Switzerland-based Institute for Management and Development releases an annual report on the international competitiveness of major countries.

BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES

May 20, 2002

Tax reform will offer Japan realistic chance to revitalize economy

The government's Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy is scheduled to set the direction for tax reform by the end of June. Since its establishment last year, the council has set out guidelines for structural reform in fiscal, social security and other fields, but not much has been discussed about the tax system -- the cornerstone of economic policy.

BUSINESS

Feb 11, 2002

FTC moves raise doubts over Antimonopoly Law

For more than 120 years during the Meiji, Taisho and Showa eras, the government was the primary driving force of the Japanese economy. That changed as the nation entered the Heisei era, as the private sector began to play a public role previously monopolized by the government. This is why the nation needs to structurally reform the economy.

BUSINESS

Nov 19, 2001

Tokyo Stock Exchange breaks new ground as a stock company

On Nov. 1 the Tokyo Stock Exchange made a fresh start as a stock company, trailing the Osaka Stock Exchange by seven months but beating its rival in New York.

BUSINESS

Jun 25, 2001

Commercial Code revision threatened by old mind-set

Japan is changing from a society tightly ruled by proactive laws into one where economic activities are supervised only on a retrospective basis. This is the result of progress in administrative and fiscal reforms, and it is one reason behind the proposal to overhaul the judicial system.

BUSINESS

Apr 16, 2001

Improving profitability critical to concluding bad-loan debacle

The government's emergency economic package released April 6 featured steps to promote bad-loan disposal in the banking industry. The specific targets involved a two-year deadline for major banks to remove some 12.7 trillion yen in outstanding loans to borrowers either bankrupt or on the brink of collapse, and a three-year deadline to take care of new nonperforming loans.

BUSINESS

Feb 26, 2001

Japan in sore need of direct financing

The Tokyo stock market remains in a slump, with its key indicator threatening to fall below 13,000, as uncertainties linger over the future and selling pressures intensify with the unwinding of cross-shareholdings toward the end of the fiscal year.

BUSINESS

Jan 7, 2001

Think twice before 'penalizing' firms that adopt consolidated tax

Following tax reform proposals issued by the ruling coalition late last year, the government has decided to introduce the consolidated corporate taxation system in fiscal 2002.

BUSINESS

Dec 18, 2000

Popularity polls belie Mori's 'reform plans'

Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori launched his new Cabinet on Dec. 5, reshuffling his team to prepare for the reorganization of government ministries and agencies in January.

BUSINESS

Jul 3, 2000

Election results mean Diet must heed fickle workforce

The tripartite coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party have managed to win an "absolute comfortable" majority that will enable them to control all standing committees in the powerful Lower House and chair them as well.

BUSINESS

May 22, 2000

Ishihara tax reflects paralysis caused by national tax scheme

The new size-based tax on big banks that has been introduced by Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara is causing major repercussions and prompting Osaka Prefecture to consider a similar tax.

JAPAN

Jan 10, 2000

Make 'Rebuilding Confidence' the government slogan for 2000

Last year a series of mishaps shook our faith in various things we have grown to trust over the years, from the H-II rocket failure and the crumbling tunnels of our shinkansen lines to the nuclearcriticality accident in Tokai, Ibaraki Prefecture.

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

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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