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 Kazuaki Nagata

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Kazuaki Nagata
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / ANALYSIS
May 15, 2019
Nissan faces mounting problems on its turnaround path, analysts say
The earnings report and forecast disclosed Tuesday by the automaker underscored a big problem after the arrest and ouster of former Chairman Carlos Ghosn— stabilizing its auto business.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
May 13, 2019
Will government pressure slash Japan's intricate web of smartphone fees?
Last August, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga dropped a bombshell remark that rattled Japan's mobile phone industry: "There is room to lower people's smartphone bills by around 40 percent."
BUSINESS / Companies
May 13, 2019
KDDI rolls out new 'price down' smartphone plans for Japan amid government push for lower rates
The move is in response to government pressure to cut consumers' bills.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 1, 2019
Tokyo welcomes Japan's new Reiwa Era in festive mood with countdowns and marriages
Midnight countdowns, marriage registrations and celebratory events: People welcomed the dawning of the new imperial era, Reiwa, at various locations in Tokyo with a festive mood.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 24, 2019
Laundry-phobics' dreams crushed as Tokyo-based developer of Laundroid robot files for bankruptcy
When Seven Dreamers Laboratories Inc. unveiled its prototype laundry-folding robot in 2015, it generated a buzz, with people saying they couldn't wait to buy one if it ever went to market.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 23, 2019
Jera eyes role as global renewable leader but says coal will still play role in Japan's energy mix
With the integration of existing thermal power plants of its parents Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. and Chubu Electric Power Co. completed on April 1, Jera Co. has completed the last step of unifying the full value chain from upstream fuel and power trading to power generation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Help Wanted?
Apr 21, 2019
Foreign staff bring new perspectives to smaller firms in Japan
There's no denying that Japan, amid a severe labor crunch and a shrinking population, will need to rely more on foreign workers in the coming years, and that's especially true for small and midsize companies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 16, 2019
Asian Development Bank chief says Japan-backed lender will continue loans to China
The bank will keep lending billions of dollars to the world's second-biggest economy, taking a different stance from the World Bank and its plans to reduce loans to China.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2019
Start up, burn out: Services support Japan entrepreneurs' mental health in ultracompetitive culture
Rising entrepreneurs are often treated like heroes, with the media lionizing the way their startups lure sizable investments and how their innovative products might change the world.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 8, 2019
Nissan shareholders officially oust Carlos Ghosn, bringing 20-year relationship to an end
Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa apologized for causing trouble over Ghosn's case, which he described as “an unheard of incident” in the history of the automaker.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Apr 4, 2019
Carlos Ghosn's lawyer slams rare rearrest on bail in Tokyo as 'act of aggression'
In a statement released to media outlets shortly after the development was reported, Ghosn described his latest arrest as “outrageous and arbitrary.”
JAPAN / Help Wanted?
Mar 31, 2019
Foreign workers are on the way, but are Japanese businesses ready?
A new visa program designed to lure more workers to Japan takes effect Monday, and government officials and industry leaders hope two new types will help alleviate the national labor shortage.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 28, 2019
Nissan-funded panel recommends abolishing chairman post to prevent single leader from holding excessive power
To prevent a sole executive from wielding excessive power, Nissan Motor Co. should abolish its chairman position and strengthen an independent monitoring governance system, a panel of experts commissioned by the carmaker said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Mar 15, 2019
At B20 in Tokyo, world business leaders urge stronger cooperation on looming challenges
As confidence in free trade appears to be waning mainly due to U.S. foreign policy and Brexit, international business leaders said Friday that stronger cross-border cooperation is needed more than ever to prevent further damage to the principles of globalization.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 14, 2019
For China drone-maker DJI, the real money in labor-starved Japan is in the industrial sector
Amid severe labor shortages, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to perform human tasks is sure to grow, and DJI, the world's biggest drone-maker, is ready to respond, the firm's Japan head said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 13, 2019
Drones retain their buzz at Japanese trade show, with industrial uses expected to bolster growth
With the market for business-use unmanned aircraft looking promising in coming years, a large-scale drone expo that kicked off Wednesday showed more companies are eager to get involved with the industry.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 12, 2019
Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi seek fresh start after Carlos Ghosn era with new joint board
The three companies said the alliance will establish a new joint management board designed to be operated with a fair balance of power.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 20, 2019
Ghosn's lawyer worries about case's impact on Japan's reputation and believes ex-Nissan chief is innocent
Asked when the trial will start, Junichiro Hironaka said it will probably begin this summer or later.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 12, 2019
Nissan reports Carlos Ghosn's alleged ¥9.2 billion in understated income on firm's earnings statement
The automaker also slashed its full-year profit forecasts amid sluggish demand in the North America market and other markets worldwide.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 7, 2019
Tokyo mecha bar targets middle-aged fans of the anime genre as it reopens following remodeling work
Sipping booze while being surrounded by a small army of robot figures may not be a relaxing setting for ordinary bar-goers.

Longform

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami