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 Kazuaki Nagata

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Kazuaki Nagata
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 31, 2021
As COVID-19 cases surge, Suga remains reluctant to impose strict lockdown
Countries that have implemented strict restrictions “saw a decline in infections due to lockdowns, but the cases surged again ... they had to rely on vaccines after all,” Suga said.
JAPAN
Jul 12, 2021
Rock festival's cancellation while Olympics go on spurs backlash
The organizers and some artists scheduled to take part in the Rock in Japan Festival, in Ibaraki Prefecture, have expressed frustration over the abrupt canceling of the event even though the prefecture is not under a state of emergency.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 5, 2021
Pandemic adds to uncertainty around Japan's minimum wage hikes
Suga is aiming to achieve an average u00a51,000 hourly minimum wage as soon as possible, but businesses, citing the coronavirus, are loudly opposing the move.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 25, 2021
In surprise decision, Toshiba shareholders vote to oust board chairman Nagayama
The move, a victory for activist investors, comes after corporate governance issues at the industrial conglomerate were brought to the fore by a government collusion scandal.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Jun 24, 2021
Corporate governance issues haunt troubled Toshiba as it faces off with investors
Amid scandal, a shareholders meeting on Friday is set to be a showdown between Toshiba's board, who are pushing to retain Chairman Osamu Nagayama, and investors who want him out.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jun 18, 2021
Suga's first growth strategy met with calls to tackle Japan's chronic labor issues
Although much of the spotlight tends to gravitate toward hot economic issues, economists say that it is critical — and timely — for Japan to work on its more deeply rooted problems.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 12, 2021
Japan's older workers have fewer friends but more motivated to work than peers abroad
When asked whether they had close friends other than their family members, 31.3% of Japanese respondents said they did not, as the pandemic curtails social activities.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Jun 10, 2021
A new focus for Suga’s growth strategy: Japan's economic security
With the pandemic having a significant impact on products' supply chains, Japan is scrambling to shore up measures to mitigate the risks to its economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jun 8, 2021
NFT interest growing in Japan, but legal worries persist
While the local NFT market is still in its infancy, there has already been a battle among businesses to team up with popular intellectual-property holders.
BUSINESS
Jun 6, 2021
Wood shortage and soaring prices threaten lumber industry in Japan
With demand rising in the United States and China, where the national economies are picking up, lumber prices have skyrocketed and Japanese firms are struggling to procure material.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2021
Can a four-day workweek solve Japan’s labor market issues?
Polling shows a majority of workers have positive opinions on shorter workweeks, yet many have concerns over pay cuts.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
May 22, 2021
Global chip shortage likely to continue to haunt Japanese automakers
Manufacturers and tech players are itching to get free of a chip shortage that has derailed their production, but are likely in for a bit of a wait.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 14, 2021
India’s virus crisis impacting Japanese firms, clouding short-term outlook
One of the hardest-hit companies is Suzuki Motor Corp., which relies heavily on the Indian market with its Maruti Suzuki India subsidiary.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 10, 2021
As cryptocurrencies boom, Japan looks to finally move on from scandals
A hacking attack that hit Coincheck in 2018 put a wet blanket on a growing cryptocurrency frenzy, but local players feel the industry has now turned a corner.
BUSINESS
Apr 24, 2021
No holiday mood as Japan virus emergency set to hit tourism and shopping hard
The emergency, set to last from Sunday to May 11, is expected to dramatically impact industries that were hopeful ahead of the usually bountiful Golden Week holidays.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 22, 2021
Can security be improved by bringing personal data back to Japan?
While storing and managing data within Japan may better protect against foreign governments' attempts to obtain personal information, critics are yet to be convinced.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 22, 2021
Line data scandal alerts Japan of need to get serious about data protection
Following the news that the firm had allowed a Chinese software company to access users' personal information, calls are being made for better regulation of information.
JAPAN
Apr 17, 2021
Japan's vaccine chief pushes flexibility for rollout
Taro Kono said that the government will consider having students and workers receive shots at their schools and workplaces to make it more convenient for them.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Mar 31, 2021
Will data handling setback damage Line’s dominance in Japan?
A scandal over a Chinese firm's access to user data could derail Z Holdings' plan to facilitate the digital transformation of the public sector.
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 22, 2021
As e-money gains ground in Japan, so do local digital currencies
Regional virtual currencies such as Setagaya Pay can be used in a specific city or ward and are intended to stimulate local economies that have been battered by the pandemic.

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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