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May 05, 2024
 

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Shusuke Murai

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Shusuke Murai
Shusuke Murai was born in Japan and spent his teen years in central Ohio. He graduated from New York University with a M.A. in Communication. His interests include the activities of virtual communities, intercultural interactions in the information society and futuristic gadgets.
For Shusuke Murai's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 23, 2017
For foreign companies in Japan, adapting to local culture seen as key to success
Adjusting to culture in Japan is often a challenge for foreign residents. The same goes for foreign companies.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Aug 14, 2017
Some Japanese brand legacies stand to profit from geographical indication; others, not so much
In the not so distant future, Kraft Parmesan, a household name for grated cheese with its distinctive green package sold by a Japanese dairy company, may disappear from shelves in Japan or reappear bearing a different name.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 26, 2017
Rural resorts, well-to-do visitors key as Japan looks to become tourism giant
Developing rural resorts that can draw wealthy overseas visitors is the key to making Japan a thriving tourism-oriented nation, Mori Trust Co. President Miwako Date said Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 20, 2017
Japan's life expectancy increases by 4.2 years over quarter century
A research study finds that average life expectancy in Japan has increased to 83.2 years from 79.0 years during the quarter-century period, but the gap between prefectures has widened.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2017
Japanese firms needs to boost worker happiness to survive, well-being expert says
Feeling blue at work? According to Keio University professor Takashi Maeno, there are science-backed reasons explaining why workers may feel so distressed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jul 11, 2017
EU free trade deal likely to hurt Japan's dairy farmers, wineries
Hailed by government officials as sending a message to the world on free trade, domestic producers could see negative impact
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2017
Oita aims to heat things up with video of Olympian synchronized swimming in onsen
Famous for its onsen (hot springs), Oita Prefecture has posted a promotional video featuring former Olympians performing synchronized swimming in geothermal pools in a bid to "heat up" momentum for an upcoming international aquatics sports competition.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 1, 2017
Minato Ward hosts first disaster seminar for foreign residents
Foreign residents gathered for a seminar in Tokyo's Minato Ward on Saturday to learn how to use disaster kits and protect themselves during emergencies, even if they can't speak Japanese.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 27, 2017
Shareholders express anger at Takata management
Air bags made by the firm, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday, have reportedly been linked to at least 17 deaths worldwide.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 26, 2017
After global air bag recall, Takata files for bankruptcy in Japan and U.S.
Air bag maker Takata Corp., facing an estimated u00a51.7 trillion in liabilities, looks to restructure under the sponsorship of a U.S.-based and Chinese-owned company.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 23, 2017
New Tepco chief reaffirms Fukushima commitment, but underscored need for plant restarts
Dealing with the aftermath of nuclear disaster at Fukushima No.1 power plant remains the most important mission for Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc., Tomoaki Kobayakawa, Tepco's new president, said Friday, but he also stressed the need to restart nuclear plants for the sake of continuing the utility's business.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 21, 2017
As Japan Inc. inefficiency reigns, some see going paperless as a clear fix
Looking for a job in Japan? You might want to start off by writing a resume by hand and using your hanko (personal seal) to prove its authenticity. If you actually get hired, you may need to get used to faxing documents to clients.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 19, 2017
Sinister world of the dark web is just a few clicks away
The internet has long been an essential fixture of people's lives. But the candy-colored cupcake photos on Instagram and hilarious animal videos on YouTube are just the sugar-coated, cat-tastic surface of the internet.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 15, 2017
Toshiba unveils submersible video robot to probe reactor 3 at Fukushima No. 1 plant
Toshiba Corp. unveiled on Thursday a submersible robot to take live video of reactor 3 at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant to confirm whether fuel debris is sitting at the bottom of a pool of radioactive water inside.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 5, 2017
Study abroad and travel agencies on edge in wake of London Bridge attack
Japanese travel agencies and study abroad companies report no casualties or cancellations related to the terrorism turmoil in London but say they are warily mulling their options.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 1, 2017
Japan launches second satellite for home-grown GPS system
JAXA lofts the second of four home-grown geolocation satellites into orbit as Japan looks to end its dependency on the U.S. system.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 23, 2017
Sony about to get its groove back, CEO Kazuo Hirai says
After five years of restructuring by Sony Corp., Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai said Tuesday he is confident the once-dominant electronics giant will see an operating profit of ¥500 billion, the largest in two decades, in the current business year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 14, 2017
Can Japan, land of lifetime employment, handle the rise of freelancers?
For public relations specialist Mari Hirata, the perks that drew her into the world of freelancing were the flexible working hours and the opportunity to work for various companies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 11, 2017
Nissan predicts 19% profit drop on strong yen
Nissan Motor Co. announced Thursday that it forecasts a 19 percent profit drop for the current business year through March 2018, echoing gloomy forecasts given earlier by two other Japanese auto giants — Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 10, 2017
Toyota's profits decline on stronger yen, political instability
Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday its net profit declined for the first time in five years in a downward trend it expects to continue in the near future.
With eye on China, defense chiefs agree to bolster interoperability
From left: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Australian defense chief Richard Marles, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro hold a joint news conference in Honolulu on Thursday.
Harajuku strives to reclaim its former glory — and surpass it
Laforet Harajuku, which celebrated its 45th anniversary last year, has been a witness to the district's evolution over the years.
Biden calls ally Japan ‘xenophobic’ along with rivals China and Russia
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in Syracuse, New York, on April 25.
Debate on constitutional revision at a standstill despite Kishida's pledges
With less than two months left before the conclusion of the current session of parliament, any possibility that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida can deliver constitutional reform before the end of his term as Liberal Democratic Party president in late September, as he has promised, appears remote.
Japan's May 1 intervention may have cost ¥3.66 trillion, BOJ data suggests
An electronic screen displays a graph showing Japanese yen exchange rates surging against the dollar amid signs of intervention by authorities, in Tokyo on Thursday.
Kishida sets sights on energy and climate in South America trip
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will use a policy speech in Sao Paulo to set out his vision for ties between Japan and South America, almost 10 years after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated for stronger ties between the two in the same city.
Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's satellite image of clouds and yellow sand (in pink) on Sunday.
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.

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

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.
The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces
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