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April 29, 2024
 

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Yuka Obayashi
For Yuka Obayashi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 25, 2022
Nippon Steel eyes more stakes in coking coal mines to secure stable supply
The steelmaker says sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine have squeezed an already-tight supply of commodities such as metallurgical coal.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 16, 2022
Japan to resume offshore wind auctions in December with revised rules
An auction in northern Japan was abruptly suspended in March after complaints from businesses about the lack of clarity around the bidding process.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 5, 2022
Japan government asks Sakhalin-2 stakeholders to 'think positively' about new entity
State gas company Gazprom will receive just over 50% of the entity replacing Sakhalin Energy, the current operator.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 15, 2022
Jera to start new coal-fired power plant to ease Japan's electricity crunch
The move represents a rare example of a new coal power plant being built in a developed country, as many industrialized nations have been shutting down coal plants for years.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 22, 2022
JERA prepares to revive a second aged power unit at Anegasaki plant
Japan's energy supply problems relate to various domestic issues, including the suspension of some plants after March earthquakes in Fukushima.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 25, 2022
Insurance is Russian oil's Achilles' heel
Insurers from Europe and the United States, which dominate the international marine market, are curtailing coverage for Russian oil tankers, industry sources say.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 20, 2022
Japanese refiner Eneos to buy alternative to Russian crude from Middle East
'For now, we intend to get alternatives from existing trading partners such as Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait,' Chairman Tsutomu Sugimori said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 11, 2022
Japan looks to top up LNG reserves as possible Russian gas cutoff looms
Utilities are scrambling for already stretched energy sources as resource-poor Japan joins the West in punishing Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 7, 2022
Firms in Japan start to feel the heat over Russia ties as rivals shun Moscow
Executives say privately they are worried about reputational damage, a sign corporate Japan is — however reluctantly — becoming more responsive to pressure on social issues.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 2, 2022
Japanese utilities reel — some more than others — as sky-high fuel prices hit earnings
Regional utilities in Kyushu and Kansai fared better than most thanks to their ability to restart nuclear power plants.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Nov 9, 2021
Japan, once a leader on climate, under fire at COP26 over coal use
The country's refusal to sign a pact to phase out the fuel was short-sighted, critics have said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Sep 14, 2021
Japan to open bidding for Akita area offshore wind farm
Thanks to laws introduced in 2019 to encourage wind farm development, the offshore wind power market in Japan is expected to grow.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Aug 8, 2021
France overcomes ROC to win first men's volleyball gold
France beat the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) team in the men's volleyball final on Saturday in a sensational five-set match to grab their first Olympic gold medal in the sport.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 3, 2021
China's 'Iron Hammer' ready to defend women's volleyball crown at Tokyo Olympics
Defending gold, however, will not be easy for China, even with Zhu Ting, the 26-year-old ace regarded as one of the best volleyball players of all time.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 24, 2019
How rare earth shocks lifted an upstart Australian mining company
Sprawled across a spent volcano on the remote edge of the Great Victoria Desert in Western Australia, the Mount Weld mine seems a world away from the U.S.-China trade war.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 9, 2018
India's aluminum producers increase sales to Japan amid industry shake-up
Indian aluminum producers including Hindalco Industries and Vedanta Ltd. are boosting sales to Japan as U.S. sanctions against Russia's Rusal and import tariffs shake up traditional supply routes.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 18, 2018
Japanese companies in driver's seat for Indian bullet train deals
Japanese steel and engineering companies are in the driver's seat to bag major supply contracts for a $17 billion (around ¥1.8 trillion) Indian bullet train, several sources said, undermining a key component of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic policy — a push to "Make in India."
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 16, 2018
Japan sees little chance of oil slick from stricken tanker reaching its coast
Japan sees little chance of the oil spill from a stricken Iranian tanker that sank on Sunday in the East China Sea reaching its shores, an official at the nation's Environment Ministry said on Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2017
Fuel shortage looms as Japan fires up biomass energy
As the sun sets on Japan's solar energy boom, companies and investors are rushing into wood-burning biomass projects to lock in still-high government subsidies.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 5, 2017
Heavy reliance on coal is likely to stymie Japan's climate agreement goals
Japan may not achieve its carbon emissions target if an ambitious plan to build more coal-fired power plants moves ahead, the environment minister said, underlining Tokyo's struggle to meet globally agreed goals to halt climate change.
Number of homeless in Japan hits record low
Homeless people sleep on the street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in August 2021.
In Japan, regional revitalization fails to halt population decline
Sakiyama elementary school in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture, in March .Over the past decade, the government has directed efforts toward policies designed to give young people incentives to base themselves in rural areas.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Ukraine is far from doomed
When comparing Ukraine’s military situation in 2024 to Europe’s in 1941, Russia’s defeat seems entirely possible.
When will Japan intervene to support the yen?
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki has reiterated the government's readiness to take an appropriate action as the yen continues to slide against the U.S. dollar.
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.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.

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

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo
Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo

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